Tidy Tips: 5 Things You Should Toss Before Hosting Guests

We love to host and frequently have friends coming and going. In general, we have a long list of ways to prepare for visits -- from food shopping (taking into account allergies), cleaning extensively (especially the kitchen), organizing and decluttering.

Today we’re sharing some tips that are not so glamorous but trust us, it goes a lot way. It’s important that your guests feel welcome and comfortable and we know these tasks help you to prepare for their stay!

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5 things to toss before your guests arrive:

Garbage & Recycling

The kitchen garbage and recycling. The kitchen is the busiest room in the house and you're bound to spend time in there with guests. Smelly and unsightly garbage is a quick way to dampen the vibe. 

Bathroom Trash

Similarly, empty out any trash cans in the bathrooms and guest rooms. We want our guests to feel like they're at a B&B when they visit - and basic cleanliness is a must. 

Old Food

Throw out old food in your fridge. Our favorite guests are the ones who get whatever they need from our fridge because it means they're comfortable in our home. To that end, we don't need them seeing week old meatloaf.

Used/Expired Toiletries

Used and/or expired toiletries in the bathroom. For example, we're not fans of soap bars. We don't want to use yours, and we don't really want you to use ours either. Go ahead and toss the bar next to your sink and replace it with a soap dispenser. 

Pet Hair

Pet Hair. This one sounds strange because you don't necessarily think about 'throwing out' pet hair, but we throw out handfuls of it! It's essential to clean and remove pet hair from carpets, couches, blankets, pillows, etc... before having guests. Not only is it unsightly, but so many people have allergies these days. The last thing you want (which we've experienced) is a dinner guest with red eyes and the sniffles who can barely stay awake because of the emergency Benadryl dose they had to take.

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PRO TIP

Change out the framed photos in your guest room with photos of you and your guests together — seeing those memories always makes guests feel more welcome.

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Tidy Nest Featured Press: 5 Things Pro Organizers Say Are Must-Haves In A Small Bathroom (Homes & Gardens)

Bathrooms are tight on space so maximizing every inch of space is crucial. But regardless of the size of your bathroom, drawer organization is key to maintaining order which we explained to Homes & Gardens when they asked us about bathroom organization tips.

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Plastic Organizers

We like to use plastic drop-in organizers because they are easy to wipe clean

Bamboo Organizers

Use bamboo organizers for a more eco-friendly option plus it’s a great win when they match the interior of the drawers.

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FEATURED PRESS

Take a look at our other interviews with Home & Gardens over the years

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disclaimer:

Photos from The Container Store & Amazon.

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

Tidy Nest Featured Press: 10 Alternative Ways To Contain Your Culinary Tools (Homes & Gardens)

Can you imagine having a kitchen without drawers? While it’s uncommon, we occasionally come across this design choice which requires us to get a little creative.

Check out our go-to hack for storing kitchen utensils in a kitchen without drawers in the latest Homes & Garden article below.

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Our Favorite Countertop Utensil Storage

Farmhouse Pottery Crock

Let’s be honest we love just about everything from Farmhouse Pottery. This crock is beautiful to contain utensils, kitchen tools or even flowers.

Le Creuset Utensil Croc

If you’re looking for something fun and vibrant, this is it! We love these crocks for the variety of gorgeous colors they come in.

Williams Sonoma Marble Partitioned Utensil Holder

Our favorite thing about this crock is the divider inside. It keeps your favorite tools separated and easier to remove while prepping, cooking and serving.

Crate & Barrel Acacia Utensil Holder

Sleek and minimal, this is a great accent to your counter and fits a good amount of utensils! We love that they have matching canisters too.

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FEATURED PRESS

Take a look at our other interviews with Home & Gardens over the years

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disclaimer:

Photos from Le Creuset, Food52, Crate & Barrel & Williams Sonoma

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

Tidy Nest Featured Press: Decluttering Makeup And Skincare– 10 Ways To Streamline Your Stash Beautifully (Homes & Gardens)

Bathrooms are generally tight on space and can get unruly if the space isn’t edited frequently. We encourage frequent editing of this space by checking expiration dates, identifying duplicates and unnecessary products. We try our best not to dump everything in the trash and so we have found creative ways to repurpose and recycle products and the packaging.

We shared one of our favorite ways to repurpose mascara wands with Homes & Gardens.

If you feel inspired to tackle the bathroom this weekend, we have a step-by-step guide linked below to help you along.

Wands for Wildlife

Click here for more information on the program

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FEATURED PRESS

Take a look at our other interviews with Home & Gardens over the years

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What We're Reading: Simple Shui for Every Day: 365 Ways to Feng Shui Your Life by Amanda Gibby Peters - April

We’re on a 3-month streak sharing our monthly tips from our favorite book Simple Shui for Every Day: 365 Ways to Feng Shui Your Life by Amanda Gibby Peters. Below are some of the feng shui tips we incorporated throughout the month of April.

The short version is Amanda is the "Martha Stewart of Feng Shui". Amanda makes Feng Shui more digestible and accessible with a "home improvement-meets-self empowerment” approach. 

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Here are some of the practices we incorporated in our home throughout April:

April 1

Adding water to your front door will welcome more money into your life, so we pulled out the birdbath and added it to the right of the front door. 

April 9

The kitchen nourishes and replenishes you so it should be free of clutter. We did a quick edit of the kitchen, tackling easy wins first - expired items, take-out utensils and sauce packets, mismatched Tupperware. 

Take a look at our quick decluttering checklist for more inspiration

April 12

A mirror amplifies what it reflects so make sure it’s dusted and that it’s reflecting something inspiring or beautiful, not a pile of laundry or stack of papers. We’re guilty of this so we moved that laundry basket far away from the mirror’s reflection. We don’t need to double our to-do list.

April 17

When you’re an entrepreneur it’s hard to shut off your work brain. And it’s even harder when your office is in your home. Try shutting your office door when you’ve clocked out for the day. This will keep your work from spilling into your personal life. 

April 21

Keep the toilet seats down and covered to eliminate energy drains. 

April 22

Add more red to your life and home. It’s a power color that promotes energy, courage, and attraction. We have bright red kitchen chairs that we were going to replace but we’ll keep them for a little longer now that we know this! 

April 24

Your clothing relates to your identity and personality so when we’re working with clients' wardrobes we always ask them to think about who they want to be and how specific clothing makes them feel. If the item doesn’t make them feel their best or doesn’t represent the version they want to be then we encourage them to let it go. Amanda suggests leaving a little open space in your closet to attract new things - a fun tip we started using this spring. 

April 28

Our backyard is one giant hill and it’s very challenging to use (it’s a real uphill struggle - ha!) Amanda’s remedy to counteract this energy - adding a flag pole or a weathervane to the property! So now we’re on the hunt for a funky weathervane - any ideas? 

April 29

Ah, our favorite April suggestion….Get rid of 27 things! Yes, 27! It’s the quickest way to change the energy of your space. Why 27? It’s a powerful number in feng shui - we can talk more about that later. If removing 27 items from your life seems too daunting, try moving 27 items instead. 

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disclaimer:

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

Tidy Tips: Decluttering Your Home

Decluttering can be overwhelming when you try to tackle your entire house in one weekend. 

So we’re breaking it down for you - not only by room but by the main categories*  that collect clutter. 

You can work with this document a few different ways:

1. You can tackle one room at a time, working down the list

2. You can start in one room and focus on just one category during that session. 

The key is to take a break from decluttering before you get decision fatigue (yes, it’s a real thing). 

*These main categories were determined based on our experience working in these spaces.*

Kitchen

-Expired food & spices 

-Condiment packets 

-Plastic utensils 

-Vases

-Menus 

-Tupperware

-Plastic bags 

-Countertop

Bedrooms

-Mismatched / torn socks

-Stained / damaged clothing 

-Old shoes

-Broken jewelry 

-Hats & gloves 

-Nightstand drawers 

-Hidden items under the bed

-Miscellaneous items on top of dresser

Family/ Living Room

-Magazines 

-Games / puzzles

-DVDs

-Candles

-Old electronics 

-Miscellaneous wires

-Books

-Throws & throw pillows

Bathrooms

-Expired medicine 

-Expired beauty products

-Empty products 

-Samples / travel sized items

-Towels 

-Nail polish

-Products in shower

-Countertop

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

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Tidy Tips: Our Guide to Editing

When it comes to decluttering and editing, we are constantly asked: 

“How do you know how to get rid of stuff”? 

We have an in-depth process when it comes to editing with clients, but we wanted to share some important questions to ask yourself when you’re decluttering. 

When you're decluttering, ask yourself:

-Is it useful? 

-Is it something I use?

-Does it currently serve a purpose?

-When was the last time I used it?

-Would I buy this again today? 

-Do I have similar items / duplicates? Do I need multiples? 

-Does this item make my life easier?

-Have I tried to get rid of this item in the past?

-Do I need more space for new items?

-Can this item be replaced if necessary?

When you’re editing clothing, ask yourself:

-Does the item still fit? 

-Is it in good condition?

-Does it make me feel good when I wear it?

-What kind of maintenance does this item require? 

-Does this item remind me of a negative time / experience?

When you’re editing memorable items, ask yourself:

-What memory does this spark for me?

-When, where and how did I acquire this item (or wear this item)? 

-How does it make me feel to see (or wear) this item?

-Who gave me this item?

-Why have I been saving this item?

Sometimes we find clients associate the item with a memory and if the item leaves then so will the memory. 

We have a few exercises to try that may help you get rid of the item while still honoring and preserving the memory associated with the item.

Take A Photo

Snap a photo of the item and create a digital album for “special treasures”. Add the answers to the questions above in the caption of each photo. 

Create A Journal

Create a journal for all your special treasures. Add a photo of the item, draw the item or simply describe it. Answer some of the prompts listed above. 

Do It With A Friend

Invite a friend over and share the stories with them. Have your friend help you donate or find new homes for these items. 

Tidy Nest Featured Press: Professional Organizers Say You Can Declutter So Much Crap With Any Of These Genius Tricks (Bustle)

Decluttering is one of the most important tasks one can do whether it’s before a move, before a renovation, as quarterly maintenance or as a form of self-care. We are constantly asked to share our tips and tricks on ways to easily declutter spaces.

We recently spoke with Bustle and shared some tips on how to tackle paper piles and the thought process behind one of our favorite decluttering techniques - trial separation.

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Tidy Tips: Organizing Tax Documents

Eeek! April 18th is fast approaching. (Yes, the deadline to file federal tax returns is Tuesday, April 18th this year)

We know, we know. We dread it too.

But you can eliminate some of the stress of tax prep by creating systems that keep your tax documents organized and easily accessible.

We share some organizing and storage tips for your electronic files and physical files below and encourage you to implement these tips throughout the year so you’re not scrambling the night before.

Your tax advisors will thank you.

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Electronic Files

Use A Cloud Based Storage Service

We recommend using a cloud based storage service (like Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive) so the files can be easily accessed without needing your computer. Plus it makes it easy to share files with your accountant or if multiple people are contributing to the files.

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Create Subfolders

We do not recommend cresting one folder for all tax files. Instead create subfolders within the main folder (labeled by tax year). Your subfolders can be categories like receipts, tax forms, deductions, invoices, charitable contributions, etc. 

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Use A Naming Convention

Consistent naming conventions for the files are key. We like to use something like this “Year_last name_category_subcategory”. This makes sorting and locating files a breeze.

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Download A Scanner App

Using one of the many scanner apps speeds up the prep process. We’ve been using ScannerPro for years. Scan the document using your phone and upload to whatever cloud based storage program you use.

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Update Regularly

We also encourage clients to update this folder monthly or quarterly (depending on your lifestyle and need) so you are not scrambling at the last minute come tax time.

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Physical Files

Use An Accordion File Folder

If you prefer physical files, grab an accordion file folder and dedicate it solely to tax files for that year. Label the sections of the accordion file (ex. receipts, tax forms, deductions, invoices, charitable contributions) and file the documents as they come in.

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disclaimers:

product photos from Amazon.

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

Tidy Tips: Spring Organizing

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!

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Five easy spring tasks

1. Use Proper Containment

When switching out your winter clothes, use weathertight bins to ensure your clothing is protected from moisture, dirt and pests.

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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.

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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.

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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!

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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.

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

Disclaimers:

Photos from The Container Store.

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

Tidy Tips: Best Storage Bins At Every Price Point

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:

1. Declutter your space and determine exactly what needs to be contained.

2. Measure the shelving, drawers, closets, etc. to ensure the product you’re buying will fit.

3. Determine your budget for storage solutions.

4. 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!

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The Best Free Organizing BINS

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.

Shipping / Product Boxes

We love reusing small boxes from chocolates, jewelry, Apple products, etc... because they are so sturdy and aesthetically pleasing. We actually save them from decluttering jobs so we can repurpose on jobs that are more budget-friendly. They are great as drawer inserts in bathrooms, desks or utility drawers. To make them prettier or for continuity, try wrapping them in Washi Tape. Similarly, if you need dividers in your closet or dresser for socks and underwear, try repurposing shoe boxes or cutting down boxes from your last Amazon order. Just give them the Washi Tape facelift, and you’ve got some new storage solutions!.

The Best Organizing Bins Under $5

Bargin Stores

You’d be surprised what you can find at dollar stores or if you’re a good online bargain hunter. We like to look for collapsible canvas cubes for playrooms for kids since they are, well, kids. While storage cubes can get expensive, Amazon carries an inexpensive version that will get you started. 

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

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.

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

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

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.

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, 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

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

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

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

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

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. 

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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.

Tidy Nest Featured Press: 10 Hot Spots Professional Organizers Always Declutter for the Holidays (Homes & Gardens)

The holidays are stressful - schedules are packed, guests and in and out, the volume of items in the home multiply - so we always suggest doing a little decluttering before the craziness begins to gain some extra mental and physical space.

We recently spoke with Homes & Gardens about some of our holiday decluttering suggestions.

Other spaces to declutter before guests arrive

We always make sure our guest rooms and bathrooms are ready for guests. We remove any items that have accumulated in these spaces - like that pile of summer clothes on the bed that we haven’t put away yet or any used and/or expired toiletries in the bathroom.

Tidy Tips: Easy Ways To Keep Your Nightstand Clutter-free

Keep that nightstand clutter-free

Your bedroom should be a place of rest and relaxation, so bringing anything into the space that negatively alters that energy is a hard no for us.

Inevitably the nightstand tends to be a catchall for all the wrong things - paperwork, iphones and ipads, to-do lists, medicine, stacks of books, too many candles, and in my case, a few too many crystals.

Here are some quick tips to keep your nightstand clutter-free:

🛌 Use your drawers

📥 Add drawer dividers to keep everything corralled; otherwise you're going to be fighting a losing battle against a junk drawer

🧺 If you don't have drawers or if you have exposed shelves, use baskets to contain your items

🔌 Move your electronics outside of the bedroom - it's a big change, but it's well worth it

📚 Stick to one or two books (but no work books allowed!)

Let us know what your nightstand looks like!

Tidy Nest Featured Press: Organization Experts Share How 2020 Changed How We Think About Clutter (Apartment Therapy)

We all spent a lot of time in our homes this past year but being confined taught us things we couldn’t have predicted.

Tidy Nest was recently featured in this article on how 2020 changed the way we think of clutter.