As promised, today one of our Professional Organizers Blog Carnival Star Bloggers, Seana Turner highlights some of her favorite vendors from the NAPO 2016 Organizing Expo.

Are you a “latest and greatest” fanatic? Do you love finding the perfect tool for the job? This post is for you!

I recently traveled to Atlanta, GA for the 2016 Annual Conference of the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO.) One of the highlights each year is the Exposition Hall, where vendors from around the world showcase their latest products for organizing and productivity.  In fact, there are so many companies, that fellow organizer Julie Stobbe and I decided to divide the group. You can see Julie’s recap here.

Walking through a room full of organizing solutions is sort of like being a kid in a candy store for me. It was tough to pick my favorites, but here are a few ideas I loved for getting organized this year:

Pop n’ Store Boxes by Samsill

These are attractive boxes that fold completely flat when not in use. They have a patented construction that makes them easy to open and fix in place, and just as simple to collapse when not in use. They come in a variety of colors and sizes, and they have a very nice texture to them. I think they would be a great option for storing things in places where looks matter, such as a family room or living room.

ID Boxes by Sterilite

Most organizers love plastic storage containers, and a box with a label is always the best! Sterlite now offers a line of boxes that have a small, colorful dry-erase panel on the front for labeling. Simply jot a few words with a dry erase marker, and then easily wipe it off if you make a change. If you wish, you can also use a Sharpie marker, just remember to use a pencil eraser if you want to erase the label.

These boxes are white, and also come in many sizes. Since they are opaque, you can hide the contents, while still being able to easily identify what is inside. I think they would work well in a craft room or a playroom.

Weave Storage Systems by Sterilite

I had to stick around the Sterilite booth to see another product I really liked. This is a line of plastic storage containers and drawers that have the look of rattan or wicker. Options included drawers, trash cans, and different sized bins. All of them come in a dark espresso brown. What I love about them is they look much nicer than a standard plastic bin, but have the price point and durability that fits a variety of needs.

My mind immediately went to college kids, new homeowners, military families, and RVers… all of whom benefit from having affordable, lightweight, and attractive storage. These are a low-budget option that look more upscale.

Super Tab Coloring Folder by Smead

Have you been following the “adult coloring book” trend? It is a fact that some people find it calming to color. The same holds for many students, who actually listen better when their hands can be busy doing something else. I love these folders from Smead because the more you use them the better they look!

What a nice gift these would be for the student or doodler in your life.

Suzie’s and Benji’s Messy Room by Diane Quintana and Jonda Beattie

Have a child who is resisting your attempts to get organized? You are not alone! Children need to be taught how to establish homes for their belongings and then to put them away. These books tell the story of a five year old who feels a little overwhelmed by the process, so Mom steps in to help. Having a book like this in your family library is an easy way to bring up the subject in a non-confrontational way. Children learn from repeated exposure, so the more ways we can talk about a subject, the better.

SafeRacks

If you have a garage, chances are you have some wasted space. Garages are typically designed to be tall, and while that is good for your car, it also means you end up with vertical space that isn’t used. This product is a strong rack that attaches to the studs in the ceiling of your garage. Their most popular seller is a 4′ by 8′ rack, which will hold up to 600 lbs. The rack is adjustable, so you can set the height to what works best in your space.

You can buy these online from Costco and have them delivered to your door. You can install them yourself, hire a handyman, or if you live in a major metro area, locate a SafeRacks installer from their website. A simple system like this could add significant storage for minimal expense.

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As much fun as it is to shop for organizing products, I always remind clients that it is important to de-clutter and sort before shopping. You want to make sure you know what you need to store before you invest. Nonetheless, it is great to see manufacturers designing innovative and efficient solutions to make getting organized easier than ever.

Which one do you like best?