The first step in #decorating a room that’s #clutter-free in the long term is to pick a good paint color, says The Simplicity Habit — a calm tone if you need a space to relax or a more vibrant one if you want to feel energized. Less is more when it comes to artwork; better one large piece than a mishmash “gallery wall.” A right-sized rug really can tie the room together, along with pillows and throws. Be patient when decorating; find the colors you like and the pieces you want rather than decorating for decorating’s sake, and you’ll be happier with the end result. #DeclutteringDécor
Author: Jordank
Editorial Coordinator
Declutter to Decorate a Space You Love
It’s difficult to create a living space that you love, says The Décor Fix. The problem is usually “trying to add to your space without first subtracting.” If you’re serious about #decorating, you first have to #declutter. Eliminate any unwanted or unnecessary items — anything that you no longer like or wouldn’t notice missing. Once you get these things out of the way, you should be better able to display the #stuff you do like, giving it an opportunity to shine. You might even feel more calm if you reveal a little bit of white space on your walls and some room on your side tables. #DeclutteringDécor
Store Your Seasonal Décor Items Sensibly
Do you like your home’s décor to match the seasons? You aren’t alone, but all of those time-specific decorative items take up space, whether on #display or in #storage. To head off #clutter, get #organized and save time, sort seasonal décor items into dedicated, labeled storage boxes as you remove them from display suing a “move-out” method, says Apartment Therapy. Remove every item that doesn’t fit the incoming theme and assess whether any items “need repair, replacement or retirement.” #Store the things you plan to #reuse and #donate any lightly used items you no longer need to ClothingDonations.org. #DeclutteringDécor
Declutter Your Decor, One Room at a Time
To #declutter your #décor, take things one room at a time, Nourishing Minimalism suggests. Take every #decorative item down and pile them in the middle of the floor. Briefly examine each to figure out if you actually like it, or if you’re displaying it for some other reason. Sort the things that “spark joy” (as #organizing guru Marie Kondo would say) into one pile, and those that don’t into another. Add items back into the room, starting with your favorites. When you reach the “sweet spot” of just enough/not too much decoration, stop and sort the remaining items into two piles: keep/store/repurpose and #donate. #DeclutteringDécor
Start Scheduling Those Home Renovations Now
It’s below zero outside Organizing Blog headquarters, meaning that we’re spending most of our time inside, where it’s warm. But all of this indoor time has made us notice some of the shortcomings of our surroundings — things that would benefit from a little maintenance and renovation.
We’ve noticed these things before. Deteriorating tile grout. Floors that need sanding. Paint that’s getting dingy. Cabinets sticking. And that’s just the interior of the house — there’s also a fence that needs mending, peeling shingles and cracks in the garage floor!
Some of your #home #improvement projects will be more urgent than others, of course, and a few may be rather involved. But if you have any renovations that absolutely need to get done this year to protect your home’s value, now is the time to plan them.
#Spring and #summer are the peak seasons for home improvement projects. If one or more of your projects requires a contractor, be aware that their schedules fill up fast. Get estimates and schedule your projects while it’s still cold to retain a good contractor, or you may be forced to wait months, hire someone less capable or spend extra money on a rush job.
Assuming you don’t have an endless pile of #money, you’ll want to make a list of potential projects and prioritize the most urgent. A new roof or furnace might not be as sexy as a spa bathroom, for example, but if the time has come for a replacement, that’s where you need to put your money first.
If a prioritized project is something that adds to the home’s livability and appeal such as a new gourmet kitchen, planning ahead often leads to better outcomes. “Choosing the right materials, colors and styles for your home is a significant decision,” says Pro-Home Services. “Rushing through it could leave you with regrets later.”
Many remodeling projects require permits, which can take time to obtain. Weather and supply chain disruptions may also get in the way of completion, so allow time for delays. And again, “If you wait too long to schedule your home remodeling project, you may struggle to find a contractor,” Pro-Home says. “You don’t want to settle for whomever happens to be available.”
Make a list of the projects you’d like to get done. Figure out which ones you can handle yourself (and what that might require), and which will require professional help. Then, start making calls. Before summer is over, you’ll be able to check one or more of those projects off your list! #HomeImprovement #HomeRenovation