For years I thought organization meant buying more baskets.
Need to organize the closet? Basket.
Need to organize the bathroom? Basket.
Need to organize the laundry room? Basket.
Need to organize the entryway? More baskets.
The problem wasn’t the baskets themselves.
The problem was that baskets rarely solved the problem I was actually trying to solve.
Most baskets simply became containers for clutter.
Things were hidden, but they weren’t organized.
Then I discovered something that completely changed how my home functioned:
Drawers.
Not fancy custom cabinetry.
Not expensive organization systems.
Just drawers.
And once I started using them, I realized something surprising.
Drawers don’t just store things.
They create homes for things.
The Basket Problem
There are absolutely places where baskets make sense.
I use them myself.
But in most areas of the home, baskets create a problem.
Everything gets tossed inside.
The basket looks organized from the outside, but the inside becomes a tangled mess of things you can’t find.
Then you buy another basket.
And another.
And another.
At some point, you’ve spent hundreds of dollars on containers without actually solving the organization problem.
I know because I’ve done it.
Drawers Force Better Organization
A drawer works differently.
When you open a drawer, you immediately see everything.
I actually fold my clothes horizontally so I can see everything at a glance, which is one of the reasons I love drawers so much.
You naturally begin creating sections.
Then add a few drawer organizers and something magical happens.
Everything gets a home.
Suddenly:
- Batteries have a place.
- Phone chargers have a place.
- Measuring spoons have a place.
- Extra toothbrushes have a place.
- Hair accessories have a place.
Instead of hiding clutter, you’re creating systems.
And systems are what keep a home organized long-term.
My Favorite Drawer Organizers
I’ve tested a lot of organization products over the years, but these are the ones I find myself using repeatedly throughout my home.
Shop them here:
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The Most Expensive Organization Mistake I Made
For years I avoided drawers because they seemed expensive.
A basket costs $15.
A drawer system costs much more.
At least that’s what I thought.
Then I realized I was buying baskets over and over again for the same spaces.
Different sizes.
Different colors.
Different materials.
Trying to make them work.
By the time I added up everything I had spent on baskets, drawers didn’t seem expensive anymore.
They seemed efficient.
The IKEA Secret Hidden Throughout My House
If you’ve followed me for any length of time, you’ve probably seen drawers throughout my home without realizing it.
My bathroom vanities?
IKEA kitchen cabinets with drawers.
My living room built-ins?
Hidden IKEA drawers.
My closets?
IKEA drawers.
My laundry room?
Drawers.
Even my entry storage relies heavily on drawers.
The reason is simple.
They work.
IKEA’s drawer systems are adjustable, durable, and incredibly functional.
Most importantly, they make organization easier to maintain.
The Systems I Use Over and Over Again
Most people are surprised to learn how much IKEA is hidden throughout my home.
From bathroom vanities to closets and built-ins, I use the same drawer systems repeatedly because they are functional, adjustable, and easy to customize.
Shop the Systems:
- IKEA SEKTION Kitchen Cabinets
- IKEA MAXIMERA Drawers
- IKEA PAX Wardrobe System
- IKEA KOMPLEMENT Drawers
What About Bins?
Don’t get me wrong.
I still use bins.
In fact, there are bins all over my house.
The difference is that most of them live inside drawers.
Toy storage?
Drawers with bins.
Bathroom storage?
Drawers with organizers.
Closets?
Drawers with dividers.
The drawer creates the system and the bins help organize what’s inside it.
That’s very different than relying on baskets or bins alone.
The only places where I consistently use standalone bins are areas where I need fast visibility.
My pantry is a perfect example.
If I put snacks in beautiful wicker baskets, nobody would know what’s inside. I’ve tried it.
The same goes for refrigerator storage.
When I’m cooking dinner, I don’t want to dig through containers to find what I’m looking for.
I want to see it immediately.
That’s why clear bins work so well in spaces like pantries and refrigerators.
They provide fast visibility while still creating boundaries and organization.
But in most areas of my home, drawers still win.
The drawer creates the system.
The organizers create the order.
The goal isn’t fewer bins.
The goal is giving those bins a permanent home.
Shop the Products
What I Learned
I thought organization was about finding the right container.
What I learned is that organization is really about creating a home for everything.
Drawers naturally encourage that.
Baskets often hide the problem.
And once I started focusing on systems instead of containers, my house became easier to maintain, easier to clean, and far less stressful to live in.
My Recommendation
Before buying another basket, ask yourself one question:
Could this be a drawer instead?
The answer might save you money, reduce clutter, and make your home easier to keep organized.
Because after years of trial and error, I’ve learned one thing:
Drawers are almost always the answer.
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10 Things I Stopped Buying That Saved Me Over $15,000