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Multi-hyphenate Marie Kondo has taken on some new job titles in the past few years: book author, Netflix star, shop owner, and packer extraordinaire. But we can’t forget what she’s best known for, and that’s organizing.
So when Kondo spotlights another decluttering expert’s work, you know it’s good. In fact, she regularly shares her favorites on her Instagram feed, which she treats like a saved folder by bookmarking clever ideas on repeat. We went way, way back and rounded up our favorite storage solutions that Kondo has reposted. Out of the 800-plus, we can’t wait to try these:
The Epic Garage Arrangement
Outdoor gear ranks high on the list of hard-to-store things, mostly because of bulky bike helmets, tennis rackets, and jump ropes that don’t fit neatly in a basket. Neat Method organizer Nicole Loiterstein’s solution: Hang everything on a pegboard and attach mesh baskets to corral smaller items like sidewalk chalk and baseballs.
The Simplified Pantry
View this post on InstagramOn a scale of 1-10, a tidy pantry is an 11. Don’t you agree? Photo by @sharrahstevens.
We all know that clear, labeled containers are the best way to store pantry goods (for starters, they make it easier to see what you’re grabbing). But Sharrah Stevens taught us that you can really max out your shelf space by stacking smaller bins. Also, oils and other seasonings don’t need to come out of their jars—just stow them away in baskets.
The Color-Coded Cabinet
Arranging a bookshelf by hue might be a controversial move, but organizing kitchenware by color is something we can all get behind. It helps that Thrifted Queen’s Pyrex bowls feature the same patterns, so your eye easily flows from top to bottom.
The Craft Containers
Even if you have a dedicated art room for your kids or a big bin of supplies stashed away in the basement, consider keeping a few basics in a smaller, second nook. Silje B. Gaarder’s daughters love to create new masterpieces in the kitchen, so she keeps everything in reach (yet still out of sight). The organization blogger put all their stuff in a single drawer and added small trays to keep the spot from becoming a marker free-for-all.
The Non-Boring Basket
Kondo says it best: “Choose storage options that spark the most joy for you.” Sarit Sela of Minimalist Me Blog had happiness top of mind when she chose these pink crates by Hay. Color aside, they’re a dream for holding rolled up tees and workout gear. Getting dressed for the gym just got so much more fun.
The Fresh Filing System
Our first instinct when we have a bunch of important documents, mail, and other papers on our hands is to divvy them up by category. But if you really want to be productive, consider classifying things in order of action. Camila Valim’s “pending” versus “to-do” system is a recipe for getting stuff done.
The Guilt-Free Gallery
Don’t force yourself to part with your child’s art (but definitely don’t let it pile up in a junk drawer either). Kondo is a big fan of displaying all their little creations in one corner of the home à la photographer Dana Gallagher. Thanks to a roll of hot pink tape, her laundry room is now full of all kinds of inspiration.
The Dish Towel Drawer
Kondo’s famous folding method can be applied to all sorts of items (not just pants and shirts). Instead of draping kitchen rags over your oven handle, stick them in a drawer—the key is getting them to stand up straight so they don’t become a giant jumble of fabric. Bree of The Homemaking Mama went one step further by lining them up by color. Immediately double-taps.
See more stories like this: The Most Cluttered Areas of a Home (and the Hacks to Fix Them) I’ve Used These Container Store Shelves in Every Apartment I’ve Had The Not-So-Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up