9 Cool Finds to Make Organizing a Cinch

New York City–based organizer and the author of Secrets of an Organized Mom ($15, amazon.com) Barbara Reich shares her picks to bring order to your home.

Expandable Drawer Organizers

“These are intended for kitchen or office supplies, but I love a few of them in a kid’s room, to keep small toy pieces from taking over. They’re adaptable to fit nearly any size drawer.”

To buy: Four drawer organizers, $28 each, organizeit.com.

“The visual cue of a label really prompts you to put stuff where it belongs. This label maker has a clearer font than other brands, and the labels hold up better.”

To buy: $40, brother-usa.com.

“A family charging center cuts down on ugly cord clutter. This one holds up to four devices and has a slim profile, so it's easy to find a spot for it.”

To buy: $90, quirky.com.

“Helmets, rackets, bats, and balls are disastrous, rolling-all-over-the-garage stuff, but you can corral them all in this 34-by-34-by-12-inch rack. Hallelujah! I hang the rack in clients’ garages or mudrooms or on a closet wall.”

To buy: $84, organizeit.com.

“Instead of letting wallets, keys, and spare change land on the kitchen counter, use a lidded box that brings a pop of color to the room.”

To buy: Box (9½ by 6¼ by 5½ inches), $20, containerstore.com.

“It’s crazy how many remotes some people have. Get rid of all that coffee-table clutter with a universal remote. This one stands in for up to eight remotes—not just for the TV but also for music systems and game consoles—and it’s compatible with more than 225,000 devices. It’s simple to set up online with a PC or a Mac, or you can have someone talk you through it via live customer support.”

To buy: $80, logitech.com.

“Pet food, in its giant packaging, is such an eyesore. I decant it into an airtight container on wheels, to make it easy to access and tuck back in the pantry. This container has a connected snap-on lid to keep food fresh and hold the smell of it inside.”

To buy: 10-pound container, $23, bedbathandbeyond.com.

“In the mudroom or entry, turn three-part hooks into ‘stations’ for anything that helps you get out the door fast: dog walking (leash, flashlight, and bags), running (cap, water bottle, and fanny pack), and grocery shopping (car keys, sweatshirt, and reusable totes).”

To buy: $29, potterybarn.com.

“Not only can this carrier fit a dryer, a curling iron, brushes, and styling products but it also adheres to a smooth wall or a cabinet door by suction—no tools required. Or stick it on the inside of a kitchen-cabinet door to hold your whisk, Microplane grater, and other cooking tools.”

To buy: $28, organize.com.

Bonus Expert All-Purpose Clutter-Busting Tip

“Freebies are not your friend. Unless the freebie is an item that you already use, toss it. Otherwise it will sit around collecting dust,” says Reich