January 07th, 2020

Buying containers for organization

When I walk into an organizing or office supply store, I find the offerings so tempting! 

Who wouldn't want the latest bamboo photo storage box or the fabric covered shoe organizer?  Those floral file boxes?  Lovely!  Stackable plastic boxes with snap lock lids?  You bet.

But the practical side of me says to stay within my means.  Not financial means, but spatial means.

Really, how much space do I have for new containers?  In my house, not much. 

I'll base my container selection and purchases on some key factors:

1. What spaces NEED new containers?  What size and shapes work best there?
2. What current containers need to be replaced?
3. If I replace a container, can I use the old one somewhere else?
4. Can I just get rid of the stuff in an old container? 

If you are upgrading or upsizing or just replacing a container, make a plan for that old one.  If you can't use it, can you "afford" to store it?  Sometimes the answer is no, there just isn't a good space.  In that case, pass it on to a friend if you can.

I recommend a practical approach to purchasing containers, the same attitude you used to decide you needed some!

Joan