Most professional organizers (including myself) will tell you that clear bins are one of the best methods for getting—and more importantly, staying—organized. The see-through plastic containers help keep items sorted and easily identifiable, even if you fail to add a label. Lidded containers also protect their contents from external elements, including moisture, dirt, dust, and pests.
Clear bins are often a superior choice to cardboard boxes, one of the worst storage solutions available. Today, most clear bins are made from non-toxic, BPA-free materials, are often recyclable, and are impressively durable. Clear bins are fantastic storage containers, but it’s essential to know how to use them to your advantage. I’ve compiled a list of the best household items to store in clear bins so your belongings remain tidy and safe.
1. Seasonal and Holiday Decor
Although it’s tempting to use color-coded bins for decorations, such as red and green for Christmas, it can be difficult to know what specific items are inside them. Use separate clear bins for individual holidays or seasons and label accordingly. If you don’t have enough to fill a bin, combine the decor of holidays close on the calendar (such as Halloween and Thanksgiving).
To safeguard fragile or sentimental items, wrap them in paper or bubble wrap before placing them in a bin. You can also store them in a small container or one with compartments, like an ornament organizer.
2. Off-Season Clothes and Shoes
Create space in your closet by stuffing away sweaters during the summer and swimsuits in the winter. First place clothes in vacuum-sealed bags and then layer them horizontally into a bin to reduce the amount of bins needed. You can also organize clothing that your kids have yet to grow into or the ones you intend to use as hand-me-downs in the future. Sort and label the bins by age or size range and season. For shoe storage, clean each pair and ensure they’re completely dry before first using shoe bags for further safekeeping or laying them directly into a bin.
Refrain from using this method for delicate fabrics, such as leather and suede.
3. Indoor and Outdoor Toys
Keeping toys tidy can feel overwhelming, especially if they’re tiny or include multiple parts. Clear bins allow you to organize them in ways that make sense for you and your kids. They also make for effortless clean-up at the end of playtime. Designate a bin for LEGO bricks, another for action figures, one for large sets, and so on. Stack them on a bookshelf in the playroom or bedroom, and make the labels easy to read. If you practice toy rotation, stash the ones you’re reserving into a couple of bins and place them out of sight, such as on a high shelf in a closet.
Outdoor toys are generally kept in the garage or shed, which makes them highly susceptible to dirt, mildew, or pests. Clear bins with lids are ideal for keeping these toys clean and dry. Be sure they are dry when you put them away, especially for the season.
4. Gardening Supplies
Like outdoor toys, the garage and shed are the go-to storage spot for gardening and yard supplies. Larger tools, like rakes and shovels, should be safely hung or otherwise stored vertically. Smaller items, such as seed packets, gloves, and hand tools, should be corralled into clear bins. This keeps them neat, makes them easy to locate, and prevents rusting.
John Granen
5. Office, Craft, or Hobby Supplies
Depending on the crafts and hobbies you enjoy or the work you do, there may be a substantial amount of stuff associated with each endeavor. Staying organized with supplies can be simple, though, if you choose clear containers for storage. Stick with small bins for little items like paintbrushes, beads, or binder clips to keep them from getting lost. If it makes sense for you, assign a bin to each hobby or craft (especially ones in progress) so they stay intact between creative sessions. Use art boxes for past projects so they lie flat and file boxes to keep paperwork sorted. Stack labeled bins on shelves where they’ll be accessible yet out of the way.
6. Electronics
Hopefully, you’re in the habit of letting go of old electronics and they’re not unnecessarily cluttering your home. That said, you may occasionally use some devices and still need to hold onto them. In that case, the best solution is to carefully place them in a clear, lidded bin so damaging dust doesn’t settle inside the circuitry. For things like USB drives and charging ports, look for a container with individual compartments so each item is easy to identify and less likely to go missing.
7. Household Utility Items
Rather than making a mess of the junk drawer with miscellaneous things like batteries, flashlights, and furniture pads, create an orderly utility section in your home with the help of clear bins. Divide household items by category, organize them into appropriately sized containers, add labels, and stack them onto shelves in a closet or cabinet that is easily reachable.
8. Pet Gear
Storing pet food and treats in sealed containers is common to prevent pests and to keep the contents fresh, but there are multiple other pet items you can organize and store in clear bins. Use the containers to stow away your pet’s grooming tools, medications, outerwear, costumes, or backup toys. Label them appropriately and organize them in a convenient place for you and your pet, such as on a shelf in the mudroom or coat closet.
9. Pantry Goods
It’s no secret that decanting is a popular organization hack, particularly in the pantry. Transferring dried pasta, cereal, and sugar into clear, airtight containers not only looks pretty but also saves food from going stale prematurely. If you have a small pantry but like to buy in bulk, fill clear bins with backstock to store elsewhere until more pantry space is available. Separate items by type and always aim to use the FIFO (‘first in, first out’) method. Consider organizing party goods, like paper plates and napkins, in the same fashion.
10. Toiletries
Similar to bulk pantry goods, clear bins are ideal for storing excess toiletries, like extra bars of soap, razors, or toothbrushes. Keep these items on hand but hidden until you’re ready to replenish. Label and stack them in an out-of-the-way place, like under the sink or the linen closet.
11. Bedding, Towels, and Linens
Use clear bins (along with vacuum bags for more space) to sort sheet sets by size or towels by type. Another bin can be for guest linens or seasonal sheet sets. Dedicate one more bin for more obscure items, like fabric tablecloths and duvet covers, that tend to get misplaced amongst other linens on closet shelves.