Tag: how to organize

Create Kid-Friendly Spaces at Home

Maintaining a home that is welcoming and kid-friendly can be challenging. Kids are full of energy and oftentimes put fun ahead of tidiness. But no matter how energetic their youngsters are, parents can still employ several strategies to ensure their homes are both sophisticated and child-friendly.

· Consider an open floor plan. Rooms that flow into one another make it easier to keep tabs on children. Such rooms also allow residents and guests to mingle in separate rooms but not be too far away from one another.

· Choose washable fabrics. Upholstery will need to stand up to the abuse kids can dish out. Sofas and chairs with slipcovers can be advantageous because many slipcovers can be easily removed and laundered. Patterned fabrics will hide some stains, while treated fabrics may resist liquid spills for easier cleanup.

· Create a catch-all spot. Special bins or other organizational tools in the entryway can help to cull clutter when children come in the house from school or play. Be sure the keep cubbies, containers and coat hooks at a child-friendly height.

· Look for high-traffic rugs. Rugs designed for high-traffic areas will be more forgiving when children march across them several times per day. There are no rules that say you can’t bring an outdoor rug inside, and these rugs tend to be easier to clean.

· Ensure there is plenty of seating. Sectionals give children ample room to spread out. And ample seating ensures there is enough room for kids to invite their friends over to hang out.

· Think outside pink and blue. For children’s rooms, make sure they’re colorful, but consider other hues to give the rooms some personality. Focus on a hobby or activity and borrow the color scheme from the accessories used for decorating.

· Hang whimsical artwork. Employ framing and lighting to make kids’ artwork look like professional pieces. Routinely change the pictures when a new look is desired.

· Designate a place for play. Devote an entire room or a nook in a house for imaginative play. Store toys here so these items will not create clutter in individual bedrooms.

Creating child-friendly spaces while ensuring a home maintains a sophisticated feel is easier than parents might think.

Get Started on Spring Cleaning

Warmer temperatures and longer hours of sunlight can recharge energy levels. Upon the arrival of spring, homeowners dust off their to-do lists and charge ahead with renewed vigor.

But before homeowners can get started on renovation projects, many must tame the existing mess that may have built up over the winter. Spring is a great time to dive into spring cleaning projects and ready a home for a season of renovation and remodeling.

Getting started on spring cleaning can be a tad overwhelming. In 2012, OnePoll asked 1,000 adults living in the United Kingdom how they felt about spring cleaning, and 41 percent of those surveyed found spring cleaning a daunting process while 68 percent had negative feelings about spring cleaning. But in spite of that initial lack of enthusiasm, respondents said they felt happy and more organized once they finished their spring cleaning. Establishing a plan and setting reachable goals can make spring cleaning a lot less daunting.

towels· Set aside several days for spring cleaning. A long weekend is a great time to do some spring cleaning, as having consecutive days to clean will reduce the chances you grow distracted.

· Make a list and purchase all of the supplies you will need. Again, this will help you stay on course, rather than going out to the store to pick up cleaners or organizational systems.

· Try to set reasonable goals. Even if you hope to clean the entire house, stick to the one or two rooms that are most desperate for your attention. Divide each task into a series of steps so when you complete each step you will feel proud that you’re making progress.

· Create your musical playlist. A playlist full of your favorite songs can provide some inspiration and energy to push you through the spring cleaning when your enthusiasm starts to wane. The music also may take your mind off of the work ahead and help to pass the time.vacuumm

· Start from the top and work downward. Follow a logical cleaning order. Begin by dusting away cobwebs and lighting fixtures. Clean light switches and walls. Empty closets and then restock them in a more organized fashion. Leave the furniture and flooring for last, as dirt and dust may accumulate on furniture and flooring as you clean other areas of the home.

· Be prepared to bid adieu to some of your stuff. Have a few trash bags at the ready. Reorganize items you won’t be keeping into separate piles, with one pile for items you plan to donate and another for those items you will discard. Donate what you can and promptly put the remainder of the items at the curb for pickup.

· Stay fed and hydratedCleaning can be physically and emotionally exhausting. Take breaks to fuel up on food and always have a refreshing beverage close by. SH152933

Top 5 Indoor Plants

Winter is when we often spend a lot more time indoors, so it’s important to keep your home fresh and cozy! Air quality is one aspect of our home interior that can often get overlooked but has a big impact on our overall health and well being. One step you can take towards clearing the air in your home, is to introduce at least one plant from of our top 5 recommended indoor plants – proven to have improve your air quality!

When it comes to plants, I don’t necessarily have a green thumb. That’s why I opt for easy care, low maintenance. Not only is it nice to bring a little bit of the outdoors – inside – but the added health benefits of cleaner air is an obvious bonus! 🙂 The list I’ve compiled includes plants that are both easy to care for as well as improve home air quality.

*Aloe Vera

->Sun loving plant, besides air filtration, this plant also offers a soothing gel inside its leaves that can help soothe cuts and burns

*Spider Plant

->Low maintenance, very easy care; Lots of foliage and occasional tiny white blooms

*Snake Plant

->Low light, humid environments; Widely known for air filtration benefits

*Bamboo Palm

->Thrives in shade; Produces small flowers and berries

*Peace Lily

-> A top indoor plant on N.A.S.A.’s report for removing common VOC’s; Prefers shade

N.A.S.A. first compiled a list of “Interior Landscape Plants for Indoor Air Pollution Abatement” back in 1989. You can still view the original report thru their site at: http://ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/casi.ntrs.nasa.gov/19930073077.pdf


Do you have a green thumb or an indoor gardening tip to share? Leave a Comment below

Tips for Keeping your Tree Fresh

It’s that time of the year when the holiday tree takes full focus as the centerpiece in many homes! One common question is how to keep it looking nice, the whole month long.

Top Tips for Keeping your Tree Green All Season

• Light your tree with LED lights over incandescants – LEDs generate less heat & won’t try out foliage as much.

• Unplugging lights at night & during the day to prevent overdrying the needles.

• Water regularly – do not let your tree go dry!

Use a funnel & tubing from a local hardware store to easily water your tree! Tuck tubing into tree stand/base with funnel attached at the top – you can pour in water & then hide the funnel under the tree skirt when not in use!

holidayroom

Share your tricks for keeping your tree green in our Comment section below!

Fresh Finds – Organize & Clean

Our Fresh Finds today features local businesses and Franklin Shopper classifieds to help you organize, de-clutter and clean!

Getting rid of large items?  Call Nathan’s Dependable Service! *Local junk removal and coupon offer for Franklin Shopper readers!

Wanting to re-sell some of your old furniture, antiques, yard and home goods – just about anything goes! List your classified ad in the Franklin Shopper – special 3 wk. guaranteed listing, only $10!

Once the clutter is clear, call Good Life Cleaning Services for a full home or office refresh! *Franklin Shopper readers get 15% off first service + Free estimate!

Local Ads:

HOOSIER STYLE CABINET ; PAINTED, FLOUR/SUGAR BINS, SPICE RACK, ENAMEL PULLOUT COUNTER $395 CALL 717-300-3871

WALL UNIT, 4 -piece Broyhill sectional, 100-inches, oak with lots of space and shelving. Showpiece in good condition. $165 717-352-4551.

WOODEN COMPUTER DESK , fits nicely into small spaces,75-1/4″Hx30″Wx22″D, has upper & lower cabinets, $120 717-401-0330.

USED WOODEN MAGAZINE rack. $25.00 717-372-1840

Get Organized – How to De-Clutter

Spring cleaning is not just for spring! Summer, fall & winter – no matter what time of year, an organizational over-haul can have a huge uplifting advantage on your life! A quick refresh of your home, office or outdoor space can not only be a stress-reliever, but you can also $ave by shopping smart or even consider re-selling unused items for a fun bonus!

Start simple – Dedicate 5-10 mins. a day to cleaning / de-cluttering & you’ll soon notice what a difference it makes! choose one item to donate / re-sell everyday, and in no time you’ll be back to an organized space with only items you actually use & love!

Let go of sentiment – While you may love reminiscing about your old high-school days, do you really need to keep all 15 fundraiser t-shirts?  Or maybe stuffed animals have been piling up to an uncontrollable mountain of fluff? That must-have gadget from Christmas already collecting dust? Consider re-selling or donating unused items.

Feel good about clearing out your space when you re-sell or donate your used items. Pick your price to re-sell, or list as free, and you’ll be sure to find a new home for your “clutter” in no time!

Spring / summer cleaning does not mean you have to get rid of everything, rather, try creative tips & tricks that can help organize your items so they will be more useful & easier to find than ever!

Use velcro tape to stick tv remotes to the side of your tv! You’ll never be searching the living room again!

Mason jars can be helpful holders for pantry staples, craft supplies or even screws & nails! Try this tutorial to make your own Mason Jar Organizer (featured on the DIY Playbook).

Use a wall-mounted coat rack to display necklaces & scarves! Instant organization & wall decor as well!

Do you have an organizing tip to share? Leave your advice in the Comment section below!