Here’s a list of organizing and storage products that are my go-to tools for managing and preserving the collections of things I’ve kept after decluttering and clearing out all of the stuff that didn’t spark any joy.
I have personally purchased, tested, and regularly used every item that I recommend. Or, if the specific model I used is no longer available, I’ve recommended a comparable one from the brand I trust. I’ll keep adding to the list as I discover new favorites. See my Affiliate Disclosure page for more details.
Organizing Essentials
Brady BMP21-PLUS Handheld Label Printer, Multi-Line Print
After my wimpy label maker broke, I upgraded to this heavy-duty label printer that has helped me organize anything and everything, from spice jars to cables, trunks, board game pieces, and beyond.
Brady Authentic (M21-500-595-WT) All-Weather Vinyl Label Tape, .5″ Width, 21′ Length
Here’s some durable label tape that works with the Brady BMP21-PLUS label printer. The vinyl material works for both indoor and outdoor use.
Fuji ScanSnap iX1500 Premium Bundle with 3 Year Depot Warranty
(Note: I have the Fuji ScanSnap ix500 that is now discontinued. The Fuji ScanSnap ix1500 is even more highly rated and is at the top of my list if my ix500 dies.)
Can you believe I’m primarily paperless now? I used have four filing cabinets full of papers that I simply had to keep. Turns out, you don’t have to keep physical copies of as many documents as you think. If you ever do need a hard copy, these days it’s pretty easy to request one or download and print what you need.
The Fuji ScanSnap makes it simple to scan with a single button push. You can save photos, receipts, and other important documents as jpegs, PDFs, or in other formats. Give it a whirl and see if you don’t get addicted to liberating yourself from hanging onto paper. As someone who’s moved to different states multiple times, I can also say that it’s great to know I’ll never have to pack and move, or pay someone to move, paper for me again.
GoECOlife GMW120Pii Limited Edition High Security Microcut Paper Shredder
This jaunty red GoEcolife shredder goes hand in hand with any desire to go paperless. (You can also buy it in white if red isn’t your color.)
I find it immensely satisfying, once I’ve scanned a document, to be able to get rid of it with my GoECOlife shredder. Same goes for any junk mail that I don’t want to get into the wrong hands. (I’m looking at you, unsolicited credit card applications and transfer checks.) The shredder can work for a long time without overheating, it handles up to 12 sheets at a time, and you don’t have to empty it very often unless you’re shredding a whole lot of stuff all at once. Tip: You can put a trash bag in the container to catch any shredded bits to make it neater for clean-up.
Expandable File Folder with Lid, 24 Pocket Accordion File Organizer
A simple expandable accordion file organizer can be an indispensable tool when you’re trying to keep track of mountains of papers, especially when handling a complicated estate after someone passes away. Create basic categories to manage what items you need to do, what’s already been done, and any important documents you have to hang onto.
Storage Essentials
IRIS Hinged Lid Utility Trunk, 4 Pack
These IRIS trunks are handy for holding those oddly shaped items that won’t fit inside a typical rectangular trunk, such as oversized special edition video games, taller toys, bits of equipment, pillows, and so forth.
Meori Foldable Classic Large Collapsible Box
These Meori foldable boxes are awesome. They’re lightweight and easy to unfold and use for temporary transport (like groceries in your car) or for longer term storage (toys, cleaning products, toiletries, whatever). They have a handy net pocket on the inside to hold smaller items securely. I’ve got one box by my bed to hold the latest batch of books I’m reading, along with my notebooks, pens, and other assorted necessities. The boxes are only about 1-inch thick when they’re folded up, making them easy to store, and their material is durable and easy to clean.
Meori Classic Small, Thyme Mauve with Brushed Lines, Collapsible Box
A small Meori box with a cute pink, green, and white print to add some more pizzazz. If this isn’t your style, that’s okay. The Meori boxes come in all kinds of other colors and prints.
Meori Classic Medium Foldable Storage Box, 22 Liter / 6.5 Gallon, In Lava Black
You can also keep your Meori classic by getting it in basic, beautiful black.
Blue Q Six & A Half Birds Pencil Case
I love Blue Q’s pencil cases because they’re the perfect size for stowing small electronics necessities such as headphones, adapters and other items that need wrangling and aren’t cute enough to be on display, unlike the pencil cases themselves. I use these a lot for traveling because the bags are lightweight, fairly water-resistant, and flexible enough to cram in my suitcase or carryon bag. They’re also great for small toiletries or a makeup-on-the-go kit. Travel tip: For long flights, I stick a travel toothbrush, tiny tube of toothpaste, refillable perfume atomizer, AERIN rose lip conditioner, contact lens solution, and a travel-sized refillable mister of rose water in one of these bags so I can freshen up when I start feeling fusty and my skin gets dehydrated.
Blue Q Unicorn Zipper Pouch
Anyone who knows me knows that I have a thing for unicorns. Plus, they showed up in such abundance during my hoarding clean-up that I started to view the thing as a unicorn quest. (You gotta find the lightness and hope in the midst of your trials and tribulations, right?) This larger Blue Q zippered bag is good for holding larger items like laptop chargers or bulky travel adapters that don’t fit in a pencil case but are still necessary to tote with you. The pouch is light, so it doesn’t add extra weight, and it’s durable. Blue Q makes their products in all kinds of great prints, in case you’re not as into unicorns as some of us.
MOSO NATURAL: Unscented, Chemical-Free Odor Eliminator (Charcoal)
Moso Natural eco-friendly bamboo and charcoal bags work wonders with my stanky sneakers and other odorific items. These chemical-free, fragrance-free air purifying bags are also good for all-purpose storage, like blankets or other items you want to keep dry and fresh.