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Most organizing obsessives will tell you that the Elfa collection is the crown jewel of The Container Store’s closet storage offerings. And right now the company is in the middle of its annual Elfa sale—the 30-percent-off discounts started mid-December and continue through February 25. While there are a ton of solutions to pick from (some are designed specifically for small reach-ins; others for roomy pantries), you can’t go wrong with the best-seller of the bunch, the 80-inch Wall & Door Rack.
We got intel from the brand that it’s the most popular Elfa product, probably because it works in any space, whether you live in a 400-square-foot studio or a 4,000-square-foot house. The steel rod at its center takes advantage of often-wasted vertical space so, really, all you need is a door or a wall (hence the name) to use it.
The rack currently rings in between $80 and $90, depending on which baskets (mesh or wire) you hook to its frame. Most people find that it’s super-functional in the kitchen pantry, utility closet, and bathroom, but it’s so much more than a catchall for spices and medicine. Here are four uses we didn’t see coming.
Roll Up Workout Gear
Sports bras always seem to end up in disarray, even when you’ve carefully folded them in a dresser drawer. Forget about arranging your piles just so and, instead, roll them and tuck the rolls in one of the rack’s baskets. Do the same for leggings, shorts, and other stretchy wardrobe staples that don’t wrinkle easily.
Compartmentalize Chore Essentials
Laundry day tends to entail a lot of bulky products, from baking soda and detergent to dryer balls. You don’t need a whole room dedicated to storing said items: These bins are large (and sturdy!) enough to hold all your stuff—mini ironing board included.
Bundle Your Bags
Our first instinct is to hang purses from a hook or coatrack, often resulting in a mountain of totes in the front hall. Avoid the eyesore by propping them upright—the bins can hold approximately two to six bags, depending on how thick they are.
Craft a Wrapping Station
The Home Edit founders, Clea Shearer and Joanna Teplin, recently revealed to us that the over-the-door rack is their favorite way to keep wrapping paper handy, while also hiding it away in a discreet place. The key is leaving enough room between the bins so that the rolls can stand up straight on the bottom and all the other necessities (ribbon, tape, scissors, tags) can live above. It’s literally the gift that keeps on giving.
See more stories like this: Muji’s Latest Prefab House Is 800 Square Feet of Organized Bliss Shea McGee Just Shared Another Smart Use for the Humble Kitchen Basket What Really Happens After Marie Kondo Teaches You to Tidy Up?