Baskets and Bins
Any organizing mission starts with a solid set of baskets or bins. They're perfect for linens, toys, out-of-season clothes and whatever other random stuff you have around the house, and can fit in closets, shelves or empty corners. We like this one for the top, which folds down to accommodate different amounts of stuff. It's also collapsible, which keeps it from taking up precious space when not in use. Look for covered baskets if you need to store less aesthetically pleasing contents.
To buy: Ikea, $8
Laundry Baskets
Laundry baskets may seem simple, but there's actually a lot that goes into selecting the right one. The most important quality of a laundry basket is good ventilation and air flow, which keeps items that get tossed in while they're still damp from acquiring mold or mildew. A square basket (as opposed to one with a curved side for more comfortable carrying) is best—its shape will keep folded clean clothes from getting wrinkled. Finally, avoid unlined wicker baskets, which can snag clothing. In addition to fitting all these specifications, this basket comes at the right price.
To buy: The Container Store, $10
A Hair Tool Station
You probably don't even realize you need this gadget but it'll make your life so much easier. With space for brushes, hair dryers, straighteners and curling irons, its construction makes it safe for storing tools even when they're still hot. There's also a place on the back to roll up cords so they don't get tangled, frayed or otherwise messy.
To buy: The Container Store, $20
Hanger Add-Ons
Of all the handy products on the market that save room in the closet and extend and adapt hanger space, we like this one best. The hanger keeps five pairs of paints smooth and unwrinkled, plus it has bars that swing out so you don't have to rustle through everything to grab the pair you're looking for. It's also great for tablecloths and other big linens that you want to keep wrinkle-free.
To buy: Target, $13
Hanging Storage
If you don't need all the hanging space in your closet or lack the room for a big set of drawers, hanging organizers turn that extra closet space into an instant storage solution. This one's especially useful because it allows extra compartments to be snapped on as needed. Similar options are available in all different shapes and sizes.
To buy: Great Useful Stuff, $25
Hooks
Whether you lack closet space or like keeping tomorrow's outfit out in the open, a simple, sturdy set of hooks is an organizing necessity. This good-looking option has enough space for an entire family's worth of jackets, so it would work well in a mud room too. You can also mount individual hooks wherever you have a little bit of extra space to maximize your home's storage.
To buy: Ikea, $10
A Jewelry Organizer
Jewelry has a way of getting lost and tangled all over your space. Keep these issues at bay with a handy jewelry organizer. This one, with compartments in a variety of different sizes, will fit all your best baubles.
To buy: The Container Store, $20
A Makeup Organizer
Just like jewelry, makeup has the curious ability to slowly but surely expand, eventually taking over any amount of space. And, if you aren't careful, your blush, powder and other products can get all over your station and turn surfaces a variety of different unusual shades. This organizer will keep everything clean, contained and easy to find.
To buy: Overstock.com, $44
A Medicine Cabinet Organizer
From medication to toothpaste to face products, a lot belongs in the medicine cabinet. Since they don't generally have a lot of space, however, it can be hard to fit everything in. An organizer like this one will keep everything in order, plus its upright storage will prevent things like toothpaste from spilling all over. If your cabinet is really small, this gadget will also look tidy simply sitting on a shelf.
To buy: The Container Store, $13
An Over-the-Door Organizer
Over-the-door organizers add extra space to a pantry, bedroom, bathroom or anywhere else you're short on storage. This one is especially nice because the sections are adjustable, so you can make it work in whatever way you need.
To buy: Bed Bath & Beyond, $40
Shelf Dividers
Dividers are great for tall shelves. They keep piles from falling over and help your shelves stay organized. This one is especially nice because it has a hook at the bottom for extra hanging space—perfect for a shelf that's higher up on the wall.
To buy: The Container Store, $10
Expandable Shelves
This simple-looking gadget provides serious function. Expandable shelves separate especially tall and spacious shelves, letting you take advantage of all the space without worrying about huge stacks of clothes toppling over when you try to grab something from the bottom.
To buy: The Container Store, $16
A Shoe Organizer
It's way too easy for a collection of shoes to turn into a disaster area… and who has time to spend precious morning minutes searching for that second sneaker? Keep everything in order with a shoe organizer. This one slips over the back of a door, so is great for smaller spaces. It holds up to 36 pairs, and adjusts to allow for all different shoe sizes—even that tall pair of boots that never seem to fit anywhere.
To buy: Amazon, $29
Cabinet Baskets
The space under the sink has a way of turning into a messy catch-all compartment for items that don't have obvious homes. Use one or a few baskets to keep this area from becoming a deep, dark hole. Look for ones with pull out drawers to save yourself the trouble of crouching down as you rustle around.
To buy: Target, $25
Kitchen Drawer Organizers
There's really no other way to organizer your cutlery. Look for an organizer that has sections for stuff for all different sizes. We like this one for its durable natural wood.
To buy: Ikea, $18
A Lid Holder
The most space-efficient way to store pots is, of course, by stacking them. But, where does that leave the all those pot lids? All too often, at least in our kitchens, they simply wind up lost. An organizer like this will help keep your lids neatly organized and easy to find.
To buy: Bed Bath & Beyond, $15
A Vertical Tray Rack
Pro tip: Don't attempt to stack your trays, pans, cutting boards and other big flat cookware. It just won't work. Instead, grab a rack like this one to keep everything in order. The entire thing will fit very easily in any of your cabinets.
To buy: Amazon, $15
Spice Rack
Why is it that whenever you need a half teaspoon of cumin or coriander, you can never seem to find that little bottle? The short stature of spices also means that they take up much more room in a cabinet than they really need. Solve both problem with a spice rack. They come in all different styles, including ones that fit in drawers, in cabinets and on counters. Some, like this one, come with their own uniform bottles, while others simply provide space to store your spices in the bottles they came in.
To buy: Polder, $30
A Lazy Susan
Solve the mystery of the corner cabinet with a kidney-shaped lazy susan. Its somewhat strange-looking cutout is actually pretty ingenious—it lets you take full advantage of every bit of space in a corner cabinet. Look for a lazy susan with two levels like this one to avoid having to stack your stuff in unsteady towers.
To buy: Jet, $58
Airtight Food Containers
Keep your sugar, flour, cereal and other dry goods fresh and organized with resealable containers. Yes, you'll have to spend a few minutes transferring your groceries into the containers but the cabinet cleanliness you'll experience as a result is well worth it. Rectangular organizers like these ones will best maximize your cabinet space.
To buy: The Container Store, $18
