Keep Your Small Car Clutter Free

Ford Motor Company, (F)  famous for its hulking pickups and SUVs, is going in a new direction. After posting an $8.67 billion loss in its second quarter, Ford announced it’s shifting to smaller, more fuel-efficient vehicles. The Dearborn, Mich. based company is converting three North American assembly plants from manufacturing trucks to cars, producing more fuel-efficient engines and introducing six new European (that means 'smaller') car models into the U.S. market. 

While vehicles are getting more compact, families are still lugging sports equipment and school supplies around town. Container Store spokesperson Olescia Hanson explains how families of all sizes can maximize space in smaller cars.

Be Master at the Wheel
Clutter can quickly turn a small car into a trash receptacle. “If you have a lot of papers and a laptop, get creative and look outside of the glove compartment and visor console,” says Hanson. Your books, CDs and papers eat up space if left unmanaged.

Hansen recommends the Container Store’s Mobile Office ($29.99) to store folders, files, guidebooks and notebooks. It has file sleeves, a laptop pocket  and even a place for loose change. “When you’re keeping a mobile office, you’re keeping everything in a central place,” says Hansen. And rather than shoving CDs between the seats, try Bed, Bath and Beyond’s Case Logic Double CD Visor ($7.99) to keep your tunes all within arm’s reach.

Avoid Backseat Mayhem
For families with kids, coloring books, athletic gear and stuffed animals can induce small-car claustrophobia if not managed properly. The Container Store’s Modular Hauler System ($69.00) has three compartments in three different colors to host each child’s separate belongings. “When you run errands or go on trips, it keeps everything in the same area and keeps kids occupied,” Hanson says. For a less expensive option, try Target’s (TGT) Whitmore 3-Drawer Chest ($14.99). Like the Modular Hauler System, it holds knickknacks and kids’ sports equipment. Bed Bath & Beyond’s Sports Organizer ($39.99) is another solution.

Must Love Boxes
Use clear containers and storage boxes to store items in the trunk or under seats. Clear Storage Cases ($7.99-$9.99) and Shallow Stowaway Letter Boxes ($5.99) from The Container Store, Whitney Design Vision Storage Box 2-pk ($29.99-$39.99) from Target, or the IRIS Small Weather-Tight Clear Boxes (Set of 6 for $91.88) from Wal-Mart (WMT) will conserve legroom. 

Putting dividers in the trunk area will keep your goods from slipping and sliding. The Container Store’s Folding Trunk Organizer ($9.99) has internal divisions, four external pockets and folds flat when not in use. The Folding Cargo Trunk Organizer ($9.99) from Case Logic attaches to the trunk’s carpeting with Velcro to split the area into sections.

Now that you know some tricks for space optimization, Hanson reiterates several important tips for small car owners:

Keep it clutter free.
Keep important items accessible.
Buy a travel-size waste can – and use it!
Keep the trunk organized.
Prevent items from shifting with boxes, crates and bins.

Most importantly, relax and enjoy the ride!