5 Brilliant Storage Ideas We're Borrowing from the Neat Method

Finding storage solutions for your home is a function-forward task. However, that doesn't mean you can't get creative with it. In fact, some of the best storage ideas are born from reimagining everyday items with a different purpose. A combo of creative, functional, and attractive solutions can make home organization something to get excited about—and no one understands this better than the experts at NEAT Method. So, we asked these organizing pros to share some of their all-time favorite storage ideas—including a few of the smart ideas they incorporated into our 2024 Real Simple Home.

Use Metal Baskets for Prettier Organizing

Sometimes, your storage can't be easily hidden or tucked away, so you need solutions that don't mess up your design flow. In the 2024 Real Simple Home pantry, the NEAT Method experts used perforated metal baskets that conceal the items inside while also adding some visual texture to the shelves. Opting for organizing baskets in a more substantial material, like metal or wood (versus fabric or plastic) helps to elevate the overall look, making it easier to incorporate your storage solutions into the room's existing design.

Use Spice Racks Throughout Your Pantry

Despite the name, spice racks don't only need to be used for organizing spices. In the 2024 Real Simple Home, the pros at NEAT Method used a spice rack in the pantry to organize canned goods. "This provides an overall visual of the entire category and reduces the risk of items getting lost at the back of the shelf," says Marissa Hagmeyer, co-founder and COO of NEAT Method. You can also use spice racks as a riser and organizer for other items that you have in multiples, like oils and vinegars.

Use Turntables Everywhere

If you have yet to use a turntable as a storage solution, you may think the product is a bit fussy. However, a turntable can be a highly functional and versatile product for organizing items throughout your home. In her own home, Ashley Murphy, co-founder and CEO of NEAT Method, uses turntables in the kitchen to corral oil and vinegar and in the laundry room to store detergent and stain removers. "They offer easy access to upper shelves and prevent items from getting tucked in corners," she says.

Create a Cubby System

Hagmeyer is a big fan of a cubby bookshelf with bins for storage. In her own home, she uses the cubbies to separate and organize toys in her daughters' playroom. Even if you don't have young kids' toys to organize, a cubby and bin system is a great choice for any area where you have lots of items and clutter that can't be organized neatly into drawers—like all the stuff that typically hangs out near your entryway.

Use Drawer Dividers to Organize Snacks

Snack items can take up a lot of excess space in the pantry. Sometimes, you might have three bulky boxes that only have one or two items left inside. So, as a more streamlined alternative, Murphy keeps her family's snacks in a drawer, empties them out of their boxes, and uses drawer dividers to keep the snacks organized. "This increases accessibility and simplifies snack time," she says.