Frustrated tripping over toys, books, and clothing? Plastic drawers may be an easy solution, but sustainable home organization has some tricks up its sleeve. Keep reading to unlock the secrets.
Growing up, my room frequently looked like a tornado victim. There were clothes and books everywhere, an unmade bed, and general chaos to stress my mom out. She liked to say that it was easy to see where I had been in the house since I left a trail. Hey, at least I was predictable, and my room had a door to close! Though it didn’t come naturally, I’ve definitely grown and worked on organization. I’ve learned that minimalism is my friend because of course, it’s easier to be neater with fewer things! I’ve also discovered what organizational styles work well for me. For example, I couldn’t live without my bins and baskets, and I will always choose to hang up clothes instead of folding.
I’m not about to turn into Marie Kondo on you, but I do want to spend some time talking about sustainable home organization. For many of us, January is a month of house cleaning, closet purging, and storage solution searching. The downside for sustainability? Plastic. So many storage solutions are plastic – plastic drawers, baskets, etc.
I do understand the appeal of plastic storage options. Plastic is cheap, easy to find, and stores know how to make it cute! However, sustainable organization has its own perks. For one, it is much better for the environment to choose wood, glass, or other eco-friendly materials. I also find many of these options to be more unique than bright colored plastic. When it comes to price, eco-friendly organization may have a slightly higher price tag (unless you thrift!), but it offers you a longer life in return. So, let’s roll up our sleeves and walk-through sustainable home organization 101.
Familiar Sustainable Home Organization: Canvas Bins
I think it’s important to start with a storage solution that most of us are familiar with, the canvas bin. For you, my sustainable shoppers, this is a wonderful alternative to a plastic crate. Especially if you are searching to organize a kid-friendly space, canvas totes are perfect for toys, clean diapers, and all the odds and ends. And they are lightweight, making them easy for kids to pull out.
That being said, not all canvas bins are created equal. While you can find a canvas bin at just about any chain store, organic cotton or linen are always the better fabric options if you have the choice. Of course, it often feels like there are so many rules to being eco-friendly and you just can’t win! I’m not here to make your life difficult. Sometimes we just have to choose the best option that is available to us. In this case, a canvas bin is still more durable and better for the environment than plastic.
While you can find canvas bins at just about any store, there are many small businesses to check out as well. With just a little research, you can often be a little pickier about the fabric too. For example, check out these handmade cotton bins on Etsy or these linen and cotton organizers on Amazon. They might not be perfect options, but they are easily accessible.
Reclaimed Wooden Crates
Thanks to Chip & Joanna Gaines, rustic farmhouse chic is all the rage right now. Who needs new things when aged and distressed wood is trendy? Wooden crates are everywhere and are easily upcycled into household decor. Though they can be an eye-catching piece of art, crates are also quite practical and durable.
As companies use wood for things like making furniture, the scraps of wood are often turned into other usable resources, like wood crates. Many home improvement stores like Home Depot sell unfinished crates very inexpensively. Grocery stores and other chain stores also use wood crates to safely package their goods. When they are done with them, the crates are often recycled or left out. Because of this, it’s not difficult to find old pallets or crates for free. Leave it as is and it’s great for garage storage. Or if you’re feeling crafty, you can finish the crate (sanding, staining, etc.) to create a new rustic piece for your home.
If you’re not looking to dumpster dive, let Etsy home artists or other small businesses do the work for you! Searching reclaimed wood crates on Etsy brings up many unique options, including some antique wooden crates. With all crates, it’s “choose your own adventure.” Sustainable home organization can be an art project, or it can be simple.
Hang it up
Speaking of simple, sometimes we overlook one of the easiest sustainable home organization solutions: hanging an item up. I find myself forgetting that wall space exists, but there’s so much that can be done with it. That hat you love, but it’s always in the way on top of your dresser. Maybe it’s time to add a hook on your wall! Not enough space in your cupboard for all your pots and pans, but you have an empty wall? Maybe your pots and pans can become part of your kitchen wall decoration.
Hooks are inexpensive, not to mention there are always metal options to choose instead of plastic. Since a hook is so small, you are also making good use of resources in general. And there is plenty of room to get creative. I know that many people have leftover 2×4 wood planks in their garages. Why not add a nice stain to the wood, mount it on your wall, and add hooks to it? It’s always so important to use the resources we already have!
I love that hanging items up is both practical and decorative. For example, these hanging wall baskets can hold fruit and bring some colorful boho flair to your walls.
Baskets
While I have some decorations on my apartment walls right now, our property managers do have quite a few rules about what kind of holes we put in our walls. Maybe you’re in the same boat. I look forward to the time when I own my living space, but for now I’m having to rely on other sustainable home organization methods. So, let’s chat baskets!
Baskets might be my favorite organizational option. They are stylish and perfect for those of us who aren’t particularly tidy. In my humble opinion, nothing looks terrible in a nice basket. Or maybe that’s just my excuse when I toss blankets in a basket instead of folding. It does keep my floorspace clean, though, which is my main complaint. While not every basket is perfectly sustainable, it is much easier to find baskets that are not plastic. There are baskets made out of all different types of eco-friendly materials – stainless steel, plant fibers, etc. West Elm, though a bit more pricey, carries several sustainable basket options including these stainless steel wire baskets.
In addition, there are many incredible artisans around the world who are skilled basket makers. Yet another reason why I love baskets so much – it provides me the opportunity to strive for sustainability and to support the fair-trade movement. Ten Thousand Villages is a company I’ve talked about many times in past blog posts. Their website is a collection of fair-trade organizations from across the globe. They have some of the most durable, handmade, beautiful baskets.
One of my favorite decorative baskets is from a group of female artisans in Uganda. It’s made from raffia fibers and palm leaves. Not only is it a brightly colored accent in my home, it’s also a reminder to me of all the hard-working women in the world.
Glass Jars
While baskets, wood crates, and hooks may be good for bigger items, what about organizing smaller things? Maybe it’s very typical of me, but I just love a good glass jar. Glass is infinitely recyclable, so it’s one of the most sustainable materials out there. In this case, you could buy some glass jars to up your organizational game, or you could repurpose jars you already own. An old honey jar sounds like a great home for all those wandering bobby pins. A mason jar used for canning jam becomes a toothbrush holder. The options are endless!
Glass jars are the handiest when it comes to food storage and organization. I have a whole post devoted to food storage (including a section on glass jars), so check out Eco-Friendly Food Storage Solutions to Avoid Waste for more information. When it comes to zero waste shopping, glass jars will be your shopping buddy. Many stores that have bulk options (Whole Foods, Food Co-ops, etc.) will have a place you can weigh your jar before filling it with dry goods. When you take your jar to check-out, the cashier will subtract the weight of the jar from the overall price. I highly recommend doing this to avoid using plastic bags.
Sustainable Home Organization Success!
When it comes to sustainability, organization is one of the easiest places to start. So many of these options are already familiar and most of us have them in our homes. The biggest takeaway for me has been to stop and evaluate what resources I already have at my fingertips instead of jumping right to buying something new.
As you start the new year, I hope you’ll consider ditching plastic (even if it’s the familiar option) and instead open your mind to something new. Or better yet, maybe it’s trying something old. Thrift stores and consignment shops are a wealth of discarded storage. Especially if you are low on cash, this is a fantastic way to get organized without breaking your bank. I’m off to clean up my home. Even with living simply, I still know how to make a mess!
Be Well. With Love.
Rae Helman says
I used your idea for hanging up hats. My hubby has so many hats from Air Force, penguins, classic car hats, beach hats, best dad hats and some of them are very sentimental to him. Thank you so much for great idea. It would take a small room to accommodate all of them but guess what I did! I gathered them up and took one of his favorites of each category and hung them up next to the computer where he can see them all the time. It really touched his heart. I teased him and said happy Valentine day early and I told him this will last not only one day but my love to you everyday. Maggie I have only one hoarding issue. I can’t even stand a day old newspaper but I can’t throw away cards I have received since 1970. I know lol!!! Boxes of them in attic. At one time I decided I had to stop this and threw away one in the garbage can. Big mistake, I couldn’t. Hours later I rooted through the garbage, cleaned all the stains on it from who knows what and it’s now in the attic. Maby you can let me know if people in other countries could make and sell things with them? In past I made some Christmas cards out of them and sent them to people who had originally sent them. I would be more than happy to pay postage to mail them. I’m 76 now and fear when I pass my children will throw them away. I love your site. Keep up the great work. Rae Helman. I attend the same church your family attends.
Maggie says
Hi Rae! I’m so glad this idea worked for you. I do think we forget about hanging things up, don’t we!? Cards and pictures are usually the most difficult thing to get rid of, aren’t they. I know that I had a friend who made a really unique picture from old letters. I’m sure there are some good ideas out there.
My best to you – I do remember you!
Maggie 🙂
Rae Helman says
Maggie did you receive a long comment I sent? I wasn’t sure what url to put in? Rae Helman
Maggie says
Rae – you did it just right! I replied to your lovely comment.
~ Maggie