baskets

Tidy Tips: Best Storage Bins At Every Price Point

There are so many storage solutions out there which can get overwhelming.

But it doesn’t have to be.

Before you buy containers, follow these steps:

  1. Declutter your space and determine exactly what needs to be contained.

  2. Measure the shelving, drawers, closets, etc. to ensure the product you’re buying will fit.

  3. Determine your budget for storage solutions.

  4. Start shopping (or take the DIY approach)

To get you started, we put together some of our favorite storage bins at all price points…including FREE!


The Best Free Organizing BINS

storage, organizing bins, baskets

Wine / Liquor Boxes

Larger cardboard boxes have endless utility, particularly if you’re into DIY projects. For example you can turn a wine box into a basket cutting off the flaps, wrapping it in twine and adding a fabric liner. You need time and an appreciation for crafts if you’re going to give it a go, but the results are great and you’ll save about $20 per basket. Otherwise, we’ve seen clients using labeled cardboard boxes for toy storage before eventually upgrading to proper bins.

storage, organizing bins, baskets

Shipping / Product Boxes

We love reusing small boxes from chocolates, jewelry, Apple products, etc... because they are so sturdy and aesthetically pleasing. We actually save them from decluttering jobs so we can repurpose on jobs that are more budget-friendly. They are great as drawer inserts in bathrooms, desks or utility drawers. To make them prettier or for continuity, try wrapping them in Washi Tape. Similarly, if you need dividers in your closet or dresser for socks and underwear, try repurposing shoe boxes or cutting down boxes from your last Amazon order. Just give them the Washi Tape facelift, and you’ve got some new storage solutions!.

 

The Best Organizing Bins Under $5

storage, organizing bins, baskets

Bargin Stores

You’d be surprised what you can find at dollar stores or if you’re a good online bargain hunter. We like to look for collapsible canvas cubes for playrooms for kids since they are, well, kids. While storage cubes can get expensive, Amazon carries an inexpensive version that will get you started. 

For us, we think the best overall bang for your buck is The Container Store’s “Our Shoe Box,” which only costs $2.19 per box--they’re super versatile and affordable. We use these on nearly every job -- of course they’re perfect for shoes, but also for toys, art supplies, hardware, toiletries, craft supplies, office supplies and more. They stack nicely and you can’t go wrong with clear plastic so you can see what’s inside. They come in a handful of other sizes too.

 

The Best Organizing Bins Under $15

This mDesign farmhouse metal wire basket is both functional and versatile. The tight weave is helpful for storing smaller items like toiletries or jars.

These handled bins are a staple when organizing laundry products and toys for our clients. The Container Store Nordic Bin comes in a variety of sizes and lid options, and the holes allow for ventilation which is a feature we love.

 

The Best Organizing Bins Under $30

The Container Store’s Montauk bins are our go-to for closets. These baskets are sturdy, and the bin clips fit perfectly over the lip. Best part: the interior liner is removable so you can keep them clean.

While this Yamazaki desk organizer is usually found in offices, we like to use it as a command station in the kitchen or as a hair-tool caddy in the bathroom. The white & light wood coloring fits in every room and the sleek design and higher “walls” keep items upright.

These Marie Kondo Ori Rattan Bins are as sturdy as they are beautiful. They are handwoven and made of natural rattan, and can be used anywhere from the kitchen to an office. The handles make it easy to transport, and we love the warmth and functionality they add to any space.

 

The Best Organizing Bins Under $50

Another Yamazki favorite of ours is the Tosca basket with dual handles. While this product works in almost any space, we specifically love this basket for pantries. Pantries in general have the most volume of items and this simple basket doesn’t add to the existing “noise” in the room.

These Neat Method perforated baskets add style to any room! Let’s be honest- what we love most are the beautiful variety of colors they come in. They come with a removable divider, and are a great substitute to woven or plastic bins. Bonus: these magnetic label sets snap right on if you want to label what’s inside.

 

The Best Organizing Bins over $50

We get really excited when we can use products from The Basket Room. They are hand woven in Northern Ghana and take up to 3 days to complete using Ghanian grass called veta vera. The work helps families meet their basic living costs and supporting the weavers in a truly fair and sustainable trade.

These Serena & Lily lidded baskets are a great way to conceal laundry, stuffed animals, or extra blankets without your space looking chaotic. The lids are essential to making everything look tidy and the recycled plastic wrapping around the coils make it extra sturdy. We love grouping the 3 sizes together.

These vegan leather baskets from Folden Lane are fairly new to the organizing scene and we're so excited to welcome them to our repertoire. They are made with a buttery soft vegan leather and stainless steel hardware. They are shipped flat (that's right, flat!) cutting down on carbon emissions and packaging waste.

This small flex bin is great for containing smaller items in your home. Folded or unfolded, it's your choice! The structured yet flexible material provides hidden storage and is also washable. It fits perfectly on a bookshelf, in a closet or on an entranceway table. 



disclaimers:

photos from The Container Store, Amazon, The Basket Room, Folden Lane, SortJoy, Neat Method, and Serena & Serena & Lily.

If you purchase from one of our LTK links, we may earn a small commission.

Project Recap: Tidy Nest Pantry x mDesign Products

When we saw this pantry’s metal door detail, we knew mDesign’s graphite wire bins would compliment the aesthetic well. 

This pantry works hard for two very busy professionals and it needed some Tidy Nest attention.

pantry full of items

We pulled everything out, categorized and edited.

Our favorite stage of a project - the space is clean, the product is in, and we can begin to look at the project with fresh eyes.

empty shelves in pantry

We played around with product placement and landed on a few staples from mDesign’s wire collection.

The graphite wire bins were the perfect choice for bags of chips, crackers, pasta and teas. Not only do the graphite bins look great in the space, but they’re functional, versatile, and allow you to see the items without being completely transparent as well. 

mdesign baskets and product on table

The additional products we chose are thoughtfully sized, rust-resistant and in some cases expandable and adjustable. The pullout basket drawers and storage shelves were added to utilize the vertical space.

mdesign metal baskets

The most important piece for this household was to have their supplements visible and easily accessible. Previously they were stored on the kitchen counter and in baskets in the pantry causing the client’s kitchen island to be cluttered and making it challenging to find the correct bottles.

We added an expandable three-tier spice rack and placed the supplements front and center.

Easy access and super visible!

mdesign metal baskets

These are great choices if you’re looking to use less plastic in your home or you simply want a more modern aesthetic.

mdesign metal baskets

2021 Holiday Gift Guides: Getting Organized

We’re so excited to be sharing the first edition of our holiday gift guides. We covered different categories from our personal picks to stocking stuffers to items for the cat lover (I know, big stretch but we love our cats).

Next up are some of our favorite gift ideas for those of you who want to get organized.


Bamboo Drawer Organizers

Drawer organizers are essential in nearly every space - they can tame utensil drawers, utility drawers (formerly known as a junk drawer), office supplies, bathroom cabinets, nightstands, etc. We prefer bamboo over plastic and we especially like these because they are 100% bamboo (many have MDF bases). We always have various sizes on hand and play a little Tetris to find the perfect configuration.


Vegan Leather Baskets

These baskets from Folden Lane are fairly new to the organizing scene and we're so excited to welcome them to our repertoire. They are made with a buttery soft vegan leather and stainless steel hardware. They are shipped flat (that's right, flat!) cutting down on carbon emissions and packaging waste. 


Acacia Perforated Baskets

Surprise, surprise, we love a basket. Anything designed by Neat Method is going to be thoughtfully designed and made with top of the line materials. This basket is made with acacia wood, another one of our favorite materials. The perforated metal sides not only add an interesting texture, but it assists with visibility and airflow.


Rattan Basket

Okay, you get it… another basket. But hear us out…we love options. We refer to this basket as the more modern wicker basket. These baskets are made by hand and are super light which is perfect for those overhead shelves.


Magnetic Label Holders

Another genius product from the Neat Method. There are three ways to use these labels and we’re here for them all. 

Magnetize - if you’re attaching to metal, just use the front plate. If you’re attaching to cloth, use both the front plate and the back plate. 

Thread -  the back plate has 2 small holes on either side, use a nylon tie (it comes in the package) and thread through the woven material and then twist in the back. 

Tie - use string through the  holes of the back plate.


Glass Spice Jars

Decanting spices is not for everyone but if you’re into it, these are our go-to vessels. The shape of the bottle ensures that they properly stand up in cabinets or lay in drawers without rolling around.


Wire Storage Bins

These metal bins are incredibly versatile. We’ve used them in pantries, playrooms, offices, mudrooms and they go with both a modern decor and a farmhouse decor.


Bamboo Charging Station

We have so many devices these days - watches, ipads, iphones, airpods - and our charges are never where we need them to be. That’s why we started incorporating these charging stations in our office projects. They are sleek and can charge up to 5 devices including an apple watch and airpods.


PTouch Cube Label Maker

All we can say about this little gem is that...

We. Can’t. Live. Without. Her.