Aesthetics vs. Function

I love organizing. Organizing as an industry has become popular over the last six years. As a result, several magazines have popped up that provide organizing information and photos. These magazines provide a visually stunning view of organizing that is often a minimalist display of beautiful boxes and deep containers. Although beautiful, these pictures display your belongings without much consideration for the day-to-day function that is needed to maintain a well organized space.


In the real world of your home and office, function rules. For most people, we are lucky to get an item to its proper home let alone have a spot for everything. I have witnessed many of my clients running out to buy containers without much thought to its design. Ultimately, a beautiful container that does not properly store your items is just another object in your room. I suggest the following three rules for buying containers:


1. The material of the container must match the items your are storing. (Wet items need plastic, small pieces need solid walls, and fabrics need smooth surfaces)


2. Deep is not good. The only exception to that rule is if the item you are storing is also deep and it fits into the container well. Otherwise items get lost in the bottom and they become out of sight or damaged.


3. Measure and measure. Be sure the items you want to store will fit into the container (sometimes with room to grow) and the container itself fits the space where it is being housed.



After these three things are fulfilled we then consider the aesthetics of the container. Of course we want our spaces to be beautiful & workable; and yes indeed it can be done! The key to having it all is to prioritize the function and fashion and create an appropriate balance between the two.


A picture is worth a thousand words but can it stay organized? With a little creativity and measuring you can have a beautifully organized space that satisfies both ends of the organizing continuum.