We all share many of the same experiences of being an adult like doing the laundry or cooking dinner and can probably all agree on why these things can be the bane of our existence. Buthow often do we think about how to make these tasks and responsibilities more bearable?Well, we did some research and came up with nine unique storage products we think could help because, let's face it, life hits hard and sometimes we need the help.
When it comes to home storage, sometimes you don’t need anything fancy to get the job done. Oftentimes, it’s the small things that drive us bonkers daily like the silverware drawer that induces panic anytime we open it or the jam-packed fridge that we can hardly shut. Organizing and tidying the house up doesn’t need to involve a complete redesign. Even though sometimes rethinking or reorganizing a room is what we need to get the style and décor we are going for, there are times when it just takes a simple storage solution to get that same kind of gratification.
Can you imagine waking up in a worldwhere everything is organized all the time? Don’t worry, neither can we because the truth is there is always going to be something, but by focusing on those little annoyances that add up over time, we can get closer to our organizational goals. Disorganization and clutter have a compounding effect on our brains – like when you keep telling your kids to put their dirty clothes in the laundry hamper, but you continue to see them piled up on the floor with the hamper inches away. Maybe it would be nice if messes didn’t stress us out, but you probably wouldn’t be reading this right now if they didn’t, right? Well, the bad news is that if you are reading this, messes probably keep you from being able to focus on what’s important because your brain likes order and organization, and messes drain your cognitive resources. The good news is that we can do something about that, and we think we have just the cure for your woes. With these ten simple storage and organization ideas, you can say goodbye to messes and hello to the extra brain bandwidth.
1. Drawer Dividers
At some point in our lives, we’ve all had a junk drawer, and even if we don’t currently have one, within a few weeks we will, until we decide to clean it out again. The junk drawer is like a black hole and anything you put in there that you randomly need months later is never to be found again. Drawer dividers offer a simple solution to keep things separated and organized. The options are endless as drawer dividers don’t just have to be for the junk drawer, they could be for the bathroom vanity or kitchen silverware. While there are many options on the market, we like Brightroom’sBamboo Expandable Drawer Dividerssold at Target. Currently, there are not too many reviews, but the product has a 4.9 out of 5 stars with most customerssaying they like the look and durability of the dividers.
2. Plastic Pantry Organizers
The kitchen pantry can quickly get out of hand and leave us in a tizzy trying to find the seasoning and Cream of Chicken Soup. Let’s be honest, when we’re hungry or, better yet, trying to make dinner as the kids ask for the one-hundredth time when it will be ready, we don’t have time to go on a scavenger hunt for the ingredients. Spice racks are great but for organizing pantry shelves, we recommend using bins and for the convenience of seeing what is in each bin we say go for clear ones. Check out these ClearStorage Binson Amazon from the Control Kitchen Store. You can purchase a set of 4 for $29.99 and they have a 4.8 out of 5 stars from verified purchasers. Less than 5% of customers mention having concerns about the product but of those negative reviews it primarily stems from the product arriving damaged.
2. Pull-Out Shelves
Are you sick and tired of having to get on your hands and knees just to get the pot or pan you need to cook with? Sliding shelves for your cabinets that you can pull out are here to save your back, literally. These pull-out shelves make organizing your kitchen essentials simple and are especially useful for anyone with mobility issues or for the elderly. For sliding cabinet shelves, we like theDaiona Slide Shelvesby Loon Peak on Wayfair. Reviews cite ease of assembly and overall quality as the main reasons to love this shelf. Some reviews complain of the overall fit in their cabinet, so be sure to measure and choose a size that is the closest fit and use the spacers provided during installation.
3. Pegboards for Jewelry
We know. We talk about pegboards a lot but what’s not to love about them? They offer a unique storage option that maximizes space while having the ability to store multiple items at once. If you’re like us, we always thought of pegboards as being designed for the garage or workshop, but did you know that they make great storage options indoors as well? Mind blown. Yes, they are great options for storing all those small accessories like necklaces and bracelets. They can instantly add style and character to your home’s décor while keeping you organized and decluttering. You can find a variety of options on Amazon, Wayfair, and even Etsy. We like these Pegboardsby Orchid Tiger that come in either square or rectangular shapes allowing you to determine how much storage space you would need to get organized. They offer simplicity and style, as well as shelves built into the board. Say goodbye to jewelry scattered on top of your dresser or you can get creative with your pegboards like using them to store your coffee mugs. However you choose to use them, you really can’t go wrong.
4. Toothbrush Holder and Sanitizer
We don’t mean to gross you out, but do you have any idea how dirty your toothbrush is?You probably don't want to know, so we will spare you the grotesque details.Let’s just say you need to consider getting a sanitizing toothbrush holder like this one on Amazon by StarWinto give yourself peace of mind. It helps clear up vanity space by mounting to the wall and is proven to kill 99% of bacteria, as well as hold up to 5 toothbrushes. Easy to install using an adhesive and does not require drilling. Oh, and it has 4.7 out of 5 stars with raving reviews like “Best decision I’ve made.”. Best decision ever made or not this product will keep you organized and healthy.
5. Battery Organizer
We have a love-hate relationship with batteries. It seems like every single toy in the world requires batteries, the remote is always going dead, and right when you get those all switched out you realize the smoke alarm in the hallway isn’t working. Of course, you can place a quick order on Amazon and have those by the next day, but why do that when you could have everything you need within arm’s length? With a battery organizer, you will be prepared for anything. This Battery Organizing Caseholds up to 48 batteries of all sizes and types and comes with a battery tester. Make sure you’re prepared the next time a toy stops working. Don’t think you’ll need so many battery types and just need to organize a couple of different types? Check out this Wall-Mounted Battery Organizerto keep your batteries from taking up space elsewhere.
6. Foldable Wall Hanging Laundry Basket
We aren’t sure what’s worse, the clutter of dirty clothes piled up or clean clothes needing to be put away. Sometimes we have so many laundry baskets full of clean clothes, that we don’t have anywhere to put the dirty clothes! Alas, when it comes to clothes, especially little kid’s impossibly tiny and seemingly never-ending clothes, chances are you are never going to feel caught up. That doesn’t mean you can’t be as organized as possible though and with Foldable Laundry Basketsthat mount to the wall, you can make it convenient in every room to have a designated spot for dirty clothes.
8. Stackable Wooden Wine Racks
We don’t know about you, but having wine on reserve is a must in our household, which can sometimes lead to having to get creative with where we store it all. We need a way to store our reserves without taking up prime real estate in a cabinet or refrigerator. If you are a serious wine connoisseur looking for a bargain, check out Walmart’sVevor 72-bottle stackable wine rack– we aren’t kidding when we say serious wine connoisseur. No judgment here. For everyone else, Home Depot’sOceanstar 18-bottle Stackable Wine Rack. This wine rack is durable and sturdy being made from bamboo,offers a solution for your wine storage issues, and doesn’t take up a lot of space in the process. Wine may not be what we think of when we say Home Depot, but maybe need to start thinking of it with the types of excellent reviews this wine rack gets.
9. Kitchen Utensil Holder
What’s the deal with kitchen utensils always blocking drawers from being able to open? Could they BE any more annoying? Excuse us as we channeled our inner Chandler Bing to get our point across, but the kitchen utensils are a necessary evil. That’s why we love the idea of countertop storage to get them out of the way and in their own space. For the bang-for-your-buck deal, we like Amazon’siDesign Wire Utensil Holder. At under $15, this wire utensil holder is stylish and simple while remaining very affordable. Over 7,000 previous buyers agree that this utensil holder is worth every bit and more.
There you have it. Our nine unique home storage and organization ideas to helpmake those common household tasks more enjoyable or at least a little less aggravating. Of course, this list isn’t all-inclusive and there are so many other ways to declutter and organize in the house without breaking the bank. Make sure to share with us some of your unique storage ideas!
