Organisers that provided nothing but chaos
3/3/2026
Translation: Elicia Payne
Organisation isn’t always the solution. Sometimes a new system only makes things worse – and shines a light on the real problem. Here are three prime examples from my everyday life.
When chaos gets out of control, we often turn to (supposedly) practical organisers. And yes, they exist. But I’m putting it out there: we wouldn’t need most of these storage products and organisers if we had more control over our consumerism. The problem I have is that I buy more than I need and consequently own more than I can accommodate. Sooner or later, even the best system fails, as is proven by these three items.
The perfume shelves
«What should I do with all my perfume bottles?» Then I came up with the grand idea of buying a spice shelf. For context, I’m not a collector nor am I passionate about fragrances. I’d describe my interest as average. So why did I have so many that I still couldn’t find room for them on my dresser? A question I should’ve asked myself before buying the «Linus» acrylic organiser from iDesign.
Having said this, I’ll share my learning journey with you. On the first day, I felt a sense of pride. It was so pretty, how they looked down from the «steps», colour-coordinated and easy to access. Great job, Nati. A few weeks later, it all went out the window. My «collection» had grown, there was no more room on the shelves, the system started collapsing. The solution to this? I gave away all my fragrances except for one body spray and was super happy about it. Linus also found a new home.
Stackers storage
I always wear the same few pieces of jewellery. Yet, until recently I had a home for all the cheap costume jewellery I accumulated over the years. You know how it is, for the rarest of rare cases. Instead of simply ridding myself of my old burdens and placing my true treasures in a small box, what did I do? You guessed it! I spent a silly amount of money on a clunky organiser that took up what felt like half of my wardrobe. And I even regularly added more layers to the system to create more «free space» for the individual parts. Unbelievable!
By the way, this is what my exaggerated «construction plan» looked like:
When I see this old post of mine, it immediately brings a smile to my face.
Don’t get me wrong, the modular storage system from Stackers is great – if jewellery is a core part of your wardrobe. In my case, it sure isn’t.
I’m now on the road to recovery. In order to give my hoodies more space again, I’ve radically sorted out and consolidated my favourites into two «levels». This allowed me to remove a few of the inlays. But the decluttering is still «in progress».
The tea box
How great would it be if all my tea bags were neatly organised in one place? I wouldn’t have to fumble around with cardboard boxes or rummage through them. Thought it, bought it: the tea bag box. It came with ten separate compartments and a viewing window made of acrylic glass. Yes, this thing literally screams: «I have my life under control!»
But when I started to fill the compartments, the smug smile soon left my face. A few of the tea bags were too wide for them. And turning them on their side would’ve disturbed the tidy look. What’s more, I had so many bags and different varieties that there wasn’t room for them all in the bamboo chest. Argh! In the meantime, I’ve given the box away, reduced my tea bag stock through excessive consumption and switched to a few selected varieties of loose tea to produce less waste.
Of course, there are solutions and products that are helpful and make a difference. But I think they’re much rarer.
Now I want to hear from you. What disappointed your recently and what are your game changers?
Header image: Faisal via Unsplash
Natalie Hemengül
Senior Editor
Natalie.Hemenguel@digitecgalaxus.chAs a massive Disney fan, I see the world through rose-tinted glasses. I worship series from the 90s and consider mermaids a religion. When I’m not dancing in glitter rain, I’m either hanging out at pyjama parties or sitting at my make-up table. P.S. I love you, bacon, garlic and onions.
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