20 April, 2011

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Mini Space, Max Storage

Living in a small space can save you money and put you closer to the places that you need to go, but sometimes it can get to feeling a little cramped. We generally collect belongings throughout the year. Whether you received gifts, got new furniture, updated your wardrobe, or bought new towels, you’re slowly using up the space that you have. Finding clever ways to make the best use of your space can help you feel relaxed and at home, rather than feeling like you’ll have to move to make room for all of your stuff.

1) Chances are, you own more than you need. When we buy new clothes, for example, we don’t usually think to throw out or give away the old ones. The same goes for shoes, cameras, socks, make-up, you name it. We don’t like to throw out or give away usable items. There are a couple of ways to tackle this problem. Set limits for yourself on what you can own. Have a basket or bin for things that you think you won’t use anymore. If you can’t bear to give it away immediately, keep it in this holding area to see if you really miss it or not. Only allow yourself to buy new things if you get rid of something old.

2) Make an assessment of your space. You can, for example, make a sock bin and hang it on the wall of your closet. Make an educated guess about how many socks you need to own and how much space you are able to spare for them. When the basket gets a little full, start going through the bottom and decide which socks you didn’t wear much over the last year. Get rid of them if they’re not your favorites.

3) One benefit of setting limits for yourself like this, is that you end up buying higher quality products that you’ll really love and be able to use for a long time. Being picky is a good thing. You may be thinking that this sounds like an expensive option, but it really isn’t if you think about how often you have to get rid of cheap clothes and shoes that tear up or shrink in the wash. You’ll end up spending less over the long term if you are careful about what you let occupy the little space that you have.

4) Use organizers, racks and bins to keep the space limited. Use space saving hangers, like velvet hangers, to make the most space in your closet while protecting those delicate or expensive garments. You’ll love your newly organized little space and enjoy not having the clutter that you used to.

About the Author: Rick Miller is on the staff of Only Slimline Hangers, a leading online resource for velvet hangers which are space saving hangers, non slip hangers and slim line hangers. For more information, please visit http://www.onlyslimlinehangers.com.

11 April, 2011

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Creating Some Space in your Home

Saving space in your home can be a challenge. Most people have trouble managing their closets and finding room for their storage at the same time. We have compiled some tips for you to double or even triple the space that you have in your closet so that you can get it under control. Use these tips to get yourself started on organizing your closets and home. Having a place to start and some general directions is helpful.

1) In order to be successful, you should set aside a special time to organize. Depending on your project, it may not be a good idea to tackle it all in one day. Getting your whole home organized can be an ongoing process, so try to be patient. Your diligence will pay off. As you discover what works for you in one area, you should be inspired to carry on the techniques that have paid off to different areas of your home.

2) Start with the areas that are really bugging you. These are generally junk piles that just seem to accumulate no matter what you do. You get it clean and through the course of one day, it’s junky again. This is usually due to the fact that your family is in the habit of tossing things into the areas that are already junky.

3) Identify the problem areas and see what types of items are always ending up there. Whether it’s newspapers, mail, homework, lunchboxes, hats, shoes, keys, cell phones, or just trash, you should create a space to manage it. If backpacks are always landing in one spot, then install some hooks and label them with each person’s name. If shoes are a problem, get a large bin or shoe rack and put it where everyone takes off their shoes.

4) You can put organizers for mail, keys, wallets, purses, and cell phones either in your entryway or kitchen, wherever they tend to pile up. It’s easiest for everyone to stay organized if you provide the organizational tools and install them in the area that the family already uses. People are really creatures of habit and our routines are soothing. Changing the area too much just about ensures that no one will use it after the first few days. The junk will be piling up again and the organizers will be empty.

5) Once you get your key areas straight, think about your closets. Closets are great for storing items and keeping them out of sight. However, you need to use your closets for your clothing, too. So, you need to find a way to save space so that you can do both. One trick is to move your top shelf up closer to the ceiling. This moves your storage items up and leaves you more space to organize your clothes. You can use things like space saving hangers, such as velvet hangers, to make the most of your hanging space.

When you get your home organized in a way that works, it is more likely that it will stay that way.

29 March, 2011

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Spring Cleaning Made Easy

It is the perfect time of year for some spring cleaning! However, it can be a little overwhelming. Where do you start? How much do you want to get done? How will you ever get it all done? The best way to go about getting your spring cleaning done is to give yourself a schedule and some parameters. The order in which you do things could be important too. Use this helpful list to get you moving in the right direction without wasting time.

1) First you need to get your regular chores done. If the dishes aren’t done, then rearranging your cabinets may not last for long. You’ll either be wasting time and energy doing it over again, or you’ll be piling up those plastic containers that don’t have anywhere to go, once again. You should take all of your dishes and figure out which ones can be stored together. You may decide to get rid of certain items that don’t stack well, containers that are missing lids, or warped frying pans. Sometimes it’s cheaper to replace your mix-matched mixing bowls with a set that stacks well instead of spending extra money on shelves and other organizational products for your cabinets.

2) Now, moving on to laundry. It’s hard to get anything done around the house if there is laundry to be done. Once you get it all done, it’s a good time to do those things that you may only have to do once or twice a year. Your washing machine should have a lint filter that needs to be cleaned ever so often. The drum also needs to be cleaned. Soap scum and fabric softeners can build up. Remove them by running a wash cycle with a bottle of white vinegar. If you have a front loader, you will most likely have a mold or mildew smell coming from around the seal. You may need to run a cleaning cycle with bleach in the water or use a product designed to get rid of the smell. Check the dryer lint trap and use a long handled brush to clear the path of lint. Check the dryer hose for lint and other debris and make sure that all the joints are fastened.

3) Getting laundry and the kitchen done are great steps towards getting your house in order enough to do all of those other little things that need to be done. Getting your closets in order can also be very helpful. Now is the perfect time to determine how you will get your closet in order. You may be able to add a few shelves and create some storage where you didn’t know you had it before. This can be helpful in finding places to put things as you tackle your problem areas. Plus, your closet will be easy to use and look better too. Hooks, shelves, and space saving hangers, like velvet hangers, can help you to save space while getting your home cleaned up. A nice wood hanger or coat hanger can be used for heavier items while slimmer hangers can be used to save space.

17 March, 2011

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Easy Closet Tips for Quick Cleaning

Getting organized is a little work, but you can make it go fast with these tips. The first step is making a commitment to get organized. The closet is a great place to begin. Your goals may include saving space, creating storage, or getting rid of excess clothing.

You can organize things yourself or hire a professional. Either way, it will be up to you to make the final decisions. Jot down notes, draw designs, and ask for other people’s opinions. Having a clear and concise plan will help you stay motivated to finish the task. Look online for ideas on how to handle your problem items.

Starting with bulky items is a good idea. First consider getting them out of your closet all together. Suitcases, camping equipment, blankets and other bulky things can usually be kept in a basement, garage, under the bed, or in a spare bedroom. Making room for the things that you use daily is a good plan.

Next, get rid of things that you don’t use. Remember to include shoes, dresses that are out of date, suits that are too tight, or clothes that fit, but you simply don’t prefer them. Most people hold on to items for years after they wear them for the last time. If there’s something that you don’t want to get rid of that you haven’t worn in a while, go ahead and wear it. See if you can remember why you don’t wear it and then decide whether or not to keep it.

Make spaces for hats, shoes, sweaters, suits, dresses and t-shirts. Your closet needs are personal and will differ from other people. A “one-size-fits-all” closet doesn’t always work out. Utilize adjustable shelving, bins, baskets, hooks and buckets to get the space organized.

Part of making the closet look nice is matching up the hardware. Hooks, drawer pulls, cabinet knobs, hangers and rods can all be updated to match. If you match your hangers, you’ll be surprised how much more uniform your closet looks. Choose hangers that are sturdy, save space, and do not damage your clothing. You may want coat hangers for suits and coats. They will help your heavier items keep their shape.

Choose hangers that don’t cross over each other on the bar. Old wire hangers are notorious for this and can make your closet look messy. Try the new space saving hangers that are on the market. These velvet hangers grip clothing. They are slim enough to save as much space as wire hangers in your closet. However, they are much stronger. You can also buy specialty space saving hangers like pants hangers, skirt hangers, and dress hangers. You can get accessories like cascading hooks and finger clips to make even more efficient use of the space in your closet.

Organizing your closets can be some work, but the effort will be well rewarded with the time that you save and the organization that you are able to maintain.

8 March, 2011

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Simple, Small, Living

Choosing to live a simple life is often a freeing decision to make. Many people feel that our lives have been consumed by consumerism. We’ve moved on from owning quaint homes, a few pieces of quality furniture, and having only what we need to wanting everything bigger, better, and in more abundance. If you’re feeling like you’re ready to slow down, simplify your life, and start minimizing around your home, then you are not alone.

People choose to simplify for a multitude of often personal reasons. Sometimes it’s just necessary to reduce because larger living spaces are so expensive. Living in a small apartment, condo, or efficiency can make it seem hard to keep down the clutter. You may be feeling like the tight space is closing in on you simply because you don’t have anywhere to put the belongings that you need to keep. Use these tips to learn how successful simpletons manage and love their smaller, more simplified lives.

1) First, start simplifying by reducing the stresses that occupy your everyday life. Something as simple as paying bills can be turned from a dreary task to a quick and paperless endeavor. Most banks offer online bill paying options that can be set up to automatically pay your bills for you, or you can go on and pay them yourself in only seconds. No paper bills, no stamps, no checks, no errands to the post office, and you are just blissfully done with a super minimal amount of effort.

2) Getting rid of excess in your home can be liberating. Before you buy something or decide to keep an item, always consider whether it is something that you need, if it could be replaced with a smaller or more efficient model, or if it is simply something that you want? Many people are able to get rid of a lot of sentimental clutter by keeping a scrapbook documenting items instead of the actual items that can take up space. If you’re keeping things because of the memories that they possess, then you will be just as happy reminiscing while looking at a photo of the item. The freedom and control of your surroundings that you feel is very addictive and will help you to keep things simple in other aspects of your life.

3) Storage is a problem for many people living in small spaces. Utilizing furniture that doubles as storage is a great way to hide storage items around your home without taking up any extra space at all. Installing a good closet system is another way to make the best use of the storage space that you have. You would be amazed at the volume of space that is wasted in most people’s closets. Vertical space should be utilized all over your home, but in the closet, it can make and enormous difference. Another way to make a difference is to use space saving hangers, like velvet hangers, to double or triple the space in your closet. Simplify the process of getting ready for work or to go out by cascading your hangers to coordinate outfits. No more searching for that shirt that goes with the pants you want to wear. Use these and other space saving strategies around your home and you can have a simply organized living space before you know it.

24 February, 2011

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Secret Storage Options

It doesn’t matter if you have a large house or a small apartment, you probably feel like you will never have enough space. We tend to fill the space around us, sometimes simply in an attempt to make the space seem homey. But, at some point, your “filling of the area” starts to look like junk and clutter. The walls can feel like they’re closing in if you don’t find smart ways to keep things stored away.

Using the vertical space in your home is one way to keep things in order. You may be able to install a corner cabinet or some extra shelving around the house to get things spread out a little better. Have you ever looked at perfectly decorated homes in magazines and thought, “Well, there just must not be any people living there.”? The truth is that people that live in these immaculate homes do own books, software, office supplies, school supplies, laundry, photos, and more, just like you. So where are they hiding it?

That’s actually the answer, right there! They’re hiding it in secret storage bins that are disguised as little trinkets or decorations around their home. Did you notice the decorative trunk by the front door? It may be full of shoes or newspapers waiting to be taken out with the recycling. Decorative boxes are great for storing items that you use around your home. They can be used as book ends, placed on end tables, sit on the mantle, or just be sitting in the window sill. You could have all kinds of craft supplies, pens, tape, magazines, throw blankets, and more sitting all over the living room and no one would ever know it.

Another way to keep clutter away from your living areas is to utilize storage space in your closets. I know what you’re thinking. Most people have a closet that is already full to the hilt with their clothes, shoes, luggage, and linens. However, using this same technique of hiding and thinking “vertical space”, you can double or triple the space in your closet in no time. Just putting in a few shelves that reach high in the closet can give you room to store all of those little extra things that do not have a good place to go.

You can use flat hangers that fit closely together on the bar to make a little more room than you had before. There are space saving hangers, like velvet hangers, that keep your clothes flat and wrinkle free while creating space that you didn’t know you had before. You can cascade hangers and utilize hangers that hold multiple skirts or several pairs of pants to make even more room. Get a little creative and you’ll have that magazine home in no time!

17 February, 2011

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Nifty Nooks and Storage Ideas

Saving space in your home can be challenging. Most of us have trouble managing clutter and finding room for everything that we own and need to store. Use these tips to get yourself started on an organized home. If you follow a few simple steps, you will be organized before you know it.

The best way to be successful is to set aside time to organize. Depending on your project, it may not be a good idea to tackle it all in one day. Getting your whole home organized can be an ongoing process, so try to be patient. Your diligence will pay off. As you discover what works for you in one area, you should be inspired to carry on the techniques that have paid off to different areas of your home.

Start with the areas that are really bugging you. These are generally junk piles that just seem to accumulate no matter what you do. You get it clean and through the course of one day, it’s junky again. This is usually due to the fact that your family is in the habit of tossing things into the areas that are already junky.

Identify the problem areas and see what types of items are always ending up there. Whether it’s newspapers, mail, homework, lunchboxes, hats, shoes, keys, cell phones, or just trash, you should create a space to manage it. If backpacks are always landing in one spot, then install some hooks and label them with each person’s name. If shoes are a problem, get a large bin or shoe rack and put it where everyone takes off their shoes.

You can put organizers for mail, keys, wallets, purses, and cell phones either in your entryway or kitchen, wherever they tend to pile up. It’s easiest for everyone to stay organized if you provide the organizational tools and install them in the area that the family already uses. People are really creatures of habit and our routines are soothing. Changing the area too much just about ensures that no one will use it after the first few days. The junk will be piling up again and the organizers will be empty.

Once you get your key areas straight, think about your closets. Closets are great for storing items and keeping them out of sight. However, you need to use your closets for your clothing, too. So, you need to find a way to save space so that you can do both. One trick is to move your top shelf up closer to the ceiling. This moves your storage items up and leaves you more space to organize your clothes. You can use things like space saving hangers, such as velvet hangers, to make the most of your hanging space.

When you get your home organized in a way that works, it is more likely that it will stay that way.

7 February, 2011

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Space for Everything Else

Do you have miscellaneous junk cluttering up your home? It’s a common problem for most people. There are many items that come into your home that don’t necessarily have a special place to go. Here we’ve compiled a list of common household problem areas and items that can cause clutter in the home. Use these ideas for storage of these items to make your home a clutter-free zone in no time. Knowing which items should throw up red flags in your mind is half the battle. Having a place ready to put them before they can become a problem is essential in controlling clutter and keeping an organized home.

1) Rule number one of keeping a clutter-free home is to always practice “in with the new, out with the old”. If you buy something new, then you must get rid of something old. We are a society that purchases a lot of things. If we’re constantly bringing in a cup, a shirt, a gadget, a trophy, or even bulk food items, then we are constantly reducing our storage space. Getting rid of something old every time you bring in something new, ensures that you are not in a constant state of storage space emergency.

2) Getting rid of things that we no longer use is also essential. Periodically go through your drawers and closets to see what your family has outgrown or simply quit using. Donate these items to charity, take them to a consignment shop, have a yard sale, or put them up for auction online. Do something to keep your belongings in check.

3) Coats and shoes are common clutter items. These items are generally expensive and we are reluctant to get rid of them when the time comes. Scuffs, gouges, scrapes, dirt and more can make a pair of shoes unattractive to us. Even though we don’t wear them anymore, we try to hold onto them because they are still “good”. Coats are the same way. You may have several coats that are appropriate for different occasions and different weather. Try to get these items narrowed down so that you don’t have so many bulky items cramming your closets full.

Use space saving hangers, like velvet hangers, to get you clothes in the closet under control in a small amount of space. Using the hanger piggy-back method can double your available space, leaving yourself room to make special places for the problem items in your home.

26 January, 2011

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Closet Tricks for Making Space

Everyone could use a little organization help when it comes to their closets. Closets are usually the best place in the house for storing things that you want to keep out of sight. This often neglected space can quickly become a dumping ground for things that you seldom use or may not ever use again. It is time to go through that junk and figure out how you are going to make your closet work with you instead of against you.

1) Clear out what you are never going to use or wear again. You may have more in your closet than you realize. Scuffed shoes, out of style jeans, even old camera chargers or birthday cards. Get rid of whatever you can bear to part with. Ask yourself what really is important here. If you have a lot of sentimental clothing, take pictures of it, or cut it up and use the scraps to make a memory pillow or blanket. Have a garage sale or give clothes to charity. You will feel like a giant weight has been lifted when you thin out the amount of stuff that you keep in your closet.

2) Clean the closet. This area of the house can go years without being dusted or vacuumed. It can be the sneaky source of mold, mildew and allergens. Clean your closet really well before putting anything back inside. Baseboards, carpet, hanging rails and shelves should be dusted and thoroughly cleaned. This will also ensure that you do not leave anything in the closet that should come out.

3) Replace old hangers with matching slimline hangers. These space saving hangers will make a huge difference in your closet. Use cascading hooks to create double the space on your hanging bar. You can quickly identify outfits when you are in a hurry. You can save space while preventing wrinkled clothing. These space saving hangers have an ultra-thin design, but they are very sturdy. They have a velvety finish that keeps clothing from slipping off on to the floor. Hang up only what you wear now, in this season.

4) Store out of season items. Not only should your opposite season wardrobe be stored, but you should also store clothes that you hope to fit back into someday. Some people have as many as four wardrobes stuffed into one closet! That is four wardrobes for each season, plus they may have a spouse with the same problem. There is no way that a conventional closet can hold all of that stuff. Some people get rid of smaller clothing, vowing that if they lose the weight, that they will deserve new, more modern clothes. Or, create a container that stores each size of clothing that you own. Store it in a spare bedroom, basement or garage until you need it.

Getting the junk out and organizing what you actually wear can make a huge difference in your closet. Using space saving hangers can make your closet a dream to look into and use.

About the Author: Rick Miller is on the staff of Only Slimline Hangers, a leading online resource for slimlinehangers which are space saving hangers, non slip hangers and slim line hangers. For more information, please visit http://www.onlyslimlinehangers.com.

13 January, 2011

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Rid your Life of Clutter

Living in a small apartment or home with little storage can turn cozy into cramped pretty fast. Without a plan, your clothes and storage items can simply take over your home. It’s hard to relax and enjoy your space when you feel like you don’t have any! With constant clutter looming all around, you will just stay stressed and always feel like you’re out of control. Use these simple and reliable home organization methods to get your space in order. There’s no need to feel like you’re being squeezed out of your own home ever again!

1) Hanging shelves are great for closets and other areas where you might be able to make some storage happen. It’s usually not that you don’t have space available; it’s that you haven’t thought of how to most effectively use the space that you do have. Vertical space is often ignored and shelves are often too shallow to store everything that you need to.

2) Find spaces that you didn’t know you had. Sometimes a unique or creative arrangement of shelves inside of your cabinets can give you more space than you imagined. Look around the house and determine the spaces that are not being used efficiently. If shelves are too far apart, there will be empty space above your bins, books, boxes, or whatever you have there. Try adding shelves or hanging an undershelf basket from the higher shelves. These are great for storing smaller items, computer paper, baseball caps, socks, magazines, or toys.

3) Look up! You can install shelves above doorways and around the ceiling. This is a modern way of creating storage or display space without cluttering up the room with big shelves. A shelf above a door that displays your favorite things or stores your cookbooks is not only an easy clutter solution, but it can give your home a unique feel.

4) Corner that clutter. Have you ever considered adding corner shelves to the bottom corners of the room, the front corners of the closet, or up the kitchen corner? You can create spaces for canned foods, pictures, books, knick knacks, and more. A lot of times we use our shelf space for displaying things like art or mementos. If we can get these things away from our larger storage areas and onto smaller shelves, we can make a lot of space with very little effort.

5) Utilize products that make space happen. There are many closet accessories that can be used all over the home. Make storage space in your closet by using velvet hangers, which are thin, space saving hangers. You can piggy-back them, use clips, and cascade clothing from them tripling closet space in minutes. Using tricks like this can help you to discover just how much hidden space there really is in your home.

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