Minima’s Favorite Products from The Container Store

Selecting great organizing products for a space is always the last step of Minima’s organizing process. First we sort and minimize. When the time comes to select organizing product, we have a few go-to favorites we have used over and over throughout our 11 years in business. These products are simple in design and aesthetic. They are versatile and often modular, which means they can adapt to our client’s changing needs over time. Whenever we design a new system, we consider how it will evolve and remain useful well into the future. All product photos are from The Container Store.

For drawers

Linus drawer organizers or Stackable bamboo drawer organizers are an excellent way to create subdivisions within a shallow drawer; whether in a kitchen, bathroom, home office, or other space. Both options are modular, so you can create any arrangement you need! It’s easy to rework them if your needs change or if you move. Sizes are in 3” increments ranging from 3” x 3” all the way up to 6” x 15”. The Linus organizers have rubber feet to prevent them from sliding around in your drawer. The bamboo organizers have a lip around the top which make them stackable—if you have a deeper drawer, you can create multi-layers with less frequent items on the bottom layer. We have also used both organizers inside of a shallow cabinet to store small items.

Minimalist home organization — Linus drawer organizers

For cabinets & pantries

Linus pantry bins or Handled pantry baskets are our favorite for organizing pantries, but we’ve also used them in many other spaces! The biggest difference between the two is the price (Handled pantry baskets have a much lower price point). Ultimately it depends on the aesthetic and budget you have in mind. Both options are similar in size and do the same job of maximizing the full depth of your shelves by arranging items front to back rather than side to side. Group like items together in each bin to maximize function and accessibility.

For cabinets & pantries

Water hyacinth storage bins and White plastic storage bins with handles are similar in function to the Linus pantry bins and Handled pantry baskets mentioned above, but they are opaque and come in slightly larger sizes. We’ve primarily used these in client pantries, but they can be used anywhere in the home. The Water hyacinth bins create such a warm, inviting feel. The White plastic storage bins with handles are a great price point and offer a clean aesthetic. Both can be seen in our client pantry project here.

For cabinets & pantries

The Bamboo turntable and Single turntable are perfect for oil/vinegar and condiments in the kitchen. The spinning table makes all of your items accessible, rather than having to reach around to get to the back of a cabinet. These turntables work best for medium sized items as shown in the images. We always recommend storing a few medium sized items rather than a lot of smaller ones because too many smaller items can get lost in the middle. We have also used these in the bathroom for hair products and lotions.

For spices

The Pull-down spice rack and Spiceliner are great options for making your spices accessible. Which one we select ultimately depends on what kind of space is available; if there’s more cabinet space, we go with the Pull-down spice rack and if there is more drawer space, we opt for the Spiceliner. The Pull-down spice rack gets drilled into the bottom of your upper kitchen cabinet and then hinges down so it’s at eye level and easy to see everything. The Spiceliner comes in a roll which is then cut down to size to fit the depth of your drawers perfectly. It’s a rubberized material so everything will stay in place!

For dry goods

OXO Pop square canisters are our go to for storing dry goods in the kitchen. (We also love a good glass jar, but they can be too heavy or breakable for some of our clients’ needs.) The OXO Pop square canisters come in such a wide variety of sizes. Bonus: The Container Store recently added a cheat sheet to the product images showing what size canister to get for various pre-packaged items. The question of whether or not to decant often comes up. We recommend decanting items you always keep on hand or buy in bulk: flour, granola, oats, nuts, etc. We do not recommend decanting things such as chips, cookies, etc. that may only be occasional or one-off purchases.

For hangers

Non-slip velvet suit hangers or Non-slip rubberized suit hangers are perfect for maximizing space in a closet due to their slim shape. We avoid the shirt style and opt for the suit style hanger for its durable shape and versatility. Both the velvet and rubberized hangers have a non-slip texture which makes them perfect for everything from tank tops to sweaters—yes, you can use these for sweaters without risking points in the shoulders! The velvet suit hangers also have skirt clips which can be used for skirts, shorts and pants. The rubberized suit hangers have a matching pant/skirt hanger. The velvet hangers even come in a children’s size: Kid’s premium non-slip velvet suit hangers.

For dresser drawers

Dream drawer organizers create separation in your dresser drawers and fit drawers 4” or deeper. They expand from 12” to 18” front to back, so be sure to measure your drawer to ensure a good fit. We use the file fold technique for clothing with our clients, which means folding clothing into upright rectangles to maximize space and accessibility. These drawer organizers are perfect for creating separation between each row.

For almost anything

Our clear storage boxes are our favorite clear box. We love the simplicity and quality (hello clear lid!) and the endless modular size options to create a streamlined storage aesthetic. The sizes we use most with our clients are the accessory box, shoe box, and sweater box. The titles are simply a suggestion from The Container Store; we don’t often use them for shoes or sweaters! Accessory boxes are great for small items like batteries or small children’s toys. The shoe boxes are perfect for crafts or bulk office supplies. The sweater boxes are a little larger and work well for light bulbs and other utility items.

For under the sink

Clear stackable drawers and White 2-drawer mesh organizers are ideal for maximizing space under a kitchen or bathroom sink. The sizes work well around most under-sink piping and transform the empty vertical space into usable storage. The Clear stackable drawers are enclosed, which makes them ideal for smaller items. The White 2-drawer mesh organizers are open, so they work well for larger items as well as things you need quick access to.

For small parts

Parts organizers are perfect for organizing tiny items such as hardware or crafts supplies. We love the simple, subdued design using translucent plastic and grey separators. The grey separators can be moved around to size the divisions according to your needs. I have personally owned one of these in the large size for over 10 years and I absolutely love it! It has held up extremely well and keeps all of my various screws, nails, hooks, and picturing hanging hardware neatly organized by size and type.

For unconditioned spaces

Weathertight totes are our go to for storage in unconditioned spaces such as attics, garages, sheds, and unfinished basements. We love the translucent and black design. Like the Our clear storage boxes mentioned above, they come in endless modular size options to create a streamlined storage aesthetic. They have an air and watertight seal made from urethane foam to keep your belongings safe from the elements. I have owned these for my attic and shed storage for over five years and they hold up so well and look great.

For the closet

Elfa is our all time favorite closet system. It’s designed and made in Sweden and the quality is incredible; it epitomizes versatility and adaptability with its modular components. We have designed and coordinated over 100 Elfa solutions for our clients! I’ve had an Elfa solution in my own bedroom closet since purchasing my home in 2013. Initially I rented the bedroom out, so the design started off very bare bones. Eventually I moved into the room and added some additional components. When my husband moved in, we upgraded it further to make space for his clothing. It’s been the same system adapting to three different purposes over almost 10 years!

Kristen ZieglerFebruary 23, 2022

Journal

Minima’s Favorite Products from The Container Store

For drawers

For cabinets & pantries

For cabinets & pantries

For cabinets & pantries

For spices

For dry goods

For hangers

For dresser drawers

For almost anything

For under the sink

For small parts

For unconditioned spaces

For the closet

Minima

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