how to be more productive

Do You Want to Be More Productive? Here’s How!

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If you find yourself getting less done than you had hoped within a certain amount of time, the reason why might not be what you think. Although you likely have interruptions in the day that can slow you down, the biggest reason why many people are unproductive is disorganization. This “D” word can be a terrifying one to admit exists in your home or office. But coming to this realization can help you be much more effective with your time. The key is to organize the physical space, sooner rather than later.

The More to Do, The More You Procrastinate

There is a lot of pressure on most people to do more, and to do it within a deadline. But having more on your plate will bring stress and bad coping habits, such as overeating. Instead of sinking into this negativity, organize your home and work areas to help improve productivity and banish procrastination.

3 Ways to Increase Productivity:

1.      Clear Clutter

Look at your work desk and, if you see clutter, now is the time to get rid of it. Rather than having stacks of random papers, distribute them into color-coded folders according to the task. This filing system can help you stay on top of things.

As you sort the papers, recycle or shred ones that you no longer need. Create a specific area on your desk for the “to do” papers too; these ones need you to act on them in a timely manner.

2.      Get Plants

Another tip is to incorporate plants. While you’ve likely already heard that plants clean the air, they have another important benefit.

The greenery can increase your mood and lower stress. The natural result is a go-getter attitude at home and work. Being happier will help energize you to get through projects, including tidying up.

3.      Digital Cleanup

When you turn on your computer, do you see a random assortment of folders across the desktop? If so, you might feel overwhelmed right away and not want to tackle the mess. But instead, the best thing to do is organize a bit each day so that you get through the organizing project without putting it off.

While you’re at it, delete any files or software that you no longer need or want to use. You also might want to look at productivity apps to improve your work performance.

productivity

A Final Tip: Take Breaks

While it might sound counter-intuitive, taking breaks can boost your productivity at home and work. If you keep at a task for a long time, your brain often starts to feel foggy or full. That makes sense as you can only consume so much information within a limited time.

Thus, it’s helpful to take a ten minute break every hour, or more often if you feel mentally tired. Find what works well for you.

Congratulate Yourself

As you organize rooms at home or your office, take time to look at what you’ve accomplished to date. Celebrate how far you have come and the ways that decluttering has improved your day. Perhaps you finished a work deadline early or finished rearranging the kitchen cupboards. Taking moments to reflect can bolster productivity and is a stress-free activity.

Do you want more ideas on how to increase your productivity and stop procrastinating? Our experts collaborate with you to meet your goals and are only a phone call away!

organizing for summer

Organize Your Home Now and Enjoy Your Summer

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Rather than continually thinking how great it would be to finally clear away the clutter at home, make now the time when you decide to do so. Otherwise, you risk spending excess time stressing about disorganization rather than enjoying the summer in a home you love.

Set Your Priorities

While you likely have more than one project you want to do around the house, it’s best to pick one and see it through rather than risking feeling overwhelmed by doing multiple things. For example, if you want to organize the kitchen cupboards better and declutter your bedroom closet, pick the one you think is more pressing and see it through. After that, move onto the second project.

Do a Bit, and Do So Regularly

Rather than spending a beautiful summer day indoors, spend up to half an hour on the organizing project, and then enjoy the rest of your day. Plan to do this several times a week so that you get a bit done each time, slowly progressing toward your goal.

Taking this approach will help prevent you from feeling resentful of the clutter for taking away your summer fun. Even 10 minutes de-cluttering part of a room is a great use of time and won’t take away your time with family and friends this summer.

Take Time to Rest

After finishing that first home organizational project, don’t feel like you must move immediately onto the next one. Instead, relax and take time to enjoy the added space you have after clearing away clutter. When you are ready, move onto the next thing to tidy up. After all, summer is the time of year when you want to have moments or even entire days without an agenda.

organizing for summer

Get the Kids Involved

Your children are likely not doing schoolwork right now, which means that they’re more active around the house and creating more messes than usual. If so, include them in your efforts to maintain a tidy house over the summer months.

Ask them to pick up their toys after they’re done playing with them, for example. Explain to them that it would help you if they clean their bedroom and keep it that way too; they’re more likely to do so when they realize that it will help you.

Get the Patio Setup

If you’re not planning to spend a lot of time indoors because of the great weather ahead, then clean the patio and get the outdoor furniture set up on it right away. Then you’ll be able to enjoy it for the rest of the season.

Assess if anything needs replacing or if the furniture needs painting. As well, if you have a BBQ, then give a deep clean so that the grill is ready for use.

Taking that First Step

Probably the toughest part of organizing the home for summer or any other time of the year is figuring out how to get to the goal, whether it is downsizing a room, figuring out a better filing system for the home office, tidying a closet, or something else.

Our professional organizers at ClutterBGone are happy to help you identify an objective and create a plan to meet it, as well as working with you to achieve the goal in a way that you find comfortable. Contact us today to learn more.

decluttering minus overwhelm

5 Decluttering Tips Minus the Overwhelm

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If you have ever started to declutter your home or office, you might have quickly felt overwhelmed by the process. That feeling can be so strong that you procrastinate on the project, which only adds to the stress of it. As for what exactly is overwhelming you, it could be that you don’t feel you have the time to do so, that certain possessions bring up strong emotions or several other reasons.

To help you declutter a room, closet, or another physical space effectively without feeling overwhelmed, these five decluttering tips can be useful.

Decluttering Tip 1 Go Small

Start with a small area for your project. While you might like the idea of tackling the entire home interior in a day, that’s not a reasonable goal.

Instead, start with part of a room or even a shelf. Make that the goal for the day or even for the week. Why put exact pressure on yourself?

Decluttering Tip 2 Make as Clear Plan

Decide what you will declutter and when (day and time). Determine how long each day you will spend on this project if it extends more than a day.

Also, determine what you intend to do in the space and what you will do with the possessions you remove from there. By setting a plan, you are less likely to feel overcome with emotion that you lose motivation and stop midway.

Decluttering Tip 3 Deciding Where to Start

If you’re not sure where to declutter first in the home, begin with a spot that will likely have the most impact. It could be the entryway that people see as soon as you open the front door, for example, or the bedroom so that you can enjoy a calmer environment that is conducive to deep sleep.

When you use this approach, you are more likely to see a big difference right away. Having that positive result will uplift and encourage you to continue to tackle messes throughout the rest of the house.

decluttering tips

Decluttering Tip 4 Talk with Your Partner

If decluttering seems hard because your partner is not supportive of your decluttering efforts, then it is best to speak openly with them. It may be hurtful that you’re open to clearing out many of your possessions, yet they don’t want to part with any of theirs.

Recognize that just as you likely needed time to conclude that decluttering is in your best interests, your partner, too, will benefit from time. If they aren’t ready to part with something, respect that. Suggest other items you would appreciate them tossing and explain why.

Decluttering Tip 5 There’s No Need to Be Perfect

In fact, there’s no such thing as perfection. So, avoid overwhelming yourself by trying to create a room that looks like it would be pictured in a magazine.

Those photos feature staged interiors, which means they are not everyday living spaces. Be realistic about your family’s needs and recognize that you are making a positive difference by doing this project.

If You Still Feel Overwhelmed

While the tips above will help you feel less overwhelmed as you declutter the home, but you may still feel there are obstacles. Thankfully, you’re not alone. Our professional organizers provide experienced assistance in a comfortable, supportive way. Reach out today to learn more about the process.

professional organizer

What Should I Expect from a Professional Organizer?

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If you are considering using a professional organizer for the first time, you likely are looking forward to cutting through the clutter at home. A lot of questions will go through your mind, too, including wondering what the process will look like.To help you understand what to expect from the process, we will provide insights into what it’s like to work with a ClutterBGone organizer.

It’s a Collaboration

Bringing in an expert organizer is different than hiring a cleaner. While the housekeeper would typically do the work, the organizing process is a collaborative one.

The professional organizer works with you to learn your lifestyle and habits so that they can help you develop a system that works for your family in your unique home. The best person for you will be someone who listens and understands your desires and needs.

professional organizing consult

Starting with a Consultation

By now, it’s clear that compatibility with the organizer is important. That is why ClutterBGone suggests an initial consultation to ensure you are comfortable with the process and that the organizer who visits you is a good fit.

During the novel coronavirus times, we limit how many people are in a space at one time, wear masks and ask you to do the same, and wash our hands regularly. Virtual consultations are also available if you are not comfortable with an in-person visit.

During this meeting, feel free to ask us any questions. As said before, being comfortable with our organizer is paramount, so getting to know one another through this meeting is an essential first step. We can help you to identify the top challenges in the home and determine where to start. If it is a good fit, then the organizing process starts.

About the Organizing Service

Exactly what the project involves will depend on your needs. While some people want our professionals to focus on decluttering a certain room or closet, others desire help with creating a new system of organization in their home or office. The costs will depend on the scope of the project and other factors.

The organizer will work with you to decide what to keep, as well as what to donate or sell if you have unwanted items. At ClutterBGone, we are supportive, not judgmental, and we want you to know that your feelings and possessions and feelings are safe with us.

We are also happy to provide maintenance services, whereby the same organizer returns to the home to provide support so you can focus on family, career, and more. Also, as lives change, different organizing systems or decluttering projects can become necessary, so our organizer is happy to work with you on a future project after the current one ends.

When It’s Time to Work with a Professional

If removing the clutter or organizing the home overwhelms you, then it is likely helpful to collaborate with a pro organizer. Otherwise, you risk getting emotionally distraught and not meeting your goals, whether they are personal or professional.

Furthermore, an experienced organizer can help make adjusting easier after a major life event, such as getting married or having a baby. Even if you have not experienced a big change, enlisting the help of an organizational specialist can lower your stress by removing clutter or making more efficient use of a room.

Teaming up with a professional organizer is an investment in both your home and family. You will also benefit from no longer having the burden of disorganization. Enjoy a lasting transformation of not only the physical space but also yourself. Contact us today to book a consultation.

love your home

How to Love Your Home Again During Covid-19

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With so much time spent indoors during COVID-19, it’s easy to see why many people have fallen out of love with their homes. Being in the same environment day after day can make the place feel lackluster.

Thankfully, there are ways to refresh the homestead, which is a much more affordable option than moving to a new property. Here are some great suggestions to try in order to love your home again.

Move Furniture Around

If you aren’t satisfied with a room’s layout, then it’s time to do something productive about it. Moving around the furniture can make the living room, bedroom or another space more inviting, not to mention more functional.

Finding a great layout starts with deciding on a focal point for the room, such as a television or fireplace. Then face the couch toward it, with additional chairs at the  sides. Decide where to place tables so that drinks and the TV remote are easily accessible.

Add Plants

Indoor plants are a wonderful way to refresh a living space. If you have a corner that no furniture seems to fit into, then a plant or tree can fill the area nicely to love your homecomplete the room or hallway.

You might even place different types of greenery of varying heights into the corner, rather than just a single item, for a dynamic look. If you like the grouping idea, try adding smaller plants for a coffee table centerpiece too.

Create a Statement Wall

Make a major change in a room easily with a statement wall. Select a bright colour for the one wall that compliments the neutral shade on the other walls. If you want to take it a step further, use tape to create stripes or another pattern on the single wall.

If you’d rather not paint, then add temporary wallpaper instead. It’s a simple way to update the look of a bedroom without committing to it long-term.

Tidy Up

When your house is messy, it’s harder to love it because all you see is what needs tidying up. So, commit to spending time regularly organizing the rooms, and try to keep them tidy.

Seeing the progress will encourage you to keep the house clean, and you will likely find joy again in the same rooms that used to stress you out with the messes. As you’re plugging away at the process of straightening up, focus on the positive aspects of what you’re doing rather than seeing it as a chore.

Making a House into a Home

Given how much time you’re liking spending indoors right now, it’s important to create an atmosphere that is comfortable and uplifts your spirits, rather than being a source of stress. If you’re not sure where to start with organizing and decluttering, we are now available to assist in-home with services that meet public health guidelines.

We ask staff and clients to have a mask or face covering. Also, we regularly wash our hands, wear gloves (where needed), and limit the number of people within one space at a time.

We are pleased to be able to support you once again! Your health and safety are vital to us, and we are happy to answer any questions. Reach out today. We want you to love your home once again!

Organizing Your Garden Shed

Tips To Organizing Your Garden Shed for Summer

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If you enjoy gardening, then you know that it’s a great way to calm the mind and enjoy the outdoors. But the stress can return after a peaceful weekend afternoon in the yard when you return the tools to a messy garden shed. To help you maintain your sense of calm, here are tips for organizing your garden shed for summer.

Get Shelving and Bins

If your shed lacks shelves, then it’s no wonder that the space is chaotic. Gardening involves a range of items, from planters to handheld tools, and don’t even get us started on soil mixtures. These things require a simple storage area within the shed, or they will quickly take over the interior.

One of the first organizing your garden shed steps, therefore, is investing in a sturdy open shelving unit. You may find that you need more than one, depending on if you store additional supplies there than only gardening-related ones.

Metal shelves are designed to hold heavy items and have an industrial look that suits a gardening shed. Plus, the shelves are usually adjustable so that you can tailor it to the height of the stored items.

Lastly, get metal or plastic bins for the shelves to help prevent clutter. Sort the items and put them into the baskets accordingly. For example, you might put seed packets in one, garden tools in another, and gloves in a third one.

Organizing Your Garden ShedUse Wall Hanging Hooks

Wall-mounted hooks are very useful. They can be used to create a tool rack so that you can easily grab long tools like hoes and shovels when you want to use them.

This storage solution uses wall space that would otherwise likely be empty. Add a larger hook to hang the garden hose on so that you’re not stepping on it or searching for where you put it the last time.

Create a Potting Bench

Find room for a potting bench within your garden shed so that you can transplant seedlings and do other gardening activities. It could be as simple as using an old table or find easy DIY tutorials online to build the work bench you’ve always dreamed of.

Hang a Corkboard

Keep a seasonal calendar hung from a corkboard on the wall of the garden shed. Within it, mark when you do certain garden and lawn chores, such as when the grass was mowed last and mulched beds.

Among the maintenance tasks for summer are fertilizing flowers and vegetables monthly and checking for insect damage or disease. The calendar can help you keep your garden at its best in summer. Keep the schedule up the rest of the year and continue to do tasks so that the exterior doesn’t get neglected.

Final Words on Garden Shed Organization

An organized garden shed can make your hobby more enjoyable. Now you will easily find items and know exactly when you are running low on twine or something else because you’ll see it’s running low. Enjoy the calmness too that comes with a place that is clean and tidy.

If you look around your shed and feel overwhelmed by the idea of starting to clear the clutter, reach out to our professional organizers for help. We are only a phone call away and are happy to provide suggestions for your storage dilemmas.

 

Home Downsizing in 4 Easy Steps

Home Downsizing in 4 Easy Steps

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If you are transitioning to a new home, then downsizing your belongings is a good idea. Here is a four-step plan to do so with less fuss.

Step 1: Start with the big stuff

Deciding what stays and what goes is easier when you feel like you’re making good progress. Start by making decisions about the big-sized items, such as the washer and dryer.

Ask yourself if it’s worth moving certain appliances to the new home, especially if you’re leaving the province. If the new residence has them already, then do you prefer yours to the ones there?

As for large collections, such as dishware, do you plan to keep them? Or, does selling or gifting them make more sense?

If you find it tough parting with the whole collection, consider keeping only your favourite pieces from it. Next, go through other items, such as large gifts you received, and think about whether you want to take them to the new place.

Home Downsizing in 4 Easy Steps

Step 2: Sort into four piles

The next step for home downsizing effectively is to create four distinct piles. One pile is for giveaways; these are items that you will give for free to family or friends.

The other sorting stations to create are donations, for-sale items, and trash. If the item still has usefulness, then consider donating it to a non-profit organization.

Could you use some extra cash to help with the move? If so, then put items into the sale pile and use online marketplaces to make a few bucks.

The trash mound goes to the dump, whether you drop it off yourself or hire someone to come pick up the items. These things are broken or unusable at this point.

Step 3: Go through each room

After deciding on the big items, it’s time to go from one room to the next to deal with the smaller possessions. Certain things hold memories, and it can be tough to declutter those ones. Give yourself time to reminisce as you go through each one to honour it, and then decide if has a place in the new home.

As you go through the rooms, have someone with you during this emotional job. A professional organizer can provide support as you decide which of the four piles to put things into during the downsizing process. We are only a phone call away and understand useful ways to declutter all or part of a home.

Step 4: Go easy on yourself

This process is a tough one, so give yourself regular breaks from sorting to relax. Spread out the process over several weeks, if possible, so that it does not feel overly burdensome.

Also, if you have an off day, that is normal; try to be more productive the next time you battle the clutter. The downsizing process brings up many emotions and memories, but know that you will get through it, and look forward to the next stage in your life in a new home.

The future residence is where you will make new memories. Many positive moments await you there. As always, if you need a little extra support and guidance, give us a call. We’re back in action and look forward to helping out!

organizing your kitchen

5 Simple Steps to Organize Your Kitchen Effectively

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The kitchen is a room that gets a lot of use. Rather than avoiding using it because of the clutter, use these tips to organize your kitchen cabinets and shelves better than before, so you look forward to making dinner for the family.

Step 1 – Use Storage Containers

To organize your kitchen effectively, group similar items to help them look tidier, as well as making them easier to find when you’re cooking. Baskets and bins without lids are great for snacks as the kids can quickly reach inside to get what they need when hungry after school.

Look for ones that match or are identical to create a uniform look, especially on open shelving where there’s no hiding away the clutter. Also, collect loose items like tea bags into clear canisters so you can see when they’re running low and refill them.

organize your kitchen

Step 2 – Utilize Open Spaces

Look at awkward spaces around the fridge or elsewhere that you can use for additional storage when looking to organize your kitchen. For instance, there might be a gap between the fridge and the wall where you can add a shelf for extra cups and bowls.

Also, consider hanging items from the wall rather than putting them in cupboards where they would take up precious space. Hang pots and pans by attaching a metal railing to the wall and adding hooks; select hooks that allow the cookware to hang flat against the wall.

Step 3 – Downsize the Kitchen

Before you start moving things around, decide if you really need everything currently in the kitchen. For example, do you both sets of measuring cups? The chances are good that if you donate one of the sets, you will not miss it.

Go through each cupboard and drawer to find duplicates to donate or sell. At the same time, look for unused items that are taking up space. Each one you part with will free up room in the kitchen.

Step 4 – Adjust Shelves

Have you adjusted your kitchen cabinets’ shelves lately? If not, then you could be missing out on better organizing the cabinets.

Create more vertical storage space by moving shelves so that they are only slightly higher than objects. If you have room for another shelf, the local hardware store can cut a new piece of plywood quickly and easily to fit.

organizing your kitchen

Step 5 – Group Glassware and Dinnerware

If you see a chaotic array of mugs, glasses, and dishes when you open the cabinet, it’s time to rethink how you’ve put them on the shelves. Devote lower shelves to the glasses and mugs you use every day and put frequently-used bowls and plates within easy reach too.

Special occasion items can go higher up, as they used less often. Also, store glasses with the rims up to protect them from damage.

Final Words on Organizing the Kitchen

At the end of each day, look at the countertop and remove any items that don’t belong there, such as the kids’ schoolwork or random items unpacked from the dishwasher. A clean countertop makes a kitchen look instantly more attractive.

Reduce clutter and boost storage by using the tips above, as well as reaching out to our professional organizers for more ways to improve your kitchen’s functionality. There are many ways to reduce clutter without having to do a major kitchen renovation.

what to keep when decluttering

What to Keep and What Goes When Decluttering?

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Piles of clothes and household goods can accumulate after a while. There are many reasons to explain why you have been keeping things around the house for a long time but haven’t cleared away the messes, including being too busy, overwhelmed by the clutter, and wanting to save things in case of needing them in the future. To help you in your decluttering efforts, the tips below focus on how to decide what to keep and what to toss.

Currently in Use?

If you are using the item then, yes, it stays. If it is something that you haven’t recently used because it’s off-season, such as a raincoat, yet plan to use next year, it is also a keeper.

On the other hand, if you don’t have a use for something, then it’s not necessary to keep it on hand. It is only taking up valuable space in the home.

Is it Sentimental?

If you are keeping an item because it brings back memories, that is entirely understandable. But putting childhood belongings into a box and storing it in the closet isn’t utilizing it.

In this case, consider displaying those items and donating newer decor you’ve collected that doesn’t have sentimental value. Or, take a photo of something that has been packed away for decades so you can remember it always and donate the item to charity.

what to keep when decluttering

Is it a Duplicate?

Over time, it’s natural to accumulate multiples of an item. Sometimes, you neglect to throw out the older version.

If that’s the case, then donate the extras as you likely only need one set of oven mitts, one teapot, and one set of measuring spoons. The chances are good that you won’t miss the duplicates.

Could Someone Else Use It More?

While you might have the occasional use for something, think about whether it could be better used elsewhere. For instance, you might have a set of dishes that you use once a year, or clothes hanging in your closet in case you one day fit into them.

If someone else could benefit from these things more than you, then consider donating them. It is easier to decide what to keep or toss when you put it into perspective like that.

If Your Time is Worth More

Another way to tackle decluttering is by thinking about whether maintaining the possession in question is worth your time. Does the item warrant keeping if you need to dust or polish it regularly and don’t need it?

When You’re Not Sure

There are bound to be items that you’re simply not sure whether to keep or donate. In this case, fill a cardboard box with the goods and put it away for a month.

If you don’t use anything from the box in a month from now, then you don’t need anything in it. It’s time to give it to a charitable organization.

Final Words on Decluttering

As you put items into piles to keep or donate, you will likely also come across things that are broken or so well-worn that you make a third pile for things to toss. Check with a local recycling center to see if old appliances that no longer work can go there rather than into trash to help the environment.

For more tips on sorting what to keep or toss and anything else related to home decluttering, reach out to our professional organizers today. We’re here to virtually support your organizing needs as well!

spring cleaning tips

Your Spring Cleaning Checklist for 2020

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The Spring months are a great time for deep-cleaning the home. There’s a real satisfaction in knowing your home is free of dust and dirt, as well as clutter. While it might feel overwhelming to start the process, this Spring cleaning checklist helps simplify the steps while helping make sure you don’t forget anything.

Create a Schedule

The reality is that you won’t get every room done in one day, at least not if you want to do a thorough job. Thus, go room by room and assess what needs a clean that hasn’t been done lately.

Use a separate piece of paper for each room and list the tasks underneath, so you have one page for “Master Bedroom,” one for “Laundry Room,” and so forth. Also have a page for closets, the garage, and outside the home.

A few examples are dusting the ceiling fan in your bedroom, cleaning the fireplace, checking the dryer vent, donating old clothes in closets, and cleaning the gutters. Then, write down the supplies needed for each room, such as a broom, vacuum, boxes, and steam cleaner. Get any missing supplies ahead of time.

Then, plan out when you will tackle each room and make it a reasonable schedule given your busy career, family, and other responsibilities. For example, maybe you do an hour twice a week or a few hours on Saturdays.

spring cleaning checklist

Clean Up the Clutter

Next, assess what needs de-cluttering around the house. You’ve likely already gotten a sense of this when creating the schedule.

If your home environment is disorganized, it can make your mind feel the same way. Being around messes can also heighten feelings of anxiety and stress.

Plus, there might be many items around you that aren’t being used, and they could be useful to someone else. Thus, consider donating clothes, serving dishes, or anything else that is merely collecting dust.

Don’t Forget the Windows and Walls

You likely clean the floors regularly, but do you also wipe down walls? Most people forget about this part of the house, although it attracts dust and gets grimy, especially if you have kids or pets.

If you’re wondering what to use to clean walls, a simple solution of warm water and dish soap can remove stains. Use the same solution to clean plastic window blinds, if you have them.

As for the windows, remove the screens and wipe those down too. Washing the inside and outside of the windows with your favourite cleaner can help each room look its best.

Seeing Rooms with Fresh Eyes

While cleaning, you might even start to envision the rooms in a new way. Look at how you could better use the space, such as changing the position of the couch relative to the TV.

Also, are there ways to lighten up the room for Spring? If you have heavy quilts in the bedrooms, move to lightweight bedding. Other ideas are to swap out dark couch cushions for ones that are brighter colours and add fresh flowers in vases around the interior.

We hope the tips above make spring cleaning easier for you! Enjoy the home updates as the warmer weather comes and let us know if you could use the help of a professional organizer. Refresh your space and welcome the possibilities of Spring.