Plastic bags are a problem. We all have them. We get them from the supermarket, the drug store, the hardware store…and we don’t throw them away. We use them for all sorts of things – garbage bags for small trash bins, picking up after your dog, shoe bags for travel and the gym, and even lunch bags. Even without an intended purpose, we know that they’re functional, so we save them. And they accumulate. And accumulate. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve opened a cabinet under a client’s kitchen sink, or a closet by the front door, and had plastic bags shoot out at me.

Luckily, there are a number of ways that you can keep these bags organized and still accessible! Here are my favorite plastic bag organizers.

Simple Human makes two wonderful products to hold your bags. Made of stainless steel and about $15 each, these are nice enough to keep out in the open if you need or want to. One mounts to the wall, one simply stands upright.

For those of you concerned about space, Axis makes a great version that sits right over your cabinet door. You can get it from the Container Store for around $15.

And for those of you more concerned about price, IKEA makes a wonderful version for just $2. Nail it into the wall or inside of your cabinet for a more permanent solution, or use Command Strips for a less permanent one. Command Strip instructions below.

Then there is the DIY version. I’m not much of a DIYer, to be honest, but this is one case where it is so simple, I couldn’t resist. It's also the best way to customize this useful tool to the space you have. It’s called the Tissue Box Organizer and trust me, you can do this. Take any empty tissue box that best fits the space and depth available. Stuff it with all of your extra plastic bags. Grab a Command Strip and stick it to the inside of your cabinet. Press the tissue box onto the strip and hold for 60 seconds. And you're done! You now have have yourself a PERFECT plastic bag dispenser.