Getting around to clearing the clutter and finally getting organized can be hard enough.  Once you’ve cleared the clutter you have to find storage options to fit your needs.  This can get seem quite expensive if you are new to organization and have only ever had a few bins here or there, so the key is to budget for your storage, which may include bins, baskets, trays, cubbies and furniture.  It might also mean making some sacrifices in other areas of your life so that you can declutter and return to a normal life at home. 

Getting your organizational systems in place can be even more complicated if you’re environmentally conscious  and don’t care to use plastic.  If you’re opposed to plastic storage containers and organizers, whether it be due to environmental reasons, aesthetics or you’re simply trying to “go green”, you may find it a challenge to find organization products that are not made of plastic.  An alternative material is wicker.  Contrary to popular belief, wicker is not a plant material, but is made of part of a plant.  Wicker also includes some plastic fibers, but, at least you’re moving in the right direction if you’re trying to go green. 

So, what exactly is wicker?  According to Wikipedia, “Wicker is hard woven fiber formed into a rigid material, usually used for baskets or furniture. Wicker is often made of material of plant origin, but plastic fibers are also used.  Materials used can be any part of a plant, such as the cores of cane of rattan stalks, or whole thicknesses of plants, as with willow switches…”

Another advantage for using wicker and other similar materials, like rattan, banana leaf  and seagrass to organize your items is their beauty.  Wicker baskets, bins and furniture can add color and texture to any room and can be used as decorative baskets, as well as functional organization storage.   Wicker organization products can be used in family rooms, linen closets, laundry rooms, bedrooms and much more.  Take a look at a few of the wicker, rattan, banana leaf and seagrass organization products here from Home Storage Warehouse

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For the Bathroom:

Bathroom set

Triple Laundry Sorter

For Bedrooms, Living Rooms and Family Rooms:

Seagrass storage chests

Wicker Magazine Rack

Over the door shoe organizers, sometimes called over the door shoe pockets, have a multitude of uses.  Don’t limit yourself to just organizing shoes! If you’re short on space and tired of picking up random small items that seem to have no home; or your kids have a gazillion little toys that get lost in toy boxes, consider an over the door shoe pocket organizer.  Over the door shoe pockets fit on any standard sized door and take only a couple of minutes to install.  No tools or handyman required!  These organizational wonders are also excellent for homeowners on a budget, since most are priced below $20 and can store and organize almost anything.

Here are 8 ideas and uses for an over the door shoe pocket organizer:

1. Organize small toys, e.g. die cast cars, stuffed animals, Barbie dolls etc.

2. Organize tools:  Hang over a door, or if it has grommets, attach to a wall and store small tools, nails etc.

3. Organize toiletries:  Not enough bathroom storage? Keep one in the bathroom to store your hair brushes, lotions, make-up, etc.
4. Organize sewing supplies:  Use to store a myriad of sewing supplies that can create clutter, including threads, trims, buttons, scissors, sewing patterns, sewing machine supplies, etc.

5. Organize craft supplies:  It can be craft supplies for children or adults.  Store and organize small craft paints, paint brushes, glue, scrapbooking scissors, trims and ribbons, etc.

Over the Door Shoe Pocket Organizer

6. Organize winter accessories:  Store gloves, scarves, mittens, knitted hats etc. for the kids or the whole family. 

7. Organize gift wrap:  Use together with a gift wrap holder to store and organize gift wrap ribbon, scissors, tape and gift tags.

8. Organize office or homework supplies:  Use in your home office to store and organize tape, scissors, stapler, etc.  Plus, school supplies, e.g. markers, crayons, colored pencils, calculator.

Over the door shoe pockets come in a variety of styles and colors.  The most popular are the clear pockets, because you can see what’s inside.  When placed in a child’s room, it’s a great way to help a child learn organizational skills from a young age.

If you liked this, you may also like: How to Cope with a Small Cluttered Closet on a Small Budget

Jacquie Ross is a Maryland based Professional Organizer, writer, speaker and owner of CastAway the Clutter! Jacquie has been writing for Home Storage USA since 2007. A member of the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO), NAPO-Baltimore Chapter, and Maryland Association of Professional Organizers, she shows homeowners how to reclaim their time and space, and offers organizing and time management workshops and group presentations. Jacquie is also the author of Take Control of Your Clutter Before it Takes Control of You: 101 Tips to Success.  Visit CastAway the Clutter to get a free organizing goals worksheet when you sign up for her organizing tips at www.castawaytheclutter.com