12 Best Luggage Storage and Home Organization Ideas

Packing — or packing efficiently, at least — is the opposite of a one-and-done task. It’s a multi-part process that involves preparation, thoughtful execution, and a game plan for when you return home from your travels. If you choose to skip one of the steps, there’s a high probability you’ll either overpack, forget something, or leave your laundry-filled suitcase on the floor until your next trip. Or even all three. 

While there are all kinds of tips for packing your bag, my experience as a packing professional and travel writer has led me to the conclusion that the biggest secret to packing has nothing to do with packing cubes, rolling your jeans, or even the size of the luggage itself. Instead, it’s the organizational efforts that occur in between trips that make packing a significantly less daunting and time-consuming task, like using clear storage bins and bag organizers. By actively working to keep your travel gear organized, packing will become almost rhythmic; you’ll know exactly what you need and where it lives within your home. Don’t worry if organization doesn’t come naturally, though. Below, I’ve rounded up 12 easy-to-implement ways to keep your luggage, travel gear, and accessories in order when you’re not on the road or in the air.

Invest in Nesting Suitcases 

Away The Essential 2-piece Set

There’s no getting around it: Suitcases are bulky. As someone who previously lived in a tiny city apartment filled with luggage of every shape and size, I’ve tested every method for storing travel bags. They’ve lived in my closet, under my bed, and even behind my couch. My tried-and-true trick, however, is investing in suitcases designed to nest inside one another.

Take the Away sets, for example. When not in use, the Bigger Carry-on Flex nests in the checked sizes, and the Medium Flex nests inside the Large. This saves space and keeps your suitcases together in one place, ready for your next trip.

Store Smaller Bags in Clear Plastic Bins

Control Kitchen Clear Plastic Storage Bins

I can’t count the number of times I’ve had to hunt down my packing cubes or a specific toiletry bag the night before an early morning flight. I finally purchased clear plastic bins to house my totes, pouches, and packing cubes. Now, I simply go to my storage closet and grab the bags when I need them. When I return home, I empty them and return them to their proper place.

Keep Travel-sized Toiletries in Separate Containers

Vtopmart 4-pack Clear Stackable Storage Drawers

Packing toiletries has always been my least favorite part of trip preparation. But because I travel often for work, I’ve done everything to make loading up my dopp kit as easy as possible. The most fruitful of those efforts has been keeping travel-sized toiletries on hand and organized in separate containers. I use stackable storage drawers to hold samples or TSA-sized products, allowing me to shop from them as I pack my toiletry bag.

Use a Clothing Rack for VIP Travel Clothing

Simple Houseware Garment Rack

I may have an affinity for shopping, but I only travel with five to 10 percent of the contents of my entire closet — and that may be an overestimation. I have go-to jeans, specific tank tops, and dresses, blazers, and jackets that play repeat roles in my travel wardrobe. That said, I’ve found that keeping these pieces separate from everything else has made packing so much faster. With my travel capsule wardrobe on a standalone rack, I no longer have to dig through my closet to pinpoint my favorite pieces. This also cuts down on the pre-travel anxiety way more than I expected.

Keep Socks and Underwear in Drawer Organizers

SpaceAid 12-pack Drawer Organizers

Like the above technique, I store my travel-ready socks, underwear, swimwear, and workout attire in organizers inside my drawers. The organizers are super easy to put together and will ensure the contents are visible and easy to grab. I was recently packing last minute for a weekend in Miami and found myself very grateful for my forethought; I opened my drawers and could quickly identify what I needed, so I could toss everything in a packing cube.

Store Shoes in an Over-the-door Organizer

Gorilla Grip Over-the-door Shoe Organizer

This may be obvious, but keeping all your shoes where you can see them will greatly improve your packing abilities. When you use an over-the-door shoe organizer, you’ll know exactly what your options are and be able to make well-informed shoe decisions ahead of your trip. No more throwing pairs left and right as you dig for that one pair of boots you need for your European getaway. 

Keep Portable Batteries and Adapters Together

Iris 6-pack Stackable Plastic Storage Bins with Lids

Over the years, I’ve purchased more portable chargers and travel adapters than I actually need. That’s because, until recently, I never made the concerted effort to store them together. A few days before an international flight, I’d realize I couldn’t find my adaptor — or I had seemingly misplaced my portable phone battery. The simple, relatively affordable solution to this conundrum was buying plastic storage bins. I now keep all my travel tech in one place, so I always know where to find the essentials before every trip.

Store Your Passport in a Fireproof Case

Engpow Fireproof Document Bag

A passport is another travel essential that can easily get lost in your home or accidentally left in a tote bag or purse. To prevent panicking before your next international trip, I suggest keeping your passport (as well as any other important travel documents) in one place, preferably in a fireproof case in a secure location.

Categorize Clothing Storage Bins by Seasonality

Rubbermaid 4-pack Roughneck Totes

For many, the seasonal closet shift is part of their routine. As winter comes to an end, they bring out warmer-weather pieces, and when fall gives way to cooler weather, out come the layers. But what about the tropical mid-January trips? Or that two-week trek through Australia in July when the continent experiences its chilliest temperatures? To account for these special circumstances, I like to have specific bins for winter or summer clothes — and I label them accordingly. When it comes time for me to travel somewhere with a different climate, I can easily identify which bins I should look through.

Hang Totes and Backpacks on a Purse Hanger

Aoraki 2-pack Purse Organizer Hanger

If you’re the type of traveler with dozens of backpacks, fanny packs, and tote bags — all of which serve different purposes — I highly recommend storing them on a purse hanger. This particular style easily hooks onto your closet rod. It’s a genius solution that saves space and increases overall visibility. As you begin to pack, you can peek in your closet and grab the appropriate bag for your getaway.

Utilize a Luggage Rack for Unpacking

Smart Fendee Walnut Bamboo Luggage Rack

How many times have you come home from a trip, only to leave your suitcase sitting on the floor for days on end? (I can relate.) To get myself out of this highly unorganized habit, I bought a foldable luggage rack — just like the ones you see in hotels. For some reason, the elevated suitcase encourages me to unpack way more than one that’s shoved in the corner of my room. 

Keep Travel Snacks in Baskets

Lelecat 2-pack Wire Baskets

As a gluten-free traveler, you’ll never catch me in an airport without my own snacks. My personal item bag nearly always has meat sticks and protein bars alongside my laptop and headphones. To streamline this aspect of my packing process, I opt to keep a steady supply of travel-friendly snacks in a basket in my kitchen. Before I leave for the airport, I don’t have to think twice about packing snacks; I just grab a handful from the basket, and I’m ready to fly. 

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