PREPARING YOUR HOME FOR A NEW YEAR

Downsizing Tips


The new year is right around the corner. What better time to update the look of your home than now? Think of this opportunity like spring cleaning, but in winter.  Everyone has the best of intentions of starting off the new year strong. We think of things like health, organization, family and relationships. While we can’t help you reconnect with family or stick to healthy resolutions, we can help you with decluttering your space so that you can create even more good energy in your home. Five common reasons homes tend to get cluttered: Recreational shopping – because we always say we need more “stuff” Clutter “creep” – the accumulation of stuff Monday through Friday Emotional attachment – this makes it hard to let things go Mail, magazines, books and papers – easily overlooked, they tend to get stockpiled in drawers and even on floors  Keeping what you never use – the “someday” syndrome Where do you begin? We’ve got you covered. Here are some organizational tips to start the new year off right. Time to declutter People tend to save things for later, which is the main cause of clutter, because “later” never comes. Do a thorough walkthrough of your entire home to find all those things you intended to use but never did. Now is the time to throw away that stack of junk mail and fold those blankets on your couch. If you have a pile of possessions accumulating in your bedroom or living room, take a few minutes to put everything back in its original place. Now that you’ve decluttered, you’re ready to get organized.  Find a home for everything From the picture frames on your wall, to the shoes in the back of your closet, start top to bottom and begin organizing, straightening, and cleaning. Designate a home for everything so they’ll be easier to find when you need them. It’s also a good idea to set aside a few dollars for bins, storage containers, and totes in different sizes. They’re essential for organizing and will ...


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March 15th, 2021

MAKE ROOM FOR HOLIDAY VISITORS WITH THESE USEFUL TIPS

Downsizing Tips


The holidays are a time of joy and celebration. While having your family together may warm your heart, it can also cause holiday stress when figuring out how everyone will fit under one roof.  With approximately 112 million Americans traveling last season, we can only expect an increase this year. Chances are that your family and friends will be part of the over 101 million people taking road trips, 7 million flying, or 4 million traveling by train or bus. Whether your guests stay for a few hours or a few days, it’s a good idea to prepare ahead of their visit. Here are a few ideas on how to create space in your home and make it extra inviting for holiday guests. Make room for holiday visitors First impressions When your guests arrive, they should immediately feel relaxed in your home. Spend time creating the perfect entryway for your guests. Declutter the coat closet to make space for luggage. Find a temporary place for your shoes, coats, and other belongings so your guests will have space. Lastly, spruce up the ambiance with your favorite holiday scent. Cozy and comfortable  For those who have overnight guests, you’ll want to create a cozy, comfortable environment. If you’re using air mattresses, sleeping bags, or futons, make sure they are positioned safely out of the way and in a place that’s quiet. It’s also a good idea to have extra pillows and blankets on hand should your guests not have their own.   Multi-purpose furniture Regardless of how much space you have in your home, it is best to invest in furniture that serves a dual purpose or can be put away easily. Here are some of our favorite pieces of furniture that have multiple functions: Ottomans/benches with hideaway storage double as extra seating for your guests but also a place for them to store their belongings while visiting Extendable dining tables allow everyone to sit together for a meal and can be condensed to open up more space Expandable couch/futons provide space for ...


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March 12th, 2021

SELF-STORAGE FOR DOWNSIZING

Downsizing Tips


So, you’re ready to downsize. What was once only popular with empty nesters and retirees, has become more common. More and more families are making a decision to live with less; stripping their surroundings of all the non-essentials. As they downsize, they’re left with this one important question: What to do with all the things that have accumulated through the years? Don’t sweat the small stuffKnowing how to downsize and declutter when the day finally arrives will make all the difference in the world. There are small steps that will help you get off to a smooth start when downsizing your home.  First thing’s first: Decide what to keep, and what to toss. Pace yourself and give yourself time to think. Don’t overlook the small stuff, but don’t sweat it either. Here are few things to consider when sorting through your home. Scan documents/digital records: Papers can be scanned by using professional services or do it on your own using a camera phone. Keep your files organized on your computer to have them on-hand in case you ever need them. Donating: Clothes and shoes make great donations even if they’re faded, missing buttons, or out of fashion. Consider donating or selling all your old, outdated, unused, or unwanted items.   Selling: Tools, computers, televisions, and appliances are popular items for resale. If you’re willing to package and ship, then consider selling online. Here’s a list of sites worth looking into. Declutter Apple Trade-in Amazon Trade-in BestBuy Trade-in Program ItsWorthMore Craigslist eBay Facebook Marketplace BuyBackWorld Finally, the big stuffThe upside to home downsizing is that you’re freeing up your space, ridding yourself of clutter, and bits of excess. You may need more time to decide what to transition into your new space, which is understandable, after all, it has taken years to accumulate all the beauty that surrounds you.  You may be tempted to give-up and take it all with you. The answer to this dilemma is self-storage which allows you to do just that and, still have your dream space. Store your belongings as you’re transitioning ...


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March 4th, 2021

WAYS TO DECLUTTER FOR A STRESS FREE HOME

Downsizing Tips


Did you promise to declutter your home in 2018? If not you should. Less stuff equals less cleaning. It’s true. If you want to keep 2018 clutter free, here are a few tips to help you with that. Start with a strategy Depending on the amount of clutter that you need to rid yourself of, you may feel a bit overwhelmed by the thought of decluttering for the new year. Schedule time in your calendar for specific decluttering tasks. Break down your areas of clutter into parts. Schedule time every day or every week to tackle part. Don’t try to do it all at once. Have the appropriate supplies on hand The easiest thing to sidetrack you from completing your decluttering goals is looking for the supplies you need. Gather those up before you begin. Bins, large labels, and trash bags will come in handy when you begin to declutter. Use the Keep, Trash, Donate, or Sell method Use your bins or trash bags and create one for each category. As you clear the clutter from any room, immediately place items in one of these bins. The key is to make quick decisions. Setting a timer is helpful to stay focused. Using bins will allow you to stop and start again easily if you are decluttering over a few days or weeks. Throw out the trash immediately after each session to avoid the temptation to keep items. Turn clutter into cash Be careful with creating a bin of things to sell. Make sure you schedule the time to actually sell those items. You can take items to resale shops, hold a garage/yard sale, or sell them online. Keep in mind that selling items online will mean that you will need proper storage for these items until they are sold. Look for these specific items: Here are a few items that we all have and are easier to sort through and reduce. Anything that we have multiples (small appliances, cardigans, books, toys, etc.) Damaged items (dishes, electronics, furniture, etc.) Clothes or shoes that you ...


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February 16th, 2021