In small spaces, it is even more important than for the average person that they figure out an appropriate place for each of their possessions to “live,” and put it back in that place every time. In a small area, if you start leaving things lying around, pretty quickly you have no workable space anywhere. I always favor compartmentalized baskets, boxes, and drawers, to segregate your stuff and keep it neat.
However, containers get expensive, too, and you have to make the age old choice between age and quality. I bought a couple Rubbermaid-style plastic boxes for my car at the dollar store the other day, but they smell really strong and are flimsy and the tops don’t fit right. Worth it? It depends on your priorities and your needs.
On the other end of the spectrum, you have high-quality storage items that are very expensive. Think Crate and Barrel or Pier 1, or even the Container Store for specialty container options. They last for years, and the most important thing is that these items look good while serving their purpose. Essentially, it will probably be worth it to buy higher quality storage items if the objects will be in a place that you see often, and if a cheaper option will bother you every time you see it. If you divide the cost of the storage item by the number of years you will get effective, attractive use out of it, you may find yourself making some more expensive, but still better choices.
