In this guide
Organizing a whole home can feel like too much. It gets easier when you go room by room and pick the few things that make the biggest difference in each. This guide covers the kitchen, closet, bedroom, bathroom, laundry, desk and entryway with fifteen essentials that work in small homes, and you can start with whichever room bothers you most.
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How to use this guide
Start with the room that annoys you most. Empty it, sort it and only then buy storage. Measure each space before you order, and choose simple, matching products so the room looks calm. Do one room at a time and finish it before moving on, and keep a bag for donations by the door.
Kitchen and pantry
Clear pantry bins
The pantry is where most kitchens lose control. Clear bins let you see what you have and stack to use the height of the shelf.
(opens Amazon in a new tab)See our pick: clear pantry bins (opens Amazon in a new tab)
A turntable
Turntables make deep cabinets usable. One spin brings the back row to the front.
(opens Amazon in a new tab)See our pick: turntable organizers (opens Amazon in a new tab)
A label maker
Labels turn a tidy afternoon into a system that lasts, in any room of the home.
(opens Amazon in a new tab)See our pick: label makers (opens Amazon in a new tab)
Closet and bedroom
Slim hangers
The easiest way to gain space in a closet is to swap to slim hangers. They are cheap, and the closet looks calmer.
(opens Amazon in a new tab)See our pick: slim velvet hangers (opens Amazon in a new tab)
An over-the-door organizer
It uses the back of the door and needs no tools. It holds shoes, accessories or supplies.
(opens Amazon in a new tab)See our pick: over-the-door organizers (opens Amazon in a new tab)
Under-bed storage
The space under a bed holds off-season clothes and spare bedding. Measure the clearance first.
(opens Amazon in a new tab)See our pick: under-bed storage (opens Amazon in a new tab)
Bathroom and laundry
An under-sink shelf
A shelf that works around the pipes turns dead space into storage for cleaning supplies and spares.
(opens Amazon in a new tab)See our pick: under-sink shelves (opens Amazon in a new tab)
Drawer organizers
Trays give small items a place and stop the tangle in a bathroom drawer.
(opens Amazon in a new tab)See our pick: bathroom drawer organizers (opens Amazon in a new tab)
A collapsible laundry basket
It folds flat when empty and carries a full load, which suits a small space.
(opens Amazon in a new tab)See our pick: collapsible laundry baskets (opens Amazon in a new tab)
Desk and entryway
A desk organizer set
Trays and a pen holder clear the desk quickly.
(opens Amazon in a new tab)See our pick: desk organizer sets (opens Amazon in a new tab)
Cable clips
A few clips tame the cables behind a desk or bed.
(opens Amazon in a new tab)See our pick: cable organizers (opens Amazon in a new tab)
A shoe rack bench
A bench with storage gives shoes a home by the door and a place to sit to put them on.
(opens Amazon in a new tab)See our pick: shoe rack benches (opens Amazon in a new tab)
Living areas
Adhesive hooks
Hooks keep bags and coats off the floor and chairs.
(opens Amazon in a new tab)See our pick: adhesive wall hooks (opens Amazon in a new tab)
Floating shelves
Shelves add storage without using floor space.
(opens Amazon in a new tab)See our pick: floating shelves (opens Amazon in a new tab)
Fabric cubes
Cubes hide clutter in a living area or a kids' corner and fold flat when you do not need them.
(opens Amazon in a new tab)See our pick: fabric storage cubes (opens Amazon in a new tab)
Keep it going
Spend ten minutes a day putting things back. A small habit stops the need for a large reset.