If you’ve ever wondered what my favorite organizing tools are, this is your answer! I’ve made a master list of my favorite go-to organizing tools that I use over and over throughout our home to keep things fairly neat and organized.
When it comes to organizing or reorganizing any space, I’m always in favor of decluttering first, and then using organizing tools and containers I already have in the house (even if they aren’t what I want to use long-term).
I rarely go out and buy an organizing container until I’ve lived with the newly organized space for several weeks — just to make sure the space works well for my needs before investing more time and money.
I also keep a (small) stash of my favorite organizing tools in an extra closet, which I can then use for a variety of projects — either as a temporary or long-term solution.
Since many have asked for my go-to organizing tools, I thought I’d compile them in one place… but remember, you probably shouldn’t be buying them until after you’ve decluttered and lived with your space for a bit! 😉
Donation Bags
This is sort of a joke… but in all honesty, I keep donation bags in several different places throughout our home, and they serve as one of my best organizing tools.
Grab a few paper grocery bags, a large Amazon box, or a clothes basket you plan to donate, and use them as convenient places to stash your cast-offs until the next time you drive past your local donation center.
Then, simply load the containers in your trunk, drop them off, and start the process over again.
Planner and/or Calendar:
I’ve always been a pen and paper gal — and despite trying to go digital many times, it just feels easier to keep it on paper.
I use a 2-year pocket planner and a large magnetic calendar to keep myself and my family organized
If there’s a digital option that works best for you, use that — the important thing is that those who need to know what’s happening can access it whenever they need to.
This might not clear the clutter from your kitchen counters, but it will help you better organize your life (and reduce a lot of stress!)
Related Reading: How to Plan Monthly versus Weekly
Clear Storage Bins with Lids
I don’t keep a ton of long-term storage, but we do have some seasonal decorations, a bit of memerobelia, and a few rarely-used tools and kitchen items that I want to keep out of the way, but still easily accessible.
So we have 12 clear storage bins with latching lids that I use for these things. My favorite are the Sterilite 66 quart containers as they hold a lot, but not too much that you can’t lift them. They also stack nicely.
Related Reading: See What’s In Our Memory Boxes
Over The Door Shoe Organizers
We use over-the-door shoe organizers in almost every room of our house — for shoes, socks, swimsuits, winter gear, charging cables and other electronics, small gadgets, and even kitchen items like spices and seasonings.
They are inexpensive and very versatile. Plus, they help use up otherwise wasted vertical space.
Related Reading: How to Maximize Storage with Vertical Space
Small Drawer Organizers
I use plastic drawer organizers in our kitchen, office, bathrooms, bedrooms, and even the garage.
They are such an easy and inexpensive way to organize small items in shallow drawers, allowing you to quickly see everything in the drawer (and know where to put items away again).
Related Reading: How We Organize Everything In Our Kitchen
Space-Saving Hangers
We’ve used space-saving velvet hangers exclusively in our home for well over a decade.
Not only do they help to save valuable closet space, but they also keep clothing from falling off the hangers, and they help the closet look more visually appealing.
Related Reading: How to Thoroughly Declutter Your Closet in 6 Steps
Baskets
No matter your decorating style, you can likely find decorative baskets that work as storage + decor for your home.
We have lots of baskets in closets, under beds, in the pantry, and even right out in the open — concealing cords, chargers, snacks, socks, extra toiletries, gift wrap, books, games, office supplies, and more.
There’s likely a basket for every organizing project — the hard part is not hoarding all the cute baskets you find!
I’ve had really good luck finding baskets at our local thrift store; however, if you want them to match, you’ll likely need to buy new.
Large Outdoor Deck Boxes
We have a couple of large outdoor deck boxes that we use to organize pool toys, sports gear, furniture cushions, etc. They are super easy to open, find what you need, and close again… and they keep everything inside dry.
I’ve found all of mine on Facebook Marketplace.
Related Reading: How We Organize All Our Outdoor Toys and Gear
Shoe Boxes
Honestly, shoe boxes are my go-to organizing tool for so many areas in our home.
We have shoe boxes in our bathroom, our medicine cabinet, our closets, our mudroom, our basement, our garage, and even in our freezer!
They are often the perfect size, they stack well, and they are sturdy but lightweight.
Now, before you start hoarding hundreds of shoe boxes, it might be wise to set a limit… maybe 5-10 shoe boxes that you’ll keep on hand for future organizing projects. The rest can go.
Related Reading: Practical Tips to Organize Your Medicine Cabinet
Mason Jars
While I normally opt for square or rectangular containers, I do love using mason jars with these plastic lids for organizing snacks and pantry staples.
They come in a variety of sizes and are super convenient for leftovers, snacks, bulk nuts, seeds, and grains.
Related Reading: How to Store Bulk Food
Small Filing Cabinet
Personally, I try not to keep many papers in the house because so much of what we need can be found online these days.
However, there are plenty of papers we need to keep around — like recent medical records, current directories for groups we are a part of, current tax documents, etc.
We have a small 2-drawer filing cabinet in our office that we use for pretty much all the papers in our home. It’s nice to have a place for all our papers to live.
If you don’t want or need a filing cabinet, you could try an accordion folder or a wall file organizer instead.
Related Reading: How We Paired Down Our Paper Clutter
Masking Tape or Painter’s Tape
Label makers are definitely cute… but you don’t need one to get or stay organized. I never use a label maker, yet most of my things are labeled, thanks to a little masking or painter’s tape + a black Sharpie.
Even if you do prefer using a label maker, I’d still recommend starting with masking tape until you are 100% positive you have your space set up and organized how you like it. Then create cuter labels in place of the masking tape.
What are some of your go-to organizing tools?
L.L. says
where can I get a recipe box from? I really want one and can’t seem to find them:(
Anna says
Andrea, I found your site today while looking for decluttering motivation.
Thank you for sharing your ideas and presenting them in such a clear and organized way!
I see that I need a daily planner.
I love your baskets ideas and plan to set aside one for my husband—functional and look nice!
Thanks for you inspiration!
Andrea says
Thanks Anna! Yes, you DO need a daily planner and in a few more weeks they will start coming out with the 2012 planners so I’d just wait until then to buy one!
Oh, and you could definitely get your husband a “man basket” — works like a charm for concealing all their junk… I mean stuff!!
Jena says
Love your site! I am a huge fan of the timer also! Yes, you are encouraging a lot of people here. Keep up the good work.
Heather says
I dream of a “miscellany drawer” like the one in your photo, above. Currently, mine is just a JUNK drawer! I used a timer tonight to see if I could blast through kitchen clean-up after dinner, and I was surprised at how much I got done in 15 minutes compared to the usual slog.
twinsmomof4 says
You mention over the door shoe organizer. Mark Industries manufactures two products that you will just LOVE as a Professional Organizer. Pantry Pouch and for For Wii Mote Store It.
Awarded ‘Mom’s Best Award’ for durability, design and organizational features. It is made of a heavier gauge vinyl and is custom sewn for durability. It has a strong header with built in grommets and… wait for it…… it has a specially formulated VELCRO adhesive strip sewn in so you can place it at a reachable height. You tear off the adhesive strip, attach it to the wall and then attach the product. SO easy! I have four of them! It has reinforced custom sewn pockets that are long lasting. You can’t buy the adhesive they use on the Velcro from your local hardware store – it is truly one of kind product. This patent pending design is one of their biggest sellers for dorm room, kids room, and family room organizers. Saves space! I use one for wrapping paper, greeting cards, for Wii and for baby food supplies. The organizational aspects are endless for this must have product.
Nony the Slob says
I love the idea of having a donate bag in each closet. I did so much decluttering over the past year, had a huge garage sale, and am now struggling with the “continual purging” part of my quest for an orderly home. I know it’s necessary, and I’m going to try your suggestion. Thanks!
Amy says
Oh my goodness… you are so right. We DO have great minds! Ha!
I love your list… especially the timer idea! I will be definitely be using that one 🙂
As for the over-the-door organizers, none of the “over-the-door” hanger part ever fit on our doors, so I just use thumbtacks. I know this may not be everyone’s ideal way of doing it, but our doors are older, and it IS on the inside of the door. And they still hold up just as well!
Great list! Nice to “meet” you 🙂
oh amanda says
Over the door shoe organizer is a must. I use it for craft supplies. Also good to take on vacation for all those little extras that float around your hotel room!
And timers! Oh, I couldn’t live w/o timers!
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staci says
I also like the over the door shoe organizer idea. I am going to have to look for some of those.
Andrea says
Staci, yes they are a wonderful {and very cheap} organizing tool!
Kendra says
I have a question about the over the door hangers, do they make the door harder to shut. I have never had luck with over the door hangers because the doors are very difficult to shut and even scrape paint off the door jam. Do you have a specific kind (picture) that works for you?
Andrea says
Kendra, I have not had any trouble with my shoe organizers. My doors shut just fine…however, I do have one door that has a few scratches on it from the shoe organizer…but it’s our back door so I don’t really care!
Eos Mom says
Considering how disorganized I am (though I’m trying to improve), I’m glad to see I have 6 of the tools already. 🙂 Great list!
Andrea says
6 out of 10 is pretty good…and this is just MY list…not THE list!
Ashley Pichea says
I like the idea of having a shoe hanger for hats & gloves and such – will definitely be using this soon! 🙂
Ashley says
Just found your site and love it! I love to be organized..thanks for today’s tips!
Andrea says
Thanks for stopping by Ashley. I’m glad to meet another organized person!
Karen says
Thanks for the list. I also love my labelmaker, and label every cord when we bring a new gadget home. I use my hanging shoe organizer for all those gadget cords, and since they are labeled it saves so much time. I also have plastic organizers in my sock and underwear drawer. At first it was weird to fold underwear, but I have to admit it saves so much time when searching for a certain pair.
Andrea says
Yes, labelmakers are great! I label all our cords too. Thanks for the tips Karen!