Better Than Baskets: The Thrifted Item That's Great For Vanity Storage

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An immaculately styled vanity can set the tone for your day as you carefully select the perfect necklace to finish your outfit, add a dash of in-season perfume, and swipe on the ideal shade of lipstick for your skin tone. In reality, however, most of us are untangling gnarled-together chains, trying not to spill foundation, and digging through a messy jewelry box to find an earring back. And while cottagecore — the cozy and charming design trend that's completely taking over — has us organizing everything in baskets, they do nothing to separate and organize our tiniest treasures, like jewelry and makeup, which can end up in a tangled lump.

Even smaller baskets and trinket trays don't offer a great solution, as they take up a lot of real estate horizontally, and vanities tend to offer limited space. Enter the vertical swivel organizer, popularized in the 1970s and '80s. The rotating design offers a weighted bottom to ensure it won't tip, followed by multiple levels of trays (usually four). These small circular trays all stack upon one another and swivel out, so you can quickly see your collection and then sleekly stash items in one tall, narrow cylinder.

The most popular of these nifty containers were made by Interdesign in the 1980s. They were made in the USA from strong resin plastic, and, thanks to their availability, can be found for sale on vintage sites like Etsy and Chairish for $30 to $75, depending on color and condition. Italian designs by companies like Rexite and Rino Pirovano can also be found, and typically fetch a higher price. Interdesign's cream or "butter" color is having an on-trend moment, but you can also find shades of red, mauve, rose, orange, purple, brown, and yellow.

Of course, dedicated — and lucky — hunters can find these vintage organizers in the thrift store. Look out for an Interdesign logo or a "Made in the USA" inscription to know you've found an authentic piece. And, if you're not a secondhand lover (or don't want to wait for one of these items to find you), you can find reproductions on Amazon or MoMA.

Once you've found the perfect piece, fill your swivel container with your favorite treasures. The design makes this one of the best jewelry organizers for your space, but it can also hold perfume samples, makeup, hair clips, or, as one TikToker suggests, your matchbook collection. These containers are also the desk accessory every home office needs, ideal for paper clips, staples, and Post-its. Or, use them to separate phone chargers and headphone cables. When you're done, everything is neatly concealed in modern, minimalist style.