5 Inexpensive Organizing Tools That Will Change Your Life

By Corinne Morahan

November 29, 2021

Image credit: Corinne Morahan

It’s true: organizing your home really can change your life for the better. And while you don’t have to spend buckets to make that happen — in fact, there are some great, really low-cost ways to organize — the right organizing tools can make the difference between your new setup lasting for five minutes (until your family comes in like a tornado) or lasting forever.

As a professional organizer, I’ve spent a lot of time figuring out which tools are worth the cost, and which ones you can skip. A great organizing tool fits the space, functions well, and makes a system easier. I’m sharing my top five organizing tools that are reasonably priced — under $30 each — and will help your new system stick.

1. Stadium seating for your canned goods

An important part of staying organized is actually being able to see all of your belongings at once. That’s why this can riser is such a game changer. Say goodbye to having 10 cans of black beans (four of which are expired). Now you’ll never overbuy because you know exactly what you have and what you’re running low on.

Note: There are a bunch of versions of this product out there that are not deep enough to hold the average size can, so be sure to steer clear of those. The linked option is extra deep and also expandable.

(Mega Expand-A-Shelf Tiered Organizer; $17, Amazon)

2. A rotating tray you’ll actually love

A lot of us cringe when we consider a rotating tray (aka Lazy Susan) as visions of our annoying corner cabinet pop into our head (pro tip: I now store my pots and pans in there with their lids on, and it changed my life). Let me introduce you to your new best friend, the updated storage turntable. It’s an amazing, multi-talented organizing solution, and has so many different uses: you can use this tool to keep first-aid products corralled under the sink, or perch it on your bathroom counter filled with your daily beauty products. I often use a Lazy Susan to store my clients’ cooking oils: We place them in those high up cabinets near the stove to maximize space. The Lazy Susan’s beauty lies in the fact that you never have to search for an item, you simply give her a spin and you can see everything inside. Try one and you’ll never look back!

(Home Intuition Rotating Tray; $18, Amazon)

3. Furniture and storage in one

My eight year old loves her stuffed animals. I get it: I was the same way when I was her age, so I’m guilty of letting her hang on to more of them than she realistically needs… but that doesn’t mean I want to see them strewn all over her room, either. Enter: the bean bag stuffy. This looks and feels like a bean bag chair when fully stuffed, but it’s actually an empty shell that you can shove tons of stuffed animals and blankets into. It comes in several fun patterns and colors, makes cleaning up super easy (and kind of fun) — and it’s actually quite comfortable to lounge on. Plus, it costs less than any actual bean bag chair on the market.

(Stuffed Animal Bean Bag Chair; $24, Amazon)

4. The dividers you didn’t know you needed

I know that not everyone embraces file folding clothing. In my opinion, it’s a game-changer in terms of being able to see all your clothing items at once, but the truth is, not everyone is going to stick with it. Regardless of how you fold, these $17 drawer dividers still have the power to change your life. Imagine creating sections for tank tops, short sleeves, and long sleeves — all in the same drawer. You can find exactly what you need at first glance. Simply pop in a drawer divider and keep those babies separate. You’ll save so much time and frustration, guaranteed.

(Dial Dream Drawer Organizer; $17, Amazon)

5. The ultimate water bottle storage hack

Raise your hand if you have a kitchen drawer or cabinet that is stuffed to the max with reusable water bottles. I have yet to walk into a kitchen that doesn’t have one… and I’ve organized a lot of kitchens. Yes, I’m going to tell you that you should toss all the ones that leak, that don’t have matching lids, and that for whatever reason, you just don’t love. But I’m guessing you will still be left with your fair share of water bottles. So how do you keep them organized? A plastic wine rack that doubles as a water bottle holder is an organizer’s best-kept secret. They fit inside most cabinets, and the best part is you can see your entire collection at once. They are a total game changer for anyone who uses water bottles daily.

(mDesign Modern Plastic Stackable Water Bottle Holder; $29, Amazon)

It’s tempting to get swept away by all the amazing organizing products on the market. But the truth is that many will just become more clutter in your home. Make sure the products that you’re buying will truly help your systems stick. And most importantly, measure, measure… and measure again to make sure they will fit! The only thing worse than a product that doesn’t fit, is the trip you have to take to return it.

Corinne Morahan is the founder of the G+G Membership and the CEO of Grid + Glam, an organizing and media company designed to give busy women back their beautiful spaces and the breathing room they deserve. You can find more organizing tips on GridandGlam.com and Instagram.

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