5 Tips for Downsizing and Decluttering
We've all seen or heard about Marie Kondo's KonMarie method about tidying up and decluttering your home (unless you've been living under a rock). Spark a new joy in your life by clearing out the clutter to prepare for downsizing! 1. Hone In On The Benefits When you begin the process of decluttering and downsizing, you should constantly remind yourself of the freedom this will actually bring you. You won’t have an excess in physical things weighing you down or taking up valuable space - both in your home and mentally in your mind. Don't focus on what you're losing. Look at what you're gaining. Downsizing can equal a lower mortgage or rent per month, freeing up your budget for things like traveling and other experiences 2. Focus On Your Needs, Not Wants This is a tough one but when deciding to downsize, you need to focus on the things that are absolutely essential. Follow the one year rule. If you haven’t used something in over a year, chances are you’re not going to use it this year either. Begin by sorting your items by category, not location. Go through clothing, appliances, shoes, books and then focus on sentimental items last. 3. Does it spark joy? Marie Kondo’s catchphrase is “does it spark joy?” The idea behind this concept is that if an item doesn’t bring you joy, you shouldn’t hold on to it. Focus on the easy items to get rid of first and then work your way up to the items you’ve been hoarding. While our possessions can act as an extension of ourselves, sometimes we hold on to items we haven’t used in years leading to clutter. 4. Utilize creative yet effective storage options Challenge your creativity with different storage configurations in order to maximize your living space. Think hide-away bins underneath your bed (if it’s too low, considering buying risers!), storage benches in entryways, closet shelves, and shoe racks, and storage ottomans. 5. Everything should have its place “Everyone has a place in their house for forks. If you found a random fork in the bathroom or under the couch, you’d immediately know it didn’t belong there and would return it to its drawer without another thought. Everything in your life should be this easy to put away. If an item occupies no specific location when not in use, it becomes clutter.” - Steve McClatchy, author of Decide: Work Smarter, Reduce Your Stress, and Lead By Example
7 Easy Upgrades to Transform Your Kitchen
When dreaming of your perfect kitchen, it can be hard to decide what changes need to happen in order to make it the perfect space. The kitchen is the most visited space in the house, so make sure you are prepared before embarking on this remodeling journey. There are several changes you can make when the time comes, so we created a list to help you get started. Here are 7 easy upgrades to consider to bring your dream kitchen to fruition! Renovating Cabinets Rather than installing completely new cabinets, painting tarnished or scuffed cabinetry is a cost-effective way to brighten the room. Make sure to scrub the cabinets before you sand, prime, then paint. Taking your time to do these proper steps will ensure that the final product is beautiful. If you are not a skilled painter, your best option is to hire it out, or replace the cabinets altoghether. Protip: Lighter colored paints can make your kitchen appear larger! New Shiny Faucet There is more to your sink than simply washing dishes and running water. A beautiful faucet can take you one step closer to your dream kitchen. Rather than replacing the entire sink, try updating spouts, valves, finishes, and handles to improve the appearance of your sink without breaking the bank. Protip: Choose one of the most popular faucets from 2023 and your kitchen will start to sparkle like new. Knob Revamp Replace knobs and drawer pulls with classic finishes such as brushed nickel or stainless steel for a “brand new” look. Even if you aren't handy, knobs are easy to replace with very little difficulty or risk. Hardware stores like Home Depot and Lowe's carry a variety of all sorts. Protip: Make sure to do this step last if you plan to repaint your cabinets. Store Efficiently An out of the box idea that will make your kitchen more efficient is switching up how you store your food, pots, pans, and appliances. Pots and pans have long handles that fit perfectly into tall cabinets and pantries or hung on overhead racks. Store your food in the pullable deep drawers for easy access while cooking. Protip: Storing kitchen items efficiently will declutter the room and is a simple way to give the room a "new" feel. Backsplash Upgrade If you haven’t replaced your backsplash in more than a decade, chances are it’s outdated. A kitchen backsplash can compliment the counters and make a bold statement. If yours is outdated, it’s fairly simple to replace with a little DIY know-how. From classic tile to mosaics or even wood, easy peel-and-stick options are available. Protip: Searching Pinterest for "kitchen backsplash ideas" will provide a plethora of options to inspire you. Improved Lighting Lighting is a key feature in creating an open and inviting space that future buyers will love. If you have pendant lights or lamps, make sure they’re still in style. If not, invest in modern lighting fixtures that will have appeal in today’s housing market. Adding under cabinet lighting is another quick fix that makes a huge difference. It’s relatively inexpensive and will brighten up your counter space. Protip: Invest in smart bulbs which are internet-capable LED light bulbs that allow lighting to be customized, scheduled and controlled remotely.
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