When it comes to spring cleaning, you can scrub it, mop it, dust it and rearrange it. But if you don’t organize it, you might as well place a call to the crew of Hoarders. If you really want your nest to be in tip-top shape for spring, you won’t just clean it—you’ll develop a storage system to keep it that way.

“But I don’t have closet space,” you say. And let me guess: the shed is full, every drawer and shelf is otherwise occupied and you wouldn’t even dream of parking your car in the garage, lest you disrupt the delicate balance of piles. Trust me, I get it. But who says you have to be an “innie” when it comes to storage and organization? Why not be an “outie” instead?

If you’re armed with a slew of attractive storage solutions—if you get your pretty little hands on boxes, canisters and trays that you’re proud to show off—you won’t want to put all of your stuff away. (Not even if you did have room in your postage-stamp-sized closet).

Thanks to a bout of unseasonably sunny weather, I got a jump start on this year’s spring cleaning (with the help of my mister, who has a knack for closet makeovers—yes, I’ve stumbled upon a rare breed, indeed!). So, I’ve officially swiffered and scrubbed my home into submission. Now I’m on to phase two: the hunt for chic storage ideas.

Call me demanding, but I don’t think it’s unreasonable to expect storage and organizational products to fit seamlessly into your decor. (Sorry, Tupperware.) But can a girl ask for more than that? Absolutely. And as these Target finds prove, storage can be stand-out sexy. (Well, at least to those of us who swoon over Mr. Clean—not for his muscular build, mind you, but for his stellar mop skills.)

1. Set of Two Decorative Storage Boxes by Two Lumps of Sugar: If a spoonful of sugar helps the organizing go down, these storage boxes by Two Lumps of Sugar must be the sweetest cure for multiple piles syndrome. Photos, documents, office supplies—if you can name it, you can stack it neatly inside these collapsible boxes in a gorgeous olive branch print.

2. Fretwork Tray: Every functional nest needs a landing strip, which is otherwise known as the place where you drop all of your random stuff upon entering your home. This glossy acrylic tray provides the perfect corral for your keys, mail, dog leash and other trappings that shouldn’t be strewn about your place. Add in something special—perhaps a small bud vase with a single, gorgeous bloom—and your utilitarian pieces become chic.

3. Magazine Stand by Eric Pfeiffer: The fastest way to a tranquil, pleasing place? Showing clutter who’s boss. Instead of piling magazines here and there, why not let them sleep soundly in this birch veneer statement piece? With its curvy, architectural lines and multiple spaces for magazines, books and stray paperwork, this magazine stand has plenty of style—and room—to spare.

4. Dot Folding Hamper by Household Essentials: Despite my most resolute efforts for wardrobe cleanliness, good intentions alone will not increase the square footage of my closet. You see, my clothes are organized by color. My shoes snuggle neatly on racks. But there is no way, no how, not ever that my hamper can join the party. That’s where a good-looking resting place for dirty laundry comes in handy. With its cheery green dots and retro feel, this hamper will do just fine outside of the closet.

5. Canister Set in Guacamole by Room Essentials: Kitchen storage is essential to countertop harmony. And when it comes to kitchen tidiness, canisters are key. Yes, I know that all of your flour, sugar, rice, coffee and so on come in their own containers. But is that packaging cute or appealing enough to display? Didn’t think so. Free up some room in overstuffed cabinets or pantries by placing bulk items in canisters on your counter. Bonus points for housing your cooking essentials in containers the color of fresh-cut grass.

6. Library-Style Storage in Walnut: What? You still own CDs? Well, fret not. This piece of furniture is an entertainment junky’s dream. It holds 456 CDs or 196 DVDs, all while posing as an antique library card catalog. Even if you ditched your college CD collection long ago, this beauty would work wonders for organizing art supplies, crafting goodies or your collection of miniature bottles of airline booze—you know, whatever needs arranging.

(Image: Elizabeth Ulrich for Extrabux)