Life
23 Genius Organization Products For Aspiring Minimalists
Minimalism doesn't usually happen overnight. It's a process. On day one, you might feel like you couldn't possibly live without your precious things, but after a few months, you’ll be an expert at throwing stuff away or finding organization products for minimalists.
Plus, the minimalist life is different for everyone. If you seriously need your increasing collection of unicorn makeup products, you keep 'em! You don't need to live in an empty apartment to get your minimalist badge. But, it can be soothing and empowering to get rid of the things that are cluttering up your life.
Organization is a great first step to living with less stuff. How many times have you bought a new tee only to find that you already had something similar sitting in the bottom of your closet? With the right organizational tools and products, you see exactly what you have, what you need, and what doesn't bring you happiness anymore.
Does it feel funny to buy stuff to become more of a minimalist? A little, sure. But, these helpful organizers will ultimately make your life easier and encourage you to spend much less in the future. And once you see the adorable succulent that can hold your cotton swabs, you'll become a minimalist in no time.
1. This Cabinet Organizer That Saves Space
SimpleHousewear Over the Cabinet Door Organizer Holder, $14, Amazon
The kitchen can be one of the hardest places to organize since you have such a variety of tools in all different shapes and sizes. That's why an over the door organizer is such a helpful tool. You see all the products you need every time you open the cabinet, and it will encourage you to get down to just the essentials —because nobody needs an excessive amount of muffin tins.
2. A Closet Organizer To Replace Your Dresser
StorageWorks Hanging Closet Organizer, $33, Amazon
Finding enough space for your clothes can be a struggle, but this handy canvas hanging closet organizer can make simplifying your wardrobe a little easier. Since it has drawers, you could hang one or two of these and get rid of bulky dressers completely. You'll finally have enough space to do yoga in your bedroom without fear of smacking into furniture, and this one also comes with side pockets and a loop to hang things on.
3. A Shower Caddy To Organize Your Bathroom Products
MetroDécor mDesign Bathroom Shower Caddy, $20, Amazon
Ever take a shower and realize you have at least a dozen bottles to choose from for your cleaning needs? Well, if you have bad vision like I do, that can lead to some bad used-Nair-for-shampoo types of situations. This caddy keeps everything organized and can help you keep your shower products to a minimum — it's got hooks to hang loofahs or washcloths, and the baskets allow you to place bottles upside down for an easier pour.
4. This Magnetic Strip To Keep Your Grooming Products In Line
VANITYKeeper Magnetic Accessory Organizer, $13, Amazon
If I had a dollar for every bobby pin I lost to the wasteland of my makeup drawer, I'd be the richest woman in town. This magnetic organizer is a brilliant tool to keep all bobby pins, hair clips, nail files, and scissors in place. It's also made from bamboo, so it's eco-friendly, too.
5. A Box To Manage Your Unruly Cables
QICENT Cable Management Organizer, $10, Amazon
The modern world has left us with a new problem: cables. Usually, every outlet is swimming with different cables, but the one you need desperately has somehow disappeared. This cable management box stores cables cleanly and neatly. Plus, since it has room for only four plug-ins, it might help you put away a couple of unnecessary devices. It's also scratch resistant!
6. The Bookshelf That Saves You From Bookcases
Umbra Floating Bookshelf, $29, Amazon
Utilizing wall space can be a real life saver, and by using this cool floating bookshelf, you could get rid of some of the Ikea Billy bookcases you've been hanging onto. These are made from powder-coated steel and can support up to 15 pounds of weight, and should inspire you to donate your old books to libraries or students!
7. The Fold-Out Desk That Saves You Floorspace
Fold-Out Convertible Desk, $137, Amazon
Sometimes you need a desk in your living room and sometimes you need more room to dance, and this fold-out desk truly makes the most of your space. When you need to sit and type, just fold the desk down. When you're done, fold it up and it becomes a cute, hanging cabinet. It's also easy to install, and features two shelves, a place to organize bills, and a corkboard.
8. A Cotton Swab Holder That Cleans Up Your Bathroom Counter
MelonBoat Lotus Cotton Swab Holder, $9, Amazon
Whether you use this adorable organizer to hold toothpicks, cotton swabs, or any other small product, it will brighten up your day every time you see it. This little guy comes with a dust cover to keep small hygiene tools organized and clean, and it doesn't hurt that it's the cutest thing ever.
9. The Styling Station That Will Condense Your Hair Tools
Spectrum Over the Cabinet Door Hair Styling Station, $10, Amazon
Hairstyling tools find a way of taking up an insane amount of space, and often end up cluttering your bathroom cabinets or taking over your entire counter. This hair styling station takes care of both problems — easily hang it on your cabinet door and suddenly all of your products are within arms reach, plus it's got padded brackets to prevent cabinet scratches. Oh, and if it doesn't fit in there? Get rid of it — you're not using that crimper from high school anytime soon.
10. This Hanging Planter That Creates A Garden Anywhere
Umbra Trigg Hanging Container, $23, Amazon
Having a full garden is often not an option, but that doesn't mean you have to live plant free. These minimalist hanging containers are perfect for bringing a bit of nature into the smallest of homes, and will prevent some of the clutter they can take up on the windowsill.
11. A Handy Multitool That Saves You A Toolbox
Rose Kuli MultiTool, $13, Amazon
Household tools are notorious for ending up in some mystery drawer and being impossible to find when you need them, and you never use half of them anyway. Now, you can finally get rid of the mystery tools with this fantastic multitool, which has saws, a few screwdrivers, a hammer, a bottle opener, and more. No toolbox required.
12. A Charging Station That Organizes Your Electronics
Maxnic 6-Port Charging Station, $33, Amazon
Keep all of your devices charged and in one place with this simple charging station. It takes up very little room, charges devices fast, and has an on/off switch. Bonus use: It's a great way for everyone in the family to set their phones up to charge, then stay away from them for the rest of the night. It might be scary having a phone-free conversation, but you might find it relaxing after a while.
13. A Wireless Scanner To Organize Your Papers
Vupoint Magic Wand Wireless Scanner, $100, Amazon
No matter how hard you try to save the trees, there's always a bunch of important papers to save. Instead of fussing with according folders that tend to fall apart right after you've filed everything, go digital. This wireless scanner can quickly scan all of your work documents, tax files, or receipts, and download them onto your computer. It's portable, and you can connect it to wi-fi and save the files to a cloud.
14. The Blanket Storage That Goes Under Your Bed
Anti-Mold Clothes and Blanket Storage, $10, Amazon
There might be a place for storage in your bedroom that's going to waste —all that empty space under your bed. It's great for storing blankets, winter clothes, or anything you don't need to use on a daily basis. This organizer is breathable and made to keep your things free of mold and dust. Because a coat covered in mold is a sure way to make winter a little more miserable.
15. These Shelves That Help Keep Your Fridge Clutter-Free
mDesign Refrigerator Bin (Set of 3), $25, Amazon
When you use my organizational technique of just throwing all the groceries on a shelf and slamming the door so nothing falls out, it doesn't make your fresh food enticing. These simple organizers help keep your fridge in order. A reviewer writes, "Not only are these great quality - sturdy, easy to fill, easy to access - but using 3 of them has transformed my refrigerator into an organized space. One really helped with my freezer as well. I am so happy with them that I bought a second set, and though I haven't used it yet, I'm looking forward to being able to find things and keep them under control in the pantry."
16. A Soap Dispenser That Makes Use Of What You Already Own
Milkweed Farms Stainless Steel Soap Dispenser (2 Pack), $25, Amazon
If you have mason jars or empty jars of mayo or marinara sauce lying around, these mason jar dispensers will turn them into hand or dish soap bottles! The set comes with two jars with waterproof labels, and they won't rust over time. Reuse what you already have, and stop buying fancy soaps just for the cute bottles!
17. The Little Shelf That Cleans Up Your Outlets
Power Perch, $11, Amazon
You don't always need a huge shelf or a whole bookcase to fulfill your storage needs. Sometimes you just need a tiny perch to keep a couple of things off the ground. This tiny shelf installs around outlets to give you a little space whenever you're plugging something in. Perfect for electric toothbrushes, phones, and shavers, it gives you that little bit of space even a minimalist needs.
18. A Pen Holder That Saves Desk Space
Umbra Grassy Organizer, $10, Amazon
Besides the fact that this pen holder is like having a lovely patch of sea grass on your desk, it's really practical. Most pen organizers are opaque cups which make it easy to lose track of how many pens your have and which are still working. This grassy gem keeps pens upright and in view, making it less likely that you'll put a broken pen back in the mix. Your writing utensil collection will pare down to just what you really need, and you can use it for toothbrushes, too!
19. The Makeup Organizer That Saves Counter Space
Uncluttered Designs Makeup Organizer, $20, Amazon
Instead of shoving all your makeup in a drawer or a bag, treat yourself to this lovely organizer. It doesn't take up much space on your dresser or bathroom counter and it helps keep your makeup collection in check. Once this organizer starts to overflow, you'll know not to purchase anything else until you finish what you have.
20. Foldable Storage Containers to Keep Your Bedroom Organized
DII Foldable Fabric Storage Containers (Set of 2), $10, Amazon
Even if you're nailing the minimalist life, sometimes you wind up with a couple extra things that need a place to go. These foldable storage bins are perfect for those extra bits that are just floating about. The containers are cute and keep your closet clean and if you don't need them anymore, they fold up neatly to await your future storage needs.
21. The Phone Case That Replaces Your Purse
Arae PU Leather Flip Folio Kickstand Wallet Case, $9, Amazon
Now, I'm super guilty of being the girl with the huge purse who takes a solid ten minutes to find her phone. I end up with a lot of missed calls. Anyway, it's so much easier to just use a wallet/phone case. It holds everything you need, has a little wrist strap for portability, and even has a kickstand to peruse Twitter with ease. Get rid of all that junk that you don't even use, and minimize your purse!
22. A Wall Hook That Replaces a Coat Stand
Umbra Sticks 5-Hook Wall Hook, $29, Amazon
Coat racks are always a huge pain, and this wall hook is so much better. There are five possible hooks to use, though they can fold flat against the wall and it just looks like a minimalist art piece. When you need it, fold the hooks out to hang coats, jackets, and anything up to five pounds. It takes up zero space and keeps you from ending up with a mountain of coats on your floor.
23. The Storage Rack that Uses Hidden Space
Storage Dynamics Slide Out Storage Tower, $25, Amazon
Currently, the space between my oven and refrigerator is being used to store crumbs and bits of food that will never be seen again. I'd much rather use that space for extra storage, which is exactly what this storage tower allows you to do. Put it between your washing machine and dryer (if you're lucky enough to have one) or in the bathroom, and it's got wheels!
Bustle may receive a portion of sales from products purchased from this article, which was created independently from Bustle's editorial and sales departments.
