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I have ADHD, and this $7 bin is the only organizing tool that's worked for me

Before and after view of a cluttered desk with loose mail and paperwork versus the same items organized in a clear storage bin.
Using a simple clear bin turned my desk from a pile of loose mail and random items into something contained and manageable, without needing a complicated system. Bronwyn Barnes/Business Insider
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I have ADHD, so if I don't see something, it might as well not exist. When I was diagnosed as an adult, a lot of things about my home suddenly made sense, like why every surface seemed to collect a pile of stuff, and why anything I put "away" basically disappeared. I'd forget what I owned, rebuy the same things, and lose track of important stuff like mail or owner's manuals almost immediately.

ADHD affects me in much bigger ways, so I'm always looking for realistic hacks to reduce friction in my day-to-day life. Not perfect, but more manageable. I've tried planners, routines, and organizing apps, but they all relied on a level of consistency I just don't have. The second I fell off, everything would unravel again.

The one organizing tool that actually clicked was surprisingly simple: a set of clear bins that cost about $7 each.

YIHONG Clear Pantry Organizer Bins
Yihong Clear Pantry Organizer
$22.09 $25.99 Save 15%

The six-bin set is an easy way to keep everyday items visible and within reach. They can be used to organize your fridge, pantry, office, bathroom, and more spaces that collect clutter.

This humble container is the only visual organization system my ADHD brain responds to. They give me real relief from low-level daily chaos, making the things I use (both often and occasionally) and the things that need my attention visible and easier to manage.

Here's how I use these bins in my home, especially in spots where clutter tends to pile up the fastest.

For the kitchen stuff I need every morning

The clear plastic bin I use to organize my coffee gear.
I keep all my coffee essentials in one bin so I can pull everything out at once and keep my counters clutter-free. Bronwyn Barnes/Business Insider

I keep everything I need for my morning coffee — coffee, sugar, creatine powder — in one bin. Each morning, I pull the whole thing out of the cabinet and set it next to my Moccamaster, so everything is right there while I make coffee. When I'm done, it all goes back into the cabinet in one move, which keeps my kitchen counters clear and makes the whole routine feel less chaotic.

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For the piles that used to take over my desk

Clear storage bin on a desk holding mail, paperwork, and reusable bags to keep clutter contained.
I keep mail, paperwork, and reusable grocery bags in one bin on my desk so everything has a place and feels easier to deal with later. Bronwyn Barnes/Business Insider

Everything from mail to owner's manuals for products I'm testing, and even the reusable bags I bring to the grocery store go into this bin. It's basically a "way station" for things coming into my home. Keeping things in one place makes them feel more less like a constant mental weight, and I can quickly find and pull out anything urgent without having to deal with everything at once. When it fills up, it's a reminder to deal with it, but not one that immediately triggers that anxious voice in my head.

Related: We tried Wayfair's bestsellers — 20 we'd actually buy (and 3 to skip)

For the beauty products I don't use every day

Clear storage bin in a bathroom holding skincare and beauty products
I keep the products I don't use every day, like sheet masks and travel-size beauty products, in a bin under my bathroom counter. Bronwyn Barnes/Business Insider

The products I don't use every day — including sheet masks, retinol, and teeth whitening kits — are the easiest to lose track of. I keep them all in a clear bin that slides under my bathroom counter, so they're out of the way but still accessible enough that they won't sit forgotten and untouched.

Learn more about how Insider Reviews tests and researches home products.

More bins that keep clutter in check

My "I spy" hack isn't just limited to one type of container. There are several options that follow the same idea — simple, visible storage that makes it easier to keep everyday clutter in check. Use these to help you organize your shoe collection, the condiments in your fridge, and everything in between.

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Disclosure: Written and researched by the Insider Reviews team. We highlight products and services you might find interesting. If you buy them, we may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our partners. We may receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. We operate independently from our advertising team. We welcome your feedback. Email us at reviews@jkmperu.com.

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I am deputy editor of Insider Reviews at Business Insider, where I lead authoritative, reader-first coverage of home, kitchen, and travel products, as well as gift guides. I champion rigorous, real-world testing and intelligent reporting that helps people cut through the noise and choose the products and services that actually work in everyday life.I am also lead writer for Valued, a weekly BI Reviews newsletter with practical product picks, smart shopping advice, and the inside scoop on sales, all designed to help readers spend smarter, live better, and save more.ExperienceBefore joining Business Insider, I shaped editorial strategy and content marketing initiatives at major lifestyle media brands, including Food & Wine, The Spruce, InStyle, Shape, Travel + Leisure, Health, and People, where I helped set the standard for trustworthy product journalism. My work has also appeared in Forbes, USA Today, and Vanity Fair, and CNN Underscored. I have made on-air appearances on Fox Business, Inside Edition, and Entertainment Tonight.Why you can trust meWith more than two decades of experience in reporting and service journalism, I have built and led teams that deliver practical guidance for readers navigating purchase decisions. I've overseen buying guides and commerce news content, bringing extensive experience in developing original product-testing methodologies.ExpertiseIf you invite me into your home, be prepared for me to ask you about the products I spot. (I promise not to peek inside your medicine cabinet.)
  • Home: Mattresses and sleep accessories, furniture, vacuums
  • Kitchen: Countertop appliances, coffee, air fryers
  • Beauty & style: Skincare for mature skin, hair tools, fashion
  • Travel: Suitcases, headphones, comfortable shoes
  • Health & wellness: Online therapy, oral and dental care, fitness gear
EducationI hold a B.A. in Literature and Sociology from Queen's University at Kingston. After college, I served two years in the Peace Corps as a health volunteer in Mali, West Africa.Outside of workA New York City transplant living on LA's Westside, I have learned the importance of a good patio heater, the joys of owning a drawer microwave, and which brand pop-ups on Abbot Kinney Blvd are worth the hype. On my product testing bucket list: taking a nap on a $200,000 mattress at the Hästens Sleep Spa.