If all you see are dollar signs when you think about getting organized, don’t fret.  I’m here to show you that getting organized doesn’t have to mean spending hundreds of dollars. 

While it is easy to splurge on high-end products, there are plenty of clever tools at all price points that will help you accomplish your goal of a streamlined, organized space.

That’s why I’ve rounded up 12 of my FAVORITE organization products that you can buy for $5 and under.  

I’m happy to report that these items check all the boxes: functional, beautiful, and flexible. If you are ready to get organized this list will help you solve your storage needs without breaking the bank.  

You can purchase many of these items online or in-store.  

1. Mesh Letter Sorter from Target –  Sometimes you just need a place to corral all those notebooks, calendars, and paperwork piled on your desk.  This metal organizer is only $5 at Target and is a great way to use vertical space to organize your paper.  Alternatively, you could repurpose this rack as a charging station for phones and tablets, keeping the kitchen counters clean and organized.

2.  Glass pantry jars from IKEA – Decanting flours, grains, and snacks can elevate the look of your pantry and make it easy to visually confirm when you are running low.  These glass jars from Ikea have a nice, tight seal to keep things fresh.  I love storing granola, brown sugar, raisins, and crackers in mine.  The price point is so good for a glass container that you don’t feel bad adding 2 or 3 (or 10) to your cart. 

3.  Sterilite bin – These are good quality, clear, sturdy bins with a lid.  Simple and practical, the 16-quart size is perfect for organizing toys, medicines, light bulbs, paperback books, tools, craft supplies, and much more.  These are my most reused organizers. As my storage needs change, I simply wipe down the bin and move it from room to room.

4.  Room Essentials Storage trays from Target – These organizers are $2 for a pack of 2 or 3 (depending on size), making each less than a dollar.  I used these extensively when I organized our small bathroom vanity.  The soft, flexible plastic helps them fit into most spaces so you can literally use these in any drawer or cabinet. I use them for holding lids, utensils, toothbrushes, makeup, art supplies, snacks, and more.  So cheap and so useful!

5.  Plastic Egg Carton from Dollar Tree –  If you buy eggs in bulk and need a carton for your fridge, this plastic organizer is only $1 and includes a lid.  But don’t just stop at eggs when you think about potential uses! These could be used in other areas of your house as well, like organizing jewelry or LEGO figurines.  

6.  Gold Wire Baskets from Dollar Tree – Okay, perhaps these aren’t the most practical, but goodness, these bins are so stylish and only cost ONE DOLLAR!  These would be perfect to corral things in a very visual place, like on a bathroom shelf or in a bookcase.  Think about how cute these would be holding rolled washcloths or corralling small toys in a playroom.  

7.  Glass Food Storage from IKEA – I had been wanting to replace my plastic food containers for a long time and after much research, I decided to go with IKEA 365.  These containers are nice and thick glass with tightly closing lids, but the low price won’t break the bank.  I love using these to meal prep for the week and for packaging up leftovers.  They stack nicely and the pieces nest for easy storage.  

8.  Multipurpose Bins from the Container Store – Multi-purpose bins are a steal at less than $5 for the small and medium-size.  These sturdy bins have straight sides, which means no lost storage space.  The bin is smartly designed so it is the perfect size for hanging files (like a mini filing cabinet!) but it can be used for so much more.  I love using these to organize my cleaning supplies, card games, and cans in my pantry.   

9.  Variera Bins from IKEA in Medium and in Small Size –   Hands down my favorite bins.  I literally buy a handful each time I go to Ikea because I find so many uses for them.  The smaller size fits upper cabinets and is great for organizing vitamins, medications, and sunscreen. The larger size works well as a trash bag dispenser, in a pantry, or as a drawer organizer in deep kitchen drawers.  My drawer of plastic dishes and cups would be a disaster if I didn’t have these to break up space and keep things nice and tidy.  

10.  Clipboard from Target – Do you have papers or checklists that you need to refer to frequently? Mount one or more of these clipboards inside your cabinet and you have an easily accessible place for school schedules, meal plans, and cleaning lists.

11.  Command Spray Bottle Hooks – Take advantage of the doors on your cabinets under the sink and hang your most-used spray bottles within easy reach.  I use these to hold vinegar + water and disinfectant under my kitchen sink and am considering adding a third to my bathroom to hold bathroom cleaner.

12.  Milk Crate from Target – These sturdy and stylish crates stack for storage and are strong enough to be used both inside and out.  I use one in the trunk of my car to hold roadside emergency supplies.  These would also make great garage storage bins for toys and bike helmets or used at the bottom of a pantry to hold heavy items like cans or water bottles.  

When organizational products are inexpensive and useful, it makes the process of getting organized feel thrilling.  There is nothing better than opening your cupboard to find your items neatly stored in an attractive container (and all the better if you didn’t have to spend a fortune to get there!)

Tell me, have you tried any of these items?  Is there anything else I missed?  Share your favorite budget organizers in the comments below!