Have you ever looked at your home, thought “OMG, I have to get organized - NOW!” and immediately run to Target to buy a cart-load of organizational products? Only to get home and realize you have no idea how to actually use them? Or that they didn’t really help all that much?

You’re not alone.

One of the most common mistakes I see people make when organizing their own spaces is that they buy new products BEFORE they have any real understanding of their needs. They rush to the store hoping that all their problems will be served by simply having enough organizing gadgets, bins, and containers.

But it’s essential to understand that organizational products, on their own, are not magic.

Let me repeat: Going to the store and buying the fanciest organizing doo-dad is NOT going to magically make your home organized.

Instead, the transformation comes from knowing yourself, your stuff, and your space, and then intentionally and strategically buying products that will actually meet your needs.

To help you build this awareness, here are my top 9 questions to ask yourself before you spend any money on organizing products:

Why hasn’t this system been working for you? Is it too hard to use? Is something about it broken or dysfunctional? Are the shelves too tall for you? Are you always in a rush and don’t want to spend time putting things away? Reflect on how you’re interacting with your system and see what insight you can gain from simply observing, without any judgement, why the current set up isn’t working for you.
What items do you want to store in which spaces? Get clear on what categories of items are going to go where, so you can purchase products knowing exactly what they need to hold.
What are the physical boundaries, limitations, and possibilities of the space you are working in? Are you working in a closet with super deep shelves? Does this room have a wonky corner that always ends up as dead space, but given the right product could be transformed into a functional storage area? Does the bed you want to store things underneath have a central support leg that will get in the way of under-bed boxes? Try to gather as much information as possible; you want to purchase items that will fit and maximize the space you have.
On that note… Take. Measurements. Just do it. I promise it’s worth it. When you know exactly how much space you have, you can spend your money on products that will be neither too big (there’s nothing quite as disappointing as a bin that’s 1/2” too big for a shelf), not too small (you don’t want to waste valuable storage space because your baskets are 3” too shallow).
How do you want to categorize your items? Are you going to want to separate them into many small, specific categories, or lump them into a few broader groups? This may dictate the size and quantity of containers you need.
How often will I access these items? If you need them daily, it’s essential that you prioritize EASE of access. So avoid any products that seem overly complicated or difficult to open. Depending on your definition of “easy” that might mean that anything with a lid is out of the question (calling myself out here :p). If you won’t need to get to these items very often, you can get away with storing them in less-accessible places, in containers that might require a bit more time/effort to access.
What visual style do you want for this project? Do you want to be able see your belongings (use clear bins or wire baskets) or would you prefer the visual calm of hidden storage (opt for fabric or wicker baskets, opaque tote bins, etc)?
Do you care about the aesthetics of the space? For example, do you want all your containers to be pink? Are you set on a calm monochromatic palette?
Who else will be accessing this space? How are their needs similar to or different from yours? You may want to consider bringing them into the planning process to ensure you create a space that is enjoyable and functional for everyone who is going to be using it regularly, This may require some conversation and compromise, but it will be worth it in the end!

Once you’ve thought about these questions, you’re ready to see what products are out there. When looking for organizational products, I am constantly balancing the following priorities:

Time - If I have plenty of time, I might shop around for the best deals, or opt for lower environmental impact by slowly sourcing items from secondhand sources light thrift stores and Facebook Marketplace. If I need something ASAP, I may be forced to spend a bit more to get something immediately. I might also have to sacrifice beauty, material, color, etc and have to make the best of what’s available to me at the time.

Aesthetics - A visually appealing space is most easily achieved by purchasing new products so you can select the colors and styles you want, which may mean a higher budget and potentially less sustainability. If you’re willing to sacrifice looks, you can prioritize keeping costs down.

Budget - Smaller budgets may require deprioritizing aesthetics by purchasing mix-n-match items from discount stores or spending more time sourcing secondhand items. If you’re comfortable spending more money, you’ll likely be able to get products that are high quality, aesthetically pleasing, available quickly, and even environmentally friendly. Be sure that they still fit the basic needs of your project though - if a product doesn’t serve your need in a way that is easy and clear, it doesn’t matter how much money you spent on it: it won’t work.

Sustainability - It typically requires a larger budget to purchase environmentally-friendly products, which may cost slightly more than similar items. If you aren’t in a rush, however, you could take more time to source used products from friends, Facebook Marketplace or thrift stores. As much as possible, I try to avoid plastics and other petroluem-based products. But sometimes they serve a function that can’t be met as well as other materials. And in these cases, I make it a priority to source products that will FIT the space, MAXIMIZE the storage, and FUNCTION well for the client, so that they can keep using it for years to come.

And the most important priority?

FUNCTION. If the item doesn’t work for you and your space, it doesn’t matter how budget-friendly, sustainable, or pretty it is. It won’t get the job done. So don’t be duped into buying something just because it’s the right color, the right price or the right material, or else you might find yourself needing to replace it in a few short weeks.

I know this is a lot of information. And it might feel super overwhelming to try to juggle all these considerations when doing your own organizing. Remember that these are meant to be guidelines to help you have as much success as possible, but you don’t have to follow them to a T or spend hours thinking about every single product before going shopping.

Because it’s not about being perfect.

It’s about creating a system that makes a bit more space for ease, joy, and flow in your life.

You don’t have to get it “right” the first time. You may find that you thought you’d really like one type of system, but in reality it simply isn’t maintainable for you. And that’s also ok. We all need to experiment to find methods that work for us.

I hope that these guidelines enable you to think a bit more intentionally about your space, and encourage you to dive into your next project feeling empowered to make smart, strategic decisions that align with your priorities.

With love,

Joanie

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