5 Tips for Shopping from a Professional Organizer

5 Shopping Tips from a Professional Organizer

January 18, 2025

The right organizing products can be a game-changer in transforming your home and restoring calm to chaos. But with endless options and styles, the planning experience can quickly spiral out of control when walking aimlessly up and down aisles and scrolling endlessly online. To help you make the most of your organizing product purchases and transforming your space to work for YOU, I'm sharing 5 expert tips for smart shopping. These strategies will not only simplify your choices but also ensure every product you buy serves you well in the long run!

1. Have a Game Plan first

Start by visualizing your ideal organized space. Do you prefer clear bins where you can see everything easily, or do you prefer solid storage to reduce the visual clutter? Maybe you want products that match your hone's aesthetic. Knowing what types of storage you're after will help narrow down options and prevent decision fatigue when you're in the store. 

2. Take Measurements in Advance

The #1 mistake that comes up time and time again with clients who've thrown in the towel on DIY'ing, is guessing dimensions and ending up with products that don't fit.

Before you head out, measure every area where you'll be placing your new storage items. Write these measurements down (or keep them in a note on your phone) so you can reference them as you shop. This simple step will save you from multiple trips to the store and ensure your products fit perfectly into your space.

3. Quality Matters

While it's tempting to cut corners on cost, remember that low-quality products often don't stand the test of time, especially in high traffic areas like kitchens and pantries, closets, or when organizing kids' toys. Investing in quality storage solutions for these spaces will ensure durability and sustainability, so that you don't have to waste money and time by having to re-purchase down the road and running back to stores multiple times.

4. Aim for Multipurpose Uses

A big part of successful organizing is flexibility. As your needs and seasons change, having products that can adapt—like simple baskets and adjustable drawer dividers—can make a huge difference. Avoid products that serve only a single purpose, and instead seek out solutions that will grow with you and can be repurposed if needed.

5. Intentionally Overbuy

(Hear me Out!)

Even with the best plan, it’s sometimes hard to estimate exactly how many bins or baskets you’ll need. Overbuying and returning excess items can be a smart approach, especially if you’re tackling a large, complex or multiple spaces. You just might find that while Plan A bombed, you can still utilize what you purchased elsewhere! Just be sure to hold on to those receipts and take note each store’s return policy, as many places have a time limit for returns and exchanges.

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If shopping for organizing products still feels daunting and you simply don't want to deal, we’re here to help! If you’re in South Florida we’ll bring a curated selection of high-quality organizing products right to your door. As part of our organizing service, we assess your space, provide tailored solutions, and handle all the product sourcing—so you get a beautifully organized space without the stress. Let our expertise bring your organizing vision to life by scheduling a consultation with us today!

And if you're looking for a truly unique gift, why not give the gift of stress-free organizing? It’s a thoughtful and timeless gesture anyone would appreciate!

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Shiffy is the founder of ClearSpace by Shiffy LLC, a Professional Home Organizing Business in South Florida, servicing Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach Counties. She loves creating systems out of chaos and is known for her attention to detail, and ensuring that each project is customized and streamlined to fit the customer's lifestyle. Her projects are easy to maintain long term, bringing function to any space. She shares her tips and tricks on Instagram @clearspacebyshiffy