$9.99; Bottom: Studio Macura LAKO Book Rack at Room 68, clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile
Top: The Container Store Network Magnetic Divided Bin, <a href="http://www.containerstore.com/shop/office/desktopCollections/blackWhite?productId=10033138&amp;N=81161">$9.99</a>; Bottom: Studio Macura LAKO Book Rack at Room 68, <a href="http://www.r
Top: The Container Store Network Magnetic Divided Bin, $9.99; Bottom: Studio Macura LAKO Book Rack at Room 68,

These Twelve Stores Will Help You Organize Your Life

By Susie Kostaras
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Top: The Container Store Network Magnetic Divided Bin, $9.99; Bottom: Studio Macura LAKO Book Rack at Room 68,
By Susie Kostaras

Racked is no longer publishing. Thank you to everyone who read our work over the years. The archives will remain available here; for new stories, head over to Vox.com, where our staff is covering consumer culture for The Goods by Vox. You can also see what we’re up to by signing up here.

Back-to-school season is approaching rapidly, and whether it's tools for kids or for yourself on the agenda, these twelve stores will help you get organized in no time. Find everything from unfinished wooden desks and bookshelves to more architectural storage and office supplies full of personality for a streamlined academic year. And remember, if all else fails (or the budget is at zero), scout out whatever you need from the sidewalks—it's nearly Allston Christmas!


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Bob Slate Stationer

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Bob Slate is dedicated to (as its name suggests) stationery. The generations-old store stocks Crane & Co. among a wide variety of indie card designers. Come here to buy fancy paper for a resume, a la Elle Woods in Legally Blonde.
30 Brattle Street, Cambridge, MA 02138
(617) 547-1230
(617) 547-1230

Harvard Book Store

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Block out a chunk of time when you visit this landmark indie bookseller, founded in 1932, which contrary to its name has no affiliation with Harvard University. Pore over the latest bestselling titles or poke around an extensive selection of used books—and then maybe stay for one of the many author lectures in a packed event series schedule. A history of innovation includes eco-friendly bike delivery in the area and a book-making robot to aid in self publishing.
1256 Massachusetts Avenue, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138
(617) 661-1515
(617) 661-1515

Micro Center

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Here's the spot to buy refurbished tech supplies should you forget that charger in the library or spill an extra dirty chai all over your keyboard. Over a dozen brands and spare parts mean nothing is too obscure for them to locate.
730 Memorial Drive, Cambridge, MA 02139
(617) 234-6409
(617) 234-6409

Rugg Road Paper Company

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Discover quirky designs from companies like 9th Letter Press and Jonathan Adler, with creative paper displays always rotating in the front window. Inspirational and perfect for thank you notes or lunchbox letters.
105 Charles Street, Boston, MA 02114
(617) 742-0002
(617) 742-0002

ICA Store

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The ICA store is one compact, curated destination for the best in coffee table books and catalogues, wacky kitchen gadgets, tricked out office supplies, and pretty storage to keep your desk looking like a contemporary art exhibit.
100 Northern Avenue, Boston, MA 02210
(617) 478-3104
(617) 478-3104

Bostonwood

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This supplier in Packard's Corner is known for unfinished wood furniture, from storage boxes to desks and more. Paint 'em gold, neon, or do a nice glossy finish—work on the DIY of your dreams for a custom-suited workspace.
1117 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA 02215
(617) 783-0274
(617) 783-0274

Blick Art Materials

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If you have an art project, industry-leading Blick can supply the goods. From Moleskine notebooks to infinite pen options, spray paint to crafting materials, this giant location has it all.
401 Park Drive, Boston, MA 02215
(617) 247-3322
(617) 247-3322

Brookline Booksmith

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This award-winning bookstore in charming Coolidge corner is much more extensive than it looks from the street. Over 50 years old, the shop is distinguished by its helpful staff, events ranging from grad students reading poetry to best-selling author series, a used book basement, and a monthly book club going 10 years strong. The perfect place to expand your literary horizons.
279 Harvard Street, Brookline, MA 02446
(617) 566-6660
(617) 566-6660

The MFA Store

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Like the ICA (and most museum shops in general), you can trust the MFA to provide some art-driven desktop accessories, wall art, and books to keep you happy and cultured—or if you're an art history major, feel free to multitask and study your posters.
Avenue of the Arts, Boston, MA 02115
(617) 267-9300
(617) 267-9300

Lekker

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Shiny chrome and gorgeous wood anchor colorful room accessories at Lekker. We especially like shiny card holders, magazine racks, umbrella stands and all the fixings of a stylish office or studio. Ultra sleek desks serve as statement pieces for studious workers.
1317 Washington Street, Boston, MA 02118
(617) 542-6464
(617) 542-6464

The Container Store

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Find solutions for problems you didn't even know you had at The Container Store. If it has ever needed to be stored, they have an attractive and generally price-friendly option to satisfy most tastes. Well-known for carrying elfa shelving, you can be sure to keep a space tidy whether it's a garage, tabletop, or closet. Also available: delivery and registries.
27 Boylston Street, The Street Chestnut Hill, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467
(617) 566-7400
(617) 566-7400

Room 68

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Funky lighting, lacquered storage, and geometric shelving are the statement-makers in this tucked-away boutique in JP. Planters can cheer up an office, and most goods are perfect for a creative agency space.
68 South Street, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130
(617) 942-7425
(617) 942-7425
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Bob Slate Stationer

30 Brattle Street, Cambridge, MA 02138
Bob Slate is dedicated to (as its name suggests) stationery. The generations-old store stocks Crane & Co. among a wide variety of indie card designers. Come here to buy fancy paper for a resume, a la Elle Woods in Legally Blonde.
30 Brattle Street, Cambridge, MA 02138
(617) 547-1230
(617) 547-1230

Harvard Book Store

1256 Massachusetts Avenue, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138
Block out a chunk of time when you visit this landmark indie bookseller, founded in 1932, which contrary to its name has no affiliation with Harvard University. Pore over the latest bestselling titles or poke around an extensive selection of used books—and then maybe stay for one of the many author lectures in a packed event series schedule. A history of innovation includes eco-friendly bike delivery in the area and a book-making robot to aid in self publishing.
1256 Massachusetts Avenue, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138
(617) 661-1515
(617) 661-1515

Micro Center

730 Memorial Drive, Cambridge, MA 02139
Here's the spot to buy refurbished tech supplies should you forget that charger in the library or spill an extra dirty chai all over your keyboard. Over a dozen brands and spare parts mean nothing is too obscure for them to locate.
730 Memorial Drive, Cambridge, MA 02139
(617) 234-6409
(617) 234-6409

Rugg Road Paper Company

105 Charles Street, Boston, MA 02114
Discover quirky designs from companies like 9th Letter Press and Jonathan Adler, with creative paper displays always rotating in the front window. Inspirational and perfect for thank you notes or lunchbox letters.
105 Charles Street, Boston, MA 02114
(617) 742-0002
(617) 742-0002

ICA Store

100 Northern Avenue, Boston, MA 02210
The ICA store is one compact, curated destination for the best in coffee table books and catalogues, wacky kitchen gadgets, tricked out office supplies, and pretty storage to keep your desk looking like a contemporary art exhibit.
100 Northern Avenue, Boston, MA 02210
(617) 478-3104
(617) 478-3104

Bostonwood

1117 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA 02215
This supplier in Packard's Corner is known for unfinished wood furniture, from storage boxes to desks and more. Paint 'em gold, neon, or do a nice glossy finish—work on the DIY of your dreams for a custom-suited workspace.
1117 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA 02215
(617) 783-0274
(617) 783-0274

Blick Art Materials

401 Park Drive, Boston, MA 02215
If you have an art project, industry-leading Blick can supply the goods. From Moleskine notebooks to infinite pen options, spray paint to crafting materials, this giant location has it all.
401 Park Drive, Boston, MA 02215
(617) 247-3322
(617) 247-3322

Brookline Booksmith

279 Harvard Street, Brookline, MA 02446
This award-winning bookstore in charming Coolidge corner is much more extensive than it looks from the street. Over 50 years old, the shop is distinguished by its helpful staff, events ranging from grad students reading poetry to best-selling author series, a used book basement, and a monthly book club going 10 years strong. The perfect place to expand your literary horizons.
279 Harvard Street, Brookline, MA 02446
(617) 566-6660
(617) 566-6660

The MFA Store

Avenue of the Arts, Boston, MA 02115
Like the ICA (and most museum shops in general), you can trust the MFA to provide some art-driven desktop accessories, wall art, and books to keep you happy and cultured—or if you're an art history major, feel free to multitask and study your posters.
Avenue of the Arts, Boston, MA 02115
(617) 267-9300
(617) 267-9300

Lekker

1317 Washington Street, Boston, MA 02118
Shiny chrome and gorgeous wood anchor colorful room accessories at Lekker. We especially like shiny card holders, magazine racks, umbrella stands and all the fixings of a stylish office or studio. Ultra sleek desks serve as statement pieces for studious workers.
1317 Washington Street, Boston, MA 02118
(617) 542-6464
(617) 542-6464

The Container Store

27 Boylston Street, The Street Chestnut Hill, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467
Find solutions for problems you didn't even know you had at The Container Store. If it has ever needed to be stored, they have an attractive and generally price-friendly option to satisfy most tastes. Well-known for carrying elfa shelving, you can be sure to keep a space tidy whether it's a garage, tabletop, or closet. Also available: delivery and registries.
27 Boylston Street, The Street Chestnut Hill, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467
(617) 566-7400
(617) 566-7400

Room 68

68 South Street, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130
Funky lighting, lacquered storage, and geometric shelving are the statement-makers in this tucked-away boutique in JP. Planters can cheer up an office, and most goods are perfect for a creative agency space.
68 South Street, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130
(617) 942-7425
(617) 942-7425