Containers Not To Buy: These Are Not The Container Store Containers
April 24th, 2008I just have to say I go all agog when I go to The Container Store. (We don’t have one here in Utah). I know, it’s sad but true. I use containers all the time in every room. Maybe I could go so far as to say I love containers. They are great to store things in, contain things in, make things get magically organized and stay that way.
Having said all of that here are two containers I suggest not buying:
This type of shoe rack—-
The reason is: the shoes just won’t stay on, I finally figured out by putting them on backwards they will stay. Even then they have to be placed gingerly on the rod for them to stay on. Everyone in my home finds that to be a bother. They just want to slap them down and be done. Don’t get me wrong—I like shoe racks of all kinds. I just found one in The Container Store catalog that holds 30 pair of shoes and fits on the back of a door. There are other over the door racks that hold fewer, there are free standing ones that work great as well as some that hang from the rod inside the closet.
Here is my other container I say not to waste your money on:
Now these look wonderful and you can sort and file by month, date and alphabetically but they are a pain. Why? Because they take two hands and the chin and shoulder to get anything in or out of them. Knowwhatimean? It is a waste of time to me and I don’t like wrestling my containers. If I need a wrestling fix I will turn on the T.V..
In the February/March 20089 issue of Shop Smart magazine they list four NOT SO HOT organizing tools that just add to the clutter.
1.Accordion files. (enough said)
2.Space bags. (I agree)
3.Cardboard Boxes. (not good in humid climates)
4.Plastic containers with rims (can take up valuable space)
5.There are a plethora of containers for all of our wants and needs. Buy what you need and what you like, don’t just buy to buy as then it becomes clutter rather than containers.
Do you have a container you would recommend NOT buying and why? We would love to hear from you.
April 24th, 2008 at 9:00 pm
Most commercially produced containers are designed to “nest” inside each other. They are not boxy. Therefore, they don’t always look good sitting next to each other. I know producers do this so the boxes can sit inside each other and reduces shipping costs. Some are better than others. I like Iris, Sterilite and Container Store, but dislike a lot of the cheap stuff. I don’t know those brands off-hand.
- John
April 25th, 2008 at 3:03 am
1. Accordion files - adequate for long term, infrequently accessed items (such as previous years taxes)
2. Space bags - military husband uses for storing “off season” military clothing and kit, again infrequently accessed. The bags that don’t require a vacuum cleaner are great for packing military clothes and kit for deployments where space in the rucksack is limited.
3. Cardboard boxes - great for transporting stuff to the recycle bin because you can leave the cardboard box AT the recycle bin too.
4. Plastic containers with rims that are round take up even MORE space (i.e. kitchen canisters)
5. The plethora of containers comprises most of the clutter I see in my clients’ homes.
P.S. I hate that style of shoe rack too!
April 26th, 2008 at 12:20 am
John and Jacki, Thank you for your comments. Good information on containers.
Jacki, as for previous years taxes I love Freedomfilers so that is the file I recommend storing taxes in. (You can click on the icon on my web site to find out more about these files if you are interested). This is not a sales pitch, it is just a great filing system.