The 27 Very Best Storage Bins

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Material:Recycled polypropylene |Size range:Three sizes

The most versatile bin I tested, by far, was Hay’s recycled-plastic crate. A lot of storage bins prioritize function over aesthetics, which can limits where you’d want to keep them. Conversely, a lot of nicely designed storage bins compromise on functionality. This is the rare bin that does both: It’s nice-looking enough to live on an open shelf, but it’s enough of a workhorse to throw in your closet or pantry. It comes in an wide range of really goodcolors, from cherry red to a range of subtle pinks and greens, plus four shades of blue.

A few other design features that make the Hay crates my favorite: They can stack; one side can be collapsed to create an open front; and the company sells metal lids and wheels, so you can configure your stack to be mobile and give it a hard top. They also fold up flat, so if you end up with too many, you can file away a flat rectangle (easy) instead of finding storage space for an empty storage bin (maddening). I’m leery of buying any storage tool that can’t be repurposed if my system changes, and this is as close to a zero-risk-of-obsolescence storage bin as you can get.

Material:Recycled plastic |Size range:Three sizes

The SmartStore Nordic bin was Strategist writer Ambar Pardilla’s previous pick for Best in Class storage bin. Although I think the Hay beats it on versatility, I agree that the Nordic bin is a great option. Pardilla used hers to store linens, extratoiletries,swimsuits, and stacks ofmagazines, and she reports that they are sturdy enough to drag across carpeted floors and contain heavy cargo. The perforated sides provide airflow and conceal what’s inside: “They are nice-looking enough to have out, even if the contents are a mess,” she says. Lids are sold separately — I preferred the bamboo lids to the plastic ones, which nested more tightly in the container with less potential to slide off as you move it around.

Material:Stainless steel |Size range:Seven sizes

There are many stainless-steel wire bins on the market, but Muji makes my favorite. It’s made of strong steel wire that doesn’t deform or dent easily, with handles that can swing inward and act as a support for stacking a second basket. I love stainless-steel mesh in general — it’s sturdier and more durable than plastic, and the open pattern makes its contents visible. Another point for Muji’s basket: It comes in seven sizes, making it a lot easier to find the right dimensions for your space.

Material:Plastic |Size range:One size

Strategist senior writer Lauren Ro originally used thesestacking acrylic binsto store breast-milk pouches in the freezer (she now uses them for snacks). They’re shorter and longer than the Home Edit bins, which may be preferable for organizing smaller items in a fridge or pantry.

Material:Polypropylene |Size range:One size

My go-to for buying plastic bins in bulk is the Container Store, where you can find great deals by buying its in-house line of clear plastic boxes in multiples of five or 20. The two most versatile sizes are the Shoe Box and Sweater Box. Beth Penn, owner ofBneato Bar Professional Organizing, stores medications, first-aid supplies, and writer Susan Orlean uses them to store shoes inher obsessively organized closet.The lids snap on securely, the bins stack, and their transparency makes it easy to quickly find what you need.

Material:Pine |Size range:One size

If you’re avoiding plastic home goods, try wooden milk crates. (I’m currently keeping towels in one and out-of-season accessories like hats and mittens in another.) They’re easy enough to stack, last forever, and are hardy enough to handle some dings. Wood is heavier than plastic, so they do take more effort to move around, especially if you’re storing something heavy inside — but the proportions are compact enough that they never get truly unwieldy.

Material:Cotton rope |Size range:Two sizes

Ro has owned a couple of these OrganiHaus cotton rope baskets for about five years (she uses them to store her kids’ stuffed animals). “They look great and have held their shape,” she says. And although there are more expensive versions of similar baskets on the market, “you really don’t need to spend a lot on them unless you want to.” They come in two sizes and over a dozen colorways, from subtle off-white to kid-friendly bright colors and rainbow stitching.

Material:40 percent polyester, 33 percent cotton, 22 percent viscose |Size range:One size; also comes as ahamper

I’m a big fan of Dusen Dusen’spattern-washedhome goods, which are ingeniously designed inside and out.This storage bin is no exception: Its durable canvas outer fabric hides a stiffer polyethylene lining, which gives the bin extra strength and structure and prevents the bottom from sagging as you tote it around.It would make good storage for pet toys, kids’ toys, house shoes, or any other collection of medium-size objects.

Material:Seagrass |Size range:One size

Ikea’s woven seagrass bin is a solid alternative to more-expensive natural-fiber storage containers. It’s perfect for textiles, like extra blankets or throw pillows — the weave is smooth and dense, without sharp edges that could snag delicate fabrics.

Material:Powder-coated steel |Size range:Two sizes

My favorite decorative storage bin not made of a natural fiber is this perforated basket fromNeat Method. It’s made of a sturdy powder-coated steel with a removable insert that splits the bin into two rectangular sections. It’s a good option for pantry items or other objects slightly taller than its 10-inch height, like books or toiletry bottles. One thing to note: Although the bin has perforated sides, the holes aren’t large or tightly spaced enough to make it see-through, so make sure to label its contents.

Material:Elephant grass, leather handles|Size range:Three sizes

One of the most-mentioned gifts I’ve given is abicycle basket from Baba Tree, so I feel confident recommending the Ghanaian basket company’s storage bins as well, which are woven using the same method. They come in three sizes — small, medium, and large — and are woven from elephant grass with sturdy leather handles.

Material:Totora reed |Size range:Four sizes

Ro first spotted these Peruvian baskets atCollyer’s Mansionin Brooklyn. “I think they’re just gorgeous in their simplicity,”she says. She reports that the medium size is perfect for bedding, and the smaller sizes could hold extra throw pillows, blankets, or other textiles.

Material:Polyester, polypropylene insert |Size range:One size

Ikea’s Skubb case is a classic, inexpensive solution for under-bed storage. Made of polyester with a hard polypropylene insert for structure, it zips closed on top (mesh inserts on the corners provide some airflow) and can be maneuvered under your bed with the help of a soft handle. Strategist associate editorJeremy Rellosaowns multiple (and they’ve held up through numerous apartment moves) and uses them to store out-of-season clothing. One caveat: Be careful to avoid overloading the Skubb, which could make the sides bow out.

Material:Polypropylene and polystyrene |Size range:Three sizes

Walk into asneakerhead’s closetand you will likely see at least one Container Store drop-front shoebox, if not afull wallof them. They’re perfect for anyone who is precious about their shoes: The clear drop-front case makes it easy to see and access your shoes while protecting them from dust and other environmental factors, and small ventilation holes allow them to breathe. Even if you’re not doing a full sneaker wall, Naeemah Ford Goldson ofRestore Order Professional Organizingmentions how versatile they are — you can store them under your bed, stack them on shelves, or create a freestanding stack in your closet.

Material:Plastic |Size range:One size

In my testing, this basic Polder storage caddy beat out the popular (and more expensive)Yamazaki Home model. Although it may not be the most aesthetically inspiring, it is so perfectly proportioned for laundry supplies that the experience of slotting bottles of detergent and tubs of OxiClean into each cubby has an ASMR-like effect. I’ve owned it for several years (before it was a laundry caddy, it stored hair-dye supplies), and it has held up well to non-precious treatment.

Material:Organic cotton canvas |Size range:Three sizes

Trolio describes the Swoop Bag as “Santa’s sack, but for decluttering.” Parents love the organic cotton canvas bags, which let you throw in a bunch of miscellaneous toys, pull up on the drawstrings, and “swoop” them away to store. (Here’s avideofrom the company demonstrating the technique.) Trolio tested one after reading customer reviews on the website: “One of them mentions that the bags are good for ‘picking through without dumping everything on the floor,’ and I think that really gets to the heart of it,” she says. She uses them to corral stuffed animals, pretendfruits and veggies, and other miscellaneous kid items that have moved all over the house. (A warning against overfilling: The bags can be hard to carry if there’s too much inside.Magna-Tilesget really heavy fast.)

Material:Plastic |Size range:Four sizes, nesting

Strategist deals writer Martha Tuber uses these Japanese storage bins for art supplies, and she adds that they make “great kids’ jewelry boxes or boxes for all the littleobjetsthey seem to gather.” A set comes with four sizes that nest inside each other, and they are available in a wide range of retro colors, including egg-yolk yellow and glow-in-the-dark.

Material:Plastic |Size range:Five sizes; can be stacked

Why not store your LEGOs in another, larger LEGO? True to form, these plastic bins are highly modular, with five sizes and over a dozen colors that can be stacked into any configuration you can imagine. Both the four-stud brick and eight-stud brick come in aversion with drawersfor easier access.

Material:Powder-coated steel |Size range:One size

If your bathroom is short on storage space, Yamazaki makes this clever toilet-paper stocker that can contain up to 12 standard rolls and provides an extra surface on top for small items like a houseplant or a phone. It’s made from steel, so it’s quite durable.

Material:Plastic, urethane foam seal |Size range:10 sizes

Talk to professional organizers and you’ll hear about the Container Store’s Weathertight Totes. OrganizerBritnee Tannersays the bins are “by far one of the most durable on the market,” and they’re also stackable, see-through, and come with a latching lid and foam seal that keeps out moisture, dust, and bugs. They’re available in ten sizes, from 6.5 quarts to 156 quarts; you could use one for hair supplies in your bathroom cabinet and keep another in your attic or basement for years. There’s also a version with apull handle and wheels, if you’re storing especially heavy items, and many sizes areavailable in discounted cases of four or sixif you’re buying in bulk.

Material:Polyethylene |Size range:Eight sizes

The Roughneck is one of Rubbermaid’s toughest bins, and a heavier-duty option than the Weathertight. Because the edges of their lids have a much more pronounced dip than the lids and latches of the Weathertight Tote, Rubbermaid’s Roughnecks may be a better bet if you want a bin that’s securely stackable to very tall heights.Jane Stoller, author ofDecluttering for Dummies, suggests stacking them based on use and placing bins with the things you need most often on top. She credits the handles for making the Roughnecks easier to lift; they also securely snap to the lid. That snug closure is part of the reason they are ubiquitous in storage units: there’s very little that can get through the bin’s plastic walls (Stoller has even seen wedding dresses preserved in these).

Material:Polyethylene |Size range:Two sizes

The Rubbermaid “Brute” bin is made of tough, commercial-grade plastic and has a ribbed bottom that’s meant to be dragged around. (It’s designed to hold industrial weight loads and comes from the same line as theincredibly tough trash cansschools use.) Like the Roughneck, the Brute is stackable and has a secure-fitting lid and ergonomic handles that make it easier to haul around.