All the Best Storage Bins and Baskets We’ve Ever Written About

Strategist writer Ambar Pardillasaysthree organizers she spoke with recommend these white baskets for their simplicity and versatility. They’re “great for virtually anything,” says Mary Cornetta ofOrganized Overall, who uses them to store hard-to-organize items likeelectronic cords. When empty, they’re nestable, but even with the optional lids that Barbara Reich ofLife Organizedsays aren’t too tight-fitting and slide off easily, they’re readily stackable. Pardilla recently got a basket and storeslinensin hers, saying she likes how the holes keep herbeddingsmelling fresh. (Neat Rulesfounder Allison Dunn also says she appreciates how the holes offer a glimpse of what’s inside.) Plus, it looks good: “I appreciate its clean, minimalist appearance — just looking at the bin makes me feel as though I have my life together,” Pardilla says. The containers come in three sizes and colors.

Although these boxes are sized to holdshoes, Strategist senior editor Jen Trolio and Beth Penn, owner ofBneato Bar Professional Organizing, have both repurposed multiples of the clearbinsfor a number of uses. Because the containers are stackable and transparent, Troliosaysshe has them all over her house to storetoysandart supplies, while Penn says hers housemedications,first-aid supplies, and otherbathroom essentials. Penn says they help her set “boundaries” while organizing to keepshelvesandcabinetstidy. You can order a single box or a case of five or 20, and if you’re looking for a bit more room, it comes in a larger version that can fit up to a size men’s 13 shoe,accordingto the brand.

Smalltoysandbookscan easily get lost in a large basket, so professional organizer Britnee Tannersaysshe prefers putting several of these open-faced wooden bins side by side so kids can easily find what they’re looking for. Tanner says she also likes that they’re stackable, which helps free upfloor space. The bins come in large and small sizes.

For largertoys, professional declutterers Nicole Abramovici of Genius Organizing and Christina Giaquintorecommendthese two-handled, animal-print baskets. Giaquinto says she likes how the cotton canvas material is tough enough to hold the heaviest of toys, while the designs are alsoverycute (dinos, llamas, and sloths). Pardilla says the animals can also serve as a fun way to remind kids where different types of playthings are stored away. The baskets have awaterproofinterior coating for easy cleaning,accordingto the brand.

The name describes the type of easy clean-up you might achieve with these portable bags, as Pardillasaysyou can throw toys to the nylon bag, pull thedrawstrings, and “swoop” it all away. “I collect everything that’s out of place and then haul it around putting stuff away, like aSanta’s sackbut for decluttering,” Trolio says. She says they’re good for miscellaneous items that can be tossed in the bag and later rifled through without having to dump everything back out on the floor. If you do want to play with all the contents, however, the Swoop makes it easy for you —accordingto the brand, when the bag is opened wide, it converts into a circularplay matthat four to five kids can play around.

At less than half the price of the Swoop, this foldable Flådis bin is another option for portable storage and afavoriteof Penn’s for its strength — while the hand-braidedcriss-crossed seagrass may seem delicate, Penn says hers has survived being shoved around and stuffed full. She keeps one at the end of the hallway to toss in items for organization at a later time, saying “I can quickly tidy and not care about how [toys] land inside,” Penn says, “because you can’t see what’s stored for the most part.”

We think this giantLegofull ofLegosis rather delightful — and an effective way to store those sneaky little blocks. This eight-stud storage bin has a drawer for easy organization, and like the bricks themselves, can be stacked and matched with others. “I like these because they are visually so cool-looking,”saysAbby Clawson Low, a Dallas-based graphic designer and art director, “and they add something colorful and unusual to the kids’ area.” For more Lego-specific storage options, Strategist contributor Youngna Park wrote this hyperspecificguideto managing them.

If you’re in need of long-term storage solutions, these heavy-duty Weathertight Totes are “much-loved” by professional organizers, Pardilla says, as they’re stackable, see-through, and come in a variety of sizes — meaning you can store a wide variety of items and easily find them again when you need. Tannersaysthe thick, translucent plastic bins are “by far one of the most durable on the market,” and Lauren Saltman, owner of organizing companyLiving. Simplified., says their latches are also strong. The sturdy boxes are available in nine sizes, from 6.5 quarts to 156 quarts.

A standout feature of Rubbermaid’s Roughneck storage tote is the lid’s pronounced lip and shallow well across the top, which Pardillasaysmakes the bin securely stackable.Decluttering for Dummiesauthor Jane Stoller also says the Roughneck’s handles are easy to lift, as they snap onto the lid for a tight fit.

For not-stale-smelling clothes even after months in storage, Strategist writer Jeremy Rellosasayshe uses theseunderbedboxes that have ventilated nets in the corners. His review persuaded Pardilla to try one, and she says it’s “as durable as he said it would be” — she was able to fit five full-sizebeddingsets in hers, and the Skubb experienced no strain. It comes with plastic boards that add structure and a handle to easily pull the case out.

Stylist and@itsapt4renter Mecca James-Williams recommends these rolling bins if yourbed framehas legs in the middle as well as at the four corners. Because they come in two parts, they’re likely small enough to fit fully underneath around the frame’sstructure(but we suggest checking the measurements if you don’t own a Malm bed these are designed for). James-Williams has four for holdingsweaters, out-of-season clothes, andactivewear.

This StorageLab underbed shoe organizer comesrecommendedby professional organizers Rolanda Lokey and Rachel Winkler for its adjustable dividers and space-conserving design. A key feature that makes this system “simple, practical storage for out-of-seasonshoes,” as Lokey calls it, is the movable slats that can be expanded to accommodatewedgesandwinter boots, Winkler says. And because the organizer has a clear cover, Winkler says you can find the shoes you’re looking for (and keep them safe fromdustbunnies).

Pardillasaysshe likes these upgraded cult-favorite Colour Crates from Hay for their stackability and design. This new version (made from recycled postconsumer plastic) has rectangular angles that prevent contents from falling through openings in the crate, and you can also collapse one side of the box to create an open-faced container. They come in more than 20 pastel and bold hues and in three sizes (small, medium, and large).

Horderly Professional Organizingco-founder Jamie Hordsaysthese clear stacking boxes “create an exact home for every shoe with super-easy access and give your closet a beautiful yet functional aesthetic.” Because they have a drop-front opening, you don’t even have to unstack them to reach a specific pair, Emily Matles of Emagine Simplicitysays. (Less-loved shoes in your collection will still get plenty of fresh air, though, thanks to the organizer’s small ventilation holes, Jessica Decker ofBecome Organizedsays.) They’re available in three different sizes so your high-tops can stand upright (and un-squashed).

Strategist writer Lauren Roownsmultiples of these $30 cotton ropehampers, and she says “they’re well made, have handles for easy toting, and come in a bunch of muted pastels that are easy to look at.” There are wide and tall size options, and Ro says a wide one should be big enough to hold a couple ofpillowsand ablanketor two — she uses hers to hold sofa cushions and her bigyoga bolster. The basket comes in seven three-toned color options.

Food writer Rebecca Firsker hasravedabout these OXO storage containers for their wide, balanced base that make vertical storage easy in her smallkitchen, as well as the pop-up button that engages an airtight seal to keep food fresh. And because they’re clear, you can quickly distinguish between their contents. (Firsker uses hers to hold bulk dried goods, such as granola, oats,flours, and sugars.)

While these containers are designed to fit shoes, Hordsaystheir drawer functionality really shines as under-sink storage to “maximize the awkward spaces with plumbing that seems to always get in the way.” The transparent sides make it even easier to find yourmakeup brushesorcleaning supplies. And if you’re working with even less space, the bins also come in a smaller size.

This acrylic box comesrecommended byprofessional organizerLaura Cattano, who says it looks more like a CB2 sculpture than the typical corporatefiling cabinet. She buys clients multiples to easily categorize paperwork, which she further organizes by addingcolor-coded hanging files(which also add visual interest given that the boxes are transparent). Two handles make the box easy to carry.

An assistant to a New York City–based fitness influencer hasboughtmore than a dozen of these lightweight wicker bins for storing her boss’ssweats,athletic clothes, andshoes. She says the natural-looking design fits a neutral home-décor aesthetic, and she lines them with torn-uppillowcasesto prevent snags. The bins have two handle slots and come in small and large sizes.

And for corralling errant ornaments, we recommend this hardy plastic box that was featured in our guide to the bestholiday-decoration storage. The interior comes with removable plastic baskets and dividers that House of Prim founder Meredith Goforthsayscan be customized to give eachglass balland childhood craft project an individual home. The winged lid is also easy to open and close, says Ann Lightfoot, founding partner at Done & Done Home, and there are built-in handles that flip out so you can securely grasp the box while moving it.