Tag Archives: home organization

March Maintenance

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MarchMaintenance
It’s hard to believe that spring is only a few weeks away. Winter seems to have intentions of over-staying its welcome. While the snow still covers the ground (and hopefully starts melting away) there are a few projects you can get started to get a head start on spring maintenance.

Let’s start inside…
Jump Start Your Spring Cleaning
A good dusting or vacuuming of ceiling fans, tops of cabinets and draperies will have you ready to throw open the windows and welcome in the warm spring air.

Organize a Closet (or two!)
Personally, I tend to make a mess by pulling everything out before organizing. If you also go with the “deep clean” method, throw a coat of paint up in the closet for a fresh start. Closets can often become catch-alls, but they can be even more useful with a couple organized shelves or practical intention. Here a couple  creative closet ideas!

Makeover Project
Select a piece of furniture, unused nook or neglected space and give it a new look or purpose. In the case of furniture, I like to pick a piece that has been hidden away or unused for sometime and think of some way to give it new life. You don’t have to break the bank and there are plenty ideas on sites like Pinterest, if you don’t have something in mind.

Start Your Garden… Indoors!
Growing your own vegetables, herbs or flowers from seed can be a very inexpensive and rewarding way to garden. If you are new to this process, here are some helpful hints for beginners.

Outside (Brrrrr… maybe wait until some of the snow melts!)
Walk Around
Take an observant stroll around your house and take note of anything that looks ‘off’. Areas to focus on are roofing, siding, foundation (especially where it meets the ground and other building materials), and weather stripping around doors, windows and garage doors. Look for any tears, cracks, missing or otherwise ‘disturbed’ materials. It’s always a good idea to take care of any issues on your home’s exterior, so they don’t creep inside and create even bigger problems.

Lawn Prep
March is a good time to clean up the mess winter has left behind. Pick up broken branches and tree debris. Rake leftover leaves. You can also start application of organic herbicides to prevent weeds. Of course, we’ll all have to wait until we can actually see our lawns again.

Clean the Windows
Inside and out. Use the hose to rinse off screens. Improve your view of the spring flowers and green grass.

Spring is right around the corner and you’ll want to spend as much time outside as possible, so use the last weeks of winter to tidy everything up inside.

Keep Your Home Organized – It Will Show Better When Time To Sell

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Changing word Unorganized into Organized

Homes with organization show better and are more appealing to buyers. And, an organized room looks clean and fresh. Here are some tips to keep your home organized:

Clutter is Exhausting
By organizing your belongings, a room will look more pleasing to the eye and avoid that uneasy feeling that clutter instills. A cluttered room is also difficult to maintain and clean.

Less is More
When organizing and staging shelves, you should not have things covering every inch of space. Have restraint.

No Matchy Matchy
Things displayed on shelves do not need to match. It is more pleasing to the eye to see various items, shapes, colors and sizes. Set some of your books horizontally on their sides.

Grouping Things Together
Smaller items look better in a group. And, speaking of small things, try to avoid displaying items that are so small that you have to get really close to see them. It is more impressive to have a few larger items on display.

Heavier On Bottom
When displaying items, place heavier items on the bottom and lighter pieces on the top.

Create Interest
If you need bookends for the display of your things, use heavy items such as decorative vases.

Hugging the Walls
When making your room organized, it is not ideal to have everything against a wall. It is much more interesting for the eye to see some space along the walls.

Need to Cheat
If you do not want to organize a bookshelf, you can do the next best thing – hide the clutter with a spring-loaded curtain rod and a set of curtains or material.

Launchpad Near A Door
If you do not have a mudroom for coats and boots, you can create your own transition zone that neatly holds jackets, purses and keys. Each household member can be assigned a crate or basket to hold items.

Behind-the-Door Shoe Holders
Clear plastic shoe holders are perfect to hold small items. This blogger uses one to organize winter mittens, hats and scarves. It can also be used to store small items such as cleaning supplies, craft items, tools or toys.

Containers

  • Square containers hold more items and are very stable when stacked
  • Clear containers are best used for visability
  • Labeling containers helps to maintain organization

Organized

Want more ideas for home organization? Check out Sibcy Cline’s “Be Organized” Pinterest board here.

 

 

 

Get Your Home Organized for 2013

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Get your home organized for 2013!

Thinking about organizing your home for the year? When you sort through belongings, you will probably have items that can be donated. Here are some sources to help you clear out your home’s clutter:

Goodwill has many area locations that accepts drop offs of clothing and household items. (Some locations will accept computer equipment.)

The Salvation Army will pick up your donated items if they service your area. Go here for more information and to schedule your pick up!

Other options to help declutter your home?

  • Craigslist is a localized online classifieds. Advertise your unwanted items for a small price (or free)!
  • Cleaning out your closet? In Cincinnati, Ohio, (and at 120 other locations throughout the world) Dress for Success accepts work-0riented women’s clothing. Check the Cincinnati, Ohio donation schedule here.
  • If you have building materials to donate, contact Building Value (in Cincinnati, Ohio). This organization salvages reusable materials for sale for the public.