Questions about making storage searchable?

Totely is a home storage inventory app that helps you know what is inside totes, bins, boxes, shelves, closets, garages, storage units, and moving boxes without opening everything. You can number a container, photograph what is inside, save where it lives, and search for items later.

• See features
• Browse use cases

Most homes have plenty of storage but weak memory. Totely connects physical containers to searchable records—photos, notes, numbers, and locations—so you stop opening every bin to find one thing.

• Why storage memory matters

Totely is for households tired of guessing what is in storage—families, renters, movers, garage organizers, holiday decorators, crafters, and anyone managing bins across multiple rooms or locations.

• See use cases

Start with items that are hard to find, easy to forget, expensive to replace, or stored out of sight. Good first categories include holiday decorations, tools, camping gear, baby clothes, craft supplies, important documents, moving boxes, and seasonal gear.

• Storage guides

Most people catalog their first container in a few minutes. Start with one frustrating zone, add a clear number, photograph what is inside, and expand when the system feels useful.

• Home storage guide

Yes—and that is the best way to start. One closet, one garage shelf, one holiday bin stack, or one moving box group is enough to feel the difference before you expand.

• See how it works

Start where you lose the most time: the garage shelf you dig through, the holiday tote you reopen every year, or the moving boxes you still cannot find essentials in.

• Resources hub

No. Totely is built to grow with you. Five to ten containers in one zone beats a weekend marathon that never finishes.

• Start small guide

Yes. Totely does not require a perfect organizing system. It can help you create visibility one container or shelf at a time, starting with the area that frustrates you most.

• See how it works

Spreadsheets rely on manual typing and fall out of date fast. Totely starts with photos and AI-assisted cataloging, then gives you search and visual proof tied to real containers.

• Totely vs spreadsheets

Labels help you identify a container, but they do not show what is inside. Totely pairs visible numbers with photos, notes, and search so you do not have to open every tote.

• Totely vs manual labels

You give each container or storage zone a simple visible number, take a photo of what is inside, add the location, and Totely turns that record into something searchable. Later, you search for the item and Totely shows the matching container, location, and photo proof.

• See the full walkthrough

Searchable storage means you can look up an item by name and find where it is stored, instead of relying on memory or opening multiple containers. For example, you could search for "camping tent" and see the tote number, location, and a photo of the contents.

• The Totely method

Each record can include the container number, one or more photos of the contents, item names, the location where it lives, and notes such as size, season, or condition.

Yes. Totely works best with totes, bins, and boxes, but you can also create records for shelves, closet zones, under-bed storage, garage zones, storage units, or any area you can photograph and give a clear identifier.

• The Totely method

No. Totely is built for totes, bins, boxes, closets, shelves, garages, attics, basements, under-bed storage, storage units, moving boxes, and other storage areas.

• Browse use cases

Yes. Update item names, add or remove items, take a new photo, or change the location whenever the container changes. The number on the outside can stay the same while the digital record behind it is kept current.

• How it works

No. You can start with any simple visible number. Totely connects each number to the contents, photos, and location saved inside your inventory. You do not need special hardware or custom-printed labels to get started.

• Storage tote labels

Yes. If you already have labels or want to use your own numbering system, Totely works around whatever identifiers you put on your containers.

• Label system guide

Written labels get outdated when contents change. A number can stay on the container for years while the digital record behind it is updated to match the current contents, photos, and location. This is why Totely's system is built around numbers as stable identifiers.

• Why numbered labels work
• Totely vs label maker

At minimum, use a clear container number or short identifier that is easy to see from a distance. Keep the detailed contents, photos, and location inside Totely where they can be searched and updated without replacing the label.

• Storage tote labels

You can, but Totely works best when the visible label stays simple and the details live in the app. A number plus a photo record is easier to maintain than a label that tries to describe everything inside. If contents change, you update the record rather than reprinting the label.

• Label system guide

You photograph what is inside a container, and Totely uses AI to help identify items and build a searchable record. You review results, edit names, and add notes—AI speeds setup; you stay in control.

• Home inventory app

No. Totely is designed around AI photo cataloging so setup is faster than manually typing every item. You can still edit, add notes, and correct details when needed.

Yes. Rename items, merge duplicates, fix categories, and add details before or after saving. Your inventory should reflect what you actually stored.

Add it manually or retake the photo with clearer lighting. AI is a head start, not a perfect inventory—especially in dark garages or crowded bins.

Yes. Notes, categories, seasons, rooms, and custom details help search stay useful as containers change over time. Examples include size, season, condition, room, or priority.

Yes. Extra photos help for deep bins, layered holiday decor, or containers where one shot cannot show everything.

Search by item name, category, room, season, or container number. Totely shows where that item was recorded and the photo or notes attached to that storage record.

• Search features

Yes. Natural language search works for everyday questions like "Christmas lights," "camping chairs," or "extra phone chargers."

Yes. Organize by room, zone, or location so searches like "garage extension cords" or "basement winter gear" point to the right container.

Yes. Seasonal tags help you pull holiday decor, summer gear, or winter clothing without opening unrelated bins.

• Holiday storage guide

Photo proof means you can see what was inside when you cataloged the container—not just a label that says "misc." That visual confirmation saves time and wrong-bin trips.

Yes. Messy bins are exactly where memory breaks down. A photo plus a few key item names beats a perfect shelf every time.

Yes. Totely is useful for garage totes, tools, extension cords, seasonal gear, sports equipment, paint supplies, and shelves where items are easy to lose.

• Garage storage use case
• Garage organization guide

Yes. You can track lights, ornaments, wreaths, wrapping supplies, outdoor decorations, and seasonal bins so they are easier to find next year.

• Holiday storage use case
• Holiday storage guide

Yes. Number each moving box, photograph what is inside, assign it to a room or zone, and search later when you need something before everything is unpacked.

• Moving inventory use case
• Moving inventory guide

Yes. Totely works well for renters because it does not require permanent shelving or wall-mounted systems. It can be used with closets, under-bed bins, shared storage, moving boxes, and temporary storage setups.

• Renter storage use case

Yes. Totely can help track vinyl, yarn, fabric, tools, paper, beads, paints, and project supplies so you can stop rebuying things you already own.

• Craft supply use case

Yes. Totely can help small home-based businesses track supplies, packaging, bins, shelves, and product storage with searchable photos and saved locations.

• Small business inventory use case

Yes. Catalog what is in each bin at your unit so you know exactly which container holds what—without a full dig-through visit.

• Storage unit use case

Yes. Tool drawers, garage shelves, and project totes are easier to maintain when you can search before rebuying duplicates.

• Tool inventory use case

Yes. Tag bins by size, season, or child so hand-me-downs and outgrown clothes are easy to find when you need them.

• Baby clothes storage use case

Yes. Home, garage, attic, basement, and off-site storage can live in one searchable system with location tags.

Yes. Use room, priority, and searchable contents: label boxes with numbers, photograph what is inside, and find essentials fast on moving day.

• Moving inventory guide
• Moving use case

Pack a box, photograph contents, assign a clear number, and note the room or priority (kitchen essentials, first night, fragile). Search beats opening twenty cartons.

Yes. Tag high-priority boxes so sheets, toiletries, chargers, and kitchen basics are one search away—not buried in the garage stack.

Yes. Notes and photos help you remember which cartons need careful handling and where fragile items landed after the move.

Yes. Record what went to the unit and which numbered containers hold it—useful when home and off-site storage split during a move.

• Storage unit inventory

Yes. When you can see what is in each container, it is easier to decide what to keep, donate, or move—without reopening every box twice.

• Decluttering guide

Yes. Search what is in each numbered box before you unpack randomly—find the coffee maker, kids gear, or tools without a full floor disaster.

Yes. Record lights, trees, wreaths, and indoor decor in numbered bins—search before you rebuy another strand or ornament set.

Yes. Costumes, props, and outdoor decor fit well in seasonal bins with photos and tags so October does not start with five open containers.

Yes. Tag wardrobe bins by season so swaps are faster and you know which tote holds boots, coats, or summer gear.

• Seasonal gear storage

Seasonal reminders are planned to help with decor swaps and gear retrieval. Join the waitlist for updates as launch features are finalized.

• Join the waitlist

Yes. Group by moment—wrapping, lighting, table settings—and search by item instead of opening every holiday bin.

Yes. Search before you shop—especially for lights, hooks, candles, and wrapping supplies that love to hide in duplicate bins.

• Stop buying duplicates

Totely is in early access via the waitlist. Join to get launch updates and try the system as features roll out.

• Join the waitlist

Totely is planned to include a free starting option so you can try the system with a small number of containers. Final launch pricing will be shared closer to release.

• Pricing overview

Use the signup link on this site to join the waitlist. You will hear about launch timing, early access, and plan options as they are ready.

• Join the waitlist

No. Joining the waitlist only requires an email address.

Exact pricing is not final yet. Planned tiers include free, home, pro, and business options—see the pricing page for the current outline and join the waitlist for launch rates.

• Totely pricing

You will be added to the early access list and receive launch updates, early-access timing, and guidance on getting started when Totely opens to new users.

• Join the waitlist

Yes. A home-tier plan is planned with family sharing and enough containers for typical households. Details may change before launch.

• Pricing overview

A business-tier plan with multi-user access and export workflows is planned for organizers and small teams.

• Pricing overview

Yes. Totely is designed for households where more than one person stores, moves, or searches for things. Family sharing helps everyone use the same storage memory instead of relying on one person knowing where everything is.

Yes, with a shared household account. Simple container numbers and search help kids find gear, games, or seasonal clothes without asking "where did Mom put it?"

Yes. When everyone searches the same system, "where are the camping chairs?" gets one answer—not five guesses and three opened bins.

Yes. That is the point of family sharing—one searchable memory for the whole household.

Yes. Your inventory is for your household—not a public catalog of your home. Totely is being built with privacy in mind for personal and family storage.

Totely is not built to sell your home inventory data. Details will be spelled out in the privacy policy before public launch.

Cloud sync and security details will be published before launch. Totely is being built so your household can access inventory securely across devices.

Account and data deletion controls are planned so you can remove your household inventory if you stop using Totely.

Export options are planned for higher-tier plans—helpful for moving checklists, backups, and documentation.

• Pricing overview

Photo records can support home documentation, but Totely does not replace professional appraisals or insurer requirements. Check with your provider for what they accept.

Yes. When you can see what you own and where it lives, keep-or-go decisions get easier—use, duplicates, and purpose beat guilt.

• Decluttering guide

Search surfaces what you already stored—especially tools, craft supplies, batteries, and seasonal gear—before you buy another "just in case."

• Stop buying duplicates

Yes. A quick search before shopping often prevents duplicate tape, lights, gift wrap, or garage gadgets you already own somewhere.

Yes. When you can see duplicate or untouched items with context—not shame—you can donate with clearer intent.

Yes. Notes capture why something matters, who it belonged to, or when to revisit—helpful for keepsakes you are not ready to move yet.

Use tags or notes like "revisit in 6 months" on containers you are unsure about. A maybe pile with memory beats a maybe pile without.

Catalog when you have connectivity, then search on your phone in the garage. Better low-signal search is planned for areas like garages and storage units.

Retake a photo or update notes when a bin changes significantly. Small updates beat rebuilding everything from scratch.

Update the location tag or room so search stays accurate. A quick edit keeps the system trustworthy.

Totely still helps with what you recorded. When you open a bin and notice a mismatch, update that container—perfection is not required.

Start with the area that frustrates you most. You do not need to catalog your whole house on day one—five containers in one zone is enough.

• Start small

Use clear numbers, photos, and short notes ("extension cords – heavy duty" vs "extension cords – indoor"). Search narrows faster than vague labels.

You should not. Catalog the zones that waste your time—garage tools, holiday decor, moving boxes, craft overflow—and skip the rest until you want to.

Replace the visible number and make sure it still matches the same container record in Totely. Use labels or materials that fit your storage environment.

• Storage tote labels