Home Order

Stuff happens. As we get older, our varied and complicated lives result in a greater accumulation of papers, books, computers, photographs, DVDs, CDs, remote controls, and ... you name it. The result is clutter that threatens to overwhelm our living spaces.

"There's more to organize than ever before," says Barry Izsak, president of the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO), Glenview, Illinois. "Despite the notion of a paperless world, we have even more paper. We have too much of everything, and are saving too much stuff," so much stuff, in fact that there's even an organization to help us get organized.

But where does all the stuff go? The home organization industry and retailers like The Container Store offer plenty of storage solutions. And now, decorative accessories manufacturers are tapping into this need by adding an array of storage items to their lines. The difference is, these new entries are meant to be display pieces as much as concealing our domestic debris. The recent trade fairs showcased a wide range of stylish containers in a variety of materials, shapes, and sizes. Americans now have terrific choices of where to put their stuff.

Small leather boxes are perfect for hiding paper clips and rubber bands; larger ones can hold personal accessories, books, or knick knacks. Decorative baskets can be placed in a bathroom to hold towels or organize cleaning supplies. Stacked, they create an original display in the corner of a room. They can even be placed in a shelving unit. The myriad selection of product available offers countless stylish solutions for getting things in order, even when closet space has maxed out.

"There's a definite movement toward design-driven product in this category, especially in the areas of shape and color," notes Joe Kim, vice president of sales and marketing at Design Ideas. "People are much more fashion-conscious these days, and really want to make their homes trendy."

Even when there is adequate cupboard space available, the question of accessibility comes in. "We need things to be accessible, but we don't want them to be lying around," notes Shanna Neinast, national sales director at Global Views. "It's very visible, so the [storage] product has to be stylish."

Fashion forward and functional are the new watchwords: the Global Views boxes featured on the cover of this issue were inspired by Coco Chanel, and have a sectioned tray that can be removed to reveal a compartment underneath. The Couch Pouch from Macfabhome offers pockets that can hold magazines and a remote control; easily slipped over the arm of a couch or chair, it takes up little space, looks cool, and keeps the home in order.

For today's consumer, a product that serves more than one purpose is going to be a big seller — including organizers. "Anything that features hidden storage is popular," says Neinast. Filling that need, Global Views offers sitting cubes with lids over concealed storage space. Likewise, Padma's Plantation makes an ottoman with a hidden compartment, a great place for storing newspapers, shoes, or a throw that otherwise clutters the couch.

Coffee and end tables with hidden storage compartments are also on the market. The Kane table from Umbra features a lidded, secret space for storing everything from knickknacks to toys.

Many furniture manufacturers are also creating double-duty pieces with storage features. Thomasville's American Expressions collection offers a cocktail table with four drawers, and the Nob Hill bookstand from Drexel Heritage's Uptown Drexel line features six book/accessory storage areas that give the customer a number of options on how to best use the extra space.

Though some consumers will inevitably go to a chain retailer like Bed, Bath, and Beyond for storage supplies, many others want unique product that only a specialty store can provide. Creative retailers can suggest stylish storage items as gifts, providing the gift receiver with a solution to clutter, rather than an addition to it. Home organization is an industry niche that grew out of a consumer need, and as long as that need exists, there will be a demand for well-designed, decorative storage products.

"Being organized is a survival skill," states Barry Izsak. Join the war on clutter by helping shoppers get organized, because their survival can add to your success.