The Storage Solution Mistake That's Just Making Your Organization System Worse

Running a household is a delicate balance. You need to curate your home with the right items to elevate its feel and look, as well as stay on top of your inventory to keep it organized and orderly. When daily life begins to fall out of that balance, it's easy to become inundated with your possessions (and the belongings of the people who live with you) and feel the need to instantly change something. Cue one of the biggest storage solution mistakes that is just making your organization system worse: purchasing bins, baskets, and other containers before you know what to do with them.

It might feel like running to the store or hopping online to stock up on organizing containers is the proactive thing to do — after all, you need places to put all of your belongings, right? Think again. If you choose to approach your organizing with a bin-first mentality, you could be cluttering up your space even more, leaving yourself with the same amount of clutter, just spread out over a larger number of bins. A better approach is to begin by decluttering and grouping your current inventory, then saving the step of purchasing bins and containers for the end. With this method, you'll be buying containers for your actual (rather than perceived) needs. You'll also be able to more accurately map out the area to be organized.

If you are experiencing anxiety about the organization of your home, you likely know deep down that it's not because you're missing out on that perfect bin. Chances are that it actually comes down to a number of factors, one of which is owning too much stuff. The first step, therefore, is to employ a few strategies that work best for decluttering your home, including starting small, setting a challenge for yourself, and keeping a donation box handy. Simply put, if you're decluttering a bedroom closet, resist the urge to begin with a trip to The Container Store for more organizing bins.

Instead, start by sorting through your clothing, accessories, and shoes. Ask yourself which items you've used in the last 90 days and which you plan to use in the coming 90 days. Known as the 90/90 rule, this method can help you declutter everything and is easier than the sometimes controversial KonMari method. After you've decided which items will be leaving your home, remove them from the space you're organizing. With your pared-down inventory, you'll now be perfectly poised to see what containers you actually need.

With decluttering out of the way, you are free to begin buying some beloved bins or baskets that will ensure your space stays nicely organized. Before heading out, though, there are a couple of pro moves that will guarantee your organization system remains effective for longer. This is because, depending on your space, the organizing approach you use — and therefore the containers you need — can differ vastly. While it might not be the most thrilling pre-shopping recommendation, measuring your shelves and cabinets for containers that will actually fit is a smart move. Make note of the physical limitations of your space to avoid purchasing containers that will be unusable.

Working in a tight corner? Vertical storage could be the way to go. Organizing items that will be visible to everyone? Opt for some of the best IKEA baskets ranked by beauty and function. Another consideration pertains to what your personal sensibilities are. If you find yourself struggling to remember where you stored things, clear storage bins or ones that are clearly labeled are a smart move. If, on the other hand, you find yourself overwhelmed by visual clutter, it may be preferable to seek out bins that obscure the contents. Just remember to employ a labeling system in this case so you can easily locate what you need to find.