Keeping a clean and orderly home is a challenge for many of us. Between busy work schedules, social obligations, and family commitments, it’s tough to keep up with daily chores—let alone larger seasonal tasks.

The effort is worthwhile, however. A sanitary environment can keep you and your family healthier by minimizing your exposure to germs and allergens.1 Plus, researchers have found that organized, uncluttered homes have quantifiable mental health benefits, too, including reduced stress, improved emotional regulation, and increased productivity.2 

The reality is, we enjoy our homes more when they are in good order. It’s much easier to relax without piles of unopened mail or a messy kitchen reminding us of work to be done. And don’t we all feel more inclined to entertain family and friends when our homes are well-kept?
That’s why we’ve rounded up our favorite tactics—from overall strategies to little tips and tricks—for keeping things tidy without spending all our spare time cleaning.

​Set a Schedule for Daily and Weekly Cleaning
We’ve all been there—you put off vacuuming or mopping your floor for a few days, only to realize that weeks have passed. Creating a cleaning schedule that works for you is the best way to stay on top of things and avoid overwhelm. Here are a few of our favorite strategies:

• 1. Designate a day of the week for each task—then, add them to your calendar so you can’t forget. 
  
• 2. Create a shared schedule that assigns specific responsibilities to each member of the household. Post it in a prominent place, like on the refrigerator, or create a shared digital calendar.
  
• 3. Carve out 15 minutes a day for cleaning and decluttering. Set a timer on your phone and get as much done as you can before it goes off. 

It may take some trial and error to find the tactics that work best for you. The most important thing is to make a habit of cleaning so that clutter and grime don’t have a chance to build. And if you’d like some professional help, reach out for a referral to one of our favorite cleaning services!

Tackle Bigger Chores Seasonally
Many home care tasks are seasonal by nature and only need to be completed once or twice a year. But when we don’t have a plan to tackle them, it’s all too easy to put them off. Here are a few tips to stay on top of these chores:

• 4. Mark days on your calendar in advance to attend to annual or semi-annual chores, like cleaning gutters, washing windows, turning mattresses, and shampooing carpets.
• 5. Schedule just one primary task each weekend instead of blocking out a full two days. This will help ensure a good balance between chores and relaxation. 
• 6. Designate a date two to four times a year, depending on your lifestyle, to put away out-of-season items like clothes, holiday decorations, and sporting goods.
• 7. Take some time to sort through your seasonal items when you pack them away. Then you can toss, sell, or donate items that you no longer need or enjoy. 

Remember—breaking down these larger tasks can make them less overwhelming. If you space them out so that you can handle them one by one, even the most time-consuming chores become a lot more manageable.
And since all your time is valuable, don't hesitate to delegate these larger home care tasks to professionals. Give us a call for a list of our recommended service providers.

Reduce the Barriers to Cleaning
Set yourself up for success by ensuring you have the tools on hand to tackle small tasks with ease. Here are a few ways to make your cleaning supplies more accessible:

• 8. Store a broom, dustpan, and vacuum on each floor of your home so they’re easy to reach.
  
• 9. Stash containers of disinfecting and glass wipes under every sink for a mid-week wipe-down.
  
• 10. Place extra bags beneath the liner of your garbage pails, so you’ll have a replacement ready when you take out the trash.
  
• 11. Keep a paper shredder and recycling bin handy so you can dispose of unwanted mail as it’s opened.

By strategically placing your tools and supplies in the locations where you’re most likely to need them, you’ll make cleaning less of a chore and more of a habit.

Stop the Clutter Before It Starts
From coats to shoes to mail, it’s all too easy to find clutter taking over your home. Once these piles start to form, they can feel overwhelming—which only makes it harder to address them. 
To avoid this problem, stop the clutter before it starts. Assign every item a home and create storage spaces and “drop zones” in key locations.3 Here are a few ideas to get you started:

• 12. Install coat hooks and shoe racks in the entryway for easy access.
• 13. Add a key caddy or shelf for essential items to get you out the door.
• 14. Hang a letter bin to capture mail and newspapers as soon as you walk into the house.
• 15. Place a donation box in each closet for items you no longer want or need.

It can take a little time to get in the habit of returning items to their assigned space. But once you do, staying on top of clutter will become far more manageable. 
Are you considering a larger organizational upgrade, like a custom closet or pantry system? Reach out for a free consultation to find out how the investment could impact the value of your home!

Tackle Small Tasks Right Away
Sometimes, the mental load of thinking about a chore you need to do is worse than the chore itself. Plus, handling small tasks right away can reduce the need for lengthy cleaning sessions.3 
Try working these changes into your routine:

• 16. Learn to clean as you cook, rather than piling it all up for later. As you wait for water to boil or food to cook through, wash the bowls and utensils you used for prep.
• 17. Hang bath towels on a bar immediately after use. By allowing them to properly air dry, you can cut down on the frequency of laundering.
• 18. Bring items with you when you leave a room. For example, return plates and cups to the kitchen right away rather than letting them stack up in your home office. 
• 19. Take out the trash when you leave for work, school drop-off, or errands. This will save you the time and hassle of a second trip.

If you implement these small changes, your home will stay neater—and you’ll minimize the number of dedicated cleaning sessions you need to take on each week.

Embrace an Evening “Shutdown” Routine
Kitchens can get dirty and cluttered fast. But a few minutes spent cleaning up each evening can prevent the mess from getting out of control.4
Imagine your kitchen is a restaurant and you’re tidying it up before closing down for the night. These simple steps will prepare you for the morning rush:

• 20. Wipe down all surfaces, including countertops, stove, microwave, and sink. Then toss your soiled washcloth in the hamper and lay out a fresh one for tomorrow.
• 21. Load and run the dishwasher every night so you can empty it the next morning.
• 22. Prepare for breakfast by programming your coffee pot and setting out some grab-and-go options.

We all know it can be hard to find the energy for chores in the evening. But if you complete these small tasks each night, you’ll start the next day off right in a tidy, clean kitchen.


Think Outside of the Box When It Comes to Storage
Most of us have limited storage space. Unfortunately, without the right spots to stash our items, it’s easy to become disorganized. 

But we’ve found that using household items in innovative ways can help keep mess and clutter under control.5 Here are a few of our favorite swaps:

• 23. Place a magazine file in your kitchen for cookbooks, takeout menus, and meal kit cards.
• 24. Hang a pocket-style shoe organizer inside your pantry door to store granola bars, spice jars, and other small items.
• 25. Separate dress and athletic socks by turning dollar store bins into a drawer divider.
• 26. Repurpose glass jars by using them to store office supplies or bathroom essentials.
• 27. Store out-of-season clothes inside rarely-used suitcases, so all that space doesn’t go to waste. 

A little creativity goes a long way when it comes to making the most of your space. Just be sure that you’re creating systems you can stick with and not putting things where you might forget about them later!

WE’RE HERE TO HELP YOU MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR HOME
Keeping your home clean and organized can be a continuous struggle—there’s no need to feel ashamed of that. But taking the time to implement systems that work for you can make life more pleasant and less stressful in the long run.

Remember, we’re not just here to help you buy or sell a home. We want you to love living in it, too. Reach out if you need referrals for house cleaners, window washers, or other service providers that can help you make the most of your space. 

The above references an opinion and is for informational purposes only.  It is not intended to be financial, legal, or tax advice. Consult the appropriate professionals for advice regarding your individual needs.

Sources:

1. Healthline -https://www.healthline.com/health-news/5-health-benefits-of-spring-cleaning
2. Forbes -https://www.forbes.com/health/mind/mental-health-clean-home/  
3. My Domaine -https://www.mydomaine.com/house-cleaning-schedule 
4. Housewife How-Tos -https://housewifehowtos.com/clean/10-tips-to-keeping-a-clean-house
5.  BetterHomesandGardens  https://www.bhg.com/decorating/storage/projects/simple-solutions/ 

Over the past few years, many of us have spent extra time at home—and that means we appreciate the personal design touches that make a house cozy and comfortable more than ever. Some of us have adapted our dwellings in new ways, from creating functional home offices to upgrading the appliances we use most. 
But while it’s important to make your home your own, it’s also smart to think about the long-term impact your renovations could have on its value. Choosing highly-personalized fixtures and finishes can make it harder for future homebuyers to envision themselves in the space. Even if you don’t plan to sell your home soon, investing in popular design choices that are likely to stand the test of time will make things easier down the road. 
And if you’re in the market for a new home, it’s wise to keep an eye out for features that might need to be updated soon so you can factor renovation costs into your budget.
We’ve rounded up six trends that we think will influence interior design in 2023, as well as ideas for how you might incorporate them in your own home. Remember, before taking action, it’s always wise to consult with a real estate professional to understand how specific updates and upgrades will affect your property’s value in your local market. 

How do I update my dining room?
Formal dining rooms were very popular in the 80's - early 2000's.  A common room built as a separate room from the kitchen with matching chairs and table, accompanied by a matching large piece of furniture where the wedding china with all its accessories were displayed. It is commonly used on special occasions and holidays, and there was usually a bulky 'leaf' that extended the table to accommodate larger gatherings.  

The home office is taking on a whole new meaning. So many are now working  from home. A place were you can focus and be creative is key to a functional office. Of course a well-designed office is a plus. 
Here are five tips for getting a functional and aestically pleasing home office. 

The best way to start planning your office space in your home is determining what you need to efficiently do your work. Do you need more than one monitor, are you doing a lot of Zoom calls/videos, making private phone calls, etc. The answers to these questions will help you plan your space.

Formal dining rooms. A waste of space or must have? The answer seems to vary from person to person, family to family. The open concept is so popular in new homes and among families with young children, that the formal dining room is considered wasted space. An extra room is never wasted space to me. An office, a game room, cocktail space or... a way to completely go bold with your dining room design. Let me convince you of the later!  
The best part of the dining room is that large wall. To some it seems daunting but there are so many possibilities, a bold wallpaper, wainscoting, or a wood patterned wall. If you are going to do an 'accent wall' this design is the best. See the picture below of the wall I designed for a client. The home is in the historic district and has a long formal living and dining room. A patterned wood accent wall was the perfect way to draw the eye to the end of the room and make a great statement. 

It's the reason you purchased your house. The potential of the space for entertaining, dream of a pool, or the fenced in yard for the kids and dog to roam free. Whatever the reason or dream for your backyard space, the best way to fulfill your dreams is to tackle it like any other room in the house. I am sure there will be a lot more sweat equity with an outdoor project by the overall outcome still needs to start with a plan. 
Who will be using the space? Having kids and or pets using your backyard is key in deciding how to layout or plan your outdoor space. Small children will need to have areas they can play and be safe for them to use. A pool will most likely need a separate fence just for the pool itself when small children live in the house. Avoiding large change in the levels of the backyard, like sunken fireplaces and concrete steps.  If you have large dogs they could ruin flowers and plants, and will need a lawn or area to run and do their business. 
How will you use the space? What do you or your family like to do outside? Not everyone has the space for a pool or the time to maintain it. Do you like to play sports? What type of sports or activities does your family like? Horseshoes, bouche ball, putting green, batting cage are all possibilities but all require lots of space. Do you envision BBQ parties and happy hour? An outdoor kitchen and place to eat will be key to host those activities.  Like to sit around the fire pit and roast marshmallows? Need places to sit and lay by the pool, and do you want shade options. 
Layout: So now that you have a list of what you want in the space, time to layout the areas in the yard. Pool and an outdoor kitchen. Fire pit and eating area. Putting green and outdoor bar. Or all the above. Walking out the space to see how everything will fit within the limits of your property is key, not to mention if your HOA will allow it. Eating area close to the outdoor kitchen. Fire pit on the opposite side of the yard away from the play set. Pergola attached to the house or stand alone.