Alex’s All-Time Favorite Organizing Products
I recently sat down with Alex Coleburn—Minima’s Project Manager, who just celebrated ten years with us—to get her take on the top items she recommends to our clients time and time again. I’m sharing a look at how she uses these modular, versatile pieces to organize her own home. They perfectly embody the Minima Method™, which prioritizes flexible systems that evolve as your needs change.
IKEA TROFAST system
“I used to think of TROFAST strictly for children’s toys, but it’s a beautiful, simple system that works for so many things. Both of my kids use it, but its flexibility extends far beyond the playroom. I recently realized it’s an incredible solution for craft storage while working with a client who constantly changes her hobbies. The lightweight bins pull out completely, allowing her to keep active projects in the top slots and easily swap inactive supplies to the bottom. A friend of mine even uses it in her classroom for teaching supplies.”
2-drawer mesh organizer (left) and MUJI polypropylene drawers (right)
2-drawer mesh organizer
“Every time I look under a client’s sink, I see the same issue: vertical space is completely underutilized. If you can see the back wall of a cabinet, there is an opportunity to maximize space. Under-sink cabinets often hold a high volume of items, like toiletries, first aid, and cleaning supplies. Without a system, it becomes an open void for clutter. In my own home, our bathroom space is very limited, so I maximize what we have by using this product along with a similar modular unit from MUJI.”
Elfa over the door in Mimi’s room
Elfa over the door in Isaac’s room
Elfa over the door system
“I love Elfa because it’s completely customizable; you can easily reconfigure it as your needs change. The over-the-door solution is a staple in my home because we have limited closet space. It utilizes the back of the door—another vertical area that is often overlooked. It’s perfect for smaller, high-frequency items like sunglasses, shoes, outerwear accessories, or even spices and oils in a pantry. It can be drilled into the door, but it also features a clean, minimal over-door clip option. In my kids’ rooms, it practically functions as an extra dresser. As my daughter grew, I easily transitioned her Elfa from a diaper changing station into an accessory holder.”
MUJI handy shredder
“I don’t need to use this often, but every time I do, I think, I love this thing. We work with so many clients who own massive, electric shredders. Those are great if you handle a high volume of sensitive paperwork, but most of us just need to shred an occasional voided check or tax form. The rest can be recycled. You don’t need a giant machine taking up physical and visual space when a small, beautifully designed handheld tool can do the job. It’s incredibly practical and a joy to use.”
Check out Alex’s full home tour for more inspiration: “An Organized Home with Kids: Alex Coleburn of Minima”