These Organizing Trends Are Losing Favor in 2024

They say all good things must eventually fade away, and this holds true for organizing trends as well. While social media has pushed us to create more organized and visually pleasing spaces, we often go too far and forget what's truly practical. At other times, the public simply grows tired and seeks something new. Below, professional organizers share the trends that are set to disappear in 2024.

Black Velvet Hangers

For years, it felt like every perfectly organized closet on Pinterest or Instagram showcased sleek black velvet hangers. However, all the professional organizers I've spoken to say these are on their way out. “Clear slim hangers have taken the place of velvet hangers—people love their look, and acrylic hangers are far more affordable,” says Ashley Stewart from O.C.D.

Not a fan of clear, slim hangers? Jennifer Jarrett from Jenuinely Contained recommends trying grey velvet, white velvet, wooden, or rubberized hangers instead. “We still advise having matching hangers, but choose a color or style that brightens your closet or better suits your personal style,” she advises.

Clear Cookie Jars

The trend of clear cookie jars took over pantries in 2023, largely due to the perfectly organized pantry look made famous by Khloe Kardashian. However, Stewart tells me that aesthetic is starting to feel outdated. “Kardashian-style cookie jars are now a thing of the past. While we still get occasional requests for them, they’re not in style for the upcoming year.”

Fancy Labels

Fancy labels on everything—from snacks to cleaning products—have been a trending organizing feature across social media, but that’s no longer the case, according to experts. “Gone are the days of oversized, bold labeling. Don’t get me wrong, we still love a good label, but we're moving toward more refined and understated designs,” says Jarrett. “The large decorative chalkboard labels that once took center stage are being replaced by labels on clear backgrounds and with more delicate fonts.”

However, this doesn’t mean labels will lose their charm in the upcoming year. They will just be more simplified. Stewart suggests opting for a label maker with a clean, plain font.

Extreme Decanting

Keeping things organized is tough enough. So, does every small bag of nuts or every cleaning product really need a custom container? Amy Cha of Everyday Organized says no. “The days of obsessively decanting prepackaged foods for display are coming to an end,” she says. While pantries filled with clear bins for every item became a symbol of the pandemic-era obsession with perfection in home organization, Cha argues that it's not always practical.

Rolling Carts Everywhere

Images of rolling carts have flooded social media for years. There’s a reason for this—they are a practical solution for organizing craft supplies, adding extra pantry storage in a small kitchen, or keeping essentials like diapers and wipes handy in a nursery. However, rolling carts aren't always the best way to store every random item. “Sure, rolling carts are convenient and versatile, but they have their limits,” explains Cha. “The middle and lower shelves aren’t adjustable, which limits accessibility and flexibility. Plus, their open design can make them look cluttered with daily use. Sometimes, a cabinet or drawer might be a better, more organized solution for neatly storing items.”

Mircosorting Everything

Yes, one of the fundamental principles of an organized home is sorting items properly. But taking it too far isn't realistic, and pro organizers are seeing the trend of micro-sorting start to fade. “In most cases, no one has the time to sort things like Legos by color and keep them that way,” says Jarrett. “While it may look nice, it's a lot of effort. Unless you want me to move in as your personal organizer, there’s a point where micro-sorting becomes excessive.”

She mentions that broader categories are often easier for people to maintain. “Think of organizing by dental versus green toothbrushes,” Jarrett adds.

Tapered Bins

While tapered bins might appear attractive, they don’t make the best use of shelf space, which can undermine the goal of organizing. “Bins and baskets with tapered sides waste space and can disrupt the clean look you're aiming for when organizing,” says Ashley Murphy, cofounder and CEO of Neat Method. “Instead, choose bins with straight sides that can be arranged neatly in a row.”