March 15, 2023

Tidy Tips

Tidy Tips: Spring Organizing

March 15, 2023

Tidy Tips

Spring is a great time for home organizing projects.

While Tidy Nest has been busy on-site helping our clients get ready for Spring, we wanted to share five easy spring tasks that you can tackle on your own!

Five easy spring tasks

Check out weathertight bins

**2. Donate**

This is a great time to identify the items you didn’t wear this season and donate or give to someone else who will enjoy them.

Download Our Printable Decluttering Guide

cleaning the car — **3. Clean Out The Car**

Replace the snow brushes for the picnic blanket, throw away all of those old receipts and food wrappers, and remove all the contents from your car console.

Our favorite car organizing products

**4. Clean Winter Shoes**

Wipe down all your winter boots and shoes and store them in show containers to avoid dust and mold. You’ll add years to the lifespan or your shoes!

Our favorite shoe storage

**5. Refresh**

Go through your pantry and discard any expired items and donate any non-perishable items you don’t use. Take everything out of your refrigerator, discard any expired items and wipe down shelving and drawers.

more kitchen and pantry Tidy Tips

If you’re on a roll and looking to tackle more spaces, take a look at our decluttering guide below

Download Our Printable Decluttering Checklist

Disclaimers:

Photos from The Container Store.

If you purchase from one of our LTK links, we may earn a small commission.

March 14, 2023

Tidy Tips, Product Spotlight

Tidy Tips: Our Favorite Food Storage Products

March 14, 2023

Tidy Tips, Product Spotlight

Before we start a project we always ask “What’s your biggest organizational woe in this space?”

When it comes to kitchens and pantries, clients tend to say their food storage inventory in a little unruly.

Some complaints include:

They don't have the correct sizes
The style doesn't fit in with their aesthetic
There’s a mix of styles
Containers are discolored, leak, or have broken tops
They want to reduce their plastic-use
They can’t locate the tops
The list goes on....

So we compiled a list of our favorite food storage solutions below:

Glass Containers

oxo good grips glass food storage — OXO Good Grips Food Storage

OXO really knows food storage. We love their Good Grips Glass Good Grips Glass Food Storage Storage set because they’re durable, easy to clean, stackable and they have a leak-resistant seal that actually works! From an organizer’s standpoint, we think the most important feature is their rectangular shape -- round containers waste lots of space in drawers or cabinets.

Ikea 365+ glass food container — Ikea 365+ Glass Container

Glass containers with bamboo lids are always a favorite with our clients. Ikea’s 365+ glass container line is affordable, aesthetically pleasing and keeps food fresh with its tight fitting lid. The bamboo lid can also be used as a trivet or coaster.

Reusable Bags & Wrap

Stasher reusable bags food storage — Stasher Bags

One of the reasons we love Stasher bags is because they are reusable and help reduce the use of disposable plastic bags. They’re a great eco-friendly alternative to single-use plastic bags. *Bonus:* they come in an assortment of colors and sizes, making them not only a sustainable option but also visually appealing for storage and organization!

reusable mesh produce bags — Reusable Mesh Produce Bags

We keep several of these Reusable Mesh Produce Bags on hand because while these are great for grocery shopping, we also love to use these eco-friendly bags to store our produce in the refrigerator.

Bees Wrap Reusable Eco-Friendly Beeswax Food Wraps

These Bees Wrap Reusable Eco- Friendly Reusable Food Wraps are reusable beeswax food wraps that eliminate single-use plastic and keep food fresh. They will have you covered for everything from school lunches to food storage to snack on the go!

Coffee storage

Pet Food

Iris 3-Piece Weathertight Food Container

The difference between this Iris 3-Piece Weathertight Pet Food Container and our choice above, is the additional 2 pieces included- the bin and scoop. The scoop makes it easy to measure out how much you want to give your pet, and the small container easily stacks and is great for treats!

check out more of our food storage tips here

disclaimers:

photos from The Container Store, Williams Sonoma, Amazon & Ikea

If you purchase from one of our LTK links, we may earn a small commission.

March 13, 2023

Tidy Tips, Product Spotlight

Tidy Tips: Best Storage Bins At Every Price Point

March 13, 2023

Tidy Tips, Product Spotlight

There are so many storage solutions out there which can get overwhelming.

But it doesn’t have to be.

Before you buy containers, follow these steps:

Declutter your space and determine exactly what needs to be contained.
Measure the shelving, drawers, closets, etc. to ensure the product you’re buying will fit.
Determine your budget for storage solutions.
Start shopping (or take the DIY approach)

To get you started, we put together some of our favorite storage bins at all price points…including FREE!

The Best Free Organizing BINS

storage, organizing bins, baskets — Wine / Liquor Boxes

Larger cardboard boxes have endless utility, particularly if you’re into DIY projects. For example you can turn a wine box into a basket cutting off the flaps, wrapping it in twine and adding a fabric liner. You need time and an appreciation for crafts if you’re going to give it a go, but the results are great and you’ll save about $20 per basket. Otherwise, we’ve seen clients using labeled cardboard boxes for toy storage before eventually upgrading to proper bins.

The Best Organizing Bins Under $5

shoe box. plastic storage box, organizing bins — Our Most Used Product

For us, we think the best overall bang for your buck is The Container Store’s “Our Shoe Box,” which only costs $2.19 per box--they’re super versatile and affordable. We use these on nearly every job -- of course they’re perfect for shoes, but also for toys, art supplies, hardware, toiletries, craft supplies, office supplies and more. They stack nicely and you can’t go wrong with clear plastic so you can see what’s inside. They come in a handful of other sizes too.

The Best Organizing Bins Under $15

mdesign farmhouse metal wire basket — Metal Baskets

This mDesign farmhouse metal wire basket is both functional and versatile. The tight weave is helpful for storing smaller items like toiletries or jars.

Container Store nordic baskets — Post-Consumer Recycled Baskets

These handled bins are a staple when organizing laundry products and toys for our clients. The Container Store Nordic Bin comes in a variety of sizes and lid options, and the holes allow for ventilation which is a feature we love.

The Best Organizing Bins Under $30

the container store montauk bins — Linen-Lined Baskets

The Container Store’s Montauk bins are our go-to for closets. These baskets are sturdy, and the bin clips fit perfectly over the lip. Best part: the interior liner is removable so you can keep them clean.

yamazaki desk organizer — Yamazaki

While this Yamazaki desk organizer is usually found in offices, we like to use it as a command station in the kitchen or as a hair-tool caddy in the bathroom. The white & light wood coloring fits in every room and the sleek design and higher “walls” keep items upright.

marie kondo ori rattan bin — Rattan Bin

These Marie Kondo Ori Rattan Bins are as sturdy as they are beautiful. They are handwoven and made of natural rattan, and can be used anywhere from the kitchen to an office. The handles make it easy to transport, and we love the warmth and functionality they add to any space.

The Best Organizing Bins Under $50

Yamazaki Tosca Basket — Yamazaki, always

Another Yamazki favorite of ours is the Tosca basket with dual handles. While this product works in almost any space, we specifically love this basket for pantries. Pantries in general have the most volume of items and this simple basket doesn’t add to the existing “noise” in the room.

neat method perforated basket — Neat Method

These Neat Method perforated baskets add style to any room! Let’s be honest- what we love most are the beautiful variety of colors they come in. They come with a removable divider, and are a great substitute to woven or plastic bins. Bonus: these magnetic label sets snap right on if you want to label what’s inside.

The Best Organizing Bins over $50

the basket room handled rectangular basket — The Basket Room

We get really excited when we can use products from The Basket Room. They are hand woven in Northern Ghana and take up to 3 days to complete using Ghanian grass called veta vera. The work helps families meet their basic living costs and supporting the weavers in a truly fair and sustainable trade.

Serena & Lily Lidded Baskets — Serena & Lily

These Serena & Lily lidded baskets are a great way to conceal laundry, stuffed animals, or extra blankets without your space looking chaotic. The lids are essential to making everything look tidy and the recycled plastic wrapping around the coils make it extra sturdy. We love grouping the 3 sizes together.

Folden Lane Vegan Leather Basket — Folden Lane

These vegan leather baskets from Folden Lane are fairly new to the organizing scene and we're so excited to welcome them to our repertoire. They are made with a buttery soft vegan leather and stainless steel hardware. They are shipped flat (that's right, flat!) cutting down on carbon emissions and packaging waste.

SortJoy Flex Bin — SortJoy

This small flex bin is great for containing smaller items in your home. Folded or unfolded, it's your choice! The structured yet flexible material provides hidden storage and is also washable. It fits perfectly on a bookshelf, in a closet or on an entranceway table.

FOR MORE PRODUCT IDEAS & INSPO, FOLLOW US ON LTK!

disclaimers:

photos from The Container Store, Amazon, The Basket Room, Folden Lane, SortJoy, Neat Method, and Serena & Serena & Lily.

If you purchase from one of our LTK links, we may earn a small commission.

October 25, 2022

Product Spotlight

Product Spotlight: Weathertight Totes

October 25, 2022

Product Spotlight

If you’re a client, friend or follower of Tidy Nest, you know we swear by IRIS weathertight totes for all our long-term storage needs.

Here’s why:

weathertight storage bins — protection

Spaces like garages, attics and basements can be susceptible to the elements (or critters). The air and watertight seals on these totes keeps the content protected. They have 6 (!!) latches and while it makes them slightly more time consuming to open, it guarantees nothing is getting in there! We’ve even sprayed the latched bins with a hose and the contents remained dry!

You can shop these totes (and all our favorite products) on our LTK site.

Shop our LTK site

disclaimers:

photos from The Container Store

If you purchase from one of our LTK links, we may earn a small commission.

February 16, 2022

Press, Product Spotlight

Tidy Nest Featured Press: 15 Ways to Organize Your Makeup and Beauty Supplies (HGTV)

February 16, 2022

Press, Product Spotlight

HGTV published “15 Ways to Organize Your Makeup and Beauty Supplies”. One of Shannon’s favorite ways to store makeup and beauty supplies was featured in the article (see slide 8).

Read the Full article here

Modular System

Keep all your makeup and beauty products in one place without hogging all the bathroom drawers.

Products used:

The Original Beauty Box

It seems like the Original Beauty Box no longer has a website - a great alternative is The Container Store’s Acrylic Modular Makeup System.

The Home Edit Vinyl Labels from The Container Store

If you purchase from one of our links, we may earn a small commission.

December 6, 2021

Product Spotlight

2021 Holiday Gift Guides: For The Traveler

December 6, 2021

Product Spotlight

We’re so excited to be sharing the first edition of our holiday gift guides. We covered different categories from our personal picks to stocking stuffers to items for the cat lover (I know, big stretch but we love our cats).

Next up are some of our favorite gift ideas for those who love to travel.

Infinity Pillow

We always get asked about this pillow when we’re on long flights. It looks like a scarf but it’s the perfect travel pillow. Not only does it act as a neck support pillow but it can be used as a noise cancelling pillow - just wrap the pillow around your ears and neck and you have the perfect cocoon. Plus the bamboo fabric is super soft, breathable and easy to wash.

Away The Bigger Carry-On

You won't be surprised to see this on our list - we talk about this suitcase all the time. It’s THE best suitcase - Jared loves the battery pack to charge his devices while he’s on the go and Shannon loves the compression board because it allows for so many more outfits!

MZ Wallace Metro Backpack

If you've been following Tidy Nest, know that we are big MZW fans. We all swear by this backpack (even Jared) because it is full of practical features including 9 pockets, a laptop sleeve, phone pocket, key ring strap and luggage sleeve. The fabric is super lightweight and durable which is perfect for the traveler or commuter on your list.

Stackers Hanging Toiletry Bag

It’s hard to find the perfect toiletry bag but this one is pretty close. It has 3 interior pockets, elastic loops to secure products or brushes, a hanging hook to display over a shower curtain or towel rod and fabric for easy cleaning.

Silicone Travel Bottles

We like these bottles because the silicone allows for easy squeezing - so many travel containers are made with (firm) plastic and it’s nearly impossible to squeeze anything out of them. Plus for the nerds of the group, the collar around the neck of each bottle acts as a label - you can twist the collar so the name of what you’re storing shows through the window.

Away Packing Cubes

You’re either team packing cubes or team roll. We are team packing cubes and since we love everything AWAY does, we stick with their cubes. They are well made, come in great colors and offer the perfect assortment of sizes.

Foldable Hangers

Full disclosure on this one - we don’t actually own these hangers but we think they would be a unique gift. They come in a pack of 6 and fold into about 5 inches for easy storage in your suitcase.

Daily Pill Organizer

IFKYK.

And for those of you who don’t know, this should actually be on Shannon’s favorite list because she buys them for everyone. Taking daily pills is not exciting unless they are in cute little rainbow containers. This brand also has larger sizes.

On a productivity note, we find that having to open multiple bottles one or two times a day results in people losing interest in taking their supplements / medication. Spending a few extra minutes once a week to prep your weekly pill routine results in better habits.

Sand Cloud Lightweight Towel

This is always in Shannon’s carry-on even if she’s not going on a beach vacation. It’s been used as a travel blanket, a shawl, a picnic blanket, a sarong, even a scarf. These are great for traveling because they are lightweight, dry so much faster than regular towels and are “sand-resistant”. They are made with 100% Turkish organic cotton and get softer as you use them.