Every January, like clockwork, the urge to get my life together hits with the force of a freight train. There’s something about the start of a year that makes organizing my closet feel less like a chore and more like a gateway to inner peace (which is clutch, given that the holiday chaos typically leaves my place in shambles).
Here’s how it usually goes down: After months of avoiding even looking at all the clutter filling my room, I pull out my sticky labels and storage solutions and get to work. And by the time the dust settles (literally), there’s this undeniable calm that washes over me—as if tidying my surroundings has somehow tidied my mind, too.
Turns out, it’s not just me. Clinical psychologist Carla Marie Manly, PhD, previously told Well+Good that tidying can be a powerful practice for your mental health. “When so much feels uncontrollable in the world, anxiety and stress tend to dissipate when something as easy and rewarding as cleaning is within our control,” she says. And according to neuroscientist Nan Wise, PhD, cleaning and organizing channels the fight-or-flight energy caused by stress into something productive, increasing feel-good neurochemicals like dopamine while reducing cortisol and adrenaline.
Whether you, like me, get the annual organizing itch—or you’ve been feeling a lack of motivation to get your life in order, give yourself the gift of a few new storage solutions. From closet racks to clever kitchen organizers, these eight game-changing essentials may just be the secret to streamlining your space *and* your headspace this year.
Shop Storage Solutions
Ornavo Home Foldable Tufted Linen Large Storage Ottoman Bench — $73.00
Ideal for an entryway or bedroom, this storage ottoman offers a surprising amount of space to stash away shoes, blankets, or toys. With its tufted top and neutral color options (grab it in gray, beige, charcoal, black, or navy), it doubles as decor in any room—no college-era, under-the-bed bins required.
Honey-Can-Do Freestanding Closet With Clothes Rack — $86.00
A lifesaver for small apartments or guest rooms, this freestanding closet provides extra storage for all your overflow. Use the rack for hanging coats and dresses, stash shoes underneath, and stack your catch-all bins on the closet’s four adjacent shelves to maximize every square inch.
Lavish Home Kitchen Island with Towel Rack and Shelves — $243.00
If your cooking space is, um, compact, this portable kitchen island is *chef’s kiss.* Organize your cookware and pantry staples in the shelves and cabinet, hang linens on the towel bar, use the wine rack to stay stocked for happy hour, and take advantage of the top as prep space when you’re whipping up a meal.
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Seville Classics 2-Tier Mesh Expandable Under Sink Organizer — $30.00
Look under most sinks, and you’ll find a chaotic array of cleaning supplies, extra toiletries, and loose plastic grocery bags. Say goodbye to the clutter with this ingenious under-sink organizer that fits seamlessly around your drain pipes. Its expandable structure and adjustable mesh panels make it easy to maximize your cabinet, whatever its size or shape.
Cella Metal Mesh Over the Door Organizer — $26.00
This over-the-door organizer works in literally any small space. It’s great for the bathroom, where it can hold towels, hair tools, and toiletries, or in a home office to store supplies like notebooks and chargers. Bonus? It’s on sale for 33 percent off, so grab it before it sells out.
Tyler Modern Wooden Linen Tower Cabinet — $221.00
Take it from someone who lives in a small apartment and has spent many, many hours scouring the internet for thin cabinetry: Sleek cabinets (that are actually cute) are hard to come by. Just right for a bathroom or hallway, this one can be used to organize towels, extra bedding, or even spa essentials.
Hudson & Canal Lovett Wide Black Bar Cart with Glass Shelves — $212.00
Bar carts aren’t just trendy, they’re also sophisticated storage solutions. Use this funky cart to store your favorite spirits, glassware, and cocktail shakers, or repurpose it as a rolling coffee station for your morning brew. With your favorite bev poured, put your feet up and exhale—because when your space is tidy, your mind can be, too.
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