The Bin Trap: Why Less Stuff Matters More - Thoughts from a Professional Organizer
What is one of the most common things I see when walking into a client's home? A mountain of bins, baskets, and storage containers—most of them half full, full of nobody knows what, mismatched, or... empty. Here’s the truth: Bins don’t solve clutter. Systems do. It’s tempting to think that buying the “ right ” container will somehow make the mess go away. I get it—organizing products are marketed as instant solutions. But if the stuff inside hasn’t been sorted, edited, or given a clear home, no bin in the world is going to make it feel organized. Before you buy another basket, stop and ask yourself: Do I actually need everything I’m trying to contain? Decluttering is the first—and most powerful—step. The less you own, the less you need to manage. Have I grouped similar items together by category? Organizing is about categories, not random piles tucked into pretty containers. Like with like. Does everything have a designated home? Zones and homes matter. If it...