decluttering tips

It’s not always easy to learn how to pick functional products that last!

In the quest for a well-organized living space, we’ll often invest in and try out many different organizing products to keep things tidy. However, not all products are made with the same level of functionality. Some may even end up causing more harm than good!

As a Professional Organizer with over 20 years of experience, I have seen my fair share of products that don’t function well and can’t stand the test of time. A lot of the time clients will see a pretty bin or a uniquely-shaped turntable and just based on the look of it, they’ll buy it. Only to get home and realize it doesn’t fit in the desired space, may scratch the finishings, or not even work as intended!

Below, I’ll share some of the most commonly bought organization products I see and explain why I avoid them.

We’ll also go over some alternative options that are both highly functional and have a nice appearance, so you can get organized without wasting your time and money!

Organizing Products I Don’t Buy

Over-the-Door Blowdryer Organizer

These organizers may look and sound convenient at first. But in reality, they can cause damage to both the door and the items they hold. If the top piece is too thick the door will also not close.

Hot tools tend to slide around and poke through any gaps, too. And let’s be real – blow dryers, brushes, and curling irons often don’t get neatly wrapped up and put away after each use, a lot of people prefer to quickly put them away and adjust later, if desired.

Functional Alternative: For these reasons, I recommend just storing them in a larger space. Use a large container, bin, or basket that can be neatly tucked away in your cabinet. Or simply store them in a drawer if you have the space. There are many ways to keep these items organized without damaging your door or frame!

Acrylic Makeup Organizer with Small Sections

While these organizers look great initially, they are easy to scratch and not easy to clean. This leads them to get very grimy with makeup and dusty over time. To clean the acrylic, you will need a special acrylic cleaner or soap and water, but the latter runs the risk of it drying with streaks.

Functional Alternative: To avoid wasting money on replacements, opt for drawer organizers with fewer and larger sections made from materials that are easier to clean. Even better, look for models with the flexibility to move the dividers around yourself.

Drawer Dividers for Clothes

Drawer dividers with fixed, unadjustable sections are just not functional and can cause daily friction in the long term. They won’t accommodate changing storage needs or different sizes of item groupings inside the drawer.

Functional Alternative: Use expanding drawer dividers instead. These will fit in most drawers around your home and can be moved around really easily. Or if you prefer a more contained look, try organizers that offer adjustable sections. The goal here is to ensure your clothes stay both organized and easily accessible.

Stacking T-Shirt Organizer

Stacking shirt organizers may look easy and appealing, but they are often just the opposite. They will slide all over the place and require a lot of effort to fold and fit back inside the organizer. This makes it challenging to keep the shirts inside neatly.

Functional Alternative: Instead, consider folding and stacking your t-shirts vertically on a shelf. If you want to keep them in containers, file fold them in a drawer or large bins inside a drawer or on a shelf. Another great idea to keep them from falling over if you’ve got a large collection is to use sweater dividers. This method allows for clear visibility of your collection and makes it more approachable to put away freshly done laundry. For kids’ t-shirts, I recommend file folding them in a drawer or large container. This is easier for them to see what they have and put them back on their own, even if not perfectly folded. 

T-Shirt Folder

If you really want to have every shirt perfectly folded and have the time to do this, then by all means, go for it! But let me tell you about most households that I’ve organized over the past two decades… Laundry is often piled up to be done and more is waiting to get folded and put away. Good intentions just don’t cut it in reality! I’m all about simplifying life, making things functional, and having a “good enough” attitude vs. trying to attain a perfect standard.

Functional Alternative: If you really want to use a folding device, get a larger one with more flaps for folding. This way you can use it for all clothing items and not just tops. It could also be a fun way to get the kids to help out with laundry! Test it and let me know 6 months later how it’s going 😉

Office Drawer Organizer

White or light-colored drawer organizers may look sleek, but they tend to get dirty quickly and are challenging to clean. Additionally, organizers with large and non-customizable sections may not suit your specific storage needs. To make a functional purchase, declutter the drawer first, plan where items will go, take measurements, and then invest in drawer organizers of various sizes that can fit well together.

I’m all for drawer organizers, but they need to be highly functional and easy to clean! White or light-colored drawer organizers may look sleek, but they tend to get marked up quickly. The sections in a lot of these organizers are often too large to sort items into groups and are not customizable.

Functional Alternative: Before you go shopping, save yourself the hassle of returns by decluttering the drawer first. Then lay out where you want the remaining items to go, measure the drawer, and take a photo. Once you’ve done that, you can go shopping! Look for drawer organizers of different sizes so you can make a square or rectangle with them in the drawer. They won’t slide around when they fit comfortably in a grid. Choose organizers with small sections.

Investing in functional organizing products can be a game-changer in maintaining an organized home or office!

However, it’s crucial to avoid products that don’t function well or stand up to the test of time. By steering clear of products that won’t perfectly serve their desired purpose, you can save both time and money.

Consider swapping for these functional alternatives and you’ll achieve a clutter-free, beautiful, and calm environment. Enhance your overall organization and productivity today. Enjoy!

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