BuzzFeed Shopping recently published a roundup of 28 Walmart organizers aimed at taming junk piles and making everyday spaces more functional. The post's tagline: "It's time to conquer those mountains." We can't reproduce the individual picks here, so this guide does something else: it gives you a simple method for clearing a clutter pile, and a way to shop that roundup (or any budget aisle) without buying a pile of empty containers.
By the end, you'll know how to reset one problem spot in an afternoon, spend only on what it needs, and keep it from creeping back.
Start With One Pile, Not the Whole House
The fastest way to feel overwhelmed is to look at every cluttered corner at once. Pick a single spot: the junk drawer, the entryway table, the closet shelf, the corner of the counter. Set a timer for 30 to 45 minutes. A small, finishable goal beats a grand plan you abandon on Saturday afternoon.
Empty It Completely and Sort Into Four Groups
Pull everything out. Yes, everything. Seeing it all on a table or the floor shows you what you actually own. Then sort quickly into four groups:
- Keep here: things you use in this spot regularly.
- Keep elsewhere: items that landed here by accident.
- Donate or pass along: working things you no longer use.
- Toss or recycle: dried-out pens, broken gadgets, mystery cords.
Don't agonize. If you can't decide in about ten seconds, put it in a "maybe" bag, label it with today's date, and revisit it in a few weeks.
Measure Before You Shop
This step saves the most money. Before browsing any organizer roundup, write down:
- The width, depth, and height of the space (drawer, shelf, cabinet).
- What you're storing, in rough categories (for example: batteries and tape, school supplies, hair accessories).
- How many of each category you're keeping.
Now you're shopping for a specific fit instead of a vague feeling of tidiness. A bin that's an inch too wide is just another thing to store.
Match the Organizer to the Problem
Budget retailers like Walmart tend to carry a wide range of storage types, so it helps to know what job you're hiring for. Here's how to think about it:
For drawers: dividers and small trays
Junk drawers get messy because everything shares one open space. Dividing it into zones gives each category a home. Choose trays that fit snugly so they don't slide around.
For shelves and closets: bins and baskets
Use containers that hold loose items together so a shelf reads as a few neat blocks instead of dozens of small objects. Matching containers make a space look calmer, though you don't need a perfect set. Even two or three that coordinate help.
For small spaces: go vertical
If floor and counter space is limited, look at what's above and behind you. Over-the-door storage, wall-mounted racks, and stackable bins use space you already have. Check the weight limits on the packaging before loading anything heavy.
For entryways: a landing spot
A tray for keys, a hook for bags, and a single basket for odds and ends can stop a daily pile from forming. Keep it to what the household actually carries out the door.
Buy Less Than You Think You Need
It's tempting to fill a cart with a dozen organizers because each one is inexpensive. Resist that. A better approach:
- Sort and purge first, so you know the real volume of stuff.
- Buy for one spot only.
- Try inexpensive stand-ins first, like shoe boxes or jars you already own, to test a layout before spending.
- Keep receipts and check the return policy in case something doesn't fit.
A roundup of 28 options is useful for browsing, but your measurements decide which ones deserve a spot in your cart. Choose the few that solve a problem you've written down.
Make It Easy to Maintain
An organized space only stays that way if putting things back is effortless. A few habits help:
- Label what's not obvious. Masking tape and a marker work fine.
- Leave a little breathing room. A drawer packed to the brim won't stay tidy for long.
- Do a two-minute reset. Once a week, return strays to their homes.
- Follow a one-in, one-out rule for categories that tend to overflow.
Take a Quick Before-and-After
Snap a photo of the mess before you start and another when you finish. It's satisfying, and it makes the next spot feel more doable. Organizing doesn't need a renovation, a big budget, or a whole weekend. It needs a measuring tape, a timer, and one pile.
Pick that pile today, set the timer, and empty it out.