Back to school season is officially here (don't worry, we can’t believe it either)! As summer winds down and we head back into our fall routines, efficiency and organization are top of mind. Luckily, home organization pro Janelle Lam stopped by Studio 1A with some must-have solutions for the season — all starting at just $9.
First up, Lam is speeding up your morning cup of joe with a limited edition Nespresso coffee and espresso maker. Only available at Target, it brews hot and iced drinks, and comes with a stylish iced coffee tumbler perfect for on-the-go sipping. Beyond the kitchen, Lam has her eyes on a compact steamer to keep your workwear wrinkle-free — and small enough that you can stow it in your carry-on when you travel. For footwear, Lam found a smart under-the-bed shoe organizer that comes with a clear zipper lid to keep your pairs dust-free.
When laundry day comes around, ditch your classic laundry basket for the collapsible version Lam's eyeing — ideal for space-saving college students and homeowners alike. We’re big Scrub Daddy fans at Shop TODAY, and Lam’s loving a unique wand-style scrubber that adapts to the temperature of the water to become softer or more stiff. Plus, for better sleep hygiene (a hot topic these days), she’s recommending a Hatch nightlight — originally made for babies but beloved by all ages.
Ready to shop? Get your hands on Lam’s picks below — or add them all to your cart with one click.
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Brightroom Underbed Fabric Shoe Organizer with Dividers
$9.00
$12.00
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Rowenta Pure Pop Handheld Garment Steamer
$49.99
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Scrub Daddy Soap Dishwashing Dishwand
$9.49
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Brightroom Collapsible Laundry Hamper
$13.00
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Nespresso Limited-Edition Vertuo Pop+ Coffee and Espresso Maker Flavored Iced Bundle
$149.99
$195.99
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Hatch Rest 2nd Gen All-in-one Sleep Machine
$69.98
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Vera Bradley Outlet Cotton Lunch Crossbody Bag
$19.50
$65.00
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Kärcher WV 1 Plus Electric Window Vacuum and Squeegee
$79.99
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U Brands Silicone Cord Bands
$4.89
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Brightroom Large Transportable Storage with Cooler
$20.00
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Rubbermaid Brilliance Leak Proof Food Storage Containers (10 Piece)
$26.99
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Dealworthy Lunch Tote
$3.00
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Room Essentials Magnetic Flower Chip Bag Clip Set
$5.00
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Brightroom Fabric Bin (11 Inch)
$5.00
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Everspring Multi-Surface Microfiber Cleaning Cloths
$12.89
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Brightroom Rolling Hamper
$17.00
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Figmint Plastic Mixing Bowl Set with Lids (Set of 3)
$22.00
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YouCopia UpSpace Three Shelf Water Bottle Organizer
$29.99
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Swiffer WetJet Floor Mop Starter Kit
$31.99
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Prepworks ProKeeper Plus Baking Storage Set (9 Piece)
$69.98
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Brightroom Three Tier Entry Bench with Hooks
$95.00
As shopping editors, we never seem to have enough shoe storage. Luckily, Lam has a new solution: This under-the-bed organizer, which makes use of space you often don’t get to use up — ideal for when your shoe rack is getting too crowded or you’re switching out your wardrobe seasonally. Each divided compartment can hold multiple pairs and it even comes with a transparent cover, so you can keep your boots, sandals and more dust-free. And it’s super lightweight, meaning you don’t have to struggle to take it out or tuck it away.
This fall, make sure your back-to-work outfits are up to snuff with the help of this sleek yet powerful steamer, which Lam loves since it means you don’t have to haul out the ironing board. From trusted brand Rowenta, this one steams efficiently and glides effortlessly, per the brand. Plus, the steam effectively reduces odors and refreshes your clothes without harsh chemicals. With a dual-sided pad that lets you seamlessly transition to lint removal, it’s multi-purpose, as well as ultra-compact and lightweight.
As shopping editors, we never seem to have enough shoe storage. Luckily, Lam has a new solution: This under-the-bed organizer, which makes use of space you often don’t get to use up — ideal for when your shoe rack is getting too crowded or you’re switching out your wardrobe seasonally. Each divided compartment can hold multiple pairs and it even comes with a transparent cover, so you can keep your boots, sandals and more dust-free. And it’s super lightweight, meaning you don’t have to struggle to take it out or tuck it away.
Not your average sponge, this Scrub Daddy softens in warm water to become more absorbent for everyday cleaning and gentler on delicate dishes, according to the brand. Alternatively, if you’re looking for something firmer, you can stiffen it up again by running it under cold water to make it ready to take on grease and baked-on grime. This one has a built-in wand attachment and soap dispenser, as well as a scraper. The sponge is scratch-free and can be used on glass, non-stick cookware, cast iron, copper and stainless steel, per Scrub Daddy.
Laundry baskets are essential, but they aren’t the prettiest items in our homes — and that’s why Lam is loving this easy-to-store option. Made with a collapsible design, it folds down into a flat tray so you can store it under your bed, on a shelf or even to the side of your washing machine. With handles on each side of the rim, it’s also easy to carry when things get heavy. Plus, the mesh design helps with ventilation, keeping your dirty clothes and linens from getting musty as they wait to be washed.
Trying to make more coffee at home this fall? This Target-exclusive Nespresso kit makes flavored coffee and espresso, iced or hot. The set comes with the limited editor pistachio Vertuo Pop+ maker, 10 sweet vanilla pods, 10 golden caramel pods, one iced coffee travel tumbler and a $20 Nespresso voucher, redeemable at Nespresso.com (for when you need a pod refresh). It makes five, eight and 12 ounce coffees, as well as single and double espressos brewed hot or over ice. Since it’s a compact design, Lam says it's ideal for soon-to-be college students living in dorms, or anyone who prefers a clearer counter space.
Originally designed for babies but now enjoyed by adults too, this gadget from Hatch doubles as a dimmable nightlight and sleep sound machine with a variety of audio options, from classic white noise to ocean sounds. You can even create custom wake-up routines to indicate when it’s time to rise! Thanks to the corresponding Hatch+ app, you can control this device from anywhere, as well as use it to unlock stories, music and personalized goodnight notes for winding down (a free trial of the app subscription is included, but a complete subscription is sold separately). Have a baby shower coming up? It's a major hit on registries.
More Target back to routine finds
Get back to school on the right foot with a fresh lunch bag. This Vera Bradley find is under $20 — nearly 70% off! Not only do we love the kitschy print, but it has a crossbody strap so you can go hands-free.
Another previous Lam favorite? This window vacuum, which has been a hit with our readers before. It provides an efficient way to clean windows, tiles and even your shower walls. According to the brand, it leaves a streak-free finish.
We all know the feeling of looking for a specific cord or charger, only to have to dig through a wad of tangled ones to find it. That’s where these cord bands come in: By just looping and fastening them around a cord, they eliminate tangled messes while saving space.
With this trunk storage container you don’t have to worry about groceries and other goods rolling around in the back of your vehicle. It has a variety of pockets and sections to keep things sorted and there’s even a cooler section, keeping refrigerated goods cool until you get home.
These leak-proof food containers have plastic locking lids and glass bases, making them easy to store in the fridge, take with you on the go and re-heat once you take the lid off.
Shop TODAY senior partnerships editor Francesca Cocchi Zabloudil, who has owned a set from this collection for years, loves them for portioning out lunches for the week ahead (and appreciates that they’re airtight).
For just $3, you can get a fresh lunch bag for you or your little one. With easy-to-carry tote handles and a mesh pocket on the inside, it's a practical and super affordable pick that still looks cute.
These chip clips — which form a sweet flower on the fridge when all six magnetic clips in the set are put together — will keep your chips and other dried goods fresh.
Available in more than 10 colors and at just $5, these fabric bins are perfect catch-alls for storing everything from toys to tech.
Not your average cleaning cloths, these have hundreds of five-star reviews! Made from a soft, absorbent microfiber, the set is suitable for any and all surfaces, from all-purpose cleaning to scrubbing and polishing.
One five-star reviewer wrote, "I bought a package of these about a year ago and use them for regular house cleaning, then run them through the washing machine. They’ve held up so well I just bought another package. Using these saves having to use paper towels or those disposable wipes. Highly recommend!" Another simply shared, "Love these for cleaning. Each color has a different texture for different cleaning purposes. Great value."
If your laundry basket is a bit too heavy or awkward to carry, this rolling hamper is the perfect solution. You can wheel it to and from your laundry area, making wash day easy. Plus, ventilation on the sides helps to keep dirty towels and other laundry from getting musty.
This set of three mixing bowls is affordable and highly functional, thanks to the clear lids which keep your food covered while stil allowing you to see what's inside. Per the brand, the bases feature a non-slip material so your bowl stays in place while mixing and they all nest together so you can store them with ease.
We can't be the only ones with a disorganized water bottle and coffee tumbler cabinet, so we've got our eyes on this bottle organizer. With three tiers, the organizer was designed to hold 12 vessels and make them easy to see, store and grab to go.
The Swiffer WetJet is a classic cleaning tool for a reason. With it, you can easily get into tight nooks and crannies without the hassle of a traditional mop and bucket. To assemble, just connect the handle, insert the batteries, load the tool with corresponding cleaning solution, add a fresh pad and go! It's safe to use on wood, laminate and tile, according to the brand.
If you find your pantry essentials getting a little unwieldy, this sleek Prepworks set Lam previously shared can help you streamline. With silicone seals, the containers are airtight, keeping your ingredients fresh. Plus, the clear plastic and measurement markings on the side help you keep track of the amount of each ingredient you have left. One container even comes with a terracotta piece at the top, which is designated for brown sugar, as it keeps moisture out to prevent crystallization.
Whether you're furnishing your mudroom or creating a makeshift one in the hall, this three-tier bench can help. Not only does it provide a spot to sit as you tie your shoes, you can store footwear underneath the bench, as well as hang coats, hats and bags on the hooks above.
How we chose
We consulted Shop TODAY contributor Janelle Lam, as well as the Shop TODAY editorial team, for items that are editor-approved based on newness, style and seasonality. To round out the list, we also considered items with high customer ratings.
For sponsored content, the Shop TODAY editorial team independently chooses products to recommend that are sold by the retailer (in this case, Target). The retailer does not review or approve the content. Learn more about Shop TODAY.
Meet the expert
- Janelle Lam is a professional home organizer, the founder of Straighten Up by Janelle and author of The Folding Book. In addition to making major media appearances, Lam has worked with top names across entertainment and entrepreneurship. She has become known for creating spaces that are both functional and beautiful, using her expertise to help clients streamline and optimize their homes.
