LIFESTYLE
December 2024

“Few things create mental unrest like clutter” - Designer Marie Flanigan

In today's world, home is a needed refuge, a tranquil abode that provides a serene space protected from outside stressors, a place where you feel nurtured and supported. Taking the time to set up a calm and functional environment makes daily life move more gracefully, especially during the busy holiday season. When the clutter is cleared, put away, or donated to those in need, you can not only find your car keys, but actually look around and see the home you love. Here are some room-by-room tips for organizing your home for a fresh start in 2025.

Entryway

Purge the hall closet of any coats, hats, umbrellas, or other items you no longer use.

Have an assigned spot for each family member's jackets and outdoor shoes, and put them back in the same place to avoid delays getting out the door for school or work.

Living Room / Family Room

Declutter side tables and coffee tables to make room for entertaining or holiday decor.

Toss or donate old magazines, DVDs, CDs, memorabilia, and dust-gathering knick-knacks.

Refresh the batteries in your remote controls and electronic devices.

Gather lengthy cords with silicone cable ties to keep them out of the way and prevent falls.

Kitchen

Throw away old spices and seasonings, and write the purchase date on new ones to remind you when to replace them.

Toss any expired dry goods, fruit snacks, and canned foods. Before you restock, arrange your pantry in a way that works best for you. Put things you use more often in easy reach, and things you use less often (punchbowl, cake stand) on lower pantry shelves or in cupboards. Donate cookbooks, cookware, and bakeware you never use.

When organizing kitchen cupboards, baskets and lidded containers are great and handy, but clear plastic or acrylic containers make it easier to see things at a glance.

Do a tupperware audit! Get rid of any containers or lids that don't have a match.

Put away appliances you use infrequently to reduce clutter on kitchen counters.

Bedroom / Closet

Embrace your minimalist side when going through your closets. If an item of clothing is worn out, discard it, and if you haven't used or worn it this year, donate it.

Purge accessories too. Jewelry, belts, hats, and scarves that no longer serve you can be another person's treasure.

Keep sentimental items that really matter to you, but don't feel obligated to hold onto every single thing.

Minimize clutter on top of nightstands and in their drawers to avoid searching for glasses, rings, remotes, and reading materials.

Refresh light bulbs in table lamps, ceiling fan lights, and light fixtures, and charge that Apple TV remote!

Bathrooms

Replace everyday bath towels with decorative holiday towels, and add a plush bath rug for chilly winter mornings.

Sort through accumulated electronic appliances like shavers, curling irons, straighteners, and hair dryers, and get rid of those you don't use to open up space.

Throw away expired skin care, makeup, medicine, supplements, worn loofahs, sponges, and makeup brushes.

Stock a seasonal basket in the guest bathroom with nature-scented bath soaps, moisturizers, and lip balms for holiday guests.

Caring for Outdoor Spaces

Don't forget your outdoor living spaces! Transform your back patio or backyard into a snug winter haven with twinkling lights, a cozy firepit, and comfy, weatherized outdoor furniture. Here are some tips for prepping your garden, patio, and pool for colder weather:

●      Cover tomato plants to protect them from chilly nighttime temperatures.

●      Prune cold-hardy perennials, including herbs like chives, mint, lavender, and thyme.

●      Wrap avocado and palm tree trunks with incandescent holiday lights for warmth.

●      Clean and seal your pavers or patio deck to avoid unsightly stains from leaves and other outside debris.

●      Install or update energy-efficient landscape lighting to illuminate seating areas, paths, and walkways.

●      Add hanging lanterns to tree branches, trellises, and porches for magical ambiance.

●      Protect your outdoor furniture from the elements. Seal wood patio furniture with a protective waterproof sealant, wicker furniture with a clear marine varnish, and wrought-iron furniture with a rust resistant primer and exterior grade enamel paint.

●      Use Scotchgard on fabric cushions to repel rainwater and stains.

●      If you have a firepit, prune back any surrounding plants and remove debris that could create a fire hazard.

●      Save on heating costs by using a solar pool cover or thermal barrier to prevent heat from escaping overnight.

●      Fertilize your lawn and keep the grass cut at a short-medium length. Tall grass attracts pests seeking a warm place to burrow.

These small, indoor and outdoor organizational practices will make a big difference well into the new year. Take on your home one space at a time, spread out the tasks, and allot time realistically. A storage closet is going to take a lot longer to organize than the spice drawer.

If you are someone who has trouble getting rid of things, enlist the help of an objective friend. You'll feel better with more space to move around, entertain holiday guests, and just relax at home with family and friends.

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