People who organize homes for a living say these clever things make your life way easier

If you’re unsure where to start on your decluttering and organization journey, these plastic storage bins are the perfect first step. “Clear open front bins and clear bins with dividers are at the top of our list,” says Marie Jackson, professional organizer and owner of Organized Marie. “They’re versatile and allow you to create neat categories for everything from sweaters and T‑shirts to hats and accessories.” You can stack them on a shelf or on their wheels to build your own rolling storage system. Choose from six colors.

Replicate Marie Jackson of Organized Marie’s plastic bin advice in the fridge with these clear pantry organizers that let you store everything from fruits and vegetables to defrosting meats to leftover pizza in a minimum of space. And because you can see what’s in them, you won’t lose track or forget to cook the chicken. Move or remove the dividers to suit what you are storing, and stack the bins to save space. They work well in the pantry, too.

Organized Marie’ Marie Jackson also loves this over-the-door organizer. Hang it from any door — closet, bathroom, nursery, or pantry — to add storage to that space, tapping into a previously unused area. “The options are endless and make great use of the door,” she says. Stack diapers in the baby’s room. Stash towels in the bathroom. Or expand the holding capacity of your pantry. They come in five colors.

“Shelf dividers make life easier,” says Tina O’Keeffe with Stow and Behold Professional Organizers. “Often, people have wide open shelves in their closet, and when they start to fold and stack their clothes, the stacks start to sag. A shelf divider is an easy solution that just keeps your stacks in order. [They’re] also great for separating things like purses.” This version snaps into wire shelves for an easy containment solution and comes in a variety of multipacks. There are two styles. One has built-in hooks.

Tried and true advice? “Label your pantry bins or shelves, put frequently used items up front, and group like items together, such as snacks, cans, baking items, etc.,” advises Jane Stoller, founder of Organized Jane. These habits will help you get organized and stay that way. These pantry organizers are the perfect start. They are clear, so you can see what’s in them. They stack. And there is a grab window that lets you get what you need without breaking down your system. There is even a slot to feed garbage bags through or allow for airflow.

“Invest in a wrap organizer for foil, cling wrap, etc. to ensure no more boxes pop open or foil rolls get messed up, crinkled, and lost,” suggests Jane Stoller of Organized Jane. This bamboo version with three slots will bring instant order to that kitchen drawer. It comes with labels so you know what’s in each slot, and there are three options, so you can choose the configuration that suits what you have. It comes in four colors.

Another way to put the advice of Tina O’Keeffe at Stow and Behold Professional Organizers to work is to create hidden storage under a table or desk with these slide-out under-desk storage drawers. They let you stash some of your desktop clutter while keeping it all within reach. Mount them with screws or adhesive (included) and enjoy the roomy storage. They come in three colors.

It’s always smart to add a storage system just inside the main entry to your home, even if you don’t have a mud room to catch shoes, hats, and bags. “Hooks or trays near entryways can serve as drop zones for keys or mail,” says Organized Marie’s Marie Jackson. These foldable gold wall hooks are a low-profile option if you don’t have much space here. They are nearly invisible until you need them. Then they fold down and hold everything from keys to bags. They come in four colors.

“Decanting isn't for everyone,” says Melissa Schultz of MYS Organizing. “But it will save a ton of space, improve the visibility of what you have ‘in stock,’ and food will stay fresh longer when stored in tightly sealed, transparent containers. They don't have to be fancy. My two favorite brands are Rubbermaid Brilliance and Sistema. They both come in a wide variety of sizes, stack nicely, are dishwasher safe, and are readily available.” This set of eight with snap-lock lids from Rubbermaid will create instant order and long-lasting freshness in your pantry. There are four multipacks to choose from.

“In regards to creating storage spaces that don’t have built-in storage, I like hidden storage hacks like ottomans or furniture that has drawers beneath,” says Tina O’Keeffe with Stow and Behold Professional Organizers. “There are some really creative pieces of furniture that maximize space and create storage.” This storage ottoman and footrest is perfect in the living room, offering a place to stash gaming accessories, toys, or extra pillows and to rest your feet. There is even a pocket on the side for often-used gear like remotes. It comes in four colors.

This soda can dispenser is another great tool for implementing the advice of Jane Stoller of Organized Jane. They reduce the clutter and footprint of soda and beer cans while making it easy for people to grab one. The cans load from the top and roll to the front, so you can keep them filled without reorganizing the fridge. They are stackable, too. This is a two-pack.

Marie Jackson of Organized Marie recommends a rolling storage cart like this one as an easy solution to bathroom, laundry room, or closet clutter. “Rolling carts with drawers or mesh baskets provide flexible storage and can be tucked into a closet or corner when not in use,” she says. This one is so slim you can fit it between the washer and dryer or into a corner of the bathroom. It comes with three types of hooks you can attach wherever you want. Choose from five colors.

Lighting is an often-overlooked essential when it comes to getting organized, according to Tina O’Keeffe with Stow and Behold Professional Organizers. “The truth is,” she says, “no matter how great your closet is, if it’s stuffed, your clothes are going to get wrinkled and ruined. So the secret of a good closet is lighting it up.” It’s easy to do with this rechargeable motion sensor closet light. Mount the bracket to the wall or ceiling, and the light snaps into the bracket. Just grab it and plug it in when it needs a charge, which won’t be often because it only turns on when you use the closet.

It is easier — and quite stylish — to execute Marie Jackson of Organized Marie’s entryway advice if you have an entryway table. Simply set this tray for keys there and drop your keys, sunglasses, watch, and other items you tend to shed when you walk in the door there. The faux leather looks good there, empty or corralling your small EDC gear. Choose from five colors.

“Pull‑out organizers for cabinets (for pots, pans, and lids) eliminate the need to dig through stacks,” according to Marie Jackson with Organized Marie. This pots and pans organizer lets you stand each pan or lid on edge and slide them all out at once to access what you need, which is so much better than unpacking the cupboard onto the floor. This is a pack of two, each with nine dividers.

Another way to implement Organized Marie’s Marie Jackson’s advice is by using these slide-out shelves to organize everything from spices and condiments to snacks, dishes, and paper products. They maximize your space while making it easy to access everything. They install with an adhesive, which is much easier than fitting a drill into those tight spaces. They come in 10 sizes.

When it comes to tapping hidden storage areas, as Tina O’Keeffe of Stow and Behold Professional Organizers advises, there is nothing better than transforming the under-bed area from a magnet for dust bunnies to a functional storage area. These under-bed storage bags are the ticket. Load them with your off-season wardrobe, coats, sweaters, or your entire shoe collection. The top is clear so you can see what’s inside while your goods stay dust-bunny free. They come in four colors.

“Eggs can actually take up a lot of space, and a space-saving egg dispenser opens up shelf and fridge space and keeps them neatly in order,” says Jane Stoller, founder of Organized Jane. This egg organizer lets you store a dozen eggs in a small space and delivers each egg to your hand when you need it. It loads from the top, so you can use the oldest eggs first. Fit it into the door or on a shelf.

“Most people overlook cable management boxes,” says Organized Jane’s Jane Stoller. “But they’re a total game-changer. They hide messy cords and power strips in every room.” This large cord organizer will contain a big power strip and the plugs of everything it powers while keeping all those wires safe from pets, children, and dust. “I recommend having a few throughout the house, such as in your office, bedroom, living room, and even kitchen,” she says.

“For frequently used items, store them at eye level in clear containers so they’re visible and less likely to be misplaced,” says Marie Jackson of Organized Marie. This sunglasses organizer will keep all your glasses visible and within reach — and give you a place to put them so you don’t lose them. When you do find all your lost glasses, add another row or two. It mounts to the wall and comes in three colors.

According to Tina O’Keeffe, Chief Organizing Officer with Stow and Behold Professional Organizers, “A lot of people forget about basic drawer dividers to wrangle multipurpose drawers.” This pack of five bamboo drawer organizers is so easy to deploy. Fit the different sizes together in the drawers and create spaces in a variety of sizes to stash everything from kitchen tools in the kitchen to cosmetics in the bathroom. “It makes a big difference to create sections,” she says.

“One of my favorite products was the flip-flop hanger that we have in our mudroom,” says Stow and Behold Professional Organizers’ Tina O’Keeffe. “It’s a type of shoe that can easily be misplaced or slide under something, so this unique hanger goes behind a door or against a [wall] and very easily pairs flip-flops, so no one is searching.” Just hang this organizer wherever you store your shoes or the outfits you wear with flip-flops for a quick fix.

“A clever organizing product that I’ve recently fallen in love with,” says Tina O’Keeffe with Stow and Behold Professional Organizers, “are these sheet organizers. You basically fold your sheets, encase them in these boxes, and put them on the shelf like library books. It keeps sheet sets together, and if you aren’t a great folder, it’s forgiving because the box itself gives your sheets structure.” This is a four-pack, and they come in seven colors.

“For pantries, I love can dispensers,” says Stow and Behold Professional Organizers’ Tina O’Keeffe. “They are practical and space-saving.” Set this can storage organizer on a shelf, load the cans into it, and stop reorganizing the shelves every time you shop or use up tomatoes or beans. Just load new cans on top, and the older ones push the forefront so you can grab what you need. They fit more cans on a shelf, too. This is a pack of nine.

This slim shoe storage cabinet is exactly what Stow and Behold Professional Organizers’ Tina O’Keeffe had in mind when she recommended furniture with secret storage compartments. It is a slim piece that’s easy to sneak into any room. The top surface is a great place to set your EDC or phone. There are hooks for bags. And the front panels open up and store your entire shoe collection. But the best part? It aerates the interior on a schedule so your shoes smell good when you put them on. It comes in five colors.

Marie Jackson with Organized Marie recommends turning your fridge into a display case with clever storage accessories. “Use vertical space by adding stackable bins or drawers,” she says. These kitchen storage organizers let you pull open a drawer to access your tomatoes or apples, eliminating the hassle of unpacking the fridge to find one item that is lost in the back. Choose from two sizes and three bundles.

In the closet, you can follow Marie Jackson of Organized Marie’s advice to tap vertical space with these stackable closet storage baskets that turn your wardrobe into a boutique-like display. Each box slides out so you can see and access what’s in it without unstacking your system, making it easy to put away clothes and get dressed. This is a system that would also work well in an office or a child’s room. The bins come in white or green.

“Also add matching slimline hangers,” says Marie Jackson, owner of Organized Marie. “This helps maximize space and provide consistency, which our brains love because we are attracted to symmetry.” These slim hangers make this easy to do. They come in affordable multi-packs and each one has a grippy shoulder area so clothes don’t slide off, and a tie hook you can use to add scarves, belts, and other accessories to each garment. Choose from four colors.

Marie Jackson of Organized Marie suggests that you think about how you will remember what’s in your secret storage spaces as you squirrel things away. “Clear bins and labeled containers allow you to see what’s inside,” she says, “which makes it easier to put things back where they belong.” This big pack of 138 organization labels makes it easy to label bins that aren’t clear. They are preprinted and easy to read. You only have to peel and stick them to your storage bins.

Add this label maker machine to your organizing tool kit to make your own custom labels as you go. It’s an easy way to embrace Marie Jackson’s of Organized Marie advice to label everything. Design your labels — choosing fonts, pictures, codes, and frames — on your phone and send them to this portable sticker printer. It comes in seven colors and gets nearly 4,000 five-star Amazon reviews.

Melissa Schultz, a professional organizer and owner of MYS Organizing, recommends that you “invest in the best hangers you can afford. Wooden hangers are my favorite, but slimline velvet hangers are a very affordable option and a client favorite.” This 20-pack of wooden hangers, though, is quite affordable and elegant, with slots to keep dresses and tanks from sliding off. They come in six colors.

According to professional organizer Melissa Schultz, owner of MYS Organizing, there are some nonnegotiables with hangers. “Always choose hangers with a swiveling hook, and stay consistent with an easy-to-find color so they match!” These swivel-hook velvet hangers in black fit the bill perfectly. But they do come in nine colors if you want to add a punchy shade to your closet.

A good tray, like this clear acrylic tray, is another way to corral your gear, according to Marie Jackson of Organized Marie. Set it on a dresser or shelf and drop small items that tend to get misplaced into it. You can see what’s in it from every angle, and it will turn a collection of sundries from a pile of clutter to an organized display.

One thing that Jane Stoller, Founder of Organized Jane, says will change your life — one day at a time — is getting your clothing organized so you can find something to wear without tearing apart your closet and drawers. “Drawer organizers keep socks, underwear, and tees neat and visible so nothing gets lost in the shuffle,” she says. “I recommend finding a 12-piece one on Amazon that has a variety of sizes.” This set of drawer dividers comes in four colors, and the pieces are sized to handle the clothes you have.

“Lazy Susans are great for oils, vinegars, or condiments,” says Organized Marie’s Marie Jackson. And this clear lazy Susan takes that storage up a notch by letting you see everything that’s in it without risking any of it flying off the edge if you get wild while spinning it. Set it on the table for salt, pepper, hot sauce, and other condiments. Keep one near the stove for your most-used oils and spices. You can even use them in the fridge to prevent condiments and jams from getting lost in the back.

“Clear airtight containers for pantry staples keep food fresher and make it easy to see what you have,” says Organized Marie’s Marie Jackson. This set of cereal containers, for example, lets you keep all your grains, crackers, cereals, and dry pet food secure, orderly, and easy to find. Add labels if you can’t ID the contents by sight. The snap-close lids keep everything fresh, and the included chalkboard labels let you write your own descriptions. There are four options.

“If space is tight, door‑mounted racks can hold spices, wraps, or foil and free up shelf space,” according to professional organizer Marie Jackson of Organized Marie. Hook this pantry organizer right over the pantry or kitchen door to create a vast amount of storage right where you need it. The eight metal shelves with wood liners are solid and sturdy, and the units come in black or white.

Mount this spice rack to the wall or take the advice of Marie Jackson of Organized Marie, and mount them to the inside of a cupboard door to maximize the storage space in a small kitchen. They come with screws or adhesive to make installation easy, and each shelf hangs separately so you can design your own arrangement. Choose black or chrome.

Another hack professional organizer, Marie Jackson, owner of Organized Marie, loves? Cube storage organizers like this one. “Cube organizers or modular shelving units can create ‘built‑in' style storage in closets, under stairs, or along walls without permanent installation.” It’s so easy. Snap it together in a shape you like and load it with everything from toys to clothing to books. It comes in eight colors.

“Stackable shoe and sweater bins without a lid are a hidden gem in home organization,” says Marie Jackson of Organized Marie. “Unlike traditional lidded bins, these open-top versions make it effortless to grab what you need without unstacking or removing a lid.” This set of sturdy, clear shoe storage containers is a perfect example of this. Stack them in a closet or corner of the room. Fill them with shoes, toys, sporting equipment, or clothes, and everything is clean, visible, and easily accessible. Choose black or white.

Organized Marie’s Marie Jackson also loves clever closet storage organizers like these ones. “They optimize vertical space in closets or shelving units, keep items visible at a glance, and encourage you to actually maintain the system because it’s so easy to use,” she says. The clear front lets you see what’s in each bin, and you can pull a tab to open them from the front. They come in four colors and three bundle options.

These Sistema food storage containers are another favorite of MYS Organizing’s Melissa Schultz. They are versatile enough to handle leftovers in the fridge, prepped-ahead meals in the freezer, and grains in the cupboard. The lids lock tightly. They are leak-proof. And they can go into the dishwasher and microwave. This is a three-pack.

According to professional organizer Melissa Schultz of MYS Organizing, “The Number 1 rule for organizing any space: DECLUTTER FIRST. No product can overcome too much stuff in a space.” If you need help with this, turn to Marie Kondo for advice on how to let go of the stuff that is creating chaos in your space. Instead of tackling each room, she approaches clutter by categories, which can help you understand what you need and what you don’t.

If the shelves in your closet are solid, Jane Stoller of Organized Jane recommends these shelf dividers. “Acrylic shelf dividers ensure that you no longer have toppling piles of sweaters or jeans. These keep stacks tidy and easy to grab,” she says. They slide right onto the shelf and make it easy to stack clothing, stand purses up, and see what is in your closet. They are clear, so they don’t block light and come in a variety of multipacks.

“We often overlook lighting when it comes to organizing,” says Organized Jane’s Stoller. “But it is an important component. A little light goes a long way! Brighten dark corners with stick-on lights so you can actually see what you own.” This motion sensor night-light is an easy way to brighten your storage — or anywhere that’s too dim for comfort. It senses motion and turns on when you need to see, and you can adjust the brightness with a touch of a button. Choose from three light colors. This is a pack of two.