7 Simple Tips to Help You Declutter

With the onset of spring, you’re not the only one feeling the itch to clear out and make room. Whether you’re dragging out the old “summer box”, refreshing the mantle with some new blooms, or deciding all your clothes are in serious need of an overhaul, first thing’s first. Declutter and get rid of what isn’t serving you with these 7 quick tips:

1. If you haven’t worn it in 12 months, let it go.

2. If you forget you had it and haven’t missed it, let it go.

3. If it’s broken, let it go.

4. If you haven’t altered it in 12 months, let it go.

5. If it has stains, let it go.

6. If you forgot how it works (then you haven’t used it), let it go.

7. If it’s out of style, let it go.

When in doubt, LET IT GO! The amount of space (mental and physical) it’s taking up in your life isn’t worth it.

Making the Most of your Cabinets and Doors

Last week, we discussed WHAT to store behind cabinets and doors, and now, as promised, we’re linking our favorite products for HOW to do it! Organizing is only effective if you’re using systems that will work for YOU. We stress this point a lot because we often talk with our clients, who are frustrated because what looks amazing on The Home Edit for one of their clients, or what works for your sister/friend, may not be what works for you. But we promise, something will work!

If you’re not sure what will work for your family, give us a shout and we’ll make it happen!

What’s Behind Door Number 1

What’s Behind Door Number 1

Whether you’ve got limited space or simply want to optimize what you’ve got, door and cabinet backs are where it’s at! There’s no shortage of things we can think to store on them, and all sorts of easy-to-install products to make the most of the space.

Got a linen closet door? Consider placing all your meds, feminine hygiene products, and backstock toiletries there. It’s easy to access for everyone, and will make finding the fever reducer meds in the middle of an exhausted night a literal and figurative life-saver!

Entryway closet door? Line it with a deeper bin rack to hold your seasonal accessories like googles and ball caps, or cleaning accessories like vacuum filter replacements and extra mop heads.

Office or bonus room door? This is a perfect spot for crafts — markers, jewelry kits, vinyl rolls, glue sticks, you name it. Or if crafting isn’t your thing, consider making a gift wrap station on the back of these doors. These over-the-door systems can house ribbon, bows, scissors, tape, gift bags, wrapping paper rolls, and anything else you might use!

Now, let’s talk the pantry door! Spices, food wraps and baggies, lunch bags, grab-n-go snacks, mints and gum are all great for the door, as they’re not too heavy and won’t compromise the integrity of the door itself. Not to mention, anything you place there should be easy to find for husbands and teens, uh, PEOPLE, who have a hard time seeing what’s right in front of them.

Finally, we’d be remiss not to mention cabinet backs. You can use them to store disposable bag dispensers, command hooks for dustpans, your family calendar, or even Post-Its of your running tally of favorite wines!

Make sure to check back at next week’s blog post, where we’ll share our favorite products for making these ideas come to life in your own home!

School's Out for Summer...Almost

Here in Charlotte, our school year doesn’t end until the first week in June, but now’s the time to get yourself together so you’re not scrambling that last week before summer break.

Teachers’ Gifts: Make a list in your Notes app of all the people you want to buy gifts for, and get on it, yes…now!  Amazon and Target gift cards are always a win, and ordering smaller denominations ($5 or $10) in larger quantities is a great idea for inevitable last minute forgotten, but important recipients. If more personal gifts are your thing, find all your kids’ teachers “Favorites” lists that were emailed out at the beginning of the year (or, if you need to, email the Room Mom).

Kids Memory Boxes: If you don’t already have one, create or purchase a plastic file box for each child that stores and organizes important and/or memorable school work. For oversize projects, if they aren’t frame- or portfolio-worthy, snap a picture on your phone as the keepsake, and throw it out. We promise, the bad parenting police won’t come after you!

Summer Schedule: If summer enrichment is your thing, now’s the time to make a trip to Barnes & Noble or Target to stock up on some workbooks while you’ve got ample options. And aim to post a daily schedule now to keep the kids occupied. You can always change it on the fly, but having a default agenda for days when everyone’s home will make expectations, across the board, clear! Finally, make sure you familiarize yourself with your home’s internet connectivity, because it’s never a bad idea to hold the WiFi password as ransom for proof of morning productivity!