The organizing industry is booming, and with that comes an endless stream of products promising to solve all your clutter problems. Some of these will be useful. Others create more issues than they solve and ultimately lead to more clutter. As professional organizers, we’ve seen it all—closets overflowing with unused bins, pantries cluttered with “organizing solutions” that don’t actually work, and garages stacked high with well intentioned purchases that only ended up adding to the chaos.
So before you fill your cart with yet another organizing gadget, here’s a list of a few products our team recommends you do NOT to buy.
This toy storage solution
We have never seen this work well. Here’s why these end up in the donation pile.
Kids don’t put things back. The number one goal of an organized playroom is that the kids can clean up after themselves. The way this shelf is set up, they end up just throwing toys in random bins and it becomes a catch all.
It doesn’t maximize storage space: this design limits the type and size of toys that it can actually fit.
It looks bad. I mean honestly. This multi colored look is only adding to the visual clutter. Plus, even after it’s “organized” it still looks messy because everything is on display.
Try this Instead
A cube shelving system. These are so versatile and hold a ton of items. You can use them for storing items for every age group from baby and toddler toys to video games to college text books. Bonus: they’re about the same cost as the plastic toy storage organizer.
2. Hanging Fabric Closet Organizers
These organizers hang from a closet rod and seem like a great idea, but they are not. Here’s why.
You lose hanging space. Often these are added to already small and cramped closets to add storage space. The problem is now you are losing precious hanging space.
They encourage stacking items. Stacking items is rarely a great way to organize things. Stacking makes it difficult to get to an item on the bottom and difficult to put items away neatly.
They look bad. The shelves sag under weight and the items on the shelves are on display, causing visual clutter.
Try this instead
Add baskets to your closet to hold the same items. Try adding a smaller storage cube shelf to the floor, or using an over the door organizer.
3. Hanging Fabric Gift Wrap Organizers
Another well intentioned product that just doesn’t work. Here’s why:
The pockets aren’t the right size. They rarely work for gift bags.
They don’t hold enough. We often see these overflowing with bows and bags that don’t properly fit.
They’re cheap and often the weight of the wrapping paper ends up tearing the pockets.
They look bad. Again, all of the items are on display adding to the visual clutter.
Try this instead
Over the door Elfa Gift Wrap Solution - only if you have a minimal amount of gift wrap. If you have a collection, try storing in bins, separated by type (holiday, paper, bags, bows, etc).
4. Stackable Can Organizers
Pantries can be challenging to keep organized. These look like a dream solution…until you actually use one.
They often don’t fit standard pantry shelves and hang off the edge, causing a safety issue.
They only make sense if all the cans in each row are the same item.
They are difficult to re-stock and therefore, not practical.
Try this instead
3 tiered shelf for larger amounts of cans or turntables for a more minimal amount of cans. Both of these options give you more visibility and accessibility to your inventory, making them a more functonal option.
5. Pre-Packaged or Varity Packs of Organizers
These might be a pack of nesting baskets, a variety pack of pantry canisters, or a variety pack of drawer organizers. In any case, steer clear of these.
The sizes aren’t practical. We often purchase these because we need one or two of the items and we think, why not get a set? With a set, many of the items included are the wrong size. You rarely need itty bitty plastic canisters, for example.
Varying sizes of organizers often look like visual clutter when actually in use.
Try this instead
Measure your space and get exactly what you need at a place like The Container Store, where you can purchase the exact size in the exact quantities for your particular project. The more your products match, the more appealing they will be to the eye.
Hi, I’m Naomi!
Founder of Charming Spaces, professional organizer, wife, mom of three and passionate advocate for women.
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