organization Archives - Lakeside Collection Blog

April’s Pinteresting Picks

Posted on May 1, 2015 by Rachel Roszmann

We made it to May! And we have so much to be excited about in the warm, spring ahead! Our Pinterest followers are excited to get outdoors, too. We can tell by what they’re pinning there are a few weddings and parties being planned. Here are April’s Pinteresting Picks.

Outdoor Entertaining Accessories Add extra space for everything from summertime snacks to evening cocktails with a Folding Deck Table. Metal clamps and brackets make it simple to secure the handsome wood table to a railing on your balcony, deck or porch. The folding table is also ideal for decks or balconies with limited space.

Wedding Fun Honor everyone in your wedding party before, during and after the big day with the Wedding Party Jar Mug Set. Each 14 oz. traditional mason jar celebrates those who make the day extra special. A dress or tuxedo adorn each mug, which rests on an ornate pedestal. Use it as a centerpiece during the wedding, and a thoughtful way to say thank you after. It’s a charming memento to celebrate the beginning of a lifetime of happiness. Come in sets of 2 so you can buy multiples if needed.

Spring Organization The Set of Felt Pan Separators protects your cookware and bowls from chips and scratches while you store them in a cabinet. The colorful separators come in 2 sizes. They provide a thin layer of gentle cushioning to diminish the chances of unwanted markings and cracks. They also keep items from locking together when stored for long periods. Either size separator can also be trimmed for a custom fit.

Big Day Frills Give the wedding party the gift of comfy, coordinating footwear to take from the bridal room to the reception hall with this tote and flip-flip set. The tote has ample room for hair styling tools, accessories and more. Includes a magnetic closure. Change into the coordinating pair of flip-flops after a night of dancing. EVA foam and PVC. Ribbons on totes are removable.

Space Savers Create discreet space for canned goods, books or toiletries with the wooden 65″ Slim Storage Cabinet. Its two cabinets with doors each open to reveal 2 shelves. Magnets securely hold the doors closed. In the center, 2 open shelves provide additional storage space. At the top, a shelf with a decorative rail gives you space for more essentials or a display of photos or collectibles. Round feet give the cabinet a finishing touch. This cabinet will fit in some of the tightest spaces in your home or apartment.

Pinteresting Picks for January

Posted on January 30, 2015 by Kelli Quinn

Connecting with friends on The Lakeside Collection’s Pinterest boards was a real hoot in January! Trendy owls got a lot of attention, whether they were on cozy throws and pillows or fun and functional hobby organizers. Some of our followers already are looking forward to creating whimsical miniature gardens or adding colorful decorations to their yards. Here are our Pinteresting Picks for January.

Add a fanciful touch to your living room or bedroom with this licensed Milo Owl Throw or Pillow.

Clean up the clutter in your crafting space and help your creativity flow with these handy Owl Print Craft Organizers.

Set of 2 Solar-Lighted Balloon Stakes helps you decorate your garden with whimsical delight!

Each Fairy or Gnome Garden Kit gives you the miniature accessories you need to create your own magical spot.

Pinteresting Picks for November

Posted on November 28, 2014 by Kelli Quinn

As the holiday crush begins, the impulse to organize our homes and make extra room becomes a strong one. Our Pinterest followers have been spending a lot of time this month looking for new and decorative ways to make their spaces function better. After the organization is done, don’t forget to add some new decorative touches to renew your home before holiday guests arrive. Here are The Lakeside Collection’s Pinteresting Picks for November.

Carry just about anything in this Oversized Utility Tote!

Shot Glass Display Shelf organizes your collection with ease.

Organizing your bags in the Over-the-Door Purse Storage may help extend the life of their straps while utilizing space behind a door.

A Set of 2 Window Tie-Backs creates a different look for your existing curtains.

Lakeside Selection: Our Choice of Favorite Items of the Week

Posted on August 1, 2014 by Kelli Quinn

As the week winds down, we are looking forward to relaxing a little at home. After several nights of quick meals, it is time to work in the kitchen to create something special. If cooking is not your thing, keep snacks close at hand on the counter and in the living room so you can grab something sweet in a hurry. Remember, everyone loves something gourmet to nibble on, even your pet! Here is the Lakeside Selection: Our Choice of Favorite Items of the Week.

The varied sizes of the Set of 4 Lasagna Baking Pans are perfect for any event from a large dinner with guests to a cozy meal for two.

Jolly Chef Kitchen Collection is a fun and upbeat way to give your home color.

Make brand name candy bars that are just as delicious as the real thing with this Copy Cat Candy Bars Cookbook.

3-Way Candy Dispenser keeps your favorite snacks close and easily accessible.

Your pet deserves to dine in style, and this Pet Food Cabinet with Bowls lets him do that without costing you a fortune.

Lakeside Selection: Our Choice of Favorite Items for the Week

Posted on July 11, 2014 by Kelli Quinn

When it is time to get organized, it is easy to feel intimidated. Not only does the thought of sorting through your rooms seem overwhelming, so does the potential cost of the project. Try some smaller, less expensive changes to make your home run better and give you more time to enjoy a pitcher of lemonade or iced tea. Get started with the Lakeside Selection: our choice of favorite items for the week.

Keep things tidy with a Set of 2 Silicone Counter Gap Covers.

Trash-Ease 13-Gallon Bag Holder is a simple way to clean up at campsites, picnics and at home.

This huge bag lets you tote multiple loads at once. The Oversized Laundry Tote features a trendy print on a very large and spacious bag.

Fast and affordable, Brick and Siding Clips help you decorate without causing damage to your home.

Your family will love to help themselves to a refreshing beverage with the ergonomic Shatter-Resistant Pitcher.

Order in the House: 5 Smart Storage Solutions

Posted on January 28, 2014 by TerrySpradlinLakeside

You can keep your house in order if you reduce the clutter and organize everything. There are special strategies you can implement if you have a small room or a home, so that you can make the most of every inch of the storage space that you have. Such organization doesn’t cost much. Apart from this, you can also consider renting a storage unit to take some of the clutter out of your house.

Image Credit: thehouseofsmiths.com

1. Smart Kitchen Solutions

Create open shelving for your kitchen. This can be divided both vertically and horizontally and is very practical. You can also divide the space between the kitchen and the dining area with free standing shelves, which can hold cookware, cups, plates, etc. Also, pullout units can offer great storage options without occupying valuable space.

Image Credit: cooperealty.com

2. Making Use of Every Inch

If the bathroom is really small, you can consider vertical storage with plenty of handy hooks and storage boxes that are wall mounted. When shopping for accessories, buy versatile pieces, such as a sink that comes with a soap dish, tray and a towel hanger, so that it reduces the clutter.

Image Credit: shelterness.com

3. Spruce up your Living Room

If you need to store a lot of things, you can invest in a multi-functional storage unit in which you can store bedding, china ware and even books. Buy something in a light color and a streamlined style. You can also buy a sofa sleeper bed with storage underneath. If you have unused space, such as space under the stairs, it can become a very good home media center with all your media gadgets. If the living room, dining area and the play area are common, you can have a streamlined storage wall in which you can hide all the clutter.

Image Credit: digsdigs.com

4. Exploring the Bedroom Space

Don’t overlook the space under the bed. Instead of just stuffing it with clutter, you can use cardboard boxes and store things away neatly. You could also invest in pullout drawers for the bed and a vacuum shrink bag that can make bedding shrink into a fraction of the usual size.

Image Credit: digsdigs.com

5. Reduce Clutter in Hallway

You need space for shoes and coats in your hallway but all the clutter of the house usually ends up here. You can use the wall space to hang up an organizer into which you can put in some of the bits and pieces. If you have a spare corner, you can install a storage cabinet. You could also use a rack with pegs on which you can hang bags, shoes and many other items.

You may follow the aforementioned tips to turn your clutter into a display of loveliness.

Home Organization 101

Posted on January 27, 2014 by Caitlin Self

The start of a new year always feels refreshing, and it’s a time we all feel extra motivated to get our lives on track. Organization is one of the keys to a comfortable and successful year, so we’ve got you covered with these great tips to help you get started on a more organized life.

Identify Clutter Culprits

Whether you’re a Feng Shui fan or not, we can all agree that a cluttered home can feel much more cramped and demotivating than an organized one. Start by identifying the areas of your home that are prone to attracting clutter, such as the entryway, the laundry room, your dresser, or the kids’ play area. If you’re low on space, think outside the box a little with hanging organizers, or repurpose items meant for a different part of the house.

Use Magnets For Small Objects

Sure, that fridge of yours might be a bit of an eyesore, with all the random magnets and yellowing receipts you saved so you could return something, but magnets don’t have to be the problem. You can use a magnetic strip in your bathroom to organize small metal items like bobby pins and nail clippers, or as a place on the fridge to organize your spices. (TIP: Use old baby food jars for spice organization by placing the lid-side against the metal fridge.) You can even use a magnetic tin rack in the bathroom to organize these items, which is even better than the strip because the tins will hold non-metal items as well, including hair clips and bands, studded earrings, cotton swabs, lip gloss and more.

Get Cords and Cables Out of Sight

Cords and cables are a huge contributor to a messy home, but luckily people all over the web have come up with hundreds of ways to keep them organized and out of site. You can roll them up nicely and organize them in toilet paper rolls, or clamp an office clip to the edge of a table or nightstand and run your charger cord through the end, letting it rest perfectly in sight without falling to the ground or getting tangled.

Another option when using a surge protector for multiple electronics, such as behind the television or under the desk, is to mount the surge protector in an accessible area, then wrap up the slack cords and secure them with a rubber band. Everything will stay organized and out of sight. Finally, if you have no good way to hide a messy surge protector in furniture, get a decorative cube box with a lid (wooden looks good) and cut a hole in the back. Place the surge protector inside and run all cables through the back hole. This is great for cube storage entertainment systems or standing desks.

Hang More Things

Do you have too many earrings and necklaces to fit in your jewelry box? We all know they’ll just turns into one big metal knot, with you heading to the store to stock up on more necklaces and dangly earrings. Instead, organize them by hanging them individually on a mesh jewelry holder or a large metal rack. You can also use this as a place to store decorative items like photos, as well as useful things like coupons and receipts. Another option for hanging is a pegboard. You can get numerous hooks to organize anything from kitchen utensils, pots, and pans, to outdoor garden tools, power tools, and anything you keep in your garage. They’re also great for hanging brooms and mops, or organizing your laundry room.

Buy More Space

No, this doesn’t mean you need a bigger home, it just means you should be willing to spend a little money on organization sometimes. Sure, if you’re great at DIY projects, you can make most organizers, but those of us who attract clutter also have a tendency to procrastinate on projects (which is where a lot of that clutter comes from). Sometimes you just have to bite the bullet and spend a little time online or make a trip to one of those amazing stores with organization ideas for everything. With the right inspiration, you can double your home’s storage space and free up the kitchen table for things like eating together as a family.

Image Source: Brit.co

Lakeside Selection: Our Choice of Favorite Items for the Week

Posted on May 31, 2013 by keith daigel

I know it was a short work week with the Holiday, but why does it feel like it was a long week? This week’s favorite items have an organization feel to them. That’s it, maybe if I was more organized then the week would have been easier! Enjoy your weekend everyone!

Kitchen Cabinet Organizers solve storage problems common to all kitchens. The Pot Lid Holder easily stores almost any size lids on their sides instead of stacked on top of each other or on their pots. Holds up to 4 lids depending on their size.

The Wall-Mount Wooden Plastic Bag Dispenser will help you stop wasting plastic bags! Use them over and over again with the convenient and attractive Wall-Mount Wooden Plastic Bag Dispenser. Just mount it to a wall for fast and simple use. Lift the top to put bags in. Pull them out, one at a time, through the opening in the bottom. Colorful artwork decorates the front of the dispenser.

Zebra Print Hanging Organizers have see-through pockets to help you find what you want quickly. A metal hanger on each one slips over a closet rod, hook, or doorknob to keep it handy. The double-sided Jewelry Organizer features 25 small pockets and 3 larger pockets on each side to hold all your earrings, rings, bracelets and necklaces

Zebra Storage Bin Sets are great for storing a variety of items in a bedroom, bathroom or dorm room. They offer a wild touch to a girl’s room with bold black and white zebra stripes trimmed with hot pink. The Set of 2 Covered Bins offers concealed storage that makes a room look tidy. Each has an easy flip-open top and 9″ long handles on the sides.

The Casserole Queens Cookbook revamps the ultimate quick-fix meal to suit the taste of your modern family! Make a tasty meal fit for royalty with fresh ingredients any night of the week. From Tuna Noodle with homemade cream sauce and a kick of cayenne pepper to home-style desserts, like gooey apple butter cake. Includes 16 pages of color photographs, plenty of expert tips and lots of style.

5 Ways to Make Sure Your New Year’s Resolution Sticks

Posted on January 2, 2013 by shannonevanslakeside

With the New Year come New Year’s resolutions. Some are easier to stick with than others. That said, how many of us REALLY stick with our resolutions all year? Chances are not many of us do. Do you want 2013 to be different? Check out our tips to keep your resolution on track.

Be Realistic
We all are busy—that’s a fact. Whether you are a stay-at-home mom, single, or anything in between chances are your time is limited. When deciding on a resolution make sure it’s realistic. Can you really commit to going to the gym 6 days a week? Instead, be realistic and take a step back and ask yourself, “can I really do this long-term?” If the answer is no, then scale your goal back. Maybe it’s going to the gym 3-4 times a week. Keeping a daily journal to keep track of your progress is another great idea.

Know How You’ll Get There
Weight loss is a very common resolution, so we’ll stick with that example. If you want to lose 50 pounds this year, how are you going to do it? You can’t just say it and it will happen (how cool would that be though?). Instead make short-term goals to reach your bigger one. How many pounds a month do you have to lose to reach 50? Knowing you have to lose around four pounds a month to reach your goal can help you do it. Losing four pounds a month sounds much more realistic than just this nebulous goal of 50.

Count on Set Backs
There are going to be bumps in the road—and that’s ok. Maybe you just can’t resist the delicious cake at your Aunt Sally’s party—I mean it just looked so good! Don’t beat yourself over it. Just make sure you take the necessary steps to keep up with your goals for the long term. Resolutions are a marathon, not a sprint.

Have a Support System
Whether it is losing weight, getting a promotion, or finding a hobby make sure you have a support system in place. According to a recent study, 88 percent of those who set a New Year resolution fail. Frank Ra, the author of A course in Happiness says, “Resolutions are more sustainable when shared, both in terms of with whom you share the benefits of your resolution, and with whom you share the path of maintaining your resolution. Peer-support makes a difference in success rate with new year’s resolutions.”

Reward Yourself
Remember to celebrate the little victories along the way. Sometimes we can get caught up on all of the things we haven’t done. Three-hundred and sixty-five days go by fast, but at times can seem like the year is inching by. Do you love going out to eat? Instead, get a great cook book and eat delicious food that is healthy.

No matter if your resolution is to lose weight, save more money, or make new friends remember you can do it. What is your New Year’s resolution? Let us know in the comments below.

Image Credit: NewsMaxHealth

Organization Navigation

Posted on December 28, 2011 by keith daigel

Start the New Year off right by getting your home in order. Below are some clever tips for organizing your home for 2012. Ref. realsimple.com

(1) Using reusable tote bags for shopping is a must. Even so, everyone has a stash of plastic grocery bags. Organize those bags by storing them in an empty tissue box under your sink.

(2) Kitchen cabinet space is tricky to keep well organized. Place a small tension rod about 4 inches deep in your drawer.

(3) Store lids standing up in the front part and pots and pans on the other side.

(4) Make your storage functional. Use seating that doubles as storage for gaming & entertainment equipment.

(5) Being organized it not just about putting things away, but also by making neat what is out in the open. To organize messy cords behind your TV/computer, try using Velcro tape.

(6) Avoid drilling holes in your walls to create more shelf space. An under shelf organizer slides on the shelf you already have to add space and functionality.