Lake Living: 4 Organization Tips To Keep it Carefree

There's something magical about life by the lake — the crisp morning air, the gentle sound of water lapping against the shore, the sunshine & the open views. With all the gear and the people coming and going, this paradise can quickly turn chaotic. I'm sharing 4 practical organization tips to help you keep the chaos at bay and embrace the a carefree lake living lifestyle.

Create a "Lake Hub"

Designate the best entry in your home for lake access. This will be one that is preferably near a bathroom so wet feet don't go sloshing through the main living areas! Most lake homes have a walk-out basement lay out. Use the basement level. Have a closet or shelving unit by the door with all the lake things, including towels & gear. Pro Tip: Use bins for smaller loose items like goggles, swim toys, sunscreen, hats, water shoes, sunglasses, etc. and label them, so your guests will be able to locate what they need without asking you for help. Consider installing wall hooks nearby for hanging towels to dry, and a hamper or basket for collecting the dirty towels to launder later. Place an outdoor rug just outside of the entrance to catch dripping water, and an additional absorbant washable rug inside to catch the remnant dripping. Keep water bottles stocked in the hub as well, and maybe other drinks. If space allows, this is a great spot for a fridge.

Keep Everything Dry

You'll want to use sealed containers or bags for anything that could easily mildew in outdoor humidity. After your water activities, always dry the life jackets, tubes, etc... before putting them away. You can strap them to a rail, lay them on the dock, or even spread them out in the boat. Pro Tip - Outside your lakeside entry, you can use a portable clothing rack & hangers for both drying and storing lifejackets.

Basement storage for lake stuff

kids playing on a water mat at the lake

rolled beach towels stored in closet

Convenient Storage at the Dock

Keep plastic water toys such as pool noodles and floaties in a large deck box on your dock. Large toys just drag excess water and dirt into the house. Plus, guests don't want to lugg that stuff to and from the lake. The deck box is also a good spot for folding chairs, extra life jackets, fishing gear, etc. You can keep the larger items, such as tubes, & water mats strapped to your deck with bungees or bike locks. And kayaks & paddleboards can be stored out of the way on racks or wall hooks designed especially for them.

Boat Essentials

With storage on boats being limited, think of large items you can move somewhere else temporarily. For example, our pontoon came equipped with full coverage vinyl windows. This was great for the cold season, but created a sauna in the warm season. It was designed to fold under one of the bench seats but we hung it in our basement instead to open up more storage space.

With more space on the boat, you can store more essentials inside....

• If you like fishing - a tackle box and foldable pole

• If you like tubing - a portable air compressor and a floating rope

• If you like island hopping - a few light foldable chairs and beach/picnic blanket come in handy

• If you like grilling - there are a few portable grills that are easy to stash on a boat. And don't forget the tools, foil, a lighter, etc...

• Pro Tip - Store a watertight container filled with eating utensils, plates & paper towels at the ready, too. On the day of the outing, you only need grab the food & drinks.

• Don't forget the phone chargers & the first aid kit!

With a little extra effort to get organized lake living can fulfill it's promise of fun & relaxation. If you have tips to share, I'd love to read your comments below. If you'd like hands-on help from a professional organizer for any home organizing, space planning or unpacking needs, visit us at www.sortandsensibility.com.

See you at the lake!

Until Next Time,

Dianne