Using small spaces to keep similar items together helps me to stay organized. The types of containers vary from shoe boxes to fabric cubes. I try to reuse items like wipe containers, baby jars, cardboard shipping boxes, the clear lids on a stack of new CDs or DVDs, peanut cans and jars, spaghetti jars, baskets, tissue boxes, popcorn tins, and decorative bags.  Creativity is the limit on the type of container used. Before tossing unused items, I make sure I don’t have another way to use the item before throwing it away. Here are three areas of my house that I have organized using containers:

Linen closet. In my plastic containers, I house light bulbs, candles, extension cords, and all the cords for my holiday village decorations. Having containers for similar items helps retrieving those things very easy. I do not have to waste time sorting and digging through a pile of items.

Container Organization: Linen Closet

Children’s bedroom. Though most of the toys reside in either our bonus room or living room, I do allow my kids to have a few toys in their bedrooms. I keep 4 fabric cubes on a bookshelf (that is on its side) in my older children’s bedroom. Each cube holds a different item: books, group toys, son’s toys, and daughter’s toys. If they have a special toy that they would like to keep separate, then they may place that item in their special cube. Having a designated space for their room items helps my children keep their room clean.

Container Organization: Bedroom

Bookshelf. With many scrapbooking items to keep organized for the day I am able to once again preserve my memories, I use numerous boxes and containers to keep these items protected. As you can see from the photograph, I have lots of photo storage boxes. I plan to organize my pictures, and I will take you with me when I tackle that project. In the meantime, I am staying organized with my boxes and albums.

Container Organization: Bookshelf

These are some of my solutions to keeping similar items together to save me money, energy, and time. By using what I have on-hand, I do not need to spend money on additional containers. Although I do spend money on containers when they are on sale and will be used for a specific project. I then save energy since I don’t need to dig through and unload a box of items. Having the containers stackable and interchangeable helps me to save time. I can withdraw a container without the entire pile falling and making a mess. Having small manageable spaces keeps me organized, and this system works for desks, car consoles, kitchen utensils, tools, etc. The sky is the limit.

Do you use containers to organize? If not, try it. See if you find value in grouping similar items. If you use containers, please share in the comments what you organize in your containers, and how this system helps you to use your time wisely.