Published On: September 24th, 2025|Categories: Blog, Product Review, storage|

I just love the Multi Purpose Bin from The Container Store and today I’m excited to share with you why. I have always favored clear containers for organizing systems, wherever possible. As I always say: Reveal, don’t conceal! For years, two basic models have covered it. First, for items in remote storage (or what I call stockroom storage), we have favored these lidded bins. They come in three useful sizes that fit together well and look consistent on your shelves. For more accessible storage like pantries (or what I call showroom storage), we have favored these iDesign acrylic bins without lids. These facilitate both findability and accessibility. Up until just recently I thought that the above products pretty much had it covered. That is, until I discovered the benefits of The Container Store’s Multipurpose Bins. 

 

Multi-purpose – Not just a catchy name! Here’s why they’re so great:

  1.  Stockroom and showroom appropriate – In showroom cabinets where you need to maximize full height storage, but don’t  want an access-blocking lid. On garage and basement shelves, where you require more regular access.
  2.  Accommodate vertical items – Flat items and square items are fine in bins, but the multi purpose bins are far more accommodating for tall and rolled up items, all easily accessible from the top
  3.  Clear and cost effective – These are in keeping with the need for clear smaller containers, but are significantly more budget-friendly than the clear leucite bins.
  4.  Adjust to category size – Not only do the multi purpose bins fill up the height of a shelf more efficiently, they adjust to your category needs AND the functions within a category. Car wash, painting
  5.  Space efficient – Not only do the multi-purpose bins fill up the full height of a shelf tier, they are minimally tapered for maximum space usage. They’re tapered just enough to nest, but not so much as to waste space width.

 

Here, there, anywhere: Multi-purpose bins add value all over the home

Here are just a few examples of where the multi-purpose bins do their best work:

  • Arts and crafts – The open top makes it easier to put learning materials away. The handles make them easy to bring to and from the kitchen table and the bins fit beautifully inside cabinet shelves.
  • Pantry –  Snack bags and other structureless packages stand up in these bins which saves shelf space. 
  • Magazine storage – Magazines can stand up to save shelf space and gain visibility.
  • Car storage – I first started using these for car storage. Also, for every job we bring a cleaning kit, which fits perfectly in the large size bin. We also bring a folding table and banker boxes to every organizing job and look how well they fit with the multi-purpose bins. Sweet! 
  • Auto and car wash – I was using big unusable bins for car items, so I reevaluated what I was actually using, and separated car wash items from general auto supply with the multi purpose bins. Now both are much more visible, accessible, and usable. These car wash bins are great for carrying out to the driveway.
  • Painting – I organized my painting supplies into stages: prep, application, and cleaning with the Multi Purpose Bins. I can easily grab and carry as needed.
  • Gardening – Again the MPBs are the MVPs for vertical and structured storage.

 

The Multi Purpose Bins are also great for smaller toys, organizing cleaning supplies and other under-sink storage, laundry, and even your refrigerator. With my dog Maggie’s favorite dog park closed down, we’ve been hosting dog gatherings on our front lawn. I pre-chill beverages for the event in these bins, then drop them in the cooler with ice. Removal is easy and so is preparation for the next get-together. Finally, they are a great tool for the circulation solution, movement in manageable, reliable stages. For more small items than will fit in two hands, I keep a small multi-purpose bin in the garage. It’s more transparent and structured than a bag. It’s harder to think of a space where the multi-purpose bin isn’t helpful!

Can you think of a function that I missed?

 

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