What worked to Clear the Clutter in Our Small House

Our home has seen every kind of storage experiment — baskets, bins, boxes, and good intentions. A few turned out to be keepers, others… not so much. These are the ones that truly worked for us (plus a few Amazon finds I’ve loved along the way).

**Affiliate links in pictures.**

The “Net Corners” — On Display but Out of Reach

My kids own more stuffed toys than they’ll ever need, or at least that’s what I think. I could give some away, but not yet, because I can never tell when they’ll suddenly ask for one… and honestly, the toys are just too cute. So, I got this net storage from Amazon, and it looked adorable — all those stuffed animals smiling down from above like a cheerful cloud. My kids couldn’t reach them, and I rarely remembered to take them down. Eventually, it became more of a toy museum than toy storage, but at least I am not tripping on them.

✅ What I liked:

• Looks cute and adds a cozy, playful vibe to the room
• Great for keeping sentimental or rarely-used toys visible
• Saves floor space
• Kids had to ask for specific toys, so it created a natural toy rotation — fewer toys out at once meant less mess and more appreciation for what they had

⚠️ What didn’t work:

• Kids might try to climb furniture to reach their favorites — not safe!
• The nets collect dust easily since they’re high up
• Not practical for everyday toys
• Slight downside: kids don’t forget about the toys since they can still see them — so there’s less chance of “out of sight, out of mind” decluttering 😅

The Garage Sports Organizer — For All Things That Roll, Bounce, or Swing

This one was a total game-changer for us. All the outdoor stuff that usually ends up scattered across the floor — balls, helmets, bats, skateboards, dumbbells and even backpacks — finally had a home. It even came with hooks for jump ropes and hula hoops (which, let’s be honest, used to live under the car most of the time).

✅ What I liked:

• Perfect for sports gear and outdoor toys that don’t belong inside
• Hooks are great for ropes, hula hoops, and small accessories
• Keeps everything visible and easy to grab when we’re heading out
• Encourages kids to return things to their place after playtime (well, mostly 😅)
• Very sturdy and can be repurposed if required
• Adults and kids can share this storage space.

⚠️ What didn’t work:

• Needs a bit of space in the garage — not ideal if yours is already packed
• The equipment might be a tad bit smaller than it looks.

The Mini Book Rack — Small, Simple, and Surprisingly Handy

This little rack turned out to be one of my best buys. It’s compact, easy to move, and perfect for keeping favorite books in rotation. I love that it can grow with the child — for toddlers, it sits neatly on the floor where they can reach their books; for school-age kids, it moves up to the desk and holds storybooks, workbooks, or even stationery.

✅ What I liked:

• Ideal for small spaces — fits easily on a desk, shelf, or even the floor
• Can be moved around depending on age or reading habits
• Encourages independent reading — kids can see and access their books easily
• Helps limit clutter since only a few books fit at once (built-in rotation!)

⚠️ What didn’t work:

• Limited capacity — can’t hold all their books at once
• Needs occasional sorting, or it turns into a random paper dump
• Light in weight — curious toddlers might tip it over if overloaded

🎨 The Transparent Drawer Tower — For All the Tiny, Teeny, and “What-Does-This-Even-Belong-To?” Toys

This one’s a quiet hero in our playroom. All those random toy bits, mini figures, puzzle pieces, and half-used craft supplies finally got a place of their own. The transparent drawers make it easy to see what’s inside without opening everything, and it’s oddly satisfying to watch everything stay (mostly) in its lane.

✅ What I liked:

• Clear drawers make it easy to find things at a glance
• Perfect for sorting small toys, parts, and art supplies
• Keeps the playroom looking neat and organized
• Lightweight and easy to move if you want to rearrange spaces
• Great for teaching kids to categorize — one drawer for cars, one for blocks, one for “mystery pieces” 😄

⚠️ What didn’t work:

• Drawers can jam or crack if overloaded
• Needs occasional re-sorting — kids tend to mix things up after a while
• If you get a tall one, make sure it’s stable (or placed against a wall)
• Not the prettiest option if you’re going for a decor aesthetic

Stackable Plastic Storage Bins — Simple, Practical, and Kid-Friendly

These bins have become my go-to for quick organization. They’re stackable, sturdy, and make it so easy to assign a purpose to each one — one for school uniforms, one for bags, one for pajamas, and so on. It’s basically a mini-wardrobe system without the furniture commitment!

✅ What I liked:

• Stackable design saves space and keeps things tidy
• Perfect for categorizing daily essentials (uniforms, nightwear, accessories, etc.)
• Lightweight and durable, easy for kids to handle
• Can be labeled to help children find and return things themselves
• Works in bedrooms, closets, or even hallways — super flexible

⚠️ What didn’t work:

• If stacked too high, kids might pull or topple the upper bins
• Needs occasional reshuffling if you change categories often
• Not the prettiest option — but honestly, I don’t mind since ours stay tucked neatly under the bed

The Stationery Organizer — Home for all pens, pencils, sketch pens, highlighters, you name it

This might look like a simple thing, but it’s honestly a lifesaver. All the crayons, sharpeners, glue sticks, scissors, and erasers finally have a home. I keep one small organizer on the study desk and another in the living room for art time — so we don’t have to go hunting every time someone wants to color “just one page.”

✅ What I liked:

• Keeps all stationery in one spot, so homework time is less chaotic
• Easy to move around — from study table to dining table to floor 😅
• Can be divided by category (pens, markers, craft items, etc.)
• Encourages kids to put things back when they’re done
• Looks neat and tidy even when full

⚠️ What didn’t work:

• Needs frequent cleaning — tiny eraser bits and pencil shavings multiply fast
• Kids tend to dump random items in it if not supervised (hair clips, toy screws, you name it)
• Smaller organizers can overflow quickly if your kids love art supplies as much as mine do

The Miscellaneous Zone — Little Things That Deserve a Spot Too

Not every item needs a big setup, but giving even the tiniest things a proper home makes life so much smoother. I’ve learned that when everything has a spot, cleanup is faster and arguments are fewer (well… mostly 😅).

Here are a few small but mighty storage ideas that work for us:

• Hair accessories: Small compartmental boxes, holders or divided trays — perfect for clips, bands, and bows that love to vanish.
• Product storage: A compact plastic caddy or lazy Susan works wonders for lotions, creams, and sprays.
• Craft corner: A medium basket with jars or tins to hold brushes, tapes, and stickers.
• School supplies overflow: One “extras” box for spare pencils, refills, and glue sticks — out of sight, but easy to restock from.
• Memory box: A labeled box for random keepsakes — drawings, old badges, or small trinkets that you can’t part with yet.

It’s not Pinterest-perfect, but it works — and that’s all that matters at the end of the day.