Let’s face it. We live in a capitalist society, and businesses are there to make money. People have good intentions regarding decluttering and organizing, but the slick marketing ads in magazines and makeover television shows convince people to buy storage containers they may not need. In fact, the Out of Chaos team often finds unused or under-utilized containers at our clients’ homes or offices. For that reason, today’s post focuses on where to spend and where to save on organizing products.
The Kitchen
Kitchens are busy places, and they can be messy. Liquids and powders are slopping around, the freezer is cold, and the stove is hot. You need durable containers that you can easily clean and sanitize – and you’ll want to ensure they are safe for storing food.
Glass is a wonderful option. It’s easy to clean and can often withstand temperature changes. You can save on organizing products by using (and reusing) glass jars to store foods in the pantry and the freezer and transfer them to the microwave for defrosting. Mason jars are ideal because they are transparent, so you can see what is in them. They also have tight-fitting lids. However, glass is breakable and might not be the best solution for families with young children.
Many large, wide-mouth food storage containers are stainless steel. They are ideal for a pantry, especially if you have large quantities of products like grains, flour, etc. However, they tend to rust if exposed to steam from the stove or damp environments like cupboards under the sink. Also, since they are not transparent, you must keep track of the amount to know when to shop for more.
Plastics are ideal for busy kitchens because they are transparent, easy to clean, and do not rust or break easily. Some – but not all – plastics are food safe and can easily withstand temperature changes from the freezer to the microwave oven.
Where to Spend on Organizing Products
- Use food-grade containers to store fruits, vegetables, and pantry staples (flour, rice, etc.).
- Choose freezer bins that are specially designed not to crack in cold temperatures.
Where to Save on Organizing Products
- For single-serve items (granola bars, microwave popcorn) you store in the pantry, use the original food boxes and remove the top flaps for easy access.
- Use discount/dollar store baskets for items that are not in direct contact with food, such as corralling juice boxes in the pantry or arranging cleaning products under the sink.
The Bathroom
Bathrooms can be germy, so you should aim to purchase containers you can clean and sanitize. However, like the kitchen, the bathroom is damp, and metal containers may rust more quickly. Avoiding breakable glass containers is a good idea, too, because people often walk barefoot in the bathroom.
Where to Spend on Organizing Products
- Ideally, use food-grade containers to store items like your toothbrush, razor, or cosmetics brushes.
- Choose heavy-duty baskets to store or carry large bottles to and from the bathroom.
Where to Save on Organizing Products
- Use drawer organizers from discount or dollar stores or reuse plastic food containers with missing lids.
- There is no shortage of ways to repurpose everyday household items as cosmetics organizers – from a cake stand to a rotating desk organizer.
Bedrooms and Closets
There are plenty of ways to save on organizing products in bedrooms and closets. Of course, there are lots of items you could spend money on. It all depends on your end goal. Pick containers (vacuum bags, sealed bins) to keep your things dust-free and pest-free. Jewelry organizers should keep your earrings, bracelets, and brooches from rubbing against each other and keep your necklaces from tangling.
Where to Spend on Organizing Products
- Choose sturdy wooden hangers with extra shoulder supports for suits and coats to support the weight of the clothing and help keep its shape.
- Invest in other specialty hangers only if needed for specific articles of clothing (e.g., kilt hanger).
Where to Save on Organizing Products
- These versatile plastic hangers are great because the hook swivels 360°, and they have accessory hooks, non-slip shoulders, a pants bar, and an option to add clothespins to hold skirts.
- Create drawer organizers from clean cardboard boxes like our client did in the featured image. You can decorate them with colourful duct tape or Washi tape too.
- The crafty type might enjoy this video from Mana Creative Corner demonstrating how to build a sweater organizer from a cardboard box.
Remember, organizing should be effective, not expensive. Using a cardboard box for a few weeks is better than spending money on a container that might not serve the intended purpose. As we always say at Out of Chaos, focus on functionality first, then spend money to make it look pretty, if your budget allows. Contact us today, and let us show you how.
