Staying Organized Just Got So Much Easier

Aug 26, 2022 by Susan Rosenbluth

By S. Levin

Home organization became a necessity as a result of increased work-from-home options.  As families spend more together time at home, smart storage and keeping organized become essential.  Instead of keeping business files in the office, personal and professional documents need to co-exist at home. As remote workers opt for more casual clothes, they need to reorganize their closets shifting more formal work attire to the back. This presents another organizational challenge, finding a way to store clothes in a way that is both easy to reach and find, reimaging the closet.

We discovered two small brands that provide bold, organizational solutions. Meori makes storage cubes and EZSTAX file organizes (this has nothing to do with taxes). Both improve the way we organize our personal space, they turn clutter into structure.

A Simple Organization Solution

Remember the simplicity of stacking papers with dividers? EZSTAX took this and applied it to just about everything, from papers to foldable clothes.  They enhanced the concept by making files searchable and connected. Their solution is constructed of a light, but tough clear plastic, made from recycled materials.

EZSTAX expanded filing solution organizes the shirts in your closets or drawers. They provide consistency while folding by using one of the plastic sleeves as a template. Sure enough, we got a perfectly folded pile every time. The process is simple, place an item upside down on the divider, and fold it, place the next divider on top, and repeat. You can flip through the layers and select the items you want, and the structure reduces a messy pile of clothes into a neat file. This organizer saves room and is designed to work in closets, drawers, and luggage. EZSTAX keeps clothing from getting wrinkled while making it easier to locate a specific item.

The stackable bins allow you to spread out for sorting and assemble into an interlocking flippable tower for easy sorting.

EZSTAX comes in two sizes, the larger is 13.5 by 11.5 inches, designed to fit most American and European closets and luggage, or larger-sized papers. They also offer a smaller size – 12.3 by 9.9 inches designed for smaller items.

Go Bonkers for Boxes

Our search for storage solutions led us to Meori, a manufacturer of storage cubes that developed a line of storage solutions designed to help organize every room in your house. They expanded the concept of storage cubes positioning them to provide organization solutions outside the house, as a replacement for single-use bags, and as file organizers.  Brilliant, simple, and sustainable!

Meori is a family-owned business founded by Dirk and Deirdre Meyer, the name comes from the fusion of two Japanese words, meian, which means great idea, and origami, paper folding. This is a clever way to look at their cubes. They are designed to be durable, colorful, and foldable. We were impressed by their quality, simplicity, and versatility. All their products are manufactured sustainably out of recyclable materials.

Meori applies a standard, sturdy design, then thinks out of the box to find applications. They have found a way to transform a simple storage cube into an organizational necessity, just by varying the size and application.  Making the cube larger, it becomes a car organizer, smaller it can be a desk organizer. Add a strap and it becomes a shopping bin, or take a smaller cube, and with a little magic, they created an insulated 2-bottle wine tote.  What we liked most was the ability to add accessories, a carry handle, or an insert, and to fold the cube down for easy storage.

We tested the collapsible car organizer and found out just how practical it is – it can be made smaller by using Velcro, which we found to be very strong. The bin we tested included a removable carry handle. It quickly became our everyday shopping bag. The material is water-repellant and made to withstand wind. It is a practical accessory for picnics or camping or just travel. The fabric is dirt-resistant and cleans up well with a damp sponge. Although it is lightweight, it is rugged and can carry up to 65 pounds.

They credit their inspiration to living in Germany for over a decade, where they learned the importance of eco-friendly grocery shopping and reusable bins. In 2015, the Meyers opened Meori to bring their ideas to an American audience. We are personally grateful that they did. They offer so many options and accessories that allow you to configure your bin to fit your unique needs. Their accessories range from mini wall mounts to hanging organizers or different insets. One design can become a multi-use home storage solution.

Simple Solutions

Sometimes the best solutions are the simplest.  Meori and EZSTAX have developed great products that are well-designed, easy to use, and help you restore order to your household. Both Meori and EZSTAX can be ordered online.  Who hasn’t spent time looking for something that was misplaced? We found that having an organizational structure helps keep everything in place.