{"id":1603,"date":"2013-09-18T19:03:02","date_gmt":"2013-09-19T00:03:02","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.jenniferlinnig.com\/wordpress\/?p=1603"},"modified":"2013-09-18T00:10:46","modified_gmt":"2013-09-18T05:10:46","slug":"review-containers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.jenniferlinnig.com\/wordpress\/2013\/09\/review-containers\/","title":{"rendered":"Review \u2013 Containers"},"content":{"rendered":"<h3>Pros:<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>a way to keep like items together<\/li>\n<li>can maximize space<\/li>\n<li>can increase accessibility<\/li>\n<li>useful for smaller items of similar category<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Cons:<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>not a guaranteed solution for organizing struggles<\/li>\n<li>contents within can \u201cdisappear\u201d<\/li>\n<li>can become more work to access and replace in its space<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Review:<\/h3>\n<p>Here\u2019s another somewhat nontraditional review \u2013 since it\u2019s on containers in general, not a specific container.\u00a0 When I talk about containers I am referring to any object that has the ability to keep things grouped together.\u00a0 This means that a drawer, a filing cabinet, a bin, a bag, a basket, and so on are all containers \u2013 even your purse, if you use one.\u00a0 We all use some containers under this definition although how useful the containers we use will depend on who we are and how we use them.\u00a0 There are times that using containers can make things more challenging \u2013 even if you <em>want<\/em> to use them.\u00a0 With this broad definition of a container, you might consider when and how they work for you and when they\u2019re actually counter-productive.<\/p>\n<p>In many ways the world seems to assume that we all need containers \u2013 we\u2019re \u201cweird\u201d, maybe \u201cwrong\u201d if we don\u2019t want to or can\u2019t use containers.\u00a0 The filing cabinet is a great example \u2013 many people believe they have to use a filing cabinet \u2013 \u201cit\u2019s what it is designed for.\u201d\u00a0 This is one of the fallacies of containers \u2013 even when they are designed for a specific purpose it doesn\u2019t make them function for everyone.\u00a0 Then it\u2019s time to consider other options for keeping items contained.\u00a0 You can create systems for containing that doesn\u2019t require containers.<\/p>\n<p>Figuring out when and where containers will help you is the most important thing \u2013 for if they only complicate your process, that\u2019s defeating the point.\u00a0 Therefore let\u2019s cover a few situations that can make containers more useful.<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><strong>Are there things that seem to get \u201clost\u201d frequently?<\/strong>\u00a0 Small items in a bigger drawer can be one of these things getting lost.\u00a0 This can be a time to consider a container of some sort to keep those smaller items together and accessible.\u00a0 This is when it\u2019s time to consider if you simply need a bin \u2013 in this example, something without a top to provide visibility and is easy to use \u2013 or if another solution needs to be found.\n<p><div id=\"attachment_1604\" style=\"width: 310px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.jenniferlinnig.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/IMG_3638.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1604\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-1604\" title=\"IMG_3638\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.jenniferlinnig.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/IMG_3638.jpg?resize=300%2C225\" alt=\"Pantry drawer showing containers\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.jenniferlinnig.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/IMG_3638.jpg?resize=300%2C225 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.jenniferlinnig.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/IMG_3638.jpg?resize=1024%2C768 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.jenniferlinnig.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/IMG_3638.jpg?resize=150%2C112 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.jenniferlinnig.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/IMG_3638.jpg?resize=400%2C300 400w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.jenniferlinnig.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/IMG_3638.jpg?w=1600 1600w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.jenniferlinnig.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/IMG_3638.jpg?w=1440 1440w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-1604\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Here&#8217;s one of my pantry drawers &#8211; using containers to corral smaller items together<\/p><\/div><\/li>\n<li><strong>Are there areas that are harder for you to use \u2013 spaces that are less accessible for you?<\/strong>\u00a0 If you are shorter, high shelves can be a challenge to use \u2013 although if you put less frequently used items into a container, it provides easier access. \u00a0As a short person, the lip of a container means that you can slide the things you need out without the hassle of getting the step stool.\u00a0 And it\u2019s not just the lip of a container \u2013 it\u2019s the handle, lid, whatever \u2013 having the items contained means you have access to hard to reach areas and the things you store there.\u00a0 This can apply equally to deeper areas and low areas if it\u2019s a challenge to bend or sit on the floor \u2013 containers offer easier access to get and move the things to a more convenient area while you need the contents.\u00a0 The key to making this work is to limit the weight of the containers in the hard to access areas.\n<p><div id=\"attachment_1605\" style=\"width: 310px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.jenniferlinnig.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/IMG_3636.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1605\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-1605\" title=\"IMG_3636\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.jenniferlinnig.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/IMG_3636.jpg?resize=300%2C225\" alt=\"Tall closet showing containers\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.jenniferlinnig.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/IMG_3636.jpg?resize=300%2C225 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.jenniferlinnig.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/IMG_3636.jpg?resize=1024%2C768 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.jenniferlinnig.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/IMG_3636.jpg?resize=150%2C112 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.jenniferlinnig.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/IMG_3636.jpg?resize=400%2C300 400w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.jenniferlinnig.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/IMG_3636.jpg?w=1600 1600w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.jenniferlinnig.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/IMG_3636.jpg?w=1440 1440w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-1605\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Both these shelves are hard for me to reach &#8211; yet by putting like items into containers, I can grab the handle, loop, edge to get easy access. This applies even to that box above.<\/p><\/div><\/li>\n<li><strong>Do you need (or want) to maximize the tall and\/or deep shelves?<\/strong>A cabinet shelf \u2013 one of any style stand-alone shelf \u2013 can help make the most of tall shelves in closets and then you use containers on top and bottom of these, as they\u2019re useful for you.\u00a0 One of the challenges of tall and deep shelves and using the cabinet shelf without containers is that loose things can topple off and things can disappear behind things \u2013 so the combination of tall and deep shelves and using containers means that you can make the most of the space.\u00a0 You can also stack containers in these spaces, though that can make it harder to get to all of them and then possible resistance to returning them to their spot. Containers used in the front of these types of closets can then be easily moved when you need access to the items further back, which hopefully are need infrequently.\n<p><div id=\"attachment_1606\" style=\"width: 235px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.jenniferlinnig.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/IMG_3635.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1606\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-1606\" title=\"IMG_3635\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.jenniferlinnig.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/IMG_3635-e1379480620146-225x300.jpg?resize=225%2C300\" alt=\"Stand alone shelf in a tall and deep closet shelf\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.jenniferlinnig.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/IMG_3635-e1379480620146.jpg?resize=225%2C300 225w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.jenniferlinnig.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/IMG_3635-e1379480620146.jpg?resize=768%2C1024 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.jenniferlinnig.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/IMG_3635-e1379480620146.jpg?w=1200 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 225px) 100vw, 225px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-1606\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Here&#8217;s a stand-alone shelf in one of our tall and deep closet shelves &#8211; where the containers on top and below provide greater storage. There are containers behind on both levels as well &#8211; helping to make the most of the space.<\/p><\/div><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>With all the variations of containers available to us, it is worth evaluating what features will assist you in getting and staying organized when a container is called for.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>What size do you need?<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 60px;\">Remember, wait to get a container until you have gathered and sorted all the like items you want to store together.\u00a0 By doing this, you will know your specific needs.\u00a0 It\u2019s worth considering if the amount of items is typical too \u2013 are you likely to pick up more things that would need to be stored there too?\u00a0 Do you actually have more than you\u2019d like to store normally, so in the future a smaller container would make more sense?<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>What is the container made of?<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 60px;\">With all the options out there, we\u2019re virtually unlimited in our choices \u2013 plastic, canvas, wicker and woven materials, metal, and so on.\u00a0 Yet, there are more than preferences for the material involved.\u00a0 For instance, wicker and other woven type containers can snag things unless they\u2019re lined.\u00a0 Some people want to avoid using plastic, though that often means the contents aren\u2019t visible from the side.\u00a0 Are solid sides important?<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Will you forget what\u2019s inside if it\u2019s not transparent?<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 60px;\">Some people are quite visual \u2013 if you can\u2019t see it, it\u2019s like it doesn\u2019t exist.\u00a0 Sometimes this means that labels aren\u2019t enough, so being able to see the contents becomes critical to the system working.\u00a0 Other people, who are visual in a different way, come to strongly associate a particular container with specific contents \u2013 where the orange bin is autumn decorations.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Does it need a top or will the top just get in the way (or get lost)?<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 60px;\">Lids can be important when we are stacking containers on top of each other, or if you will need to tip the container and not have the contents spill out.\u00a0 They can help keep dust and dirt out of the contents too.\u00a0 Other times, it makes more sense to have open containers \u2013 it\u2019s easier to put things in and pull things out.\u00a0 Inside a drawer is a prime place to avoid lids \u2013 you can see and access the contents easily.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Is there a shape that will work better for the stuff or the space?<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 60px;\">Most of the time, a square or rectangular container is going to help maximize your spaces \u2013 since most spaces are designed with right angles.\u00a0 Yet, is this container going into such a space?\u00a0 If it\u2019s a decorative hamper that you\u2019re going to put in the corner of your living room to hold your yarn \u2013 it doesn\u2019t need to have right angles for the space or the contents.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>How much does it matter if it has a place for a label or is challenging to label?<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 60px;\">One of the challenges with containers is the ability to label \u2013 or rather the inability to label them.\u00a0 Many adhesives don\u2019t attach securely to canvas, metals, wicker and woven materials and so on.\u00a0 There are containers designed with a built in label while the bulk of them don\u2019t provide this feature.\u00a0 Figuring out how valuable this is for your situation is important.\u00a0 Of course there are alternatives for hard to label containers \u2013 I\u2019ve gotten attached to binder clips holding the label \u2013 as they can work with most containers.<\/p>\n<p>Despite the perception that containers should work for everyone and are the solution for organizing challenges \u2013 it doesn\u2019t make it true.\u00a0 We need to consider our situation, the space, and how we work.\u00a0 As much as I love containers, they do not function equally well for me \u2013 it depends on different factors.\u00a0 This means that to discover what will work for us, in whatever context, we need to evaluate our needs.\u00a0 Containers certainly help us contain our belongings, yet they are not the only way for us to keep our items together.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Despite the popular perception that containers are necessary for being organized, it\u2019s not the answer for everyone, let alone our things.  Consider the pros and cons before containerizing all your stuff.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3,24],"tags":[10,8,18,5,20,15,17],"class_list":["post-1603","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-organizing","category-reviews","tag-behavior","tag-discipline","tag-goals","tag-household","tag-paperwork","tag-resources","tag-spaces"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p7p82c-pR","jetpack-related-posts":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.jenniferlinnig.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1603","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.jenniferlinnig.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.jenniferlinnig.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.jenniferlinnig.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.jenniferlinnig.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1603"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"http:\/\/www.jenniferlinnig.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1603\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1611,"href":"http:\/\/www.jenniferlinnig.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1603\/revisions\/1611"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.jenniferlinnig.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1603"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.jenniferlinnig.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1603"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.jenniferlinnig.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1603"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}