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There’s a reason that reality shows like Tidying Up with Marie Kondo are so popular.

It’s soothing to watch things go from chaos to ordered and to imagine that if we had the time and the energy (and a professional to help), we too would buy storage containers and organise the clutter, turning our homes into pristine testimonies to functionality.

Well, Marie Kondo has an online tutorial out called Fundamentals of Tidying, comprising 10 videos, that will take you through the process step-by-step, so you’ve got her to tell you what to do.

The next step is stocking up on storage solutions.

There are a couple of options out there, but finding the right one that will actually protect your stuff, and not just store it, can be tricky.

It’s clearly a real issue because even The New York Times felt the need to test a couple of them out so that you can dedicate more time to tidying, and less to procrastinating at the shop as you contemplate your options.

That test took the form of a hardcore set of trials, that included tossing the containers down a flight of stairs, leaving them in the rain, and stuffing them full of books and blankets.

Here’s how three of them fared.

Clear Plastic Storage Bins

These are great for seeing what you’ve stored and they also stack easily. You need to get the ones with the clips to ensure maximum protection.

The bins stayed watertight in the rain, but are prone to losing their latches. Because they’re so tightly sealed they can have a plastic smell when you get them which can transfer to clothes, so stick a couple of those closet scent packets in with them to counter that.

Thick Plastic Bins

These are ideal for storing your stuff away in the garage or a storage container.

They can take a lot of abuse and don’t let water in, but those with a deeply grooved lid can collect water on top which is more irritating than anything else.

Over two years of long-term testing few flaws were uncovered, but the lids can warp a little over time.

Fabric Containers

These are strictly for in-home use. Take it from me, I had a few tucked away in a closet under the stairs, and within a few months, with the help of a burst geyser, they were growing mushrooms.

Not a vibe.

Go for one with a zipper to ensure maximum protection. Fabric containers are an inexpensive way to store clothing and garments that need air to survive like wool sweaters.

Just keep in mind that they aren’t moth-proof.

Throwing them down the stairs, full of clothes, once they were zipped up didn’t cause any issues. Throwing them down the stairs full of books wasn’t a great idea. Avoid storing heavier items.

If you’re looking for a storage solution outside of your home, Stor-Age, South Africa’s leading self-storage brand, provides clean, dry, and secure self-storage units tailored to your needs for as long as you need them.

Thick plastic bins and clear plastic bins are ideal for stacking your stuff in a storage unit. If that storage unit is already airtight and functional, even better.

Sign up now, and you’ll get 50% off of your first month of storage, which you can then renew on a month-by-month basis.

[source:nytimes]