madmama's ideas
Strike a balance. There’s a difference between tidy and clean, and it comes down to hygiene. If your partner is more naturally messy than you are, consider meeting in the middle by relaxing your attitude a little about the clutter on the condition that your partner lifts his or her game when it comes to cleanliness. Sparkling, germ-free kitchen countertops, for example, make sense to prevent illness in the family, so a no-bend rule about this is reasonable — if you make a mess, you clean it up straight away. The same goes in the bathroom.
“There’s nothing really fussy about the kitchen,” Pitts says. Simple Shaker-style cabinetry in a crisp white was used to encase appliances like the refrigerator. A warm wood covers the outer countertops to connect to the vaulted ceiling. Pitts topped the farm table-inspired island with white quartz. The range hood and walls clad in board and batten add a campy feel to the home.
July: Yard, shed, garage and tools. Being outdoors in midsummer makes this a good time to get outdoor tools and equipment in order.Get rid of broken tools and those you no longer needSort through gardening supplies Toss worn-out outdoor furnishings and decorIf you’ve been collecting items to sell, hold a yard sale this month. At the end of the day, take unsold items to a charity donation centerHabit to cultivate: Keep everything in your garage or shed on shelving, not on the floor. This helps prevent accumulating a pileup of junk and keeps your gear cleaner.
9. Try one new earth-friendly gardening practice. There are plenty of ways to help your garden have a lighter environmental footprint, such as ditching chemical sprays, starting a compost bin, switching to organic lawn fertilizers, planting natives or investing in a rain barrel. Commit to trying one or more of them this year.
2. Revamp your side yard. Often a neglected area of gardens, side yards can be transformed into beautiful winding walkways, private seating areas or — if you have enough sun — areas for growing veggies and herbs. You can get started right away in mild climates by planting, clearing the space and installing new walkways or features like arbors. In snowy climates, bookmark ideas for your side yard now and wait until the ground warms up to start digging.
10. Casual and calm modern bedrooms. You can’t decorate your way to a good night’s sleep. In other words, if you’re looking for a calm, relaxing bedroom — ideal for a restful night — you don’t want the space dripping with ornate decor, busy patterns or eye-opening color. Instead, a pared down, verging-on-minimalist look that incorporates soothing neutrals, soft fabrics and simple, functional pieces is the direction homeowners are heading.See the 20 Most Popular Bedrooms of 2017
10. Carve out your own space to get Zen. Boost energy and relieve stress during the winter (and beyond) by creating your own private space to meditate, do yoga or simply relax. Ideally, choose a sunny corner of your home where you can get a bit of morning sun. It doesn’t have to be elaborate, just a spot to roll out a yoga mat or sit with a cup of hot tea is all you need — the important part is to keep this space protected, and avoid filling it up with clutter. Using it daily will make it easier to maintain.
4. Start shopping from the bulk bins. Purchasing food from the bulk bins means you buy just as much as you need (and avoid wasting food) and cut way down on the amount of bulky packaging you bring home. This is especially helpful when trying new ingredients for the first time — you can make a recipe once and not worry about getting stuck with an entire container of a (pricey) grain or spice you don’t love.Find kitchen storage containers
3. Simplify your kitchen. It’s easy to accumulate a glut of kitchen gadgets and specialty cookware over time. And while some specialty kitchen items certainly earn their keep, if it’s been gathering dust at the back of your cupboard for more than a year, chances are good you don’t really need it. Start fresh by pulling everything out of the cupboards and drawers and putting back only the stuff you really use.Jump-Start Your Kitchen With These Minimalist Essentials
Clothing. Magnusson likes to start with clothing. She simply puts them all into two piles: The first pile is “keep,” and the second pile is “get rid of.” Clothes that don’t fit or that you never wear should go into pile two without hesitation. To further organize pile one, chuck the impulse buys and the items that don’t go with anything else in your wardrobe.
A place for everything. “Mess is an unnecessary source of irritation,” Magnusson writes. “To hunt for misplaced things is never an effective use of your time.” To prevent this, create a place for everything: hooks for keys, a designated drawer for hats and gloves and, if your home has more than one story, a basket on the stairs to place things to take with you the next time you go up.Magnusson also recommends wearing an apron with pockets while doing general cleaning like vacuuming so that you can collect things that are in the wrong spot as you go. Then when you’re done, go around and put them where they belong.
1. Boost spirits with extra light. We’re past the winter solstice, but the days will continue to be short for a while. Boosting light around the house can help. Add extra candles to the table, bring in a new lamp and feel free to leave those holiday twinkle lights up as long as you want. Simple Pleasures: Savoring the Season of Warmth and Light
8. Vertical divide. This broom closet offers order via vertical dividers that separate the ironing board from the broom and mop. A dedicated space for these items prevents them from leaning against one another and spreading out, ultimately taking up more real estate.
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