Let’s face it: some of us are just never going to be super organizers, with perfectly clear countertops and uncluttered bedroom floors – and that’s okay.
Just because we tend to DOOM pile doesn’t mean we have to live in the DOOM – or let it take over whole rooms of our apartments.
Maybe we don’t need to fix our DOOM piles as much as we need more attractive containers to put them in.
Enter the DOOM container – an attractive and useful bin or basket to capture your miscellaneous items, leaving your physical and mental space feeling less cluttered.
Kitchen counter covered in knickknacks? Place them in a rattan DOOM tray. Loose batteries and random instruction manuals living on the coffee table? Put them in a lidded DOOM basket. Tripping on stray toys while you’re trying to cook? Don’t get bogged down by an internal debate about where the miniature dinosaur collection belongs. Just find the nearest DOOM bin, toss the plastic creatures in, and keep cooking.
Knowing that everything is contained in its proper place helps you let go of clutter shame – and find things when you need them.
For paperwork
If your desk is littered with piles of papers that you’ll get to “some day,” it might be time to get DOOM trays for your paperwork. We like stashing ours in magazine files because if you face the spine outwards, you don’t have to stare at the disheveled sheaves of paper that they’re hiding. These midnight blue files from Ikea have a nice velvety texture, and the peekaboo window gives you a glimpse – not a full stomach-churning stare – of what’s inside. Or if that is too much effort and you prefer a flat open option for tossing, the natural fibers in this rattan basket give us calming vibes, while these bright stackable trays allow for easy color coding.
For hidden storage
Lidded storage is great for keeping DOOM piles out of sight. We like the lid on this World Market basket because the prominent handle is easy to grasp. Leave the lid off for your day-to-day, then toss it on when company comes knocking. Those seeking a pop of color will appreciate these Expedition Subsahara lidded baskets, handcrafted by Senegalese artisans.
For portability
On the other hand, if you’re worried a lid will hide the clutter too well — so that you never get around to dealing with it — you can opt for lidless storage. We like this bin because of the attractive handles, which make it easy to carry around the house as you collect (or empty out) items. For more color, GOODEE carries handwoven baskets from Ghana in small and large sizes, both featuring sturdy handles and engaging geometric designs.
For smaller piles
Bolga baskets give so much colorful visual stim, we’ll find any excuse to buy one. You can keep one in each room of the house, and the handle makes it easy to tote the basket around when it comes time to put the contents where they belong. These are a great option if you don’t want your DOOM basket to be too big — because the bigger the basket, the more you’ll accumulate — and the longer it’ll take to empty out the basket later on.
For the kitchen counter
Kitchen counters all too often become a catch-all surface for random belongings — sunglasses, hats, pens, chapstick. If you’re too tired to rehome everything, you can at least give them a designated spot to nest, like this rattan basket from Quince. The attractive design distracts you from the clutter inside.
For the playroom
These Target rope baskets are perfect for kid zones and areas that tend to get overrun with small or knickknacky items. Use these baskets to collect things like Legos, stray puzzle pieces, fidgets, beads, or party favors kids play with once and then promptly forget.
For the office
Office desks have a way of accumulating all manner of random objects — glasses, hair clips, old receipts. If you don’t want to crowd your drawers with random piles, try this Ikea metal lidded box to stash it all out of sight. You can always dip into the DOOM bin if you need something from it, but in the meantime, your desk will feel a lot more functional and clean.
For every room
If you need a DOOM bin for every room in your home, consider these little baskets from Ikea. They’re cheap enough to buy in multiples, and they’re small enough to sit discreetly on any surface. They’re so pretty and decorative, no one would guess at the heap that lies inside.
For big, bulky things
This woven basket is perfect for bigger and bulkier items like clothes, toys, blankets, or books. It’s also a lifesaver if you’re cleaning in a rush for last-minute guests (who, us?). Just scoop everything off the floor and dump it in this handy bin, to be dealt with later.
