Marie Kondo truly said it best: there is magic in tidying up!
After a hectic summer, chances are, your home has taken a bit of a hit. No one wants to clean when it's hot out, and summertime activities tend to build-up where you least expect them.
With back-to-school well underway, we encourage you to use this time to downsize, reduce, and organize so you and your family can enjoy the space as it was intended and start the school year off with a clear focus. A clean home with minimal clutter helps to improve your sleeping habits, lower your overall stress, and allows you to be more present and connected with those around you.
It can be a daunting task, but we recommend taking it one room at a time. Here are a few tips to get you started!
Kitchen
The heart of your home and the most used space by all your family members. The key here is to organize so that the flow of the kitchen makes sense. For example, where your cooking utensils are stored in relation to the fridge and the stove. Take this time to clean off your counters, so you have a clear cooking space and organize your drawers and cabinets. Go through your spice rack (clean it if it's been a while), and go through your fridge and pantry throwing out any food that has expired, or that you aren't planning to consume.
Bathroom
First, start with those almost empties from summer, including sunscreen, bug spray, aloe, etc. There is no point in keeping a few drops of each. You're better off buying new bottles next year! Then, look at decluttering your medicine cabinet and the storage under your sink so that all your products are easily accessible and not being pushed to the back. Lastly, focus on finding creative ways to store cumbersome items such as your brushes, hairdryer, and bath toys. Tupperware bins and baskets tend to work the best, especially if you're storing these items out where everyone can see them.
Mudroom
The only way to keep your mudroom functional is to declutter it. Find a creative way to organize the small stuff, that when built up can look messy. This can be anything from hats to keys to packages of gum and any other essential items that you need near the door. Then, tackle the shoe rack and the closet. Switch out your summer footwear for your fall shoes and jackets, making sure your winter garments are close by. Lastly, use hooks and bins to organize everyone's bags and weather-appropriate accessories. As your kids get older, make sure 'tidying personal items' is added to their daily task list.
Home Office
This can be your personal space or your kids’ homework station. Regardless, both need to be clutter-free in order to promote a longer attention span and creativity. Use small baskets and containers to organize any drawers and cabinets in your desk, and try to keep the upper surface as clear as possible – but don't let your desk drawer become a dumping ground. Purge any papers that you don't need and file away the ones you need to keep, start out the pens that no longer work, and donate the magazines you don't plan on reading again. The key is to create a workspace that is organized and efficient to maximize productivity, leaving you inspired no matter what you're working on.
Let us know if you have any fall clean-up tips or tricks in the comments below!
If you're interested in adding some extra storage to your home in the midst of preparing for fall, be sure to give us a call. We will work with you to create a custom storage solution that fits the function and your space perfectly.