Top 10 Ways to Refine Your Space
Quick, Easy, Affordable Tips to Organize Your Home and Your Life _________________________________________________________
"I seriously need to get more organized!"
How many of us have uttered those words? Our One Day Redecorating plan, in addition to making your space more beautiful and comfortable, has the added benefit of helping you organize any room to make it look and feel it's very best!
Here are some quick tips to help you get started-
1. "Define, then Refine"- Focus on what you want from a space, then pare down everything that does not help you achieve that goal. Keep the vision of your finished space firmly in your mind as you work. Be critical of everything, most importantly do not keep what you do not love or
know to be useful!
2. "Beat the Clock"- To avoid feeling over-whelmed, start small. Pick a room, turn off the phone, put on some upbeat music, set a timer for 60 minutes, then do a quick purge.
First, label three boxes- DONATE, RETURN, and PUT BACK, and one TRASH container. Next, start sorting!
DONATE - anything usable that you have not used in 12 months.
RETURN - anything that belongs to someone else.
PUT BACK - anything that belongs in another room.
TRASH- well... trash!
When the timer rings, give yourself permission to quit. The donations go to charity, the borrowed things get returned their owners and the misplaced items get put where they belong.
Remember your vision and only keep what will help you fulfill it. Whatever does not fit any of those categories has to go!
3. "Keep like with like"- Establish designated areas to keep clutter from taking over again. Keep your reading materials in one area, for example, then you can concentrate on throwing out or recycling as you finish them.
4. "Keep it where you use it"- Think about it... if taking all your bills into your office to pay them was convenient, you would already be doing it! Don't force yourself to do steps that are not necessary. Cut down on paper clutter by paying your bills where you sort your mail (near the trash can in the kitchen is a good place) and keep all the necessary stamps, envelopes, etc. in a drawer nearby.
5. "You can't put 10 pounds of potatoes into a 5 pound bag"- It's an old saying but it's true. If you find you can no longer close your closet door, it's time to play "Beat the Clock" in there. Experts say we wear 20 percent of our wardrobe 80 percent of the time, so purge any closet in your home that is losing "The Battle of the Bulge". You won't miss what you don't wear!
6. "Delegate, delegate, delegate"- You do not have to do this all yourself! Focus on what you do best and delegate the rest. Your husband can organize the basement or the garage, your kids can begin picking up their toys as toddlers, and your teens can sort laundry and the recyclables. Work as a team and your living space will be one you can all enjoy!
7. "Time flies when you're always running late"- Everyone has just 24 hours in each day, so why do others seem to get more accomplished? Give yourself an extra 15 minutes of prep time before going out, or as a cushion for travel time. Help maximize your 24 hours by consolidating errands and scheduling appointments to avoid rush hour whenever possible. You will also save money on gas, as well as reduce your carbon footprint.
8. "Guess who's coming to dinner?"- Invite guests over at least twice a month. It can be for a formal dinner party, pizza and a movie, or a casual weekend brunch. The point is you will tidy up in anticipation of their visit, and you will also have the added benefit of enjoying your home at its very best. After all, aren't you and your family worth treating like company?
9. "Label your work"- Stop wasting time and energy looking for misplaced items. There are many good label makers on the market, find one that works for you and use it. Label boxes in storage, shelves in the garage, toy bins and cubbies for the kids, and files in the file drawer. Caution-labeling can become addictive!
(Bonus tip- never label a file or box "Misc." It is the dreaded black-hole
of any organizing system. If something is worth holding on to, it is worth naming.)
10. "Ahhhh".... Finally, create a space just for you! Whether it is a nook with a cozy chair to curl up with a good book or a special sitting room of your very own, carve out a quiet place where you can relax and rejuvenate. Fill it with comforting touches such as soft adjustable lighting, a music source, your favorite magazines and make time to enjoy it for a few minutes everyday. You work hard, you earned it!
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Refining your home isn't a luxury, it's a necessity!
It is a stressful world out there! Being comfortable in our own homes is more important than ever! Now is the perfect time to create your own retreat where you can get away from it all, without the high prices at the gas pumps or airline "surcharges".
Entertain friends for dinner at a beautiful table, settle in for the evening with a big tv instead of going to the movies, create a spa-like bath where you can pamper yourself. Treating yourself and your family well is more a priority than ever!
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| Dining outdoors is relaxed |
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| To feel like you are getting away from it all, while staying close to home, try upping the luxury quotient. There are so many beautiful choices of tableware that are durable enough for outdoors, yet pretty enough to delight indoors. Invest in a few good serving pieces, add candles and table linens that can mix and match, indoors and out. For a truly special evening, use your "good" china for a romantic dinner al fresco. Everything tastes better under the stars!
Home movie nights are more comfortable, more economical and just more fun! Invest in that big screen tv now, and enjoy cuddles on the couch for years to come! A One-Day Room Refinement insures your family room is arranged so that the room is beautiful yet functional, and everyone gets a good seat!
Nothing elevates an ordinary bath like soft candlelight and romantic music. Use wireless speakers to add music where you want it, when you want it. Some are indoor/outdoor for even more versatility.
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| Home is where the good pop-corn is! |
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| Just add bubbles and wine... |
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