30 Organization and Storage Solutions That Actually Work
If you’ve ever organized a drawer only to find it completely unraveled two weeks later, this post is for you. I’ve tested a lot of organization and storage solutions over the years…. some look great, but don’t withstand the test of time. Others are incredibly practical, changing the way you live every single day. This list is includes my tried and true favorites- the ones that actually work. These are all practical, aesthetically pleasing storage solutions from Amazon; the ones I consistently come back to. They make our home feel calmer, cleaner, more functional, and honestly just easier. Click through for 30 of my favorites, broken into simple categories, so you can skim and save what makes sense for your home!
Honestly, one of my favorite things is sorting through a sea of junk to find the really good stuff. It’s a little like thrifting- therapeutic. I think that’s why I enjoy curating Amazon finds. These are all things I use and have bookmarked for organization, if you’re kicking off the new year in that mode. My mindset this month is always cleaning, organizing, and setting ourselves up for success in the year ahead! You know my policy- I want to buy things that have staying power! Let’s dive in…
Kitchen, Pantry, and Food Storage Solutions
This is always the first place I start when our house starts to feel chaotic. The kitchen works hardest and small upgrades make a huge difference. Having a well organized drawer, cabinet, refrigerator, or pantry isn’t about perfection… it’s about visibility and ease. These are the items I rely on to keep food and kitchen storage simple and sustainable. I reset once a year, using these!
1. Glass Water Bottles
These simple glass bottles are leak-proof, easy to fill, and keep your juices, smoothies, and water looking intentional in the fridge or on-the-go. We use these instead of plastic bottles… and they are dishwasher safe.
2. Panel Ready Pull Out Trash Bin
A total game changer for kitchen flow, this pull-out trash system hides your bin behind a cabinet door and glides out smoothly, so waste stays out of sight. Here’s how to install a hidden kitchen trash can!
3. Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls with Lids
These stackable stainless steel bowls with lids are my go-to for everything from mixing to storing leftovers because they nest neatly and keep the fridge and cabinet clutter-free.
4. Bamboo Flatware Drawer Organizer
This expandable bamboo drawer organizer brings calm to chaotic utensil drawers with a warm natural texture and flexible sizing that fits any drawer. We have 2-3 of these!
5. Glass Food Storage Containers
These durable glass containers with snap-locking lids make meal prep and fridge organization easy because they stack, go from freezer to oven, and look cohesive on the shelf. We’ve been using these for years and they’re leak-proof and dishwasher safe!
6. Woven Tea Basket Organizer
I love my natural woven tea basket organizer… it lives on our coffee bar. The divided sections make tiny packets, sachets, and pods feel intentionally corralled and easy to find.
7. Stackable Beverage Organizer
These clear, stackable can organizers make fridge and pantry drink storage feel so much better because everything is visible and easy to grab. They also keep cans from rolling all over the back shelf.
8. Glass Food Grade Pantry Jars
My apothecary-style glass jars bring a little design magic to pantry shelves and the countertop while keeping staples like flour, sugar, coffee beans, and grains visible and easy to restock. They’re food grade, dishwasher safe, and have sealing lids.
9. Tiered Spice Drawer Organizers
This flexible organizer makes spice drawers feel intentional and easy to use by keeping everything perfectly in place, no more digging for that cinnamon you swear you bought last week. Here’s how to turn a kitchen drawer into a spice drawer!
10. Expandable Drawer Organizers
These bamboo dividers are my secret weapon for turning junky drawers into organized, functional zones because they expand to fit and stay put so everything has a home.
Closet and Laundry Room Storage
Even small closets can benefit from the right organization systems. These are some of my go to solutions for keeping our closets and laundry room working smarter…
1. Sock Drawer Organizer
These simple storage bins are my go-to for corralling everything from socks to underwear in closet drawers. I love when everything has a place!
2. Shelf Dividers
These clear shelf dividers are one of my favorite closet upgrades because they keep sweaters and linens from toppling over and make everything look crisp, clean, and in its designated spot.
3. Storage Cubes
These neutral bins are my go-to for closets and the laundry room because they corral anything and everything without ever feeling bulky or messy. I stick labels on them, so I know what each contains.
4. Woven Split Laundry Hamper with Liner
This hamper looks pretty enough to leave out, but it’s also genuinely functional with a sturdy handwoven body, and split washable liner.
5. Velvet Hangers
These slim, velvet hangers instantly upgrade a closet because they keep clothes from slipping, save tons of space, and make everything look neat without thinking about it. We’ve been using them for years!
6. Velvet Jewelry Drawer Organizer for Closet
These velvet jewelry tray inserts are perfect for closets or dressers because they keep earrings, rings, and necklaces neatly separated and easy to find on the daily.
7. Tiered Shoe Rack
I have 6 or 7 of these… they’re in all of our closets! These stackable mesh shelves instantly bring order to a crowded shoe section because they let you customize heights and keep pairs visible without overcrowding the floor.
8. 16-Pack Drawer Organizers
These soft but structured dividers are a closet MVP because they keep underwear, socks, athletic wear, and intimates perfectly separated, so drawers feel clean and organized every time you open them.
9. Accordion Closet Rack
This expandable wall hanger is one of my favorite easy closet upgrades because it keeps hats, scarves, and bags organized without crowding shelf space, and it feels so beautiful with a timeless wood finish- it’s pretty enough to install in a closet, a mudroom, or entryway.
10. Upright Necklace Organizer
I love and use this tiered jewelry stand everyday… it’s a pretty way to keep necklaces and bracelets on display while also preventing tangles.
Bathroom and Vanity Organization
Bathrooms tend to collect clutter quickly (at least in our house). These solutions help keep everyday items accessible without looking messy.
1. Heavy Duty Towel Hooks
We have these towel hooks in multiple bathrooms in our house… in both polished nickel and champagne bronze. The finish feels timeless, and they’re sturdy or substantial- holding towels securely while they dry.
2. Rattan Nesting Storage Baskets
I love having these woven baskets on hand because they instantly corral my bath, makeup, and skincare products in a way that feels organic and actually looked-at instead of shoved into a drawer. If anything needs to stay out on the countertop for easy access, it’s going into these!
3. Vanity Drawer Organizers
I use these adjustable organizers in my bathroom vanity drawers because they let me customize compartments so every little thing from skincare products to my toothbrush has its own spot.
4. Shampoo, Conditioner, and Soap Dispensers
I swapped out random bottles for this set in our guest bathrooms. Now shampoo, conditioner, and body wash feel cohesive and streamlined in the shower niche, which makes everyday routines feel a bit more polished.
5. Mirrored Gilded Tray
I currently have my perfumes arranged on this mirrored tray. It’s an easy way to corral everyday items, organize perfumes, or drop jewelry on the bathroom vanity.
6. Glass Vanity Jars
I really on this classic set to style bathroom and vanity shelves because the clear glass keeps cotton swabs, rounds, and small essentials visible and so much easier to grab.
7. Viola Marble Bathroom Tumbler
My makeup brushes currently live in this really pretty (and heavy) viola marble tumbler, but it would also be great for corralling your toothbrush or toothpaste.
8. Under Bathroom Sink Organizer
Under sink chaos instantly feels manageable, and I love how the pull out drawers make cleaning supplies easy to grab without playing the dreaded back of cabinet shuffle.
9. Bamboo Bathtub Caddy Tray
I’m a bath gal… I love to soak in the tub, relax, and unwind after a stressful day. I do it almost every night- it’s a ritual at this point. A tub caddy is a must, and it’s pretty enough to be left out. The rich bamboo feels warm and spa-like, and it’s big enough for a book, wine, and a candle without feeling wobbly. Check out this post for a DIY bath caddy tray (Emmett made it for me).
10. Mini Skincare and Medicine Fridge
Because of my autoimmune disease, my evening meds require refrigeration… I keep this mini fridge in the linen closet in the bathroom for skincare products, cooling creams, and medicine. It’s oddly convenient!
FAQ
I do… I have this one! You can use white or black tape, switch the font, size, etc.
If it does not make life easier and is ugly… it gets a no from me. I try to find things that are highly functional, work well in our home, and are aesthetically pleasing. Being a designer, I care a LOT about the design. I also want it to be durable for everyday use, and purchase with longevity in mind. I don’t want a temporary solution. I also stick to a neutral color palette.
The key is choosing systems that match how you actually live. If something is hard to maintain, it won’t last. Simple always wins, in my book!
Of course! Here it is (bookmark it, if you’d like)… Room for Tuesday Amazon Finds.
I almost always recommend starting with the kitchen or a closet. These spaces affect daily routines and even small improvements give instant gratification, keeping you motivated to continue organizing.
Related Posts
Looking for more cleaning and organization posts to help you kick off the new year on the right foot? I’m going to link some of my favorites below…
- How to Clean Vintage Rugs at Home (Without Damaging Them)
- How to Deep Clean Upholstery and Refresh Your Living Room for Spring
- How to Wash Towels Back to White with Laundry Stripping
- How to Deep Clean a Fabric Lampshade
- How to Remove Furniture Indentations from Carpet
- 20 Ideas for Creating a Cozy Home During the Winter Months
- Tips for Thrifting Good Vintage Glassware (& How to Clean It)
- Roundup : Pretty & Functional Cleaning Supplies
- How to Clean and Care for Natural Fiber Rugs (Without Ruining Them)
- Why We Don’t Wear Shoes in the House
Organization does not have to be overwhelming or expensive to be effective. I always try to strike a balance between visually pleasing and functional storage solutions that support day to day life, while making our home feel calmer without demanding constant upkeep. Save this list, come back to it as needed, and choose pieces that make sense for how you live now. Was this helpful! I hope so. I’m happy to answer any questions or make more recommendations in the comment section below.
Happy New Year Sarah! Thank you for the reminder about some of these solutions. This week I’ve been reorganizing my kitchen- my new Caraway pots and pans needed a more organized place to live, and well, when you give a mouse a cookie… 😂🤣 We’re saying goodbye to the rest of the 90’s shelf paper, and starting with a clean slate in every cabinet. I have many of these organizers per your recommendation, and love them! This is my sign to take inventory of needed solutions as I go- hello stackable beverages organizers!! I purchased some that we’ve been using, but they’re not like the ones linked here, and they’re far inferior to the functionality of these! I’ll be coming back to this post throughout the week; thank you for sharing!! How was your holiday?
Happy New Year, Lauren! We’re in the same mindset this week, ha. So exciting that you’re ripping out the 90’s shelf paper. It’s going to feel so good to have a clean slate. Our holiday was chill and perfect! 10/10 loved slowing down a bit to enjoy the season. One of the best we’ve had in a long time! I hope yours was equally as relaxing!