3 Costco Storage Products A Professional Organizer Actually Uses

When shoppers express their love for Costco, they'll rave about their impressive grocery haul, the iconic $1.50 hot dog-and-a-drink combo, or the thrill of hunting for money-saving deals. But another area where buyers can really clean up, swears organizing expert Olivia Parks, is by snapping up organizing staples. "I absolutely love Costco," the owner and lead organizer of My Professional Organizer raved to House Digest in an exclusive interview, "and I actually use several of their organizing products and essentials they sell regularly in my work." 

Among the pieces Parks is constantly adding to her cart are storage bags ideal for homes light on closet space, store-anything totes, and ultra-durable racks that can hold them all. And to truly get things sorted for her clients, Parks also likes to stock up on pantry supplies "like Ziploc bags" since "buying in bulk saves a lot of money when you're going through these items constantly on organizing projects." So, if you're on a spring cleaning kick, she's ready to help you straighten things out. Here are the workhorse pieces she thinks you should buy.

For those really trying to pack it in, organizing pro Olivia Parks recommends Costco's popular storage bins. Greenmade's 27 Gallon Storage Bins "are perfect for storing holiday decor, sports equipment, tools, or attic and garage items because they're extremely durable [and] they stack well," Parks noted in an exclusive chat with House Digest. And, with an eight-pack tallying up to just $95.99, they're pretty good value. While primarily used as storage, "I also always suggest these totes to my clients who are moving and are nervous about packing their items in cardboard boxes because they provide extra protection and can be reused long-term," added Parks.

And since you'll also need a place to stack 'em up, Parks says Costco has many heavy-duty metal shelves worth buying. The store has many size options, too, so you can buy one that fits your space. For instance, there is the TRINITY Five-Tier Heavy Duty Wire Shelving Rack, which is a heavy-duty garage shelf worth buying, though Park doesn't recommend parking it just in the garage. Such racks are great for use in sheds, offices, craft rooms, and other storage spaces as well. "They help maximize vertical space, get items off the floor so your space feels bigger, and make it easy to see and access everything you need," added the pro.

Business owner Olivia Parks' final must-have is definitely a helpful one: vacuum storage bags. Shrinking their contents by up to 75%, the megastore's MagicBag Vacuum Storage Bags are one of many space-saving Costco finds for a more organized closet, and go for $29 per 10-piece variety. These are "great for compressing seasonal items like winter coats, bedding and linens, sweaters, and other bulky items because they instantly create more space," Parks explained. Particularly when working with clients who have limited closet space, "I love using them because they make big, puffy, or bulky items way easier to store."

And while they're hardly a hidden find, Ziploc bags also earn a frequent place on Parks' Costco shopping list. You can bag a 322-piece variety pack for $17, which can be cheaper than other stores. Parks uses the everyday staple on the regular "because they make it super helpful to sort and contain items into categories during the organizing process, so I'm always repurchasing those at Costco."