Reading the Domino’s Shopping Guide is like having your own personal product consultant. We do all the hard work—deep research, hands-on experience, and expert advice—so all you have to do is click “add to cart.” That’s why we call it “Simply the Best.”
While the phrase “storage container” may conjure up images of mysterious cardboard boxes or huge plastic containers without labels, we want to show you that it’s entirely possible to store your belongings in a practical, functional container with a modern design. The best storage boxes do it all: protect your belongings and keep them intact, while also enhancing the style of your space.
At Domino, we love anything that serves multiple purposes—eliminating both physical and visual clutter. Whether you’re looking for the best way to hide (or rather, organize!) closet clutter or are searching for that black hole under your bed, we’ve rounded up plenty of storage options for you, including metal organizers, hand-woven abaca bags, and more.
Dimensions: 4 ¼ x 6 ¾ x 10 ½ inches (small) | Colors: Various | Material: Polypropylene | Stackable: Yes
Why We Chose It: A variety of colors and sizes make this affordable collapsible trash can a great choice for storing multiple trash cans or for easy disassembly and moving.
Whether you’re looking for the perfect muted hue or a bold pop of color, these storage boxes from Danish design brand Hay are designed with you in mind, combining flexibility and practicality. They come in three sizes (small, medium, and large) to organize your desk essentials, bathroom essentials, and more. They’re modular, so smaller storage boxes can be nested inside larger ones, making it easy to organize. Perforations in the walls of the storage boxes make them lightweight, breathable, and foldable. These organizers are stackable, so multiple boxes look best together, allowing you to create your desired color combination (even a rainbow!).
Why we chose it: Clean and simple, these trash cans come in three different sizes (small, medium, and large) to make clutter-free living easier.
If you value Scandinavian cleanliness, then you’ll want to check out The Container Store’s bins and lids for all your organizational needs. They come in four sizes, from extra small to large, to hold a variety of items and can be used as open bins or as stackable bins with lids. But what we really love are the thoughtful details: smooth-edged handles for easy grip, a crisp white body made from 100% BPA-free plastic, and a matching lid that can also be used as a tray or dust shield. While they’re not microwave-safe, they’re dishwasher and freeze-safe, so they’re perfect for just about any space—bathroom, bedroom, kitchen, etc.
Why we chose it: Stackable, playful, durable, and available in six cute colors—who wouldn’t love that?
If you’re looking for an easy and stylish way to declutter a cluttered room, look no further. These painted steel bins are full of thoughtful details, from reversible handles (for easy stacking) to open fronts with slots for tags or labels. The bins come in six colors—black, white, bright yellow, earthy green, pink, and navy—but if you’re having trouble deciding, we understand. The good news: These color combinations look great on their own or paired together.
Japanese storage master Yamazaki creates home storage baskets that are perfect for pantries or hobby storage. Featuring a large open basket and wooden handles for easy portability, the container is ideal for storing large kitchen items like snacks or grocery bags, but it’s also great for clothing, toys, or craft supplies. Its painted steel construction is strong and durable, while its long-lasting powder coating gives it a sleek, sophisticated look. We see these storage baskets neatly arranged in a cabinet, filled with all sorts of things, all in their rightful place. However, one Domino’s editor keeps hers on the refrigerator to store extra coffee and noodle packets.
Dimensions: 19.5″ x 12.5″ x 9.5″ (10″ with lid) | Color: Gray | Material: Pressed Felt | Stackable: Yes
Why we chose this option: Soft, elegant, and made from recycled materials, these containers have us hooked with or without lids.
When it comes to clever storage containers, size is everything, and Open Spaces’ large felt containers are the icing on the cake: a flexible, practical size that can hold everything from printer paper to toy trucks. They cleverly combine soft, comfy pressed felt with a wooden lid, striking the perfect balance between fashion and hygge, and even litter-loving toddlers or mysophobes who strive for minimalism can appreciate its charm. Best of all, these containers are made from recycled plastic bottle fibres, maximising storage options while reducing environmental impact.
Dimensions: 10¼ x 13¾ x 6 inches | Colors: Various | Material: PET plastic (minimum 50% recyclable) | Stackable: Yes
The Kuggis storage box has a minimalist design and color scheme. We love its understated style and the small, practical and stylish thumb holes. It’s perfect for storing toiletries, looks stylish, and provides privacy. And don’t worry: it pairs perfectly with IKEA’s classic Billy shelves and Besta storage units. While the white, teal, and lime green color palette may not be the neutrals we were expecting, we love the idea of ​​making the storage space a pop of color or a fun accent in a cabinet or nightstand.
Dimensions: 14″ x 14.5″ + 3.5″ handles (medium), 15″ x 19″ + 3.5″ handles (large) | Color: Light Abaca | Material: Locally sourced Abaca Bark | Stackable: No
Why we chose this product: These baskets are hand woven in Indonesia and are the perfect combination of functionality and craftsmanship.
If you thought woven baskets were the preserve of knitting grandmothers or traditional bakers who gift fruitcakes, think again. Citizenry’s Sundak baskets come in unique shapes and earthy colors, and each basket is hand-woven from abaca, a plant that’s sustainably grown in Indonesia. The rough weave makes the basket surprisingly sturdy—think about it: It’s heavy enough to hold a couple yoga mats and a few weights, and the two large handles make it easy to carry. Available in two sizes, they create a beautiful overall look when stacked together, or they look equally good on their own, adding a touch of warmth to any nook or cranny that needs organizing.
Dimensions: 22″ x 14″ x 17″ (Low Drawer); 17″ x 14″ x 27.5″ (High Drawer) | Colors: White/Gray or White/Navy | Materials: Plastic and Rattan | Stackable: No
The name says it all: the Riviera Rolling Storage Bin combines classic Southern French beach style with the practicality of wheels. Packed with personality and designed to match the rest of Serena & Lily’s Riviera collection, this storage bin comes in two sizes: a low one that’s perfect for books, toys, and other mid-sized items, or a taller one that’s more like a traditional laundry basket in proportion. But no matter how you use it, we love S&L’s graphic wicker patterns and rattan embellishments so much that we’d be hard-pressed to hide it in a closet, and would end up putting it on display.
Dimensions: 27.8 x 16.1 x 10.5 inches (shallow box) | Color: White | Material: Polypropylene | Stackable: Yes
These corrugated boxes from Japanese brand Like-it are the outdoor storage bins we’ve been waiting for. With waterproof, airtight lids, you can store them outside or in the garage without worrying about mold, and since they’re not made of cheap, tacky plastic, you won’t have to worry about how they look. You can choose from four chic colors, with the light set coming with four matching mini bins that line up perfectly inside to separate and organize your seasonal items, whether that’s Christmas ornaments and decor or winter sweaters and clothes. Or, if you have a lot of stuff to store, like leftover soil and other gardening tools, opt for the deep bin with a heavy-duty 220-pound capacity. We loved the handles on the sides, which make them easy to grab when unpacking.
Thuma’s minimalist platform bed frame is one of our favorite beds, so it’s no surprise that the brand offers equally modern storage compartments. Made from PET felt made from recycled plastic bottles, it slides out from under small spaces, even if there’s carpet. Plus, the dark gray color won’t distract you if you want it to disappear. Two storage compartments fit comfortably under a single bed, up to four under a double bed, and up to six under a king bed. One reviewer noted that the matching cover prevents dust from accumulating, especially if you’re storing seasonal sweaters or blankets. There are no handles, but the edges are raised for easy grip.
Why we chose it: Great for baby toys, diapers and books – they’re made from natural materials.
The best part about these wicker baskets? The flexible handles! They make it easy to move baby toys, books, and diapers from one room to another. We recommend buying a few and placing them in your playroom, on a diaper rack, or just in the living room so your baby has room to explore. That way, you don’t have to drag everything into the house. What’s more, they’re made from natural water hyacinth—if your baby comes into contact with this material often, you know it’s eco-friendly and safe.
This versatile powder-coated steel bin from Neat Method comes in six popular colors, including matte spruce green, and two sizes (the small one is 10 square inches, while the large one is 14 square inches, which the brand estimates can hold about six bags of pasta). The perforated design keeps things out of the way without completely blocking your view. We love that they come with felt pads to keep the bottom from scratching cabinet shelves or floors, and that they have slide-in dividers, but we wish the magnetic label holders had that feature, too. As one repeat customer said, a larger size would be more convenient. While other reviewers couldn’t be happier with them (one bought 40 to keep in the pantry, office, and grocery store!), a few people noted that their bins arrived a little misshapen.
At Domino’s, design and aesthetics are always important factors in our decision-making. In fact, these two factors are just as important as practicality (like material, size, and functionality) when choosing the best storage boxes. Our experts, from organization gurus to interior designers, agree: When it comes to this essential storage tool, form is not more important than function. Both.
When it comes to storage containers, design encompasses a number of factors, including color, material, and details. Lids, handles, holes, and even casters can add character to a storage box and make it an item you’ll want to display, not to mention easy to move from room to room. Not sure if you really need a cover? “If you’re storing things in a visible place, like a bookshelf, you might want to consider a lid to hide what’s inside. Who wants to see office supplies or papers?” notes professional organizer Laura Cattano.
Storage boxes come in a variety of materials, including metal, plastic, and natural materials like rattan and canvas. So how do you know which is best for you? Think about what you’re storing and any special requirements you may have. For example, if you’re storing food, make sure the storage container is food-safe. On the other hand, “if you’re storing makeup or hair products, you want a material that’s easy to clean, like plastic. If you’re storing sweaters, you want a smooth material that won’t snag on the fabric,” says Julianna Strickland, founder of Space Camp Organizing. However, Strickland also adds, “Personally, I don’t want to walk into my closet and see a wall of plastic, so I always gravitate toward storage containers made from natural materials like canvas, cotton rope, or wicker.”
Whether you’re looking to stash the smallest of knickknacks or the largest of toys, don’t worry: There are storage boxes in a variety of sizes to suit any need. In general, “storage boxes should be large enough to hold one category of item, but not so large that small items fall to the bottom and are never found (think about throwing Legos and doll clothes in a large fabric box!),” says Lucy Milligan Wahl, founder of LMW Edits. But no matter what size you need, “be sure to measure and remeasure once you’ve decided where you want to place your storage container. There’s nothing worse than buying something an inch too big and it doesn’t fit in the space,” says Cattano.
Sometimes the biggest issue isn’t what kind of storage bin you need, but a simpler question: what exactly do you want to store? Most storage containers hold seasonal items like winter clothes and holiday decorations, while other containers may hold year-round items like toys or crafts. Before you buy, consider what you’ll be storing in them and how often you’ll be using them.
Durability goes hand in hand with quality materials and construction, so be sure to read the fine print. If the trash can is metal, check the finish and inspect the corner construction for any raw edges. For fabric trash cans, it’s best to choose a durable material like leather, felt, or even high-quality canvas.
Some storage containers, especially those without lids, are designed as stand-alone containers that are meant to be unique, one-of-a-kind, or even artfully displayed on a shelf. However, other storage containers are meant to be reused: They can be stacked vertically, nested, or placed horizontally. If you’re having trouble deciding whether to buy multiple storage containers, consider what items you’ll be storing; whether they’re the same size; and whether they’ll be in the same space or on the same shelf, says Cattano. In that case, she recommends purchasing multiple identical storage containers to reduce visual clutter.
Storage containers come in a variety of sizes and shapes, but the most common are round or rectangular. Sizes range from small, about 5 x 3 x 2 inches (about the size of a box of pasta), to large, holding dozens of quarts (example: 26 x 16 x 14 inches). However, storage boxes with bolder designs tend to be small and medium-sized, while larger boxes are more practical and are more likely to be used for storing items in a basement or attic rather than for display.
If you’re looking to get rid of old storage boxes, consider placing them elsewhere in your home, such as the garage, basement, or attic. If all else fails, Strickland says, “it’s best to give them to a friend or neighbor, or donate them to a location where you have easy access to clean, undamaged storage containers.”
If you’re storing photos, especially old or fragile ones, acid-free storage is your best option. “This means you can sort your photos into large acid-free envelopes and then store the envelopes in plastic containers, or you can use photo boxes and skip the plastic containers altogether,” says Strickland. Caroline Solomon of Neatly Organizing recommends using archival storage boxes, which are acid- and lignin-free, to prevent your photo materials from yellowing. She notes that plastic repels moisture, insects, and rodents, but “it’s not ideal for storing photos because it’s unclear how the plastic will react with the photos.” You’ll also need to consider where you’re storing your photo boxes, as temperature can play a role: “If the box is in a temperature-controlled environment, the photos in the plastic box are less likely to be seriously damaged,” says Strickland. On the other hand, if the photos are stored in a garage in hot Arizona, “you definitely want to make sure they’re stored properly in acid-free envelopes or boxes,” she adds.
Since pests are more interested in the contents of a storage box than the box itself, “make sure the box is well-sealed and the contents are clean and free of items that might attract pests,” Wahl says. When storing fabric, it’s a good idea to use cedar blocks to protect them from woodworm, and it’s best to avoid cardboard because, Wahl says, “creepers love it!” When in doubt, “buy the highest-quality storage container you can afford,” Strickland advises, whether that’s an airtight container or a few cedar balls or disks in a sweater storage box.
Whether you’re trying to pack away your winter clothes or keep your craft supplies organized and easily accessible, the best storage containers will not only keep your items clean, safe, and protected from moisture and pests, but they’ll also add a touch of sophistication to your home—whether that’s a minimalist style or a bold color scheme. Our recommended storage containers are carefully tested to accommodate virtually any toy or gadget, and they’ll fit into any space, whether it’s a corner, a closet, or the kitchen.