Something wonderful happens when you start to explore sustainable design. You learn that little choices make a big difference in reducing harsh elements and replacing wasteful materials. It doesn't take months. You can start today with sustainable -- and gorgeous -- options for household storage and organization.
Begin by looking for items made with sustainable or recycled resources. For us, that means bamboo, rattan, ceramic clay, seagrass, beech wood, cotton and other natural materials that can be easily renewed and replenished for future generations. Recycled materials can include post-consumer paperboard, plastics or even textiles. Choosing items made with recycled materials can help cut waste from single-use, disposable products.
Need a plan? We have details, room by room.
The Kitchen
It's more than a food prep area. Your kitchen can also serve as the command center and family meeting place. Here, sustainable materials and thoughtful design can make for high-function storage that's easy to implement.
Kitchen Drawers: Start with the basics. Updating your kitchen drawers with bamboo organizers can be a game-changer. Simply slip one inside any standard drawer. Naturally sturdy bamboo adds a warm, rich note, creating the perfect foundation for sorting utensils, cutlery or spices. Or opt for drawer organizers made of acacia wood, another renewable resource. Thanks to a range of sizes and add-ons, the result can feel like a custom green upgrade -- but one you can do yourself in an afternoon.
Stackable Bamboo Drawer Organizers (Photo courtesy of @livingsimplypgh)
Cabinets: Add a Lazy Susan or spice rack made of bamboo. Then breathe easy. This fresh, natural, sustainable material is durable. And these space-savers keep contents beautifully organized and accessible.
2-Tier Bamboo Lazy Susan (Photo courtesy of @musthaveorder)
Pantry: For an instant change, or for storage that can play well with what you have, we like Nordic Baskets. Their structured ventilated look is made with 100% post-consumer recycled material. Add bamboo lids to make everything stackable.
White Nordic Storage Baskets with Handles (Photo courtesy of @therealisticorganizer)
Water Hyacinth Bins or Palm Leaf Bins are just as simple to blend with existing pantry storage. Both are woven from natural, renewable resources long favored for their inherent strength.
Water Hyacinth Storage Bins with Handles (Photo courtesy of @visiblyneat)
Countertops: Here is where sustainable materials really shine. If you like the convenience of countertop containers, Marie Kondo Modular Ceramic Canisters are a natural alternative. They're made of renewable earthen clay for an artful but effortless addition to kitchen or bathroom counters. Choose flat bamboo lids to make these stackable.
Marie Kondo Cloud White Modular Ceramic Canister and Bulk Canisters (Photo courtesy of @simplisort)
The Home Office
Your work-from-home space might be a dining table or a dedicated room but there's always space for sustainable, practical choices.
You can start small with a crisp Bigso Binder made with heavyweight, post-consumer recycled paperboard. Add coordinating Bigso desktop organizers, file holders or document boxes (hint: these can double as storage for journaling, craft and sewing projects). Because everything is created with paperboard, these are sustainable designs that can also be recycled.
Bigso Linen Marten Paper Drawers and Magazine Holder (Photo courtesy of @vipkidteacher.susan)
The Marie Kondo Ori Rattan Collection adds a serene look to your workspace while giving you a sense of calm knowing these office organizers are handwoven from one of nature's easily renewable -- and most durable -- materials. For keeping supplies neatly sorted, the Ori Rattan designs are as functional as they are professional.
Marie Kondo Ori Rattan Honey Natural Document Boxes, Photo Boxes, Letter Trays, Magazine Files, and Collator (Photo courtesy of @organizeforlove)
The Marie Kondo Shoji Monitor Stand, crafted from sustainable bamboo, can mix with any office style. Use it to elevate your computer screen to a more comfortable viewing height, free up desktop space under a monitor and create a more flattering camera angle during Zoom calls. Talk about joy!
Closet & Laundry
Our favorite, quickest idea for closets: update your hangers to our Slim Wood Hangers. It's almost too simple. Made from natural, easily renewable beech wood, these hangers have a slender profile that maximizes closet rod space. They also have a completely luxe look.
Lotus Slim Wood Hangers with Notches
For accessories and folded garments, you can add woven storage bins crafted of sustainable water hyacinth. Their rectangular dimensions fit neatly on closet shelves. Removable liners, sewn of natural cotton, make these perfect for storing sweaters and delicates.
Another easy idea: upgrade your laundry hamper for one made of natural seagrass, rattan or bamboo. Whether you choose a lidded hamper or one that includes a removable cotton liner, you'll love how portable things can be on laundry day. And unlike some laundry baskets, these sustainable options are pretty enough to set out in the open.
For Any Room (Kids Included)
Maybe the best part of choosing storage made from easily renewable resources is how it all works in nearly any room, with any decor and color scheme. Palm Leaf Cubes help organize bathroom counters and linen closets. Seagrass Baskets can serve as living room catchalls for magazines or games. The style is utterly timeless.
Medium Chevron Seagrass Belly Basket (Photo courtesy of @organizedeasy)
With Marie Kondo Kawaii Bins, created with kids in mind, even little ones can enjoy the benefits of a sustainable cotton design. Just as convenient as any plastic bin, these eco alternatives are soft, sensible storage everyone can feel good about.
Marie Kondo Kawaii Cotton Rope Bins in Indigo Blue, Wheat Yellow, and Clay Brown (Photo courtesy of @cindyology)
The Clean Switch: Thinking Beyond Storage
When creating a sustainable home, you can include everyday cleaning choices too. To help reduce wasteful packaging, Blueland cleaners and soaps let you mix your own formulas. You simply buy the bottle once and refill it forever. It's a brilliant way to reduce waste from single-use plastic bottles.
Blueland Multi-Surface Cleaner Bottle & Single Refill Tablet
You can also reach for reusable lunch wraps or carry your own reusable drinking straws. From reusable water bottles to stashable reusable shopping bags, there are easy ways to reduce waste and start making a difference -- in your home and in the world.
Russbe Reusable Food Storage Bags (Photo courtesy of @neatfreakmckinney)
For even more great sustainable storage solutions, check out our products made from natural materials here.
