The Container Store for Smart Containers

I just have to say I go all agog when I get to go to The Container Store. (We don't have one here in Utah). I know it's sad but true. I use containers all the time in every room. I can go so far as to say I love containers. They are great to store things in, contain things in, make things get magically organized and stay that way. Having said that here are two containers I suggest not buying: (I will be bold and say, don't buy them or you will be sorry).

The shoe rack that look like they are made out of PVC pipe, in other words, two thin pipes on the top and two on the bottom. The reason is: the shoes just won't stay on, I finally figured out by putting them on backwards they will stay. Even then they have to be placed gingerly on the rod for them to stay. Everyone in my home finds that to be a bother. They just want to slap the shoes down and be done. Don't get me wrong—I like shoe racks of all kinds. I just found one in The Container Store catalog that holds 30 pair of shoes and fits on the back of a door. There are other over the door racks that hold fewer, there are free standing ones that work great when the shoes fit flat on them as well as some that hang from the rod inside the closet. A shoe rack of some kind is a must because the floor of the closet stays tidy and you can find your shoes when you want them.

The other container I say not to buy is an accordion file. Now these look wonderful and you can sort and file by month, date and alphabetically but they are a pain. Why? Because they take two hands and the chin or shoulder to get anything in or out of them. That is a waste of time to me and I don't like wrestling with my containers.

In the February/March 2008 issue of Shop Smart magazine they list four NOT SO HOT organizing tools that just add to the clutter.

1. Accordion files. Enough said.
2. Space bags. As a professional organizer I find the heavy black (cheaper) plastic bags work as well. Just use your vacuum to suck out the air and then tie tight. It is tons easier when two are working together. I don't recommend the space bags either as I know several people who have used them and they have split open.
3. Containers with rims. "They stick out either at the top or bottom—or both—waste space. Go with the kind that sit flush against one another." Having read that I went to the store to buy more containers for my storage room. The size I wanted had rims that stuck out. I stood there arguing with myself thinking I had to have the ones without rims. I bought the ones with rims. (I didn't want to check out another store). Now the room they go in they work great because of the kind of shelf they go on.
4. Cardboard Boxes. "Can weaken or be damaged with normal use, but especially in garages and other potentially damp areas". Some actually say on the box how long things can be stored in them. But if you are in a climate with humidity definite use heavy plastic containers for most things. If you are storing for a short time and with no humidity, cardboard boxes are fine. Just remember to label what is in them.

Think about the containers you will be using, the purpose, the space and the length of time before deciding on what is right or wrong for you. There are a plethora of containers for all of our different wants and needs. Buy what you need and what you like, don't just buy to buy as then it becomes clutter rather than containers.

Marilyn Bohn's Bio
Marilyn is a creative organizer who has been organizing for over 20 years. She is a member of the National Association of Professional Organizers and is working towards becoming a Certified Professional Organizer. Professionally she has been organizing homes and offices for over two years. She holds a bachelors degree in Social Work. She has reared five daughters and currently lives in Utah.

Marilyn invites you to her website http://www.marilynbohn.com where you can find free organizing tips and interesting blogs and helpful articles on organizing.