After Christmas is over, it can be overwhelming to deal with all of the new gifts and decorations, as well as the leftover holiday items.
We were asked by Homes & Gardens to share our advice and best tips for decluttering post-Christmas!
Take a look at our other interviews with Home & Gardens over the years
Here’s a look at our ad that was featured in the January/ February 2023 issue of Bedford & New Canaan Magazine!
At Tidy Nest, we reimagine your soaces and create sustainable solutions for long-term organization.
Tidy Nest is a Shannon & Jared - business and life partners. We’re a NAPO approved, award-winning, professional organization business that has helped countless families redefine their homes through our proven organizational methods. Whether you’re preparing for a move, just moved in, or need better systems for your spaces, we have you covered.
We have been featured in national publications including Architectural Digest, HGTV, Forbes, and Woman’s Day, and have been voted best organizational business by several local outlets. Visit our site for more information, and take your first steps towards a more functional and tidy home!
Take a look at our press mentions in Bedford & New Canaan Magazine over the years.
We are so excited to announce that Shannon contributed to an article in Architectural Digest - definitely a highlight of 2022!
Shannon spoke with AD regarding storage solutions and tips on how to keep all that holiday clutter under control.
Check out her tips on string light storage and how to manage that pile of holiday greeting cards.
String Light Storage
We take a deeper dive in a previous blog post. Take a look at our step-by-step guide below.
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.
Our final gift guide includes just a few of our favorite local spots for those last minute gifts. This category was extra difficult to narrow down because we have access to SO many great stores, restaurants and theaters in Northern Westchester and Fairfield counties.
As we did last year, we’ll be gifting someone a little something from one of the guides. All you have to do is comment below (or better yet, comment on our Instagram or Facebook posts) and tell us what item you have your eyes on this season.
We love giving restaurant gift certificates to clients and friends and Truck is always on the top of the list. Truck is a casual restaurant serving dishes from “Northern New Mexico”. We love all the tacos and old school inspired desserts.
New to Scott’s Corners, this bakery has the best meringues & croissants in Westchester.
This is your one stop shop for all things wellness. Take a yoga class (hot yoga too), grab a juice, get a holistic facial, massage or reiki treatment, participate in a sound bath and have a yummy vegan lunch. Gift certificates are available!
This metaphysical store has a great collection of crystals, candles, jewelry, books and other unique gifts. At the back of the store you’ll find their Shungite Room (the only shungite room in the US) where you can book various services like tarot readings. Across the parking lot is The Angel Wing, where they offer many classes & events like yoga, sound healing and various certification courses.
We always find unique gifts at this fun shop in Scotts Corners. They sell our FAVORITE incense and candles and have a great selection of coffee table books and greeting cards.
This is truly our second home. You can find us there on our free weekends, having meetings or grabbing lunch between jobs. Rosie has the very best brunch, lovely staff and the LARGEST muffins on the planet.
And this is Jared’s second home…the playhouse is a non-profit performing arts center with a mission to entertain, enrich and educate the surrounding areas. They have extensive programming so you’re guaranteed to find a show for everyone on your list.
This is a very special gem in Ridgefield because the staff is SO helpful. The second you walk in there’s someone ready to help (and not in an annoying way). Not only do they have the standard hardware supplies, they have a great selection of housewares, candles, and kitchen decor if you’re looking for some last minute gifts.
If you can’t find Shannon, she’s probably at Scout. Scout has an incredibly thoughtful curated collection of clean beauty products and a great selection of candles. The staff is super friendly and helpful which makes shopping for beauty products so much more enjoyable.
disclaimer:
If you purchase from one of our LTK links, we may earn a small commission.
We had so much fun last year with the first edition of our holiday gift guides. We received such great feedback from everyone.
We created a handful of guides this year from our own picks to stocking stuffers to organizing supplies.
Next up is Jared’s picks!
As we did last year, we’ll be gifting someone a little something from one of the guides. All you have to do is comment below (or better yet, comment on our Instagram or Facebook posts) and tell us what item you have your eyes on this season.
I have a difficult time sleeping and I have tried so many sleep masks. This one was recommended to me by one of our organizers (thanks Sarina!) and it’s on the top of my wish list. This mask has adjustable eye cups and extra deep eye cups so you can blink like you’re not wearing a mask!
I am guilty of coming home and dumping my keys, wallet and phone in different places in the house which makes my mornings a tad chaotic because I can never find anything. I even do this at guests houses which I'm sure drives them nuts. So I’ve decided to take Shannon’s advice and get catch-all trays for all my drop-zones. While these trays are pricey, I love the leather and merino wool combo for a more elevated look. Plus they come in various colors and sizes.
Aplós is a hemp-infused, non-alcoholic spirit that can be enjoyed neat, on-the-rocks, or mixed in cocktails. Formulated with notes of yuzu, rosemary, basil, cucumber, and dandelion, this drink has been a great alternative to alcohol, especially during the holidays.
We travel a lot and between the two of us we have a lot of devices and Apple accessories.
This Apple accessory organizer has a built-in power bank / wireless charging cover that is designed for both workspace and mobile use. It allows you to charge your AirPods, iPhone, watch, pen and it keeps all your Apple essentials organized for when you’re on the go.
We get injured a lot on jobs and CBD balm is always a life saver for our tired muscles. This full spectrum topical CBD balm is made with a blend of botanicals and high potency CBD, derived from organic hemp flowers. It’s an entirely natural way to heal tired and damaged skin, ease muscles and soothe away aches and pains. Plus they are located right here in Bedford, NY !
My friend Brock introduced me to Backgammon this past summer and I really enjoyed it. While Shannon and I don’t have a lot of time to play a full game, this set is nice enough to keep out so we can play a little here and there.
The only candle I ever need to own. There’s nothing else to say except buy this. You won’t be disappointed.
But because Shannon is making me say more words… The scent is made up of wintergreen, frankincense and pink pepper with hints of cedarwood, musk, leather and sage. These are made from 100% natural soy and beeswax blend.
This is a clean fragrance and aromatherapy diffuser system, and they make two different sizes- one for small to medium-sized rooms and one for medium to large-sized rooms.
You can create a diffusing schedule and adjust the strength all from an app on your phone.
Most importantly since we have 3 cats, the scents are hypoallergenic and safe for pets.
This is a great gift for the traveler or worrier (or both). We attached AirTags to interior zippers of our checked luggage and we were able to track our bags getting loaded on/off the plane. I didn’t have to listen to Shannon ask “do you think our luggage made it?” and that’s priceless!
This is also great to use on kids backpacks, on car keys, in your wallet, etc.
disclaimer:
If you purchase from one of our LTK links, we may earn a small commission.
We had so much fun last year with the first edition of our holiday gift guides. We received such great feedback from everyone.
We created a handful of guides this year from our own picks to stocking stuffers to organizing supplies.
Next up is our favorite organizing gifts!
As we did last year, we’ll be gifting someone a little something from one of the guides. All you have to do is comment below (or better yet, comment on our Instagram or Facebook posts) and tell us what item you have your eyes on this season.
We are constantly asked how to properly preserve keepsakes like home movies and photos.
We love LegacyBox’s digitizing kits to safeguard irreplaceable memories - there are multiple packages to choose from based on the quantity of memories you’re preserving and options to save your files on a thumb drive, disc or cloud.
It feels like we’ve researched every spice jar that exists and this one is one of our favorites. These airtight glass jars are made with food-grade high quality borosilicate glass. The lids are handmade from eco-friendly sustainably sourced Acacia wood. You can even add a matching acacia spice spoon to compliment your jars. It’s a great gift for the chef in your life and we love these as a housewarming gift too.
p.s. the etsy shop owner is wonderful.
We like the minimalist design of this jewelry organizer which can be used for necklaces, watches and bracelets. The bottom tray can be used to prop a phone or hold loose change, rings, and earrings. The little hooks along the top are perfect for keeping necklaces untangled.
Available in 9 sizes and 25+ colors, these bags are incredibly versatile. We use them grocery shopping, as gift bags, as food storage, in place of baskets in bathrooms, the list keeps going. They are hand washable so you can reuse them over and over again. And when they are not in use, you can store them flat.
The number one complaint we get from parents….they don’t know what to do with their children’s art work. We always recommend Artkive. Just send them your favorite artwork and they will produce an artbook or framed-mosaic print of the masterpieces. You can either have them return the artwork to you afterwards or you can have them responsibly recycle it (you know our vote)!. Preserve your child’s art in one neat and organized place.
We love this 6-in-1 bamboo charging station because we really dislike having cords everywhere.. It charges up to 6 devices (including a watch and airpods) simultaneously and comes with a wall output plug which helps keep your desktop neat and tidy. It also comes with 3 types of charging cables- a lightning cable, a type C, and a USB micro charging cable. The easiest way to keep all your devices in one centralized place whether it be your desk, counter or nightstand.
We still use wall calendars and the bigger the better! With this wall planner, we like to display all 12 months because the entire color scheme is fantastic. This calendar comes open-dated so you can use it anytime. Poketo also sells the Acrylic Poster Hanger if you want to hang up one month at a time.
We came across this bag while organizing a basement and I think we may have ordered the bag while we were still on-site. We love this bag because you don’t have to worry about it getting messy or dirty because you can simply rinse it off when you’re done using it.
It comes in a dozen fun colors and each bag has two removable clear pouches that clip into the holes on the side of the bag. While this bag is a great beach/sports/pool bag, we actually use it as a supply bag on jobs! It’s perfect for a fall tailgate or a summer day at the beach. Our favorite part is that it’s tip proof!
You already know how much we love our Stasher bags, so it only makes sense how excited we were to find this. A simple solution for drying and storing reusable food bags of all sizes, the best part is that the prongs keep the bags open to air-dry. It’s easy to clean and made from BPA-free plastic.
disclaimer:
If you purchase from one of our LTK links, we may earn a small commission.
We had so much fun last year with the first edition of our holiday gift guides. We received such great feedback from everyone.
We created a handful of guides this year from our own picks to stocking stuffers to organizing supplies.
Next up is a crowd favorite… Stocking Stuffers.
As we did last year, we’ll be gifting someone a little something from one of the guides. All you have to do is comment below (or better yet, comment on our Instagram or Facebook posts) and tell us what item you have your eyes on this season.
One of our LA-based clients introduced us to these incense while we were shopping for baskets at Nickey Kehoe. We fell in love with the Tucson scent (smokey & sweet) which has now become our “signature” home scent and our go-to gift.
Recommended by Sarina, one of our organizers and expert gardeners, this is a great gift for the gardener, outdoors-person or anyone who needs an indestructible notepad.
This all-weather pen performs in ALL temperatures (seriously all temperatures… -30F to 250F.. However we’re not sure why you’d be writing in 250F), under water (up to 35 ft) and the notepad will survive sweat, rain, mud, snow, oil, grease, and the wear-and-tear of daily use.
We’re all about essential oils over here and we find that Neroli oil, extracted from the bitter orange tree aka Sevilla Orange, is one of our favorite oils for anxiety and stress. This body wash, another clean product, is made with Provence olive oil and coconut oil leaving skin super soft.
An odd pet-peeve of ours is hearing keys jingle, we know…it’s weird. This key organizer keeps our keys contained and we love containment. No more jingling noises in our bags or unwanted scratches from keys. The key pouches come in a variety of colors and sizes and are made with vegetable tanned leather.
If you know Jared then you know he has a crush on Jason Momoa so when Jason designed with So iLL x On The Roam, Jared purchased nearly the entire line. And this hat is one of Jared’s favorites. It can be worn cuffed or uncuffed, it comes in 5 colors but this dusty pink is the favorite, and it arrives in plastic free packaging.
We’ve been on a quest for clean nail products that actually work and so far TenOverTen products have been the best by bar. The line is cruelty-free and vegan (our top requirements for products). This 100% natural nail oil contains celery seed extract to smooth and strengthen nails and Chia seed oil, vitamin B3, rosehip oil and zinc work to promote harder, stronger and more resilient nails.
Another travel staple of ours is this Wireless Transmitter/Receiver which allows for audio sharing for up to 2 AirPods or wireless headphones. We use this for in-flight entertainment so we can use our AirPods instead of those annoying corded headphones. Battery life lasts about 16 hours so it’s perfect for those long flights.
We love this Indie Lee mist especially for travel. It smells delightful (Rosewood, Bergamot, Eucalyptus and Patchouli) and promotes a sense of calm. Indie Lee products are clean and cruelty free (which is super important to us).
Fun Fact: Indie is from South Salem, NY (where we live). We love supporting neighbors!
Recommended by a client, these pouches are one of our new favorites and great for just about anything- sunglasses, a small makeup bag, you name it. They are made in both canvas and nylon in various color and print options. Each product is crafted by independent military spouses in their homes around the nation, and shipped to R.Riveter's FabShop to be assembled into a one-of-a-kind product.
disclaimer:
If you purchase from one of our LTK links, we may earn a small commission.
We had so much fun last year with the first edition of our holiday gift guides. We received such great feedback from everyone.
We created a handful of guides this year from our own picks to stocking stuffers to organizing supplies.
First up is Shannon’s picks!
As we did last year, we’ll be gifting someone a little something from one of the guides. All you have to do is comment below (or better yet, comment on our Instagram or Facebook posts) and tell us what item you have your eyes on this season.
This is the best utility bag. It folds up for easy storage, has unbreakable handles, great colors and…IT IS ON WHEELS. Not only do we use this when we’re working but we even use this bag instead of a shopping cart when we’re grocery shopping or at The Container Store.
We are always on the hunt for clean beauty products and I’ve been loving anything Westman Atelier. These petite sticks come in a set of 3 - highlight, contour and blush. They have no silicones, no parabens, no phthalates, no mineral oil, no synthetic fragrances and are not tested on animals. The petite size is great to keep in your daily makeup bag or for travel.
Ellis Brooklyn is another clean beauty line we love. This limited edition gift set includes 5 of their best-selling scents, which are paraben-free, phthalates-free, cruelty-free and vegan. The bottles are composed of glass and can be reused or recycled. These mini rollerballs are great for travel too.
This has been on the top of the wish list for two years now. These gorgeous retro-inspired glasses are made in Italy from blown lead-free glass. They are handmade by master Italian glassmakers, and come in tumblers, goblets (and even bowls). Plus the color options are gorgeous.
Surprise, surprise, another MZ Wallace item on our wish list! We just love this brand so much - all their bags are so functional and durable. This new crochet print is so colorful and fun and reminds us of our grandmas.
Made from recycled nylon and extremely lightweight, this bag is perfect for commutes, travel and everyday life. It’s spacious and has detachable interior pouches as well as interior and exterior pockets in all the right places.
This is by far my favorite clean-ingredient product. This skin elixir is packed with omega fatty acids, vitamins, lipids and hundreds of bioactive compounds. My favorite thing about this is that it is an all-in-one cleanser, exfoliator and moisturizer- which means less bottles at home and less bottles to pack when traveling.
This is a great gift for the tea or coffee drinker in your life. Available in 13 great colors, this kettle is temperature controlled and has an incredibly fast heat time. We love the minimal design but the best part is that it holds your desired temperature for 60 mins.
If you know Shannon, you know she loves jewelry and never leaves the house without earrings. This cuff is magnetic(!!) so it can be worn anywhere on your ear. It comes in purple and yellow (purple wins) and it’s sold as a single cuff. It makes a great statement piece and an easy way to add a little glam to your day!
We are big proponents of meditation over here and have been loving the Headspace app. It comes with so many helpful meditations, relaxing sleep exercises, focus music, podcasts, sleep sounds and mood-boosting workouts such as yoga. You can purchase a monthly subscription or pay annually but use our link and you’ll get a 30-day guest pass.
disclaimer:
If you purchase from one of our LTK links, we may earn a small commission.
When to toss items can be a controversial topic when it comes to decluttering. Everyone has a different opinion on when things to be replaced.
We shared our recommendations with Reader’s Digest about when to replace houshold items including bathmats, doormats, bed pillows and curtains.
We've been busy working with many of you to prepare for moves, to manage your moves, and to introduce better organization into your lives. A lot has happened this year so we're sharing some relevant updates with you…
After working with many types of clients over the years, we found that people struggle with disorganization for very different reasons. I recently completed coursework with NAPO (National Association of Productivity and Organizing Professionals) to develop a foundational knowledge for working with clients experiencing symptoms or having diagnoses of brain based conditions (defined by NAPO as anything that causes a person to have ongoing difficulty or challenging differences with cognition, emotion, socialization, or behavior). During my coursework I learned how to identify physical, mental, emotional and environmental challenges and how to implement organizational and productivity strategies to empower clients in their daily lives. I am excited to say that I now officially hold a Brain-Based Conditions Specialist Certificate from NAPO!
In case you didn’t know, I believe that all spaces and items hold energy. As a professional organizer, I'm constantly touching a lot of items, and I'm in a lot of spaces. Some spaces are neutral, some spaces are dense with neglect and some spaces are just…full of busy energy. Over time I started to feel affected by the spaces and the amount of items that passed through my hands. I wanted to find a way to protect myself from the energy I was absorbing. Since I’ve always been interested in reiki and knew about its healing power, I enrolled in my first reiki course at my local metaphysical shop (or “Hogwarts” as Jared would call it) and before I knew it, I had completed all three certifications and I am now a Reiki Master.
As a Reiki Master, I now have the ability to clear the energy in a room or home or clear a person’s energy (with their permission of course). Questions about reiki? Have no idea what it is? Send me a note and I’ll be happy to share what I know!
And one final thing to share… I just completed my exam, and I’m on my way to being a Certified Professional Organizer®.
In order to sit for the exam you must be a NAPO member in good standing, have completed prerequisite courses through NAPO and have logged at least 1,500 hours of on-site work (which was a piece of cake for me).
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.
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:
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!
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
Summer is behind us and fall is at its peak (northeasters - are you LOVING the amazing foliage this year?!) So we wanted to share a few organizing and productivity tasks that are guaranteed to make you feel like an organized genius.
Seasonal Clothing
I know it’s a little late for this one but if you’re busy like we are, you may still be stepping over that pile of summer clothes. Review and edit your summer clothing before switching to fall clothes. Donate/sell/give away any items you didn’t wear this season, recycle the faded bathing suit (some retailers recycle textiles even from other brands), and repair anything that got damaged this season. Make a list of items you need to replace for next year and watch for them to go on sale over the winter!
Garden
Wipe down all your garden tools, empty the flower pots, scrape off the dirt and rinse. Take inventory of what you have, what didn’t last thru the season, and what you need for next year so you can restock over the winter when gardening items are on sale.
Outdoor items
Collect all the pool floats and outdoor toys, wipe down using a mild antibacterial solution. Wash outdoor cushions and pillows. Once completely dry, they are ready to store for the winter. We opt for these oversized cushion bags for winter storage.
Holiday Prep
Get a headstart on the holidays. Start decluttering the guest rooms. Create a gift giving station. Give your pantry and kitchen a refresh. Review expiration labels and toss expired items, tidy drawers and remove any unwanted items so you have a clean slate for all those holiday meals.
Office organization doesn’t just apply to the physical space. Let’s not forget about our inboxes, Google drives, cloud storage and computer desktop storage. We’ll tackle the easy one first - your computer desktop.
We are all guilty of having too many files crowding our desktops. Think about it… it’s the digital version of the stack of papers on the corner of your desk!
We’re challenging you to spend a few minutes tidying your desktop. Don’t worry. We’ll walk you through it.
1. Declutter
If you only do one step listed here, this is the most important. The simple directive….remove anything you don’t access daily.
2. Categorize
Make specific folders for each category of files you’re keeping on the desktop.
3. Standardize
We like to have a standardized naming convention for our files so it’s easier to locate the file you need.
4. Customize
While it’s not necessary, we like to add a customized desktop background to make our desktop more visually appealing and help with maintaining categories. (You can access our customized desktop below).
5. Maintain
As with any space, maintenance is key. Set a reminder to clean up your desktop once a week, month, quarter, etc.
You can find more details on each step by checking out Shannon’s tips in Apartment Therapy’s article “How to Best Organize Your Computer Desktop, According to Pro Organizers”.
We like to add a customized desktop background to make our desktop more visually appealing and help with maintaining categories. Shannon created this one for her own laptop. Canva has a bunch of customizable templates to choose from based on your needs. These templates are great for creating broad file categories like “reference files,” “client projects,” “personal,” and “active projects” to categorize your files. From there, drag all corresponding files to the appropriate grouping, and presto, an organized desktop.
Want to use this background? Drop us a line and we’ll send over the file!
Apartment Therapy recently published “How to Best Organize Your Computer Desktop, According to Pro Organizers”.
Check out the article to learn how Shannon suggests keeping your desktop tidy.
Clients, friends, family (and even strangers) all tell us that they don’t know where to start when it comes to organizing their spaces or they are overwhelmed half way through the project and abandon it.
We get it. It’s a daunting task.
But it’s important not to tackle too much at once - stick to one manageable space at a time.
We recently spoke to Realtor.com and discussed the best organizing projects to tackle based on how much time you have.
As families are starting to think about back-to-school and the dreaded task of setting up dorm rooms, we’ve been receiving questions from clients about our favorite dorm room organizing products. Prepping for dorm life is challenging. There’s limited space and very rarely are the layouts and measurements provided ahead of time.
We put together a list of products that maximize space, fit in almost any space, and most importantly, assist with productivity and efficiency which is crucial for those attending college, especially for the first time.
Check out our list below for some of our favorite dorm room essentials.
This is the perfect solution for a bedside table. This storage compartment fits at the foot of your bed, and it’s super roomy with eight different sized pockets!
We’ve talked about these bamboo charging stations more than once simply because they are fantastic. We have so many devices to charge these days - laptops, AirPods, smart watches, iPhones, iPads, Kindles - and the cord situation can get unruly. This keeps everything contained and eliminates all the tangled wires everywhere. Plus having one home base to charge everything makes a huge difference in productivity.
Shoe storage can be tough in a dorm, especially if closet space is very limited. We love this shoe cabinet because it is extremely slim but can still fit a number of shoes. This would be a great shared system if you have roommates!
This rolling cart has been a sneaky favorite of ours. We bought this for a very narrow space in a bathroom and were pleasantly surprised at its utility. We find ourselves using them in bathrooms, offices, kitchens and playrooms. It comes with hooks to hang items and we’ve added separate containers to the trays to corral smaller items like paper clips. It’s simple to put together too.
We know there are restrictions in dorm rooms, like drilling holes in walls, so we like to use these floating storage units because there is no drilling required. Simply attach to the wall using the adhesive strips. These are also great for interior cabinets or the back of doors.
Laundry baskets can be so cumbersome and the laundry bags still look like a pile of clothes on the floor. We like this lightweight collapsible basket and it can be stored underneath the bed when not in use.
A shower caddy is a must-have on the dorm list which is why there are a ton of versions out there, but after a lot of research we chose this foldable, plastic caddy that takes up little space when not in use.
Another Tidy Nest favorite….storage trays, compartments, organizers, containers, whatever you want to call them… we love them! You can find these products in a variety of materials, styles and price points. In this case, these plastic trays are budget-friendly, easy to clean, come in pretty colors and can be used in desk drawers, dressers, or that rolling cart we mentioned above!
It seems like every guide we create has some kind of hanger. We are very particular about our hangers and while we usually don’t love plastic hangers, these are a great space saving option for small closets.
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Here’s a look at our ad that was featured in the July/ August 2022 issue of Bedford & New Canaan Magazine!
Tidy Nest is a Shannon & Jared - business and life partners. We’re a NAPO approved, award-winning, professional organization business that has helped countless families redefine their homes through our proven organizational methods. Whether you’re preparing for a move, just moved in, or need better systems for your spaces, we have you covered.
We have been featured in national publications including HGTV, Forbes, and Women’s Day, and have been voted best organizational business by several local outlets. Visit our site for more information, and take your first steps towards a more functional and tidy home!
Take a look at our press mentions in Bedford & New Canaan Magazine over the years.
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