January Jumpstart

The beginning of a new year typically sparks a desire to “start fresh” in many areas of life. Among those ambitious goals is often the plan to get organized and whip the house into shape! While that is a worthy and noble goal, the reality is that without daily maintenance and a system to help keep you organized, you will likely be making the same resolution next January.

There is an abundance of articles and blogs available to walk you through the process of how to save/recycle/store/donate. But at the end of the day, if the things you save don’t have a “home base,” they will be floating around the house and winding up in locations that cause frustration and last-minute frantic searches for lost items.

Depending on how your brain is wired, the typical avenues for organization might feel so lofty you give up without trying. Thinking outside the box can be a useful tool when it comes to organization, especially if your home is small or storage space is at a premium. Here are several low cost/high impact ideas to consider implementing in each room of the house to help keep all your belongings under control.

BATHROOM: Consider using a Lazy Susan for makeup and hair supplies. This can maximize storage space in a closet and give you clear visibility of all your items so you can avoid knocking over the ones in the front to get to the ones in the back. If space allows, use a second Lazy Susan for medications and band aids. This helps you easily identify when something is running low and needs to be purchased. Install a shower caddy on the back of a closet door. Curling irons, blow dryers, and flat irons can be tucked into the compartments instead of taking up valuable drawer space.

BEDROOM: An over-the-door shoe organizer can be used for a whole lot more than shoes. If you lack space for a dresser or bureau, small items like socks and underwear can be neatly arranged in the plastic shoe pockets. Rolled up T-shirts could be organized in rows according to color. Command Strips can be placed on the back of a door or even a closet wall to hang scarves, belts, or necklaces, items which can quickly become entangled when simply tossed in a drawer or bin.

KITCHEN: Use clear containers when at all possible. Being able to see the contents of a container (with or without a label) cuts down on time wasted trying to find or identify food items. This ensures that leftovers get eaten and pantry items get restocked, avoiding emergency trips to the grocery store. Alphabetize your spice rack and turn all cans and bottles facing forward so you can quickly grab what you need. Install small hooks inside cupboard doors to hang frequently used items like measuring spoons or beaters.

OFFICE: Buy a label maker! This will be the smartest purchase you ever make! Label folders for various bills so they can be quickly filed. Control all of that school paperwork by designating a specific area and labeling a folder for each child. Consider keeping a miscellaneous folder for items that are temporary, such as receipts for gifts or recipes torn from magazines. Sort through this occasionally and discard anything that’s no longer relevant. Keep a file for current bills so they all end up in the same place. There’s nothing worse than paying an overdue fee on a bill that simply got misplaced.

TOY ROOM: Making your toy storage more specific can help eliminate frustration for both parents and children. Think through which toys need “specific storage,” and which ones can be housed in a more general fashion. For instance, Barbies, Legos, and Matchbox cars should each have their own bin. Random items can all be tossed into the same storage unit. Invest in secondhand or inexpensive shelving for books; it’s easier to find those favorite titles and keeps them from getting damaged.

A few small changes or additions to your household systems can give you a real boost as you attempt to bring order to your home. It’s not about organization for organization’s sake; it’s about increasing your efficiency by saving time and avoiding frustration. And any time saved by being more organized is time better spent on family, friendships, and fun!

The Front Porch Revisited

While the month of December is arguably the most exciting month of the year, it also has a reputation for being the most stressful. Both our time and our budgets are typically stretched beyond endurance, so it is imperative to find ways to manage both well. In the midst of the decorating frenzy, it can be easy to overlook one very important spot … the front porch. But this is the first thing guests will see upon arrival, so here are ten things you can do to ramp up the appeal of this outdoor extension of your home.  The criteria? All of these tips are FAST and FRUGAL in an effort to lessen your holiday stress instead of adding to it!

1. Swap out your fall décor. Time is of the essence, so one quick tip is to simply replace all of your fall décor (pumpkins, corn shocks, mums, etc.) with Christmas items instead. Empty that bin or wagon or window box of its now irrelevant fall beauty and replace it with greens, lights, and shiny red Christmas balls. No need to reinvent the wheel if you simply decorate the same spots in new ways for each season or holiday.
2. Pick a color. Simplify the entire process by only choosing items from one particular color scheme. How about white? Hang white skates from a sled or wicker chair, string white lights around your pillars or handrail, use white spray paint to freshen up pinecones or a twig wreath, and wrap faux gifts in white paper. It simplifies the shopping and crafting when your eyes are focused on a specific color.
3. Visit your local thrift shop. Thrift shops are a fabulous way to stretch the budget! You can pick up Christmas decorations for a fraction of what you would pay for them new. Additionally, this is a great place to find baskets, bins, and bowls to fill with greens and lights on your front porch. Think outside the box … find creative ways to use non-Christmas items and convert them to holiday décor with the addition of spray paint or a red bow.
4. Bring the inside out. Sort through old blankets, scarves, and boots that are ready to recycle. Grab the ones that could double as Christmas decorations … a red plaid blanket, a pair of black rubber boots, or a polka-dot scarf … and find new uses for them. Toss the blanket over a porch rocker, fill the boots with greens, and tie the scarf to a wreath or snowman.
5. First impressions matter. Invest in a nice outdoor porch rug for guests to wipe off their snowy feet. These run the gamut from playful snowmen to simple “Merry Christmas” greetings. Since you will only use it for a few weeks out of the year, it should last you for quite a few Christmas seasons.
6. Swap with a friend. Most folks have limited greenery on their property, so think about friends who might want to trade. Offer them boughs from your evergreen in exchange for some sprigs of holly. This is a win-win for both of you.
7. Don’t overlook the twigs in your yard. While lots of trees and shrubs have lost their leaves, the remaining bare branches or twigs can be an inexpensive and homey way to add a decorative touch. Put a bundle of branches in a large barrel or flowerpot. String with lights and even ornaments, or tuck some greens in the mix, to create a beautiful arrangement for your porch.
8. Put your firewood to double use. Before it makes its way to your woodstove or fireplace, store your firewood on the front porch and double its value. Stack it neatly in a wooden crate or galvanized metal tub. Add some sprigs of greenery or even Christmas lights to increase its appeal. You don’t even have to own a fireplace to borrow this idea! Buy a small bundle of firewood anyway and put it to good use.
9. Signs can set a welcoming tone. If you are crafty, stop by your local Home Depot and buy an inexpensive piece of wood. Paint it black or white, stencil or paint the words “Merry Christmas” on it, then sand lightly for aged appeal. Double its value by adding a fall message on the reverse side and you can use it for back-to-back seasons.
10. Shop the after Christmas sales. It is never too early to start thinking about next Christmas. Try to set aside a small amount of money dedicated to those after Christmas clearance sales. This is the perfect time to invest in a beautiful imitation Christmas tree for your porch or a set of lanterns to place on your front steps. While it’s hard to spend money so far in advance, you will congratulate yourself next Christmas when you’ve got some fabulous new items to help usher in the season!

As always, make sure your front porch is a reflection of you, and enjoy this holiday season with family and friends!