Pretty Organization: My Favorite Trays, Baskets and Boxes

I’m going to let you in on a secret: you may not need more furniture, prettier accessories, or a new paint color. You might just need to organize your stuff! The first step I would suggest to most people is to simply organize your knick-knacks. Corral your things into boxes, baskets, jars or trays! It makes your home look tidier and more styled. Think about it: a pile of papers thrown on the entry table looks far worse than a tortoiseshell tray with mail. It takes no more effort and it instantly elevates the aesthetic of your home. I LIVE by this rule in our house. We have plenty of crap, for lack of a better word, lying around our house. But when it’s confined in pretty storage solutions, everything looks beautiful!

In our kitchen, I have a wooden tray that holds the items I reach for most often: our olive oil, a couple ramekins of salt, our pepper grinder, and butter. The living room has a basket for blankets and a tray for the TV remote, candle, coasters and our books. On the entry table we have a couple solutions: a basket for masks, a dish for keys and a tray for our mail. A tray rests on my bedside table with my essentials: lip balm, my retainer (sexy), a book and AdvilPM. As far as the bathrooms go: a canister for cotton balls, a jar for Q-tips, a pretty dish for hair ties. If left scattered our home would feel cluttered and messy. Instead, it feels styled, intentional and most importantly functional.

A couple pointers:

Avoid plastic. In my opinion, plastic storage is fine for inside closets or pantries. But materials like stone, wicker, cane, brass, silver, glass, and wood will give you a more beautiful, high-end look. Plus, they’ll last longer!
Vary the materials. Try to avoid choosing one material. Your home will look more collected and interesting if you incorporate a few different materials. There is such a thing as too much of a good thing!
Take your time collecting! Even if they are strictly for organization, you’ll enjoy these pieces more if you spend time finding ones you really love. The toys all over the living room floor will be easily homed in a cane basket. Or you’ll be more inclined to corral all your perfumes onto a beautiful, antique brass tray, rather than leaving them scattered across your vanity.

Here are some of my favorite items to gather your trinkets:

Baskets

I usually use baskets to store larger items, like toys, blankets, towels or sports equipment. Basically, large bulky items that you just want to chuck somewhere without thinking very much. They look great beside your sofa, tucked in a corner, or on open shelves. Use baskets with a more open weave for your “utility” (aka: ugly) items, and open baskets for your pretty pillows or towels. Nowadays baskets come in so many different styles…bohemian, nautical, traditional. You can find baskets that are functional and fit with your personal style.

Screen Shot 2022-07-21 at 5.10.58 PM.png

Screen Shot 2022-07-21 at 5.11.41 PM.png

Screen Shot 2022-07-21 at 5.11.56 PM.png

Screen Shot 2022-07-21 at 5.24.13 PM.png

Jars

I use jars for almost everything! Think: snacks, baking supplies, toiletries, etc. Glass jars are way more attractive than plastic Tupperware. I have no issue with Tupperware. In fact I own quite a bit! But if you have items that are on display, a glass option will make your cotton balls and dry spaghetti feel like an intentionally styled moment, rather than haphazard clutter.

Screen Shot 2022-07-21 at 5.27.37 PM.png

Screen Shot 2022-07-21 at 5.28.49 PM.png

Screen Shot 2022-07-21 at 5.35.37 PM.png

Screen Shot 2022-07-21 at 5.41.20 PM.png

Boxes

I love a good decorative box! They look beautiful stacked on open shelving and are super useful. You can keep art supplies, office supplies, toiletries, jewelry…the list goes on and on! We have

Screen Shot 2022-07-21 at 5.48.58 PM.png

Screen Shot 2022-07-21 at 5.43.59 PM.png

Screen Shot 2022-07-21 at 5.47.10 PM.png

Screen Shot 2022-07-21 at 5.51.03 PM.png

Trays

I have at least one tray in every room in our house. They instantly make a pile of random stuff look styled - it’s truly incredible. Try it! Once you start placing trays around your house you’ll see what I mean. Also, trays are my favorite thing to hunt for at antique stores. You can usually find them for between $10-$30, depending on the material, size and condition.