The Best Storage Bins and Totes for Every Room in Your House

Introduction

Storage bins are one of the most useful organizational tools ever invented. They come in every size, shape, and material imaginable. But that variety is also what makes them hard to shop for.

Clear plastic vs. fabric? Lidded vs. open? Stackable vs. not? What size do you even need?

Here's my guide to choosing the right storage bins for every room and purpose.

Types of Storage Bins

Clear Plastic Bins

Best for: Garage, basement, attic, closets

Clear plastic bins let you see what's inside without opening them. They're durable, stackable, and protect contents from dust, moisture, and pests.

• Pros: See-through, durable, stackable, pest-resistant
• Cons: Can look cluttered if not neat, heavier than fabric, can crack if dropped

Good for: Holiday decorations, seasonal clothes, keepsakes, garage storage, anything you want to protect

Fabric Bins / Baskets

Best for: Living room, bedroom, nursery, shelves

Fabric bins and baskets look nicer than plastic, making them perfect for visible storage in living areas. They come in every color and style imaginable.

• Pros: Attractive, lightweight, soft (safe for kids), available in many styles
• Cons: Not see-through, not as durable, can't hold heavy items

Good for: Toys, blankets, throw pillows, clothes, office supplies, anything in visible storage

Wire Baskets

Best for: Kitchen, pantry, bathroom

Wire baskets are industrial-looking and let you see what's inside. They're sturdy and can handle heavier items.

• Pros: See-through, sturdy, industrial look, ventilated (good for produce)
• Cons: Can scratch shelves, small items fall through, not great for tiny things

Good for: Produce, pantry items, cleaning supplies, bathroom toiletries

Lidded Stackable Totes

Best for: Long-term storage, stacking

These are the big plastic bins with lids that lock on. They're designed to stack securely, making them perfect for maximizing vertical storage space.

• Pros: Stack securely, protect contents, great for long-term storage
• Cons: Bulky, not as easy to access, heavy when full

Good for: Seasonal items, attic/basement storage, moving, anything you don't need to access often

Drawer Organizers

Best for: Drawers (duh)

Small bins and dividers designed to fit inside drawers and keep small items organized.

• Pros: Tame drawer chaos, small items easy to find
• Cons: Only work in drawers, can be fiddly to arrange

Good for: Kitchen utensils, office supplies, bathroom toiletries, jewelry, socks and underwear

Top Picks by Brand

Best Overall: Sterilite

Sterilite makes solid, affordable plastic storage bins in every size imaginable. Their clear lidded totes are the standard for a reason — they're durable, stack well, and you can find them everywhere.

Best Design: Target Brightroom

Target's Brightroom line has the best-looking storage bins at affordable prices. Fabric bins, wire baskets, acrylic organizers — they all look way more expensive than they are. Perfect for visible storage.

Best Budget: Mainstays (Walmart)

If you just need basic plastic bins cheap, Mainstays at Walmart gets the job done. They're not the sturdiest, but they're perfectly fine for light use and long-term storage.

Best Heavy Duty: Rubbermaid Roughneck

If you need bins that can take a beating — garage, basement, attic, moving — Rubbermaid Roughneck totes are indestructible. They're thicker, stronger, and built to last.

How to Choose the Right Size

This is the most common mistake: buying bins that are too big or too small. Here's a quick guide:

Rule of thumb: It's better to have more medium bins than a few jumbo ones. Oversized bins get too heavy to lift and things get lost at the bottom.

Pro Tips

1. Buy matching bins. Mixed sizes and colors look messy. Pick one style and size and stick with it.
2. Label everything. Even clear bins. You might think you'll remember what's inside. You won't.
3. Don't fill them to the top. Leave some room at the top so you can actually close the lid and lift the bin.
4. Store heavy items lower. Heavy bins on the bottom, light bins on top.
5. Leave one empty. An empty bin is useful for sorting, temporary storage, or when you need to pack something up.

Final Thoughts

Storage bins are one of those things that seem simple but make a huge difference in how organized your home feels. The right bins in the right sizes can turn a cluttered mess into an organized space.

Start with one room or one closet. Buy a few bins in the size you think you need, see how it goes, then buy more. Before you know it, everything will have its place.