Organize Every Room

More than ever, our home is our haven. As we occupy and truly live (and work, and learn, and eat, and play) in our spaces each day, tidiness tends to take a back seat. Messes pile up, clutter accumulates, and “cleaning” can feel like a reshuffling of items with no visible progress. To be clear, there's no shame in that growing pile of laundry, but let’s face it: There’s a reason why #CleanTok is trending.

"While we are all spending more time at home, we are noticing more opportunities for better flow and how to make our homes function as offices, schools, gyms, and retreats," says Andes Ward, Anthropologie’s Storage & Organization Buyer. "We are seeing more home office needs, homeschool spaces, and yoga-slash-meditation spaces."

Because the rooms in our home now serve a multitude of functions, it's a great time to rethink exactly how they've changed, and how best to organize and maximize their use. And – surprise! – it all starts with having the right storage for every space.

"I think it’s important to consider exactly what you’ll be storing, and that will tell you whether you want visible or invisible storage,” says Tom Magill, Anthropologie’s Senior Brand Stylist. This rule of thumb can be applied to any space, but works especially well for family and living rooms.

“A few throw pillows rolled up and placed in a handwoven basket next to your sofa looks stylish and is still functional. The pillows provide a pop of color, the basket offers texture, and they’re readily accessible when you want to settle in and watch a movie."

In a family room, it’s paramount to strike a balance between aesthetic and functionality, so keep the concept of storage-in-disguise at the front of your mind. “I like to think that 'form-meets-function' is our specialty at Anthro," says Andes. "Need to organize your throw blankets? Look no further than a beautiful wall ladder with brass details."

Entryway setups serve as a sort of welcome-home committee for you and your guests, but we think you should use this space for more than just display. Instead, incorporate a few utility elements that will add ease to your day-to-day routine.

"Entryway cabinets are key," says Tom. "They provide a place to hide shoes, and a catchall dish on its surface offers a place for your keys to rest. Hanging a mirror on the wall above the cabinet gives you the opportunity for a final outfit check before you head out."

If a freestanding cabinet doesn’t fit the space, opt for a wall-mounted entryway shelf to organize your out-the-door accessories – think sunglasses, wallets, jackets, and even outgoing mail – without taking away floor space.

The bathroom is a space where you may want to opt for storage that offers a combination of showing and stowing your things. After all, who doesn't love to see beautifully bottled skincare products perched just-so on the countertop? On the other hand, those less-glamourous essentials are usually better tucked away.

“My current favorite storage piece is the Fern Bath Cabinet," says Andes. "It is truly a stunning piece that is perfect for the bathroom, or even a home bar. I love the arched top and the hidden drawers to stash away anything you don’t want on display.”

An overlooked storage tool in the bathroom? Hardware. From toilet paper holders that double as magazine racks, to towel bars with shelves, or even wall-mounted soap holders, you can maximize space in even the smallest of baths.

A well-organized kitchen is a true game-changer. Think about it: if all the food in your fridge and pantry are organized and visible, how many times will that save you from buying that second bottle of ketchup or forgetting about those takeout leftovers? Not only can you save money on food and live more sustainably, but you can save a lot of time when it comes to prepping meals and cleaning dishes.

On the countertop, we're storing our grains, pastas, and more in our Pomme Pantry Canisters, crafted from recycled stoneware. "If you’re an avid home cook, you’re probably going to want to keep a crock of kitchen utensils and a knife block on the counter for convenience," says Tom. “Maximize that space by using tiered baskets to store produce or dish towels.”

The takeaway: Don't sleep on baskets in the kitchen. "My extra coffee and accessories are stashed in the Viv Leather Basket above my coffee maker!" says Andes. "And the Mira Wall Baskets hold all my reusable grocery bags for an easy grab when I have to run to the store."

When it comes to keeping tidy, you can never have too many bins and baskets. "I always try to group like items into bins and baskets to keep my pantry, shelves, bathroom, home office, and well, everywhere, in tip-top organizational shape," says Andes. For open shelves, try a mix of leather and woven baskets so they look like a beautiful display but are secretly super functional.

When in doubt, just remember: a place for everything, and everything in place.