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

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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.

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.

FEATURED PRESS

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

disclaimer:

Photos from The Container Store & Amazon.

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

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Tidy Nest Featured Press: Where To Store Spices In A Small Kitchen– 9 Space-Saving Places To Stash Spices In Style (Homes & Gardens)

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There are so many ways to store spices in kitchens.

We spoke to Homes & Gardens and shared our most important spice organizational tip.

FEATURED PRESS

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

disclaimer:

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

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

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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.

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.

FEATURED PRESS

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

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.

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Tidy Nest Featured Press: How To Organize Your Home Without Spending Any Money– 8 Pro Tips (Homes & Gardens)

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One common misconception with organizing is that you have to spend a lot of money on products.

That is so not true.

If you’re the DIY type, raid the recycle bin for discard boxes and follow the step below.

FEATURED PRESS

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

disclaimer:

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

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

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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.

FEATURED PRESS

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

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Tidy Nest Featured Press: How To Declutter Books – 10 Novel Ways To Streamline Your Collection (Homes & Gardens)

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Books tend to be the hardest for people to edit. We get it - we’re book worms too!

We encourage our clients to gather all their books in one place and start sorting by genre. Once the books are categorized by genre, begin editing easier categories first like novels, specialty cookbooks, fad diets etc. Once you’ve determined what you’re keeping, decide how you’d liek to display these books - by genre, by author, by colored spine, etc.

We recently shared some tips on decluttering books with Homes & Gardens - full article is below!

FEATURED PRESS

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

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Tidy Nest Featured Press: 12 Home Organizing Products From Amazon That Professional Organizers Swear By (Realtor.com)

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The amount of organizing products that are on the market is overwhelming. It’s hard to determine what’s useful vs. what’s a marketing ploy.

We frequently find organizing supply graveyards at our clients home - piles of products that won’t fit their spaces, that are poor quality or that are not functional. So we spoke to Realtor.com and shared some of our favorite Amazon organizing products for tackling counter top and drawer cutter.

FEATURED PRESS

Take a look at our other interviews with Realtor.com over the years

disclaimers:

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!

Five easy spring tasks

weathertight bins

1. Use Proper Containment

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

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.

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.

winter boots

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!

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.

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.

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Tidy Tips: Best Storage Bins At Every Price Point

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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!

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.

storage, organizing bins, baskets

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

storage, organizing bins, baskets

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. 

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. 

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.

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Tidy Tips: Storage Ideas for Holiday Cards

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We’re constantly helping clients declutter their belongings. Believe it or not, holiday cards are a major culprit for holiday storage clutter. Here’s our step-by-step guide on how to tackle that growing stack of greeting cards - both old and new.

 

1. Gather

Collect all the holiday cards and supplies. We’re talking the cards you received years ago, the extra custom cards you ordered, store bought cards, stamps, return labels, etc.

 

2. Categorize & Consolidate

Group like with like and evaluate the quantity of each category. Eliminate unnecessary redundancies.

 

3. Cards Sent

If you send out custom holiday cards chances are there’s an abundance left over year after year. We suggest keeping a few from each year for nostalgic purposes. Recycle the rest.

 

4. Cards Received

This may be an unpopular opinion but we suggest parting with the cards you receive each year. If you MUST keep some, just save the most recent years’ collection in the event you wish to reference who sent you a card (but even that’s a stretch).

 

5. Contain

As with all items, everything must have a home. Select a designated container - we like this Clear Card Keeper from The Container Store but a simple shoe box works just as well if you’re looking for a DIY version.

 

6. Label

Surprise! We want you to label the categories. This allows you to see your inventory quickly and helps with maintenance.

We used our very favorite label maker- the P-Touch Cube from The Container Store.

DIY version - use stickie notes as labels.

 

disclaimers:

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

Product Spotlight: Weathertight Totes

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!

 
weathertight storage bins

visibility

Anything that is not accessed regularly should be contained in clear bins so the contents are visible. Opaque bins invite and hide clutter and usually become repositories for miscellaneous items. Plus, your labeling system has to be spot on - if your opaque bins are not labeled clearly or the labels fall off, you’ll find yourself unstacking and opening up bins over and over to figure out what they actually contain.

 
weathertight storage bins

durability

These totes are more expensive than the basic totes (like Sterilite) but they last much longer. We’ve been using the same totes for close to a decade and you’d never know they were so old!

 
weathertight storage bins

Versatility

While retailers such as Home Depot and Amazon carry weathertight totes, we prefer the IRIS brand from The Container Store because they have a wide variety of sizes to choose from and even their largest size is still manageable. (don't get us started on those ridiculously large plastic totes).

 

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

disclaimers:

photos from The Container Store

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

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Tidy Tips: Storage Ideas for String Lights

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We’re sharing our favorite way to store holiday string lights so you’re not spending hours untangling a ball of lights only to find out that they don’t work!

 

1. Test the lights

Untangle the lights and head straight to the outlet to make sure all your lights work. If you have a dead bulb(s), try replacing them before tossing and buying new.

 

2. Wrap the lights

We highly recommend coiling or wrapping the lights to avoid the dreaded tangled mess each year.

See below for a DIY option.

 

3. Contain

Store the lights in plastic or fabric containers. Look for bins specific for lights with wrap organizers already included like this one from Target.

 

4. Label

Not only label the container but label each string of lights so you know exactly how/where they were used. This makes decorating the following year much easier. We used velcro cord labels from The Container Store - see below for a DIY option.

Here’s a DIY Option…

Supplies you’ll need

- Cardboard

- Scissors or box cutter

- Lights

- Container to store lights

- Masking / washi tape

- A curious kitty (optional)

1. Find some cardboard

Use any sturdy cardboard you have lying around. You’ll want to cut a square or rectangle based on the size of the container you’ll be using.

 

2. Create a cord holder

You don’t have to get fancy here, just make two cuts on opposite sides of the cardboard. This will hold the cord in place. Once it’s secure, start wrapping.

 

3. Label

We’re using velcro labels here but for the DIY version, try masking tape or washi tape.

 

disclaimers:

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

Product Spotlight: All of them!

We’re happy to announce that we are on LTK so our community can easily shop the products we love.

Follow the steps below to follow us on LTK!

2. Follow

Search “tidynest_pro _organizers” and follow us so you don’t miss any of our posts.

follow us here

3. Shop

You can shop the exact products (and similar styles) at the bottom of each post.

shop this post

4. Search

You can use the search bar under our profile (if you’re on a mobile device) to find specific products.

search our products

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

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Project Spotlight: A Spice Wall For The Books

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We loved working on this spice jar project. It took us awhile to source the perfect vessels. We ended up using these tall Weck jars and replaced the regular clipped tops with these wood tops (that have a seal gasket) and then we added these sweetest little jars from a great Etsy shop. We had to keep the Coleman’s mustard tin container because it’s just so classic!


It was an absolute pleasure to be able to work in a space designed by the fabulous @scribe.studio. It was like getting to color in the most sophisticated and beautiful coloring book. They design not only for beauty and elegance, but for functionality as well. We’re grateful for the opportunity to work in one of their homes and will share more photos from the project soon!

Want to shop these products?

glass spice jars with acacia tops

Glass Spice Jars with Acacia Wood Lids

The spice jars are airtight and made with food-grade high quality borosilicate glass.

Weck glass jar

Weck 11.5 Oz. Zylinder Glass Canning Jar

These jars have been around since 1900 and there’s a reason. They are classic and versatile. And that Strawberry is the cutest.

Weck tops

Weck wooden lids

Weck wooden lids come with removable silicon gaskets which help keep ingredients fresh.

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

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Project Recap: Tidy Nest Pantry x mDesign Products

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When we saw this pantry’s metal door detail, we knew mDesign’s graphite wire bins would compliment the aesthetic well. 

This pantry works hard for two very busy professionals and it needed some Tidy Nest attention.

pantry full of items

We pulled everything out, categorized and edited.

Our favorite stage of a project - the space is clean, the product is in, and we can begin to look at the project with fresh eyes.

empty shelves in pantry

We played around with product placement and landed on a few staples from mDesign’s wire collection.

The graphite wire bins were the perfect choice for bags of chips, crackers, pasta and teas. Not only do the graphite bins look great in the space, but they’re functional, versatile, and allow you to see the items without being completely transparent as well. 

mdesign baskets and product on table

The additional products we chose are thoughtfully sized, rust-resistant and in some cases expandable and adjustable. The pullout basket drawers and storage shelves were added to utilize the vertical space.

mdesign metal baskets

The most important piece for this household was to have their supplements visible and easily accessible. Previously they were stored on the kitchen counter and in baskets in the pantry causing the client’s kitchen island to be cluttered and making it challenging to find the correct bottles.

We added an expandable three-tier spice rack and placed the supplements front and center.

Easy access and super visible!

mdesign metal baskets

These are great choices if you’re looking to use less plastic in your home or you simply want a more modern aesthetic.

mdesign metal baskets
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Tidy Nest Featured Press: The Best Storage Bins at Every Price Point - Starting at Free! (Apartment Therapy)

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We’re always asked about our favorite storage bins so when Apartment Therapy asked us to share our favorite containment at various price points, we had a lot to say!

Products mentioned in the article:

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

Product Spotlight: Acrylic Makeup System

productspotlight

Today’s consumer packaging is lightyears ahead of where it was say, 10 years ago (doesn’t that Method soap dispenser look nice next to your sink?) When you have makeup and products that have beautiful packaging, they should be on display and enjoyed as well. To help showcase our beauty products, we love to use acrylic systems, but they can get a little pricey after adding on all the various components for lipstick, brushes, pallets, etc. So we put together a list of our favorite systems for you in every price range — just click any link below. Enjoy!

$$$$ - The Original Beauty Box

$$$ - The Container Store

$$ - Target

$ - Amazon


If you haven’t used acrylic before, here’s an example of how the Beauty Box acrylic system can transform your makeup to make everything visible, more accessible and more attractive.

 
Makeup Before
 
 
Makeup After
 

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