By Sandra Johnson
As a professional organizer I can’t think of a better dream. Just walking into The Container Store brings me great pleasure. I never leave without an overflowing cart. Thank goodness for online shopping because now I limit myself by watching that cart total add up. They also have a pickup in store option which helps when I need something right away, and they bring it out to my car! When you first go into The Container Store it can be so overwhelming. The shelves are to the ceiling and full of product. Where would you start your 10 minute shopping spree?
LETS GO!
- ELFA – Obviously I can’t spend the time buying a new custom closet solution. With clients you find out real quick if they know about The Container Store. Because Elfa products are unlike others, and you can spot them real quick in homes. They have many premade solutions that you can grab and easily put together at home. My favorite Elfa product is an over the door rack. If I could have one of these behind every door in my home, I would! You have the over the door rack that’s all hanging bins, great for a pantry door. An over the door rack for gift packaging, I already own one and it’s a game changer for organizing your gift wrap. Then an over the door shoe rack. These racks are all interchangeable so you can always take a bin from one and add it onto another! My 1st thing would be to grab 3-4 of the all bins over the door rack. Next I would grab 3-4 Elfa wide tall drawer solutions. These drawers are so amazing for organizing anything. They also give you the opportunity to create a counter on top of them. Think desk, workbench, craft table, etc.
- My next stop is Wooden & Metal bins. These bins are more expensive than others but I love the look and functionality of them best for my home. You can have them on an open shelf and It looks pleasing to the eyes while hiding/organizing household items. I would grab at least 3 black large container store Artisan Bamboo Bins and 3 small with the Acacia Lids for all. I would also grab 3 of the Artisan Fluted Acacia Bins with black lids. For wire baskets I love the Urban Stacking Wire Baskets. Honestly, just grab an assortment of sizes because I’ve been wanting to implement them in different places throughout my home. Now I am not a woven or rattan fan for bins but they would be similar in price if that fits your home’s design.
- Next would be office supplies. I’ve wanted to try out the Russell+Hazel Acrylic Drawer Organizers. They offer a very sleek look with magnets on the sides so all the different bins connect together. I would just grab an assortment of sizes, and also other items from that collection that catch my eye.
- Last I would put myself by all the Everything Organizers. Clear bins, turntables, drawers, you name it I’m grabbing what I can! These items are the first section you see when going into the store and I can get so caught up in there that I never get to any other section.
Along the way you better believe I’m grabbing other odds and ends as I’m going, but this is all fantasy.
In reality when I’m talking to clients about products, I don’t like to make them buy new things. I like to come in and work with what they have, then talk to them about organizing opportunities in their space. Products that would help them achieve a more organized stress free home. I usually find their products through amazon, as their prices are less than others. It all depends on the client and home design.
Our world has an overconsumption issue. The amount of consumer goods available to us is outrageous. We can have almost anything with a click of a button. This is a bad habit for all. We need to refocus on our reuse, recycle, and reduce methods. Think before you buy new products. Make sure you’re making a decision that not only helps you but will help the environment in the long run.
I feel as a professional organizer my best feeling is getting people to donate some of their unused, and unwanted items. Bringing the items to someone that will use and love them. Ultimately leaving you with more free space. I believe free space in your home = less stress. Being able to not have the burden of storing unwanted items not only in your home but also in your brain. Because we don’t really forget about items in our home, we know there are closets and cabinets full of “stuff”. Don’t let that “stuff” take up space, that could be for something potentially better. That could mean being able to start a lifestyle you’ve always wanted.
We will always love The Container Store, It’s every organizer’s weakness. Just don’t get too caught up in the fantasy and know that being organized doesn’t have to be Instagram worthy.
If this has got you thinking about ways to get your home more organized, then reach out! We will do a complementary in-home consultation.
Let’s get down to the basics together!
