Contain Yourself

BACK TO BASICS | by JANNA LUFKIN

ARE YOU AN ORGANIZING CONTAINER FREAK? Sometimes it seems like there are just too many options! At one point I had to organize all my organizing things. That’s nuts.

This got me to thinking and I realized it wasn’t that I needed the next cool container, what I needed was a system. One that would work in every room, closet and cupboard in my home.

My criteria? It HAD to look great and, of course, it had to be functional. The containers had to fit close together, since space is at a premium, my solution had to work long term, and it had to be inexpensive.

IMAGE SOURCE: SEEJANEWORK.COM

My solution? Three to five container options that work throughout the spaces and a simple color palette.

Here are my favorites:

• Galvanized bins (like from IKEA)
• Canvas bins in Natural (The Container Store)
• Magazine holders (mod colors at West Elm)
• Clear trays (your local drugstore or IKEA)
• Letter boxes (great items at See Jane Work)

Select containers that stores keep in stock, keep your selections basic and in classic colors and buy a few extras of each to save for future use.

There will always be something to organize but if you stick with your system, you’ll have things put away in no time.