You walk into a store for organizing products, or type in “color coded folders,” or “best storage containers” online, and your entire world turns upside down. So many choices. So many customer reviews. It’s madness. If you’re like me, you’re like Charlie in the Chocolate Factory. But even I can feel overwhelmed and get distracted if I don’t filter through all the gorgeous new containers to get to the ones I know will work well for my clients, their spaces, their aesthetics and their budget. I get it, and I also know the rush of purchasing new organizing products. We’ve all been there. New year, new me, new organizing products galore, and yet sometimes it still feels like the same circus. I felt motivated, went out and purchased all these pretty patterned folders, but now what do I do with them? What did I buy them for? It’s been nearly 8 weeks since January 1st, and many of us experience the same mess and disorganization, over and over again. So, you bought a bunch of colored supplies, you still love the look, but you don’t know how to best use them. How do they really help if you don’t know the best system? That’s why I’m here.

Want to know the first questions clients ask me when I enter their homes?

• What products do you use in your home?

• What products should I buy?

• What products do you love?

• What products will help me the most with organizing X?

More specifically, clients want to know what works best for a busy lifestyle, for paper, or in a kids space. How can they keep all the toys at bay? Believe me, I get it. Walking into a room full of toys can be a nightmare. I mean, have you ever stepped on a Lego? Have you ever lost that important piece of paper because it happened to not be the stack, like it was supposed to be? If so, I feel your pain.

For the past few years, clients and readers have been asking me to continuously post which organizing products I would use, find helpful or use often with clients, and I am finally going to do just that! I know what it is like out there, and I want to help. So, below are few favorite organizing products, curated by your favorite container loving, author of The Playbook, and creator of Organized in a Box: me!

Stock up on the products we love most! ♥

1. Russell + Hazel Mini Binder 2. Graphic Storage Basket 3. Acrylic Shelf Dividers

I have a client, Sarah, who knew how much of her office was cluttered with organizing products that never worked for her. She got them for free from her job (hello redwell folders and blue BIC pens!) and only held on because of her desire to get organized. We quickly purged these, donated them, and bought new products to match her aesthetic, routine, personality and budget. Systems were then in place worked for her, products she loved where there to help, and she thanked me for the encouragement as she felt “that much lighter and brighter in her office.” I want this for all of you.

I challenge you to go through all of your organizing products (including those you get for free from work) and remove any that you do not particularly like and have never used. Be honest with yourself. Are you keeping it because you like it and would have purchased it if you had not gotten it for free? Make room for new. Please email me or comment below. I’d love to hear from you!