Think Outside the Box: Storage Bins Don’t Have to be Cubes

Let’s try thinking outside the box when it comes to storage!  Here are some alternatives to the storage cube, because Storage Bins Don’t Have to be Cubes!

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My house is under 1,800 square feet, so I am always needing storage for crafting supplies, toys, cleaning supplies, toiletries, and the list goes on!  I’m kind of over the storage cubes.  Everyone has seen the storage cubes that fit perfectly into those cubical bookshelves.  Well, I want something a little different for the storage needs in my house, or at the very least, let those bins have some character!  I’m trying to clean out and get organized at the start of the year.

I was looking for storage for a bookshelf that will be transferred from my son’s room into my daughter’s room.  It was a bookshelf that I made in a woodworking course that I took in Philadelphia (The Philadelphia Furniture Workshop).  If you are in the area and looking for a woodworking course, they are the place to go!  The instructors are super knowledgeable and very easy to work with.  I LOVED the course and was pretty proud of my accomplishment!  I look forward to taking more classes when time allows, so that will be when my kids graduate high school.  😉

Here is a quick picture of the bookshelf from when my son’s room was a nursery.  You can see the sweet little wire storage baskets with numbers that I used for his diapers from Restoration Hardware Baby.  These are more similar to storage cubes, but they have so much more cuteness!  Unfortunately they are no longer available, but HERE are some similar ones if you like them.  You could even add your own numbers!

In my search for unique storage bins, I realized that you really can’t get too unique.  I mean, it has to hold stuff.  But at least I found some that were a little less traditional.  Most of the ones that I found and liked are circular baskets.

I ended up buying the pink ombre storage baskets and the off-white storage baskets from Target for my daughter’s room!  I’m kind of obsessed with them.  I bought four, and then had to go back and get two more!

We have a bookshelf in the basement that will be taking the place of the bookshelf that I made in my son’s room.  A client of mine had offered it to me, and since I can’t turn down free stuff, I took it!  (Now you see why I have a storage problem.)  It comes with four wooden storage bins that are painted in bright primary colors.  That’s not really my thing.  I’ve considered painting them, but I’d love to find some different storage bins to put in there instead!  I’m loving THESE for his room, since his room is gray and navy.  I’m planning to paint the bookshelf I was given, so make sure you check back for the update!  You can see his nursery pictures HERE.  His room has been stuck between a nursery and a big kid room for quite some time now.  You can read all about that HERE.  It’s been a slow transition to a big kid room, but we are getting there!

In case anyone else is looking to think outside the “cube,” here is the list of Alternatives to Storage Cubes!  These bins are affordable and even better, most of them are on sale right now!  If you are looking for some help or ideas to get you organized and keep you organized this year, you have to read “Stay Organized: Must-Read Solutions Part 1!”  I teamed up with my friend Jenna, who is a home organizer to bring you a four part series on home organization!

Think Outside the Box: Storage Bins Don’t Have to be Cubes

How did these cube-like bins get in here!?  Ok, I couldn’t help it.  I thought these were so sweet and had a little more character than the standard foldable cloth storage cube!

It might be hip to be square, but I don’t think that applies to storage bins!!!  Happy organizing!