Home organization pros say these things are critical to have in your home

An over-the-door organizer is a practical addition to any space, according to Barbara Brock, the founder and CEO of Barbara Brock Inc., a New York City professional organizing and home staging company. “It’s multifunctional, easy to install, out of the way, and so useful,” she explains. Just use the stainless steel hooks to suspend it on your door and load it up with dry goods in the kitchen pantry, work supplies in your home office, or toilet paper and linens in the bathroom.

• Available colors: 6

When it comes to adding bonus storage, Brock explains, “My favorite solution is incorporating magnetic shelves which attach to a refrigerator,” adding, “Not only can they be attached to the refrigerator, but they can be placed on the backsplash if a magnetic strip is installed.” This set of four shelves can be arranged side by side or one beneath the other for a customized display. Plus, they can support an impressive 8 pounds of weight each.

• Available colors: 18

For another magnetic storage option, this magnetic rack is nearly an inch deeper and features an open design that lets you keep tabs on your items. “The rack allows me to have items that I get into each day, including teas, coffees, vitamins, etc. Anything you use every day is at your fingertips. It’s a very clean design,” Brock adds. While the white option pictured here gives a crisp look, you can also opt for something retro and fun, like the candy apple red colorway. It even has a rust-resistant finish.

• Available colors: 4

Brock recommends utilizing a rolling utility cart to essentially expand the amount of counter space you have in your kitchen. “You can also use rolling carts for snacks and extra food,” she adds. This particular cart comes with rolling casters that can be locked into place for stability. It boasts three tiers of storage and weighs just 3.5 pounds, so it’s easy to move around as needed.

• Available colors: 5

“Another creative organizing product to utilize [...] is a coat rack,” Brock says, adding, “I’ve experienced that many people collect bags — shopping bags, gift bags, all kinds of paper bags. A neat way to store them is to hang them on coat racks.” This pair of wall-mounted racks comes with eight double-sided books for storing 16 bags at once. They’re durable, too, since you can load each one with up to 30 pounds of weight.

Stocking up on attractive storage, like these glass canisters with chic wooden lids, is always a good idea. “Use containers wherever possible to keep your things organized including food goods, spices, coffee, and tea,” Brock advises. The set comes with a variety of jar sizes plus over 100 preprinted pantry labels with common food items for an extra layer of organization.

According to Brock, you can’t go wrong with these stackable baskets. “Hard containers or baskets can be stacked, which creates a vertical storage system that can be put in everywhere — refrigerators, pantries, cabinets, and closets...” she explains. These woven baskets come with built-in handles for easy maneuvering and even feature stitched-on chalkboard labels for quick identification from afar.

To level up your cabinet and closet storage, opt for these clear pantry bins with a transparent construction that puts everything on display. “The more organized the home, the faster one can come and go because you don’t spend time searching for something,” Brock says. And since these bins are stackable, you can arrange them vertically as well. Just wipe them down when they need a cleaning.

“Don’t forget to utilize space under the kitchen sink for organizing too. This under-sink organizer is the best organizer to maximize storage in any cabinet,” Brock says. They come in a pair and are made from sturdy steel with bonus clip-on hooks and baskets for hanging dishcloths and corralling loose items. “The two-tier design provides more space for jars and bottles, and the bottom drawer makes it easy to get items in the back,” Brock adds.

• Available colors: 4

Boasting clean lines, this two-tier sliding organizer is nice enough to put on full display. “This organizing product goes not only under the counter but also on top of the counter. It’s easily cleaned, dishwasher safe, and substantial. The dividers provide safety so that products don’t fall all over the place,” Brock says. Both the top and bottom drawers come with extended lips that make for easy pull-tab handles, too. Use it for toiletries, medicines, or any other loose items.

“These amazing microfiber cloths pick up all kinds of dirt and are washable and lint free. They can be used in every nook and cranny in your home and with any type of cleanser,” Brock says. They measure 12 inches by 12 inches to give you plenty of cleaning surface area and are super absorbent, which makes them great for mopping up spills, too. You can even attach them to the bottom of your mop to use on floors.

• Available colors: 3

This extendable microfiber duster kit offers up both variety and flexibility, since the handle expands from 16 inches to over 8 feet long. More importantly, the kit represents a critical step in your cleaning process. “I find that I must dust before I clean,” Brock explains, adding, “These kits can reach high places, like an overhead fan and picture tops.” And since it comes with a flat panel for sliding under furniture and a brush attachment for clearing away spider webs, you’ve got plenty of options.

• Available colors: 2

Brock endorses hanging storage solutions, like this wall-mounted shoe rack. “In today’s container world, there are more options for hanging storage: shoes, ironing board racks, cleaning supply racks, food storage racks, and over-the-door peg holders,” she explains, all of which help you to store more with a smaller footprint. These sleek racks store one pair of shoes each, even larger sizes that might otherwise be too bulky for other racks. The sticky mounts and screws needed for installation come included as well.

• Available colors: 2

To optimize your closet space and get your shoes off the ground, this over-the-door shoe organizer is another great option. Just hang the hooks over the top of your door and loop the grommets over the pegs to set it up. Once in place, load it up with up to 12 pairs of shoes — they’ll be super easy to spot thanks to the transparent mesh pockets.

Ironing boards are bulky, so get them out of your closet and secured to a wall instead with this ironing board holder. The sturdy metal hooks are adjustable and come attached to an attractive wooden shelf with a matte black iron frame. Store your laundering essentials on top or style it with a scented candle and a potted plant.

• Available colors: 2

Your under-sink cabinets could benefit from these wall-mounted spray bottle holders to organize your cleaning solutions. Just peel off the backing and stick them in place, allowing the built-in hooks to perfectly cradle each spray bottle. They’re even safe to use on surfaces like ceramic and tile.

It turns out that even storage can help define your sense of style in a space, and these wall-mounted wire baskets prove it. Their classic farmhouse look give them a rustic vibe that’s as practical as it is attractive. Each set comes with three iron baskets, all in different lengths so you can create visual interest as you stow your produce and kitchen goods.

Get a truly customized kitchen storage solution in the form of this pantry door organizer. Not only does this rack boast an impressive six tiers of storage, but each shelf’s height is adjustable to accommodate taller bottles or shorter spice jars. It can even support an impressive 39 pounds of weight, too.

• Available colors: 2

Sometimes a simple yet striking design can make a big impact, like this over-door rack that has a hollow frame with a modern, geometric look. It boasts four rows of wooden pegs for a high-contrast finish that provides more visual interest than you’d expect from a storage rack. Just hook it over the top of your door and you’re good to go.

• Available colors: 2

“Walls are also good for shelves, pegs, and office supply holders,” Brock says, like this grid-style wall organizer. It’s made from iron wire and has a stylish metallic finish in your choice of several shades. It comes with a whole range of storage options since the organizer includes hook-on attachments for deep shelves, flat shelves, upright compartments, and more.

• Available colors: 4

If modern metal furnishings aren’t for you, these wood wall hooks create a comforting, natural feel in any space. The set comes with four hooks in a light beechwood colorway that’s sure to fit in with a variety of decor styles. And even though these hooks measure just over 2 inches long for a low-profile look, they can support an impressive 35 pounds of hanging weight.

• Available colors: 3

Tame your space with this bamboo drawer organizer. “Organizing the kitchen utility drawer has a quick impact when it comes to giving a tidy home appearance. Everyone has a catchall drawer in the kitchen. Editing out its debris, unused items, and unnecessary items helps you function better,” Brock says. This particular organizer is great for tackling clutter because it has two slide-out trays that create more storage compartments based on your needs. Besides miscellaneous items, you can, of course, use it for cooking and eating utensils.

“Keep only the most-used utensils in a container or put utensils in a drawer,” Brock says. For those aforementioned most-used utensils, this kitchen tool holder comes in handy. It’s made from timeless brushed stainless steel and features a removable inner divider that creates three compartments when in place. Better yet, the whole canister rotates so you can easily bring your desired tool right to your fingertips.

• Available colors: 2

Brock advises that you gather all your mail and move it to a dedicated space, and this acrylic file organizer makes the perfect mail drop zone. This organizer has two tiered rows of compartments and an upright design that stands up to bulky magazines and more. The transparent construction makes it easy to keep track of your papers, too.

“Use a magnetic knife block attached to a wall instead of a bulky knife block,” Brock advises, and this magnetic knife holder made from sleek stainless steel is a great option. It measures 10 inches long so it’s spacious without being excessively sized, allowing you to store all your most-used knives. Boasting a 4.7-star overall rating, it comes with all the necessary screws for mounting, but you can opt for an adhesive-backed version if that’s more your speed.

“An easy change one can make for a tidy home is to straighten up one tabletop. Psychologically, when you see an area clean and neat, this brings pleasure to the brain.” If the messy tabletop in question is your dresser or the entryway console, you can neaten it up with this valet catchall tray. This particular tray is a great option because it’s made from stylish faux leather with multiple compartments, including a top nook with a lid for keeping dust off of valuables.

• Available colors: 2

And if the clutter continues into the living room, you can neaten up the coffee table with this adhesive remote control holder. Just stick it onto the side of a table or on the wall by a couch and you’ll have a designated spot for the clicker as well as other essentials. It has two compartments divided by an attractive wood-hued panel.

• Available colors: 3

Robyn Reynolds, certified professional organizer and owner of Organize2Harmonize in the Los Angeles area, adores these slim velvet hangers. “They keep the garments on the hanger without sliding off, they take up less space in the closet, and they are very sturdy,” she explains. They also boast niches for delicate straps as well as 360-degree rotating hooks. And Reynolds isn’t the only one who loves them, as over 200,000 Amazon users have weighed in to give them a stellar 4.8-star overall rating.

• Available colors: 7

“These shelf organizers are great because they allow you to maximize the height of the shelf in cabinets,” Reynolds says. The set includes organizers in two different heights, allowing one to slide underneath the other for more display options. And if you want to expand the possibilities of how to use them, Reynolds has some advice: “Add an additional shelf in the kitchen for plates or mugs, in the office when organizing supplies, and in the bathroom or cabinet for organizing makeup and toiletries,” she says.

Reynolds encourages labeling your cords, and these write-on cable labels make the task a cinch. “These are easy to use since they adhere with Velcro and you can color coordinate the cord for each room, person, or type of electronic,” she explains. They’re made from durable nylon and the set can easily be reused since they don’t require any adhesive to apply. Choose from eight different shades for your color-coding needs.

“These storage bags are my favorite,” Brock says of these compression organizers. “Not only are they a great way to store out-of-season bedding, but they can also store out-of-season clothing, and so much more.” These cubes come with reinforced handles, so you can easily pull them out from closets or under the bed. The two-way zipper makes sealing them up a breeze, too.

• Available colors: 5

Barbara E. Tanaka, Strategic Home Design and Organizing Advisor at Real Estate Bees, thinks this little utility cart can go a long way in transforming a tight space — and she has a creative idea for doing so. “Closets aren’t just for clothes,” she explains. “If you’re turning one into an office space, make sure to include at least one shelf and some dividers for documents and supplies. A small drawer unit can work wonders for keeping things like pens and paper clips organized — just add some drawer organizers to keep it all tidy.” Since this one comes on rolling casters that lock in place, it’s easy to move around as well.

• Available colors: 3

To neaten up that little portable dresser, give these highly rated drawer organizers a try. This massive set comes with a ton of trays in different sizes so you can mix and match to tailor the configuration to your storage needs. And because each tray has nonslip silicone grips on the bottom, they won’t move around in your drawers, either. Use them in junk drawers and bathroom drawers, too.

Finally, every makeshift workspace needs reliable file and magazine holders to turn cluttered papers into neat stacks. The set comes with two holders in a classic white colorway with a handy cutout design that makes it easy to grab your items. They’re well rated, too, with over 3,000 Amazon users weighing in to give them an impressive 4.7-star overall rating.

Get this Command hook variety pack and get your over-stuffed cabinets under control. “Under-the-sink spaces can get messy fast, and it’s so easy to lose track of what’s shoved in the back. Hooks on the inside of cabinet doors or drawer units are game changers for keeping things organized and easy to see,” Tanaka says, adding that she likes to use them for hanging pot lids and cleaning supplies too. The set comes different styles and sizes of the iconic strip hooks, all of which are equally easy to apply and remove.

Another organizing tool that keeps your items readily at hand and easy to spot are these stackable storage bins recommended by Tanaka. They have a simple acrylic construction and feature handles for easy maneuvering. Whether you use them under your sink or atop your vanity, they’re an attractive way to keep tabs on your everyday essentials.

• Available colors: 2

“These magnetic hooks are perfect for keeping things easily accessible and keeping the clutter away from already tight drawer space,” Tanaka says. Because of their magnetic construction, they’re great for attaching to metal file cabinets in an office or even steel appliances in the kitchen. Perhaps most impressively, they can support up to 27 pounds of weight when mounted vertically.

“A Command shower caddy helps keep your shower organized without damaging your walls,” Tanaka says, and luckily for you, it has a sleek and modern look that gives that built-in vibe for way less money. It easily adheres to tile and glass, and features a stylish double-railing design that looks so elevated. Say goodbye to loose shampoo bottles on the tub floor for good.

According to Tanaka, “It’s worth investing in furniture that does double duty by providing both functionality and storage. Think of pieces like a storage ottoman or a sofa with built-in storage that perfectly fits your space.” This particular ottoman has a tufted lid that removes to reveal a storage trunk that’s 15 inches deep. And since it’s made from attractive faux leather, it gives off an elevated look, too.

• Available colors: 9

“Make use of unused wall space with a floating shelf — they're perfect for showing off your favorite decor, art, or books and freeing up valuable floor space,” Tanaka says. This shelf measure 20 inches long but comes in other lengths as well to suit your needs. It’s made from scratch-resistant aluminum and comes with all the necessary screws for installation.

• Available colors: 4

If you’re aiming to get everything off the floor and within reach, this garage utility rail is an excellent choice, Tanaka explains. She adds, “They’re super easy to install and have lots of hooks to keep things organized.” Made from durable alloy steel, it has both curved and straight hooks to store different types of tools. You can even install multiple rails side by side for an entire wall of storage.

“I've used the Brother P-Touch label maker on hundreds of organizing projects, and I don't organize without it,” says Aaron Traub, owner and lead organizer at My Professional Organizer in Louisiana and Texas. He adds, “It's great for a variety of fonts and label options. I use it for all areas of my clients’ homes, including kitchens, pantries, closets, garages, and more.” It uses thermal ink that won’t smudge and even has a preview option visible on the display, so you can check your label before you print. Just pop in the batteries and you’re set to start printing.

Traub considers bins like these clear plastic storage bins to be an essential. “Clear bins help us keep likes with likes and establish categories and spaces for the various items in our homes. I prefer clear bins so that I can always see the contents without having to retrieve and open the bin,” he says. These bins feature locking lids that secure at the handles for extra security, and they come in sizes ranging from 7.5 quarts to 112 quarts. And thanks to their stacking design, you can store them vertically, too.

• Available sizes: 7
• Available colors: 3

Traub is also a fan of this under-bed storage bin, which conveniently boasts a transparent design as well. “I love using otherwise forgotten storage space for items that aren't needed at the moment. They work great for winter clothing, decorations, and more,” he says. This bin has locking handles to help keep everything secure and a recessed lid for easy stacking.

Traub recommends these lazy Susans for a whole host of uses. “I use these often in my clients' pantries, medicine cabinets, and even under-sink cabinets. You can be creative with what you store in them. [...] They're affordable and add better functionality to a space, so it's easier to see what you have,” he says. These turntables have a nonslip base for extra stability and can spin a full 360 degrees to bring your essentials to the front of your shelf or cabinet.