The Best Products For Taming Clutter

Photo by Jonathan Francisca

​I’m a professional organizer so my house MUST be completely spotless all of the time, right? Um, that’s a no.
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Let’s face it; unless you own absolutely zero things or spend zero time at home, you’re going to have to deal with clutter – it’s a fact of life. The phrase should be, “Nothing is certain, but death, taxes, & clutter.” Whether it’s the mail, your kids’ toys, or SOMEBODY not putting their laundry away (ahem), things tend to pile up. Thankfully, smart and enterprising people out there designed some super handy products to help keep said clutter in-check.

The best products to banish clutter...

​Clutter can creep up anywhere, but I’m going to highlight some of the most common problem areas. Let’s take a deep-dive into the best products to overcome clutter!

This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase using the links below.

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For the Entryway, AKA the "Drop Zone"

1. Shoe Cabinet or Storage Bench

Establishing a drop zone is your first line of defense when it comes to tackling clutter. Designate a spot to store your shoes, your purse or backpack, and a place to drop your keys.

• If you have a narrow entryway, this shoe cabinet from IKEA is the best product for maximizing storage without taking up too much floor space. It also has the added bonus of concealing your shoes (or whatever else you may choose to store) and you can designate a section for each member of the household. I opted to dress mine up with knobs from Anthro.  Simply swapping out the hardware can really elevate the look of the shoe cabinet and make it feel more custom.  

• Storage benches, like this one from Target, are another great entryway staple. I like the versatility of the open cubbies;  add baskets to conceal small items or neatly tuck away hats or purses.

2. Wall Hooks

Wall hooks are a must-have in the entryway. Hang up backpacks and purses to keep your floor clear of clutter.

• For a modern, yet natural look these hooks are amazing (and they're on sale!)

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• For added versatility and more bang for your buck, try an expandable accordion hanger like this one.  Customer review: "Love this coat rack! The design looks great and is also functional. Great for the price too. It freed up a lot of closet space and fit perfectly behind my door!"

3. Keys & Mail

• I prefer decorative bowls or trinket trays for corralling keys just to add a touch fun; not everything needs to be utilitarian. You can't go wrong with these gorgeous brass trays from West Elm.

• Vertical organizers like this one are better for organizing & sorting mail.  The openness and tiered structure allow you to see everything in one glance. 

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For the Kitchen

1. Junk Drawer Organizers

 There's always that one drawer crammed with odds & ends: batteries, takeout menus, pens, mystery power cords, loose change, etc. The best approach for taking on this mishmash of random, yet necessary items is to divide and conquer - with drawer organizers. The Container Store takes the cake for drawer divider options., but if there's not a TCS near you (and you don't like paying for shipping) the 'zon has some equally great choices. 

• Go modular with these acrylic organizers for maximum space optimization.

• Or opt for  these stackable metal organizers for a pop of color.

2. Sink Caddy

The kitchen sink is another hot spot for clutter - there's the hand soap, the dish soap, sponges, brushes, paper towels, yada yada yada... 

• For your sponges and brushes, look no further! This is the best sink caddy I've found so far. It's simple and sleek, and more importantly it has drip holes to allow water to drain (no mold & mildew!) AND it has a removable drip tray for easy cleaning.

3. Hidden Storage

• Paper towels are better stored out of sight, but within easy reach. Over-the-door hangers or ones that mount to the inside of the cabinet door are great options.
• Keep the sink area clear by storing your dish soap, dishwasher detergent, and other regularly used cleaners under the sink in a handy caddy tote like this one (note the drain holes!). 

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For the Playroom / Kids Room

​For ease of use and optimal functionality, I love open storage units for kids toys. ​

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1. Open Storage Units

• These open cubbies are modular and can be stacked (just don't forget to secure them to the wall) . The open sections allow your kids to see all of their toys in one glance (no more digging through toy boxes!)​​

• IKEA Kallax shelves are my go-to open shelving unit - they're inexpensive, super functional, and easy on the eyes. Cubbies are perfect for books, larger items like giant trucks or Barbie's dream car, and bins for grouping smaller items.

• For an all-in-one solution, this storage cabinet is another great choice.

2. Plastic Bins

• These plastic bins are perfect for storing heavy or hard toys like Hot Wheels, Magna-Tiles, and Legos. Latches hold the lid in place and are super easy for little hands to open.​

• These larger bins are made from durable plastic and have handles to make it easy to pull from high shelves. What I love about them is that the plastic is translucent so I can see what's inside, but it doesn't look cluttered.​

PRO TIP: I store these bins on the top shelf so my kids can't take them down without my help. This way they can't pull all of their toys out at the same time; they have to clean up one bin before I take another one down.

3. Baskets & Hampers

Stuffies, lovies, or whatever you want to call them, stuffed animals tend to take up a lot of space, but you do have options...
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• ​Canvas hampers or rope bins are a super cute soft storage option for keeping stuffed animals all in one place.​

• These storage bean bags serve as double duty storage & seating!

• If you simply do not have the floor space, opt for an over the door system for smaller stuffed animals and hanging organizers for slightly larger ones.

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For the Bathroom

Store the bulk of your toiletries and bathroom essentials in your medicine cabinet or under the counter to keep your bathroom looking tidy. 

1. The Lazy Susan

• The Lazy Susan has come a loooong way over the years. This acrylic version is great for maximizing under-counter storage space while keeping all of your beauty products easily accessible. 

2. Countertop Organizers

• For items that must sit out on the counter look for trays and organizers to group like items together.

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• I love this one from Target: it's clean, simple, and not to mention modular, so you can remove compartments as you see fit.

3. Floating Shelves

• Make the most of empty wall space with floating shelves. Hang them over the toilet to store extra rolls of toilet paper or over the tub for bath salts or scented candles.
• Floating shelves also work in the shower if you lack built in storage. We use these suction cup shelves in our shower and love them. No more bottles on the shower floor!

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FAQs About Everyday Clutter

1. How do you reduce clutter?

• The simple answer is to take the minimalist approach and start with reducing the amount of things that you own.
• Also equally important - find a place for every item in your home. This is critical and honestly won’t take as much time as you think.
• If you need help getting started, download my free Decluttering Checklist here.

2. How can I make my house look less cluttered? 

Too much stuff sitting out in the open can overwhelm the senses and frankly adds another level of stress to your day.

• Take a tour of your home and try and look at each space with fresh eyes. Assess what you actually need on display and pair down.
• Group like items in baskets and bins (don't forget to label!).
• Remove products from their store packaging and transfer them to another container (flour or toilet paper, for example). Busy labels can also add to the feeling of clutter.

3. How can I de-clutter in less than 5 minutes? 

My favorite fast de-cluttering tool is the laundry basket.

• Grab your laundry basket and toss in anything lying around where it shouldn’t be.
• Stash it away if you have last-minute guests, otherwise place it in a high-traffic area like the living room, and ask everyone to help put their things away.

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The Last Thing You Need To Know About Clutter

​Clutter happens (the struggle is real), but it doesn’t have to drive you crazy. Just remember the two golden rules of de-cluttering: purge & placement, and you’ll be well on your way to a happy, organized home in no time. What are some of your best de-cluttering tips? Inquiring minds want to know!