Genius Storage Solutions to Hide “Stuff” in Plain Sight
I have a strange love of boxes and baskets — you might say I have a slight addiction. I get WAY too excited when Target puts out a fresh crop in the home department or I find a beautiful bargain online.
Taming clutter is an ongoing struggle in my house, and I’ve found that one of the easiest things to do is put stuff in boxes. Pretty boxes, of course!
There are actually some surprising benefits that make it more than just “tossing stuff in a box,” and more of a total storage solution. I’m forced to sort and inventory specifically what I want to go in each box, effectively clearing out forgotten and useless items.
However, when I’m in a hurry, putting things in boxes allows me to hide clutter in plain sight and make my house look clean in minutes!
Read on for some of my top simple, frugal, and stylish storage tricks!
How I hide all that “stuff” in plain sight with a few genius storage solutions:
Wooden boxes/crates with chalkboard labels
I found these gorgeous stained wooden boxes at Target. I love that they are made of sturdy real wood, plus the chalkboard on front is both practical and fun.
The box on the left is a large size and fits perfectly on our bookshelf. Previously, there was just a stack of old school work and it drove me crazy! My daughter actually does look back through her papers, so I’ve been searching for an attractive way to store them within her reach.
The box on the right is smaller and keeps the girls’ snacks handy, but out of their reach.
TIP: Get the look for less with these reusable chalkboard labels
you can stick on any box, jar, etc.
Floppy woven baskets
These soft woven baskets are one of my favorite purchases EVER. I originally just bought one, but loved it so much that I sent my husband back to Target (hey I was pregnant at the time) to buy the rest. Alas, when he returned there was only one left. So I have two.
These baskets are large enough to store a variety of different things, and have a casual lived-in look that is totally my style. An unanticipated plus is that our youngest daughter can pull the sides of her toy basket down and easily get out whatever she wants to play with — crawling baby approved!
I was able to find a very similar soft woven basket
on Amazon and they come in a ton of different colors!
“Bento” storage boxes with adjustable dividers
The bathroom is a clutter magnet: toothbrushes, lotions, hair products…the list goes on!
I found these small Rubbermaid Bento Storage Boxes with Flex Dividers
(love the name!) to be an easy, inexpensive bathroom storage solution. They have snap-out dividers inside, so you can adjust to your needs. Plus they’re made with a material that is easy to wipe clean, which is perfect when they’re next to the sink.
Colorful rolling bins
Keeping the kids’ rooms tidy can be one of the biggest challenges of all! I found these bins at Ikea, so they were super cheap. (Score!!)
But the really AWESOME part is that there are rollers on the bottom, so they are easy to move. They can even stack if space is tight.
My oldest daughter is like me in that she craves order, but as a six year old she needs a little help to get it done. She loves knowing where her art supplies are without having to look. She is also surprisingly consistent with putting things back when she is finished using them, as long as they have a place.
YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: How Your Kids Can Help Organize Their Own Room
Catch-all kitchen storage
Kitchen clutter is the bane of my existence. I’ve (somewhat) accepted that there is always going to be stuff out on the counter, but I still try to keep the “stuff” from taking over. I re-puposed some items we already had and purchased a few storage-specific items to help with this never-ending task.
- The large tray (above left) is the “intake” box: new mail, magazines, things that still need opened or to which I need quick access go here.
- I loved the small bento box for the bathroom, that I bought a larger Rubbermaid Bento Storage Box
for this kitchen. This corrals all of the various bottles that we use on a daily basis: vitamins, ibuprofen, and the like. - A plastic basket (I believe it once contained a gift assortment) displays hand towels so they are within arms reach while cooking.
- A vintage metal Coca-Cola six-pack bottle holder is now a pen caddy.
- A Le Creuset Stoneware Dish in a cheerful shade of aqua keeps keys, coins, and other random small bits from being scattered across the counter.
for this kitchen. This corrals all of the various bottles that we use on a daily basis: vitamins, ibuprofen, and the like.
in a cheerful shade of aqua keeps keys, coins, and other random small bits from being scattered across the counter.It’s getting better, but the kitchen will always be a work in progress!
Quick Tips:
- Store extra toilet paper rolls near the toilet in an attractive basket. That way it will always be nearby when you need it!
- Roll hand towels and keep in a pretty wicker basket on the bathroom counter. I also have a small woven basket on the floor for used towels.
- What to do with all those baby blankets you got as gifts? A gorgeous basket next to the crib is the perfect stylish storage solution!
- An outdoor storage bin with a lid keeps big toys hidden, and provides a window seat for the girls to look outside.
More organization & storage solutions:
Get Rid of Paper Clutter: What to Keep and What to Toss
Home Office Organization Under $30
Easy Bathroom Organization Under $10
30 Awesome & Cheap Organization Hacks from Top Home Bloggers
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