This week the Real Simple (October 2007) article answers the concern: "I buy boxes and bins, but I don't know what to do with them.  I don't measure or do all the preparation before I buy containers," says Kristin van Ogtrop, managing editor. "I get them on impulse, and then half of them don't work in my space. Now I have a house full of containers."

1. Think (sorry) outside the box. What to do with all the containers you don't know how to fill? "Look for places where you have lots of little items that can be consolidated--linen closets, bathrooms, kitchens," says Dexler (see The Experts at the end of this article). "Toss travel-size toiletries in a bin so when you go on a trip, you can pull it out and review the contents in one fell swoop rather than lifting up items one at a time. And place small containers in a kitchen cabinet to corral dry-soup packets."

Seedroff: Why not try to return some of them. Many stores have liberal return policies and then purchase the sizes needed.

2. Get creative with colors. If, in your frenzied bin binge, you bought containers in all the colors of the rainbow, that might be a good thing. "My clients like to store holiday ornaments in green or red bins," says Webber. "It helps them remember what's inside." If you don't have colored boxes, use colorful stickers (orange for Halloween, red for Valentine's Day) to mark what's inside.

3.  Do your homework. Before hitting the store, measure the width, height and depth of your closets and shelves. "If the shelves are deep, have two rows with less frequently used items in the back," says Jill Lawrence. One rule of thumb: "You should be able to reach a hand into the opening of the box without much effort," she says.

Seedroff: Yes! Take a few minutes to 'get organized' and determine what sizes you need so you can make the most of your organizing endeavors.

This week you might want to review what's in some of your bins and boxes.  After a review, consider letting go of some of the items that no longer hold the positive, joyful and uplifting energy they might have when you put them in there.

Until next week

Wishing you Simplified Interiors

Kathie Seedroff

**This article written by Nicole Sforza. Additional reporting by Nubia DuVall and Martha C. White.

The Experts: Deb Allert, Clutter-a-Go-Go, San Diego CA; Katherine Atteberry, Mind Over Matter MOM, Bozeman MT; Stephanie Calahan, Calahan Solutions, Bloomington IL; Liz Canavan Alchemy of Order, Boulder CO; Ilene Drexler, Organizing Wiz, New York NY; Betsy Fein, Clutter Busters, Rockville MD; Nancy Heller, Goodbye Clutter, New York NY; Jill Lawrence, Jill-of-all-Trades, Washington DC; Nancy McGivney, Getting Things Done, San Clemente CA; Martin Pospeshil, Klutter.org, Buffalo Grove IL; Eileen Roth, Everything in Its Place, Scottsdale AZ; Steve Webber, Steve's Organizing LLC, Tacoma WA