16 Different Types of Vehicle Organization Gadgets and Organizers for Every Part of the Vehicle

Is it just me or does your car have an appetite of its own, where it just eats items and sucks them into its abyss? I can’t stand losing things in the car. It’s impossible to see underneath and down the sides of the seats.

This seems to happen especially on long road trips. Luckily, there are many organizational gadgets especially designed for vehicles.

If you want to enjoy your car, keep it neat and tidy, or just have extra room for you and your passengers, you should consider some organizational gadgets and organizers to whip your car into shape.

Here are some of my favorite organizers, for every part of your car. 

Front of the car

1. Sun Visor Organizer

This is one of the easiest places to keep an organizer in your car because it folds up and out of the way. I remember when CDs were still a thing, the sun visor was a classic place to store CD discs. This sun visor organizer has all kinds of pockets and zip enclosures to keep items in easy reach.

I love this one because it has a zip pocket enclosure, making it easy to hide cash or coins you may want on hand for a car wash or tire air stop. It’s affordable and comes in seven colors. The faux leather material is easy to clean and it stays put very sturdily on your visor. 

Depending on whether your visor mirror slides or flaps open, you may not be able to access the mirror with the organizer on. So that is something to consider if you use your visor mirror often.

2. Hanging Trash Can

This hanging trash can is ideal if you don’t have a large center console. I like how it has the ability to hang off to the side of the gear shift.

It can also hang off the back of the center console if your passengers need it more than you! It has a 1.85 gallon capacity to help your car stay tidy. It also comes in a variety of colors to suit your personal style.

3. Gap Organizer

I can’t count how many times my phone has slipped in between the console and the driver’s seat. There’s nothing worse than trying to stick your hand down there at a red light to pick up your phone so you can keep following driving directions on your maps app.

Enter the gap organizer. Can you believe they made this?! It’s genius. Just slip it into the gap in between your seat and the console, and voila! Somewhere to stick your phone, wallet, charger cord, or any other items you need at hand.

4. Registration Wallet

Is there anyone who doesn’t get nervous when they get pulled over for a traffic stop? This registration wallet may help to calm your nerves a bit because it can keep your insurance and registration information organized and at hand.

Keep your vehicle’s documents protected and displayable in this registration document organizer. It fits easily in your glove box and even has extra slits for other cards like AAA or extra copies of other documents. It also comes in a variety of colors which make it easy to find if you’re in a rush.

Cabin

5. Purse/Bag Headrest Hanger

Now moving on to the middle of the car, the cabin. This purse hanger is a simple way to hang your purse and keep it off the dirty car floor. It also makes space for passengers to ride in the front or back seat without them stepping on your purse or holding it while you drive.

The hanger also has a phone mount holder, perfect for entertaining those smaller riders (if you transport kids). I especially like how compact it is; you could take it with you on a trip. 

6. Backseat Organizer

This backseat organizer is ideal for larger cars that have a lot of foot room between the driver’s seat and the middle row. It’s especially useful for little ones who need somewhere to store all their toys, snacks, and devices while riding.

The organizer has a touchable tablet holder and ten storage pockets for whatever they need. The durable nylon fabric makes it easy to wipe down and keep clean. The touchable tablet pocket also has a hold for earphones, which will make for a quieter ride for the driver and other passengers.

7. Sanitation Station

Source: Target

If you’re looking for a way to help your passengers keep those germs away, look no further. This sanitation station from Skip Hop is a favorite among parents.

It easily attaches to the headrest with adjustable straps, has a pocket for hand sanitizer, a wipes dispenser pocket, and an easy-access trash bag dispenser. The hanging trash bag may bother some passengers as they enter and exit the vehicle, but you can just use the organizer for the wipes and hand sanitizer pockets if you prefer. 

8. Car Trash Can with Pockets

This is another kind of car trash organizer to consider. It encloses the trash bag inside, so if you prefer to have the bag concealed, this may be a better choice for you.

This trash can also has pockets on the side, making it multifunctional. I like that the trash bag is enclosed because it also conceals the smell and removes the temptation of wandering hands wanting to take all the trash out!

Trunk

9. Trunk Organizer with Net

This trunk organizer with a net enclosure is a great option if you have a lot of lighter items that may go flying around if the vehicle were to suddenly stop.

It’s foldable and collapsible, so if you’re not using it, you can easily fold it up to make room for other cargo and space. I also like the straps on the side that help to anchor it in place so it doesn’t tip over. 

The net enclosure gives a lot of flexibility for bulkier items you’re still trying to contain; you’re not constrained by a hard, flat lid. This organizer is rather bulky, so it’s ideal for larger cars that have extra space in the trunk.

10. Leather, Collapsible Trunk Organizer

If you’d like a more expensive-looking organizer, consider this leather one. It has silver buckles to tightly secure the organizer’s enclosure and has adjustable compartments to allow for different sized items.

Although the inside compartments are adjustable, the top lid that encloses it is not as forgiving as the net one above, so be mindful of the items you will be putting into it. 

11. Hanging Trunk Organizer

This hanging organizer is perfect for midsize SUVs that have less trunk space, but still want to keep trunk items organized. I think of items that remain in the trunk and aren’t accessed very often, like emergency roadside items.

It has plenty of pockets, and 5 of them are higher up, making them easy for backseat passengers to access if needed. In addition to the straps that it hangs from on the headrests, it also has a velcro-like material that helps it stick to the back seat.

The only con I see with this option is third row use. If you put your back row down often to use the extra space for trips and storage, it could get annoying to have to remove the organizer all the time. So just keep that in mind!

12. Car Cabana

Source: Carcabana

OK, this one technically isn’t an organizer, but I consider it a must-have item IN your trunk organizer! I saw an ad for it the other day and just wanted to include it here. It would save you time, and I consider that a part of the organization.

It’s called the Car Cabana. This piece of fabric has magnets perfectly placed to turn the back of your car into a private, multipurpose changing room! How cool is that? You just open up the trunk door, place the magnets, and bam! Instant privacy. 

This is perfect for in-between kids’ sports activities, changing for outdoor workouts if your office doesn’t have a gym, moms who want a little extra space to breastfeed or help kids change… the possibilities are endless.

OK, now back to vehicle organization!

13. Hanging Covered Pockets

This one also hangs from the back seat, but it only has pockets along the top row, under the headrests. This leaves the bottom free and clear for whatever large items are on the floor or the trunk. It’s a happy medium.

This hanger also has flap covers for all of its pockets, so if your personal preference is to have everything concealed, then this is the option for you. You could consider labeling each pocket so you don’t forget what’s in there.

If you’re not accessing it all the time, chances are you may find it harder to remember all the helpful items you put there! I do wish it came in other colors besides black or gray, but I guess function is probably the most important for car storage––especially in the trunk.

Roof

14. RoofPax Rooftop Cargo Carrier

And now to the outside of the vehicle! This rooftop cargo carrier is a great way to add 15 cubic feet of extra storage and space to your car. Its waterproof, heavy-duty material will protect your items in all weather. It’d be perfect for a long roadtrip for items that you wouldn’t need access to, like suitcases or sleeping bags. 

The RoofPax rooftop cargo carrier works on cars with or without a raised side rail.  The brand only offers one color scheme, so if you can’t stand the thought of blue and orange, you may want to find another similar product. 

15. MeeFar Roof Bag

This is another rooftop option, but this one can store 20 cubic feet, so it’s a bit larger. It also comes with a combination lock, so you can ensure your items remain secure if you have to leave your car for a meal or errand on the go.

It works on all kinds of cars, with a side bar or without, and regardless of whether you have a roof rack bin. It does have a 15 cubic-foot option if you don’t need that much extra space. It’s black with an orange band around it, and the material is waterproof and heavy duty.

16. Thule Hard Plastic Rooftop Cargo Bin

This hard plastic bin from Thule is obviously going to be more heavy duty than any rooftop bag option.

However, it is much pricier, so there is that to keep in mind. Its narrow design provides 11 cubic feet of extra storage, which isn’t as much as the rooftop bags, but it does allow for other items to be added to the roof like skis or a snowboard.

Thule has a tool-free system that allows you to click it into place for easy installation. You do need a roof rack if you’re going to go this route, so keep that in mind.