So as most of you know while I was in NY a couple of weeks ago I stopped in to visit the Container Store for the first time. Here in Canada we don’t have Container Stores but we do have a similar store called Solutions which I wrote about here.
This store is a sight to see, talk about container heaven! It can definitely be a little overwhelming though that is for sure. So to help you navigate the aisles of organizing bliss I thought I’d put together a handy little guide to help you get through it in one piece with your sanity intact and without breaking the bank.
1. Go with a plan
What’s my #1 rule of organizing? Containers come in the middle of the PROCESS, not at the beginning!! The first step of the PROCESS is P for PLAN. Yep you need a plan before you go buying out the Container Store. For example, if you have decided you are sick and tired of food falling out of the freezer onto your feet every time you open the freezer door then yes containers are a great way to solve that dilemma. However before you go skipping off to the store you need to do two other steps before you get all wild and crazy on me. Remove everything from that space and do a sort and purge. Once you know what’s left and what you’ll need to organize back into the space THEN and only then can you make a trip to the candy Container Store. Don’t forget to bring the dimensions of your freezer space (kind of important, right?) and as well any budget considerations you need to factor in. Make a list!
2. Keep a level head
The temptation to walk in the door and be swept away on an organizing high is great. Focus my friend, focus! You have a list remember, you can do this. FOCUS!
3. Do not buy containers without a PLANNED purpose
The way they have the store set up by home space is very clever. For instance, everything you could ever imagine to organize your kitchen is all in one area. Problem is while looking a freezer containers in the kitchen section you’ll be distracted by the shiny gadgets around to organize your pantry and your cupboards.
You’ll see things you had no idea you needed but now can’t live without. Shiny.Pretty.Must have. Stop.It. Remember, you have not planned for those spaces. Right now you are imagining organizing your clutter. You cannot organize clutter. You must walk through the PROCESS steps first and perhaps when you are done you won’t even need any containers to organize that particular space. Think about the money saved you just saved…you’re welcome!
4. Look for products with multiple uses
These are my favorite types of containers, ones that can be used for so many different purposes. For example, you could go to the kitchen section to look for your freezer containers or you can head on over to the office section and check there. Here you’ll find multipurpose bins that could even be used to organize a freezer.
This is ideal because in a couple of months when you grow tired of your freezer containers or they just aren’t cutting it for you there anymore, you can easily swap them out and use them elsewhere. Make sense?
5. Ask yourself if you could solve your dilemma for less
If budget isn’t a concern for you well then just skip this step. For everyone else, don’t be swayed by the pretty. Especially if the pretty costs $109.00 like these plastic drawers do. And yes I said plastic.
You are shelling out big bucks for those pretty decorative poppies. It’s ridiculous. If you are ever tempted to spend this kind of money on something like this please email me so I talk some sense into you. If you just really love the look, then how about buying plain drawer organizers for $20.00 and adding some pretty scrapbook paper to the inside of the fronts of the drawers. Voila, instant solution without the big bucks!
6. Bring a friend
Better yet, bring a friend with you to talk some sense into you when you start veering off course. And believe me you will. She’ll say to you, “What are you nuts? You want to spend $109.00 on plastic drawers with poppies, give your head a shake!”. And you will and everything will be fine.
7. Wear comfortable shoes
You don’t want to be slowed down with aching feet. And chances are good that check out lines will be long and you’ll be on your feet for awhile. Go prepared!
8. Go with snacks
You’ll also need sustenance for this adventure. Blood pressure drops will also slow you down and contribute to irrational thinking (and buying!). You don’t want to be forced to abort your mission half way through now do you? Bring food!!
So the next time you are in an area with a Container Store go armed with this handy little guide and be prepared to enjoy your visit to Container Land!
Rosa B. says
Wish I would have known there was a Container Store in NYC when I was there! Maybe someday I’ll get to go… Thanks for the tips! 😉
Sarah says
Great ideas. I missed that you were going to be here in NYC since I was out of blog land for a couple weeks 🙁 It would have been really fun to meet you. I am planning to write about how we used the ELFA system on Friday for the 52 weeks because we used it to reorganize one of our closets and this week I rearranged it all because our needs have changed. So glad we were able to do that!
Laura says
Oh gosh that is too bad! I’m looking forward to your ELFA post though, sounds great!
Sallie says
All great ideas! I am in trouble if I go by myself. My best solution is to take hubby. He keeps telling me to focus, and we get only what we came for. That’s no fun, but it’s a lot cheaper.
Pam says
I have enough trouble resisting things on their website. I used to think that having a Container Store near would be great. Now I just want to own one! I’d TOTALLY be in trouble as a customer.
Laci says
This technically goes in #1, but I think it deserves a special mention. Don’t forget to measure! I have a list of all the spaces in my home that need organizing. Part of this list is measurements for those spaces. For example, I know how wide, tall, & deep the freezer shelves are, and I’m on the lookout for the perfect baskets to go in there.
Laura says
Thanks Laci, I do have it in there…it’s the last point in #1…you are right it is very very important for sure!
More Than A Mom says
Sustenance? How long were you in there? LOL
Laura @MOMables @SuperGlueMom says
I LOVE the container store! I just wish i had one closer than 5 hours away! You have some great tips on how to not spend more money than needed…. specially going there with a PLAN!! -not my strength. Thanks so much for the fantastic tips!
Gina says
Since I’ve been reading your blog the past few years, I hear your voice when I see the pretty organizers–your voice saying #3, what’s the planned purpose? I used to buy too many and they wouldn’t have a home. Thanks, Laura!!
Laura says
Hahaha…I love that!!
Living the Balanced Life says
I love this guide Laura! Some great tips!
Have you ever been to Ikea? Good thing there is a restaurant AND a snack bar there, as you will be there all day!
Bernice
Teaching kids to do their share around the house
Laura says
I’ve only been to Ikea a couple of times. It’s pretty overwhelming for me. I’m glad you can look through a catalogue before going though, that helps!
Michelle Sexton says
this store totally reminds me of ikea and the multiple distractions that you have to navigate through. this is an awesome plan and will totally work for other shopping trips too…like ikea. 🙂
raven says
I <3 my Container Store, but I am a clearance section junkie. I'm also blessed to live within 30 minutes of about 4 stores, plus an IKEA, so the below works for me but might not for others…
#1. Make an exception for exceptional clearance. I'm still kicking myself in the butt over a recent experience. They had some beautiful thick metal framed interior baskets covered in a black fabric (IE, they were extremely sturdy but the metal wasn't exposed) clearanced to 4.97 instead of 24.99. O.o They had 20 of them. I waffled and ultimately didn't purchase them because I didn't have a specific project in mind or measurements… and there have been 6 times since then that I have had to purchase products of approximately that dimension for specific reasons that have cost more than twice that (cheapest I could find that was sturdy). They have a GREAT return policy – don't be afraid to bring home useful things like that before they dissappear; you can always return them if you find you truly don't have a need for them. Now, excuse me while I continue to try to hunt down 13×13 bins for the closet shelving that aren't mesh…. sigh.
Codicils to the above:
#1 check to see why they are clearanced and if that's ok with you. Those bins were displays from an elfa closet they'd dismantled. Other things have breakage, missing pieces, etc. Be careful.
#2 If you're lucky enough to live near IKEA, keep price in mind. An okay clearance price at TCS for a useful item might be more expensive than a non-clearance item from IKEA that's almost the same. I have learned this lesson more than once. (Love ELFA? Check out ANTONIOUS).
#3 don't do this if you're a container hoarder. You know what I mean. If you have a huge collection of empty containers, you don't need more.
Jennifer says
Great tips! The best one – Don’t buy containers without a planned purpose. It’s hard to remember that sometimes when you’re actually in the store. Having a buddy (or spouse) with me to keep things in check is always a great tip too.
Remika says
I am so happy that I stumbled upon this; I just bought a house and am in total – how am I going to organize my spaces – mode. This is very useful as I will be traveling to San Diego with my soon to be hubby in September and will definitely be tempted to go to the location there. My fiancee is quite level headed (unlike myself who probably would have bought those poppy drawers) but having this guide is definitely an awesome idea to not go crazy and be stopped at border security trying to come back to Canada with a suitcase full of containers!
Thank you so much for sharing this; look forward to reading other sections of your website 🙂