6 Best Clear Storage Containers For RV Closet Organization Nomads Swear By
Maximize your RV closet with the 6 best clear storage containers. See why nomads swear by these durable, stackable picks for visible, tidy organization.
You know the feeling: you need that one specific t-shirt, and you’re sure it’s in the back of the closet, but getting to it means unpacking half your wardrobe onto the bed. In a space as small as an RV, a disorganized closet isn’t just an inconvenience; it’s a constant source of low-grade stress that eats away at your peace. The right storage containers are the foundation of a system that works for you, not against you, especially on travel days.
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Why Clear Bins Are Key for RV Closet Sanity
The single biggest advantage of clear bins is visual access. You can see what’s inside without pulling everything out, labeling it, or relying on a faulty memory. This simple feature saves you from the dreaded "bin dump," where the contents of a container end up scattered across your floor just to find one item.
Think of it as a mental inventory system. A quick glance tells you where your hiking socks are, where the extra toiletries are stored, and which bin holds the off-season clothes. This reduces decision fatigue and makes daily routines, from getting dressed to restocking supplies, faster and less frustrating.
Some people argue that opaque bins look "cleaner," and they can. But in an RV, function almost always trumps pure aesthetics. The visual clutter of seeing your belongings is far less chaotic than the physical clutter of constantly digging through mystery boxes. Sanity first, perfect Instagram shot second.
Sterilite ClearView Latching Boxes: Versatile
Organize your home with this 12-pack of 15-quart clear storage bins. The transparent design allows for quick content identification, while secure latches keep items protected and dust-free.
When you need a reliable, do-it-all container, the Sterilite ClearView line is a long-time favorite for a reason. Their latching lids are the key feature here. They snap down securely, ensuring your carefully folded clothes don’t become a jumbled mess after a bumpy ride on a forest service road.
These bins come in a huge range of standardized sizes, from small shoebox-style containers to larger 66-quart totes. This is crucial for maximizing closet space. You can buy into a single system, knowing that a stack of two smaller bins will be the same height as one larger one, letting you create stable, brick-like walls of storage.
Their versatility is their strength. Use the smaller ones for socks and underwear, medium sizes for shirts and pants, and the larger ones for bulky sweaters or extra bedding. While the latches add a bit of bulk to the sides, it’s a small price to pay for the security they provide. They are the workhorse of the RV storage world.
iDesign Linus Bins: Best for Open Shelving
Organize your home with the iDesign Linus stackable storage bin. Made from recycled plastic, its open design and integrated handles provide easy access and portability.
Not everything needs a lid. For items you access daily, like workout clothes, pajamas, or your go-to sweatshirts, an open-top bin is often more practical. The iDesign Linus Bins are perfect for this role, especially on open shelves or in deep cabinets where you can slide them out like a drawer.
Their genius is in their simplicity: straight sides to maximize space, thick and durable plastic, and integrated handles that make them easy to grab. You can line them up on a deep shelf and pull out just the "t-shirt bin" or the "shorts bin" without disturbing anything else. This approach creates defined zones for your clothes, making it easy to see what you have and put things away.
The obvious tradeoff is the lack of a lid. These are not for things you want to keep dust-free or for long-term storage. And on a travel day, you’ll need to make sure they are packed snugly or secured with a tension rod to prevent items from flying out during a sharp turn. They solve the problem of accessibility, not containment during transit.
mDesign Stackable Bins with Hinged Lids
Organize your kitchen cabinets and pantry with this set of four shallow, clear storage bins. Their compact design and durable plastic construction allow for easy visibility and efficient storage of food, snacks, and drinks.
These bins solve one of the most annoying problems with stacked storage: accessing the bottom container. Instead of a removable lid, mDesign bins feature a hinged lid on the front that drops down. This means you can get to the contents of any bin in a stack without having to unstack and restack the entire pile.
This design is a game-changer for frequently used but stackable items. Think of a closet where you have a bin for pants, a bin for sweaters, and a bin for sweatshirts, all stacked. With these, you just open the front door of the bin you need, grab what you want, and close it. It turns a static stack into a functional, multi-level storage system.
They are typically made of a harder, more rigid plastic, which is great for stacking stability. The main consideration is the hinge mechanism itself; it’s a moving part that could potentially fail over time, though most are quite durable. They also aren’t as airtight as a fully latched container, so they are better for clothing and gear than for food or items sensitive to moisture.
IRIS USA Stack & Pull Boxes for Easy Access
Similar in concept to the mDesign bins, the IRIS Stack & Pull boxes offer another solution for accessing items in a stack. Instead of a hinged lid, these feature an angled opening that allows you to reach in and "pull" items out. The design essentially creates a series of permanent, semi-open cubbies.
These are exceptionally useful for things like shoes, folded towels, or even pantry items in a closet. The angled opening makes it easy to see what’s inside and retrieve it with one hand. They stack securely, with grooves that lock them into place, creating a surprisingly stable and modular drawer-like system without the complexity of actual drawers.
The limitation is the size of the opening. You can’t pull out a large, bulky sweater as easily as you could from a bin with a fully removable lid. They excel with smaller, individual items. Choose these when you need to grab one thing at a time, frequently, from a tall stack.
Rubbermaid Cleverstore Totes for Durability
Organize your home with this 6-pack of 32 Qt Rubbermaid Cleverstore clear plastic bins. Featuring tight-fitting lids, recessed handles, and lay-flat latches, these stackable bins are ideal for closet and laundry room storage.
When durability is your top priority, especially for gear stored in an uninsulated pass-through bay, Rubbermaid is the answer. The Cleverstore totes are made from a more pliable, shatter-resistant plastic that can handle the extreme temperature swings and vibrations that come with RV life.
Their standout feature is the robust latching system and the recessed lid design. The lids are designed to be load-bearing, allowing for heavy, stable stacking without the risk of the lid buckling. This makes them ideal for heavier items like tools, emergency supplies, outdoor gear, or bulk pantry goods.
While they are fantastic for heavy-duty applications, they might be overkill for everyday clothes inside the main living space. They tend to be heavier and bulkier than their indoor-focused counterparts. But for anything that needs serious protection from the elements and the road, you can’t beat their toughness.
The Container Store Shoe Box for Small Items
Don’t let the name fool you; these simple, clear boxes are one of the most versatile tools in an RVer’s organization arsenal. Their small, uniform size is their superpower. They are perfect for corralling all the small, miscellaneous items that would otherwise get lost in a larger bin.
Use them for a first-aid kit, a collection of charging cables and power banks, craft supplies, medications, or sewing kits. Because they are all the same size, they stack perfectly, creating neat, orderly blocks of storage on a shelf. You can fit a surprising number of them into a small cabinet, turning a chaotic junk drawer into a library of neatly organized supplies.
The basic drop-on lid isn’t secure enough for travel on its own, so you’ll need to pack them tightly on a shelf or place them inside a larger, latching tote on moving days. But for static organization, their modularity and clarity are unmatched for conquering small-item clutter.
Key Features for RV-Friendly Storage Bins
Choosing the right bin goes beyond just the brand. As you shop, keep these non-negotiable features in mind to ensure your system can handle the unique demands of life on the road. A bin that works perfectly in a stationary house can fail spectacularly in a moving vehicle.
Focus on these core characteristics:
- Secure Latching Lids: Gravity-fit lids are a recipe for disaster. You need lids that physically latch or snap into place to keep contents contained during transit.
- Efficient Shape: Look for bins with straight sides and 90-degree corners. Tapered bins with rounded corners waste a significant amount of precious volume in a tight closet.
- Stackability: Vertical space is your best friend. Choose bins from the same product line that are designed to interlock or nest securely for stable stacking.
- Durable Material: The plastic should have some flex to it. Brittle, hard plastic can crack easily from vibrations or in cold weather.
Ultimately, the goal is to create a modular system. Committing to one or two product lines allows you to mix and match sizes that stack together perfectly, like a game of Tetris where you always win. This standardization is the secret to a closet that stays organized for the long haul, not just until the next travel day.
The best organization system is one you’ll actually use, and clear bins remove the biggest barrier: not knowing where anything is. Start by measuring your closet space, then choose a primary bin type that fits your needs and build your system from there. A little planning upfront will save you countless hours of frustration down the road.
