Boxes vs. Baskets - Which Is Better For Organizing?
Best Organization Practices
In the debate between which is better for organizing, boxes or baskets, boxes win hands-down. Every time! “Why?” you ask. There’s one simple reason: it’s hard to put two baskets together without creating an awkward space and gap. And, when you have a lot of things to store, you need that extra storage area. No space should go unused. Boxes butt up next to each other perfectly and fit neatly on a shelf. I love boxes or bins. They work every time. Period. Baskets, not so much.
Marie Kondo loves boxes, too. She speaks the language of boxes with her different styles, many sold on her website and at The Container Store®. We agree with her. There is no better way to organize than to have uniform boxes waiting to be filled. They are practical and reusable. And they take up much less space than baskets. We especially love the Diommell boxes that have zippers at the bottom. When we want to change up a drawer and don’t need one, we can unzip the back, flatten it, and store it away.
To fold or hang?
When I was first reading Marie Kondo’s books, I was fascinated by her way of organizing. Yet, folding sort of baffled me. I was a little confused, I must admit, because I had never actually preferred folding my clothes. I was mesmerized that she could fold such large items like big, bulky sweaters into perfect little packages ready to be tucked away in a drawer. I still am! People ask me to show them how to fold clothes and I do it with great joy. Marie Kondo has cornered that market and taught consultants her famous technique.
As I was saying, I am a little on the fence about folding everything. I think I still, in some situations, prefer to hang things in my closet because I can see what I own a little bit better. That’s the beauty of the KonMari Method®. You are free to fold things as you see fit. I fold things like leggings, especially my yoga leggings, underwear, and socks. These things fit so neatly in little boxes that I love to open my drawers just to see how pretty they look. Nothing makes me happier! I can always tell when something is in the wash (I wash a lot, so it’s not often) or MIA because there is an empty space. You can’t do that with your hanging clothes, unless of course, you allow only one hanger per item, which I do.
Boxes maximize space, baskets do not.
We have taught a few classes in the Marie Kondo philosophy and KonMari Method® and when we pose the question to the audience about whether it’s boxes or baskets, some people actually look at us funny when we say “boxes.” Boxes win every time for us. We watch people tap their feet or shift back and forth in their chairs after we say boxes. That’s because we know prior to coming to our class, they purchased a whole bunch of pretty baskets to start their organizing journey. We know, after class, too, that they’re going to go home to see that we’re right. You can’t put two baskets together and utilize the maximum amount of space available on a shelf. The baskets just don’t fit together, and they don’t line up. And, for those who love Marie Kondo’s organizing method, this is not a win.
Purchasing the perfect storage is key.
Using the KonMari Method®, we help you imagine your ideal lifestyle. After that, it’s time to declutter what you have so that there is less to put away. This is the time when you decide if what you own “sparks joy.” After decluttering everything, it’s time to purchase the right type of storage. Our goal: everything has a place to go at the end of the day, your “put back” box or tote is empty, and you feel peace and ease. Using her method (in combination with our little tweaks), we can organize your playrooms, toys, closets, office, kitchen, or garage - anything that causes you stress - with boxes that change up your space. Lately, we have been using a lot of closet overhead space. We have found great boxes for that area that really work! These boxes have a clear window, stack, and fit perfectly on upper shelves. They come in multiple sizes and colors.
Storage choices make a big impact on organization.
We know it sounds crazy, but little decisions like this have a huge impact on the way your organization comes together. With a creative use of products, we can help you organize from your closet to your garage. We can also help you repurpose a space after your child has left for college or graduated. Or, we can assist with home staging when selling your home. Often, we work with empty nesters who wants to downsize or redo a room. And, we can unpack and organize your new home, prepare a baby’s nursery, or transition spaces from toddlers to teenagers. We are experts at figuring out how to make the most of your space. We do a lot of it with our decorganizing® (decor organizing) and the use of boxes in all sizes. Combining years of experience with innovative products, we can solve almost any organizing challenge.
Let us help you organize your space.
Let us help you virtually to figure out your organization goals, space challenges, and style preferences. From there, we will design the best method for your home to make sure you love every minute you’re in it. If you’re not in the DFW Metroplex, or are more of a DIY person who just needs a little direction now and then, we are available to answer questions with our virtual organizing services. We can help you get your space decluttered and organized with perfectly selected storage containers (boxes, no doubt!) that keep every room in your house in order.