Top Tips When Shopping for Organizing Product

​We see it all the time in our line of work, the desire to get organized resulting in the excessive purchase of organizing products that don't seem to fix the problem and sometimes even add to the clutter.  Here's how to avoid having a surplus of ill-fitting organizers in your home. 

Tip Number One:  Measure before you shop!  We can't say this one loud enough or often enough.  Don't guesstimate by eyeballing it or fall victim to buying something just because it's a good deal.  Take the time to measure the space you're organizing by taking good and accurate measurements.  Be sure to measure the width, length, and height.  When measuring cabinets be aware of supports and hinges that may hinder pulling a basket or bin out and take measurements accordingly.  Measure the lip of the cabinet if it sticks up to make sure drawer organizers will work.  Take note of the measurements and take the measurements with you when going to the store or reference them when doing online shopping.  It will take some math to figure out if the organizers will fit the space but you will love the result if you measure before you shop.

Tip Number Two:  Gather ideas from a professional.  Watch our stories, posts, and reels on Instagram and Facebook for ideas on the best organizing products we love and use the most.  Many of them can be used in your space as well (which you can confirm by measuring).  We often share the names of the products and where you can purchase them.  There are hundreds of ideas just waiting for you on our social media so be sure to utilize that tool to your advantage.  

Tip Number Three:  Decide on whether or not you want clear containers, ones that you can't see through, or a mixture of both.  Everyone and every space is different.  For those who are extremely visual, we often recommend clear acrylic organizers so you can see what's inside.  If you want to make it so that you see the clean lines of bins or baskets instead bin labels help you know what's inside and are a visual reminder of where you've put what.  We recommend labeling those clear containers as well.  For basement storage rooms we often recommend clear bins with lids that are clearly labeled.

Tip Number Four:  Give your space an elevated and textured look by combining the containers you use.  For example, in one pantry we may use water hyacinth baskets, clear acrylic bins, and wood stackable bins to create variation and depth in the space.  Don't be afraid to mix and match in an orderly and symmetrical way.  It doesn't have to be all the same bins for an entire space.  Make sure they coordinate though so that it doesn't have a cluttered look.  You can match the look of your home to your organizers.

Tip Number Five:  Decide on a budget before you go shopping.  Take a look at your financials and decide how much money you have available to invest in organizing products.  It can add up fast and often costs more than people think so knowing how much money you have to work with will help you make good choices while you're shopping and will direct you toward the right product line.  

Tip Number Six:  Decide what is the most important attribute to you: style/aesthetics, function, or budget.  This will help you when you're shopping to know which direction to go with the product lines you look at.  Having a clear vision of what's most important to you will help you determine what organizers will help you achieve that.

Tip Number Seven:  Think outside the box.  Our best organizing solutions stem from thinking outside the box.  Have a corner cabinet that is a lost cause?  Add a lazy Susan so that you can easily access everything you want to store in there.  Have cans begun to overrun your pantry landing on different shelves?  Purchase a can organizer that fits your space.  Not sure why your closet looks cluttered even once it's organized?  Buy matching hangers and watch it transform your space.  Don't do what you've always done if it's no longer working for you.  Change it up, start over, and begin again.  The right product in the right space makes the puzzle come together in a way that can be both beautiful and functional.

Tip Number Eight:  Use drawer dividers with inserts that allow you to customize your drawer to fit what you house there.  Match the color of the drawer divider to the interior color of your drawer.  These often get the biggest wow response from our clients when they see the drawer.  The dividers fill the drawer making it look as though they have been built custom just for you.

Overwhelmed by the thought of buying products?  Let us do the shopping for you!  When you purchase one of our organizing packages, we measure, consult with you on what your goals are, come up with ideas, do the shopping, and put them into place in your home.   You don't have to do this alone!

Melissa Fortino