3 Storage Solutions You Should Never Use in Your Kitchen, According to Pro Organizers

It’s officially the best time of year to ride that fresh-start energy to get your home in order. If you’re anything like me, once your home is filled to the brim with decorations, shiny new toys, and an overflow of coziness, you might find yourself craving the squeaky-clean blank slate that comes from putting away the excess of the holidays.

But in the flurry of decluttering, organizing, and finding homes for everything, one sneaky little thing can derail your efforts and turn a seemingly good endeavor into an unsustainable system that leaves you right back where you started: faulty organizing solutions. Spending time organizing items that you’d be better off getting rid of, or choosing impractical storage systems that don’t align with your lifestyle, creates more work than efficiency. 

To get some insight on the types of storage products to think twice about, I asked five pro organizers what storage products or organizers they never recommend to their clients. Of course, every situation is unique, but their input suggests some worthwhile considerations. Here’s what they had to say: 

Meaghan Kessman of her namesake home organizing company says she never suggests round storage bins, and for good reason. “They might look cute, but they waste valuable space on shelves or in drawers since they don’t fit snugly together.” Instead, she recommends square or rectangular bins, which “maximize space, stack neatly, and are easier to label.” Alison Flinn, of Reclaim Professional Organizing, agrees: “It’s preferred to use items with straight lines in order to maximize space.” 

Similarly, Courtney Cummings, of The Stylish Organizer, cautions against any type of container with tapered sides. “With tapered or angled sides, you lose precious storage space when two are next to each other,” she says, pointing out that this often happens in pantries and deeper cabinets. Instead, she recommends you “always opt for containers with straight sides. This way, they can be right next to each other without wasting any space.” Cummings loves the iDesign Organizer Bins.

Diane Quintana, owner of DNQ Solutions, says she tends to shy away from containers that keep things hidden. Specifically, she eschews “large, colored tubs, because things can hide in them,” adding, “I always label the container, but sometimes it feels better if you can get a general sense of what the container holds by glancing at it.”

Kessman tends to agree. “‘Out of sight, out of mind’ is real!” she says. “It’s easy to forget what’s inside [opaque bins], which can lead to frustrating searches.” Instead, she recommends that her clients use clear bins, or at least that they label opaque bins so they always know what’s inside. 

Carol Appelbaum, of Luxury Pro Organizer, cautions against baskets made of grass or wicker-type materials, as trendy as they are. Although the natural textures can add a beautiful and organic element to a space, Applebaum points out that they have several drawbacks, especially in the kitchen. “In my experience, wicker and grass baskets are prone to attracting insects such as spider mites, ants, beetles, termites, and cockroaches. The intricate woven construction provides an ideal habitat for these pests, offering hiding spots and nesting grounds.” 

Instead, she suggests other styles of wooden or plastic containers with an attractive texture. “These alternatives eliminate the risk of insect infestations and provide a solid, flat-bottomed surface that allows items to sit upright and maintain a uniform appearance.” In addition to the iDesign clear containers, options like this wood milk crate storage bin fit the bill for straight-sided, flat-bottomed containers. 

Considering the input from pro organizers before resetting your space ensures that you will start the new year off with your most space-maximizing, efficient storage solutions yet. Happy tidying, and happy new year!