10 Clothing Storage Containers That’ll Keep Out-of-Season Garments Neatly Packed (2024)

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Nikol Slatinska

Nikol Slatinska

Nikol Slatinska is an intern for AT's commerce team. She has a bachelor's degree in journalism from the University of Missouri - Columbia. In addition to writing about cool home finds, she loves reality television and her Pomeranian, Finn.

published Sep 6, 2023

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We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing.

10 Clothing Storage Containers That’ll Keep Out-of-Season Garments Neatly Packed (1)

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Before moving to New York City, I’d already mentally prepared myself for the lack of storage space, which is a common conundrum with apartments here. For the most part, I’m managing fine — that is, if you can look past the measly 2 square inches of wardrobe space that my room has to offer. Thankfully, I’m not suffering alone, because my coworkers here at AT are in the same boat. As a result, we’re always on the hunt for clothing storage solutions that make use of tricky spaces, like under the bed or in between furniture. Sure, you can find plenty of organizers that optimize your closet’s clothing rod, but arguably the best fix for bulky, in-the-way soft goods is the classic basket. In our effort to find the most efficient clothing containers on the market, we searched the internet and looked back to a few editor favorites, rounding up 10 solid options for every tiny apartment in the process. Whether you’re looking for something collapsible, something stylish, or something wide and flat, a couple of these should do the trick.

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10

Ziploc Flexible Jumbo Storage Bag

Amazon

was $

9.99

Another must-have for frequent movers, this jumbo plastic storage bag will help you keep bulky clothes and bedding organized. Alicia has used hers for a decade and likes that the bags conform to the spaces she needs to fit them in. “The reason that I think these storage totes lasted so long is because they are flexible,” she writes. “They also fold nearly flat, so when they aren’t in use, they’re easy to hide out of sight.”

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2

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10

Canvas Storage Box

The Container Store

$

21.99

This storage box comes in two shapes: a box or a rectangular bin. We think the latter would be more useful for those short on space because you could store it in your closet or slide it under the bed if needed. We also appreciate that the box comes with its own lid, as well as its inoffensive canvas fabric.

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3

/

10

Rattan Storage Basket

H&M

$

24.99

Our style shopping editor loves this tall rattan basket from H&M, although you might find this low-profile version to be more practical for shirts, activewear, accessories, and other apparel. “I’ll have my baskets for years to come — especially because they’re versatile enough to see me through future moves … and closets,” Blair writes of her own stylish baskets. “That’s a testament to their impressive quality overall — I’ve only owned my set of four (and counting) for a few months, but they feel incredibly durable every time I put something in or take something out.”

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4

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10

Silvia Bamboo Storage Bin

Urban Outfitters

$

149.00

Give your garments a visually pleasing new home in the form of this bamboo basket. It measures 21 inches long and 20 inches high, so it provides plenty of storage without taking up too much precious floor space. The best part is that, unlike some designs, the basket's top closes shut, so you can use it as a shelf for other items.

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5

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10

Sorbus Foldable Storage Bag, Set of 2

QVC.com

$

31.99

If you rent, chances are you also move around a lot. For this, we recommend using bins that fold flat, such as this set from QVC. Senior Commerce Editor Alicia owns a pair and loves their zippable window, among other features. “When it’s time to put away clean laundry, I can easily put my folded stacks of clothes into the bag and then zip it up,” she writes. The window also lets you keep an eye on what's inside at all times.

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6

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10

Our Long Underbed Box with Wheels

The Container Store

$

179.94

These clear plastic under-bed boxes offer lots of room for sweaters, blankets, and jackets without being bulky, plus they keep everything out of sight. That's exactly what you want in a seasonal storage device: Something that's easy to access when you want it (thanks to the wheels), but out of the way when you don't.

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7

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10

Aubrey Large Handwoven Lidded Basket

Pottery Barn

$

69.00

Pottery Barn is home to some of the nicest-looking baskets we’ve seen, and this handwoven number is no exception. The Aubrey basket is a splurge no matter which size you get, but when you consider that you’ll likely have it forever, it feels worthwhile to pick up something that works aesthetically, not just functionally.

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10

Wangy Stackable Organizer Bins

Walmart

$

12.91

Socks and intimates can easily eat up an entire drawer in your dresser — especially if they’re not organized. You can solve this problem by picking up a set of these divided bins, which are specially designed to hold hosiery and other small garments. And even if you only use one or two of the three initially, you can simply stack the bins inside one another.

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10

Jocabo Folding Storage Boxes, Pack of 4

Amazon

$

39.99

Speaking of folding flat, these collapsible boxes are perfect for those who want to optimize tall closet shelves. You can snag a set of four for $10 each and stack them on top of one another, keeping pants, Ts, and more neatly folded inside. When you want to relocate them, simply snap the bins shut for easy portability.

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10

/

10

Karramlili Collapsible Storage Bins

Walmart

$

178.99

If you don’t have an actual wardrobe, these collapsible storage bins are the next best thing. You can get a pack of four for under $150 and stack them on top of one another, creating a makeshift dresser for pretty much all of your folded clothes. And because of their minimalistic design and snazzy wooden handles, the bins are easy on the eyes, too.

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10 Clothing Storage Containers That’ll Keep Out-of-Season Garments Neatly Packed (2024)

FAQs

What is the best container for storing clothes long term? ›

For long-term, durable storage with added protection from moisture, our vote is for plastic bins, such as our best plastic bins, the Sterilite Garage Totes, and our choice for best underbed bin, The Container Store Our Long Under Bed Box With Wheels.

How do you store out of season clothes? ›

Pack a moisture absorber with your clothing and make sure your storage container is properly sealed to keep moisture out. Pack cedar or lavender sachets (or even dryer sheets) with your clothing to impart a pleasant smell during storage. Store containers in a cool, dark, and dry space.

What is the most space efficient way to store clothes? ›

Kondo's philosophy is simple: by vertically folding your clothes in a precise manner, you can save lots of space by storing them upright in your drawers and keeping everything much more organized. With the KonMari Method, your clothing is folded into a rectangular shape and then compacted or tucked into a tight bundle.

What can I use to store clothes long term? ›

The best way to store clothes in storage is to place all your clothes in plastic containers with clip-on lids. These will protect your clothes from moisture, dust, mould and mildew.

Is it better to store clothes in plastic bags or boxes? ›

Never store clothing in plastic bags or cardboard boxes. Plastic bags trap moisture and cause mildew to form or cause the yellowing of fabrics, which quickly transfers to your clothing. Cardboard boxes are easily infiltrated by vermin and pests like silverfish.

Is it better to store clothes in plastic or fabric? ›

Boxes or plastic containers with plastic clip lids are the best solution for storing most things but especially clothing. They provide extra protection for your garments in case of any scenario, and they also are easily stackable and organized based on your seasonal needs.

What is the best way to store summer clothes in winter? ›

Make sure there is a small gap between the top of the storage box and the lid to allow airflow to the clothes. For more delicate items, like silk summer dresses, sarongs or anything special, remove all protective plastic and pop them into cotton garment bags.

How do you pack clothes for winter? ›

Focus on packing winter essentials
  1. A good jacket. ...
  2. Two sets of thermal tops and bottoms to wear underneath clothing. ...
  3. A pair of shoes for both day and night. ...
  4. A fresh pair of socks for each day. ...
  5. A fresh pair of underwear for each day.
  6. A T-shirt for every other day.
  7. Two to three warm jumpers.
  8. Two pairs of pants.
Jun 30, 2022

How to store too many clothes? ›

“If you're low on hanging space, fold items that won't easily crease, like jeans and sweaters. Neatly stacking these items and using shelf dividers will help keep them uniform. Use hanging space for blouses, skirts, slacks, and dresses and store the rest elsewhere,” says Pulver.

What is the best material to store clothes in? ›

Pros: Cotton garment bags are breathable, keep out dust and are excellent for storing clothes long term, particularly items like suits or special occasion dresses. Cons: Plastic garment bags can trap moisture, leading to mold or mildew growth.

What clothes should you not vacuum seal? ›

Leather, silk, cashmere, thick wool garments, and any natural fiber materials that could be damaged by compression should not be vacuum sealed. This may include woven items, hemp, or items with feathers. Basically, if a garment should not be compressed or squashed, it should not go into a vacuum-sealing bag.

What materials last the longest clothes? ›

— cotton, linen, silk, wool, hemp, etc. — which will last the longest in your closet. Specifically, silk was found to be the longest-lasting fabric in terms of how long it remained in use, with wool in second place.

How to store clothes long term without smell? ›

Store out-of-season clothes in breathable containers like cardboard boxes, canvas bins, or mesh bags. This allows airflow and prevents excess moisture buildup. Plastic bins can make odours worse over time. Add baking soda, activated charcoal, or silica gel packets to help absorb and neutralize odours.

How to store hanging clothes in storage unit long term? ›

Wardrobe boxes are huge, double-corrugated boxes with a metal bar to hang clothes on top. At the front, they have a big flap that opens to make packing a breeze. In short, wardrobe boxes are perfect for packing hanging clothes long-term. Be sure to put a few desiccant packets and red cedar blocks inside!

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