This Small Space Find Creates a Mini Entryway When I Had None Before

As much as I love the concept of a “purse drawer” — a drawer dedicated to all of the things you keep in your purse, to make switching bags easier — I have nary an extra drawer in my apartment to make one. Its cousin the “purse bowl” is a clever alternative, but I don’t trust myself not to completely overflow the vessel and create a small volcano of clutter. 

Not to mention, my apartment has no entryway to speak of. You step right into the living room, so there’s no real spot to add a piece of furniture with drawers or even set down a chic bowl. There is just one thing I have space for: a small, three-tier bamboo shoe shelf. So, I decided to try out my own spin on the purse receptacle solution by adding a bin to the top shelf. Months later, it’s proven to be one of the most functional and helpful little changes I’ve made to my home this year.  

The thing is, I swap bags all the time, from my farmers market tote to my work or gym bag to my going-out purse, and I’m constantly losing and forgetting things in the process. It’s sort of like a Mary Poppins meets Amelia Bedelia situation, except the antics are less silly-magical and more “I forgot my wallet again.”

When I bought this pack of four storage bins off Amazon last spring, I did so with the vague idea that I needed some low-profile storage vessels around my home. I knew I needed one for craft supplies, which I tucked below a bench in my bedroom, and another for cat toys. I used a third to keep extra dish towels and cloth napkins on top of my fridge, but at first I wasn’t sure what to do with the fourth and final bin. 

Then, I was struck with inspiration: Why not clear out a spot for it on top of my shoe shelf, and see if that could function as my very own “purse bin”?

That’s exactly what I did, and in the seven months since I’ve used it every single day. At about 10 inches long, 7 inches wide, and 6.5 inches high, it’s a bit smaller than a standard cardboard shoebox, so it fits easily on the shelf. The bin is made of a thick but flexible plastic and has a woven look to it, and I chose a gray color (it also comes in black and white) to fade into the background. My favorite part is that it comes with a bamboo lid that nests on top (it doesn’t lock into place) to contain any clutter that lies inside.

When I get home, I tuck my everyday purse (the Baggu Nylon Crescent) into the bin, so it’s right by the door when I’m ready to head out. The next time I leave, I go through the purse to sort out what I need to take and what I can place in the bin. If it’s not raining anymore, I remove my mini umbrella; if it’s dark out, I’ll leave behind my sunglasses; or if I’m headed to my regular coffee shop, I’ll take my coffee punch card out of the bin and add it to my purse. 

I cycle through lots of other things, too — like books, lip glosses, travel-size hand sanitizers, gum, or disposable cameras — all of which I dump into the bin and add to whichever bag I’m using as needed. My handy purse bin has saved me so much stress as I run out the door and truly helped me feel like I have a little landing in my entryway-less apartment. It’s added a small sense of routine to coming and going, which has made all the difference.