Sometimes our homes need a quick little make-over.
1. Change The Paint Colors
You’ll be pleasantly surprised at what a change of color can do to a room. Whether it’s a bedroom, the kitchen, a family room, even the garage, a different paint color can create a whole new tone and vibe. Picking paint can be difficult because there are so many shades of color to choose from. Often times the paint color on the sample color looks a lot different than when you actually paint the whole room. I would suggest bringing home a few different sample paint colors and painting them on your walls. The lighting in the room has a huge impact on how the color will appear. It’s better to sample a small area in my opinion than to paint a whole room only to realize you don’t really like the color. You may think it will grow on you, but from experience if you don’t like it then just change it right away and be done.
2. Change Out Your Light Fixtures
Changing the light fixtures or updating your ceiling fans adds a new element and fresh character. Light fixtures can easily become a focal point in your home. This is one of the easiest ways to update any room.
3. Add/Adding New Hardware To Cabinets
Changing out the hardware of your kitchen is one of the easiest and quickest fixes to giving your kitchen cabinets a more updated and elegant look. No need to spend a lot of money for a quick, refreshed kitchen. If you have the time and energy try painting the cabinets as well!
This simple simmer pot recipe will give you all the feels! It’s absolutely heavenly!
This scent is great for the holidays and for your soul. It’s super easy and once you try it I bet you’ll be anxious to get creative with other simmer pot scents!
Get to it! It’s so easy!
Simmer Pot Scents – Orange Peel, Spice, And Peppermint
What You Need:
2 1/2 cups of water
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
2-3 drops of peppermint oil (optional)
Steps:
1. Pour water into a pot, bring to a boil, add ingredients.
2. Next, allow the aroma of this sweet scent to fill your home!
(May need to add water depending on how long you let this yummy smelling combination simmer)
I truly enjoy having a clean and tidy home. Who doesn’t right? It feels good when you’re home is nice and clean.
Now, is my house spotless? Absolutely not! I have kids for crying out loud. I have one child that can make a mess with a single almond, I’m not even kidding. How she does it, I have no idea.
But for the most part I would say our house is pretty tidy most days, considering. I take pride in that most days my house is pretty nice and tidy. Especially with having toddlers running around….. that don’t listen….. and touch everything with their dirty little hands. And I’m sorry but I know you hear little toddler boys are dirty but so are little girls. Believe me.
Let’s just say I wouldn’t be scrambling if an unexpected guest were to arrive and that makes me happy.
Mess causes stress. It really truly does. Your living environment plays a huge role in your life and mood whether you choose to believe it or not.
When I was pregnant with my third child I knew I was going to need to get more organized and become more structured with our home life. And I did, and I’m so happy I did! I don’t worry about spending anymore time asking myself how did it get like this and I am going to share my practices with you all!
I’ve learned that if I can just get into some good habits and maintain what I know needs to be done then I won’t spend so much time playing catch up. Only took 3 kids, but hey, you live and learn.
Keep Your Home Always Tidy By Developing These 9 Practices
Practice Number 1. Downsize And Sort Through Your Belongings Monthly
If in general you spend a lot of time organizing, sorting, or even looking for things, then, that’s a sign you might want to downsize and possibly get rid of some stuff. As Marie Kondo would suggest, if it doesn’t give you joy, get rid of it. Many of us possess so much and so much of that stuff we don’t absolutely need. Many of us also hold on to things for just in case. All it really does is add clutter and eventually other things get mixed in with it and before you know it your closet or garage or whatever is full of STUFF.
Downsize and ret rid of stuff! Have a garage sale or donate.
Practice Number 2: Create A Cleaning Schedule
Create a cleaning schedule and just do your best to stick to it. Some days may be missed, or you may have to push back one thing or another, and that’s ok. The idea is having a schedule, writing it down, and then doing your best to hold you and whoever else accountable.
Write down everything, and I mean everything that needs to be done around the house. Daily, weekly, monthly….start with that.
Practice Number 3: Train Your Kids To Clean After Themselves
Kids are capable of cleaning up after themselves. It may not be to your standards but that’s ok! If you’re constantly cleaning up after your kids they will always expect that. Have them put toys away when they are done playing, tell them their cups or bowls go in the sink when done, encourage them or invite them to help with chores such as putting the dishes away or doing laundry.
Make it a fun game or create incentives for them! However l wouldn’t always give them a reward for cleaning up. Then they will always expect a reward. Teaching them to clean up after themselves will develop good habits for the long run. At least I hope so!
Practice Number 4: Create A Chores List
Having a schedule is one thing but then it’s time to figure out who does what. It’s not fair to have one person doing everything around the house. Figure out who’s doing what so everyone can be held accountable for their tasks. When people know what duties they have there’s no guessing on what they need to do.
Practice Number 5: Do Dishes After Every Meal
Once you’re done with the dishes try to avoid putting them in the sink and saving them for later. Just load it in the dishwasher right away or wash it right then and there. You will be so happy if you can get in this habit. Encourage the rest of the family too to put their dishes in the dish washer. It saves time and avoids a sink and counter full of dirty dishes that you are dreading to do.
Practice Number 6: Fold The Laundry Right After It’s Done
If you can’t fold the clothes immediately after they are washed then do your best to fold them the same day you washed them. Throwing them on the bed or couch and letting the pile build up puts you in a bad mood and then now you’re spending what feels like wasted time folding all these clothes you’ve been avoiding.
Practice Number 7: Tidy Up Wherever You Go
If you’re in a room and see things out of place just tidy up real fast. It’s that easy! When we start telling ourselves we’ll get to it later before you know the whole house is upside down and you’re wondering what happen. Give yourself ten minutes multiple times during the day to do a quick tidy up. You’ll be surprised how much you can get done in ten minutes when comes to a quick clean up.
Practice Number 8: When You See Something That Needs To Be Done Around The House, Write it down
On your cleaning schedule include a time for “House To-Do List”. Whenever you notice something write it down on a to do list. I make a note in my notes app on my phone. These are things that you notice while doing something. Examples would be like cleaning the micro wave, noticing some spots on the walls that need to be wiped, looking up and seeing dust on the fans, wiping the baseboards, sweeping the porch, cleaning the front door, you get the idea. Then, on your cleaning schedule include time for “House To-Do List” (pick 2 or 3 things from the list to take on) and continue this daily or weekly on your schedule.
Practice Number 9: Put It Away Once You’re Done With It
Whatever you’re working on, doing, making, etc, put it away when you’re done with it. Way easier said then done, I KNOW. But do your best to not just place it on the counter, throw it on the floor, lay it on the bed, or better yet, leave it there. Put whatever it is in it’s place and just be done with it. This habit is one of the best ones to establish and to encourage amongst other family members!
There are my 9 practices for maintaining a nice and tidy home!
I know it can be very stressful and overwhelming with toys all over the house, the sink full of dishes, a couch full of clean clothes that need to be folded, dog poop that needs to be picked up, floors that need to be cleaned…..ETC. It’s a lot! I really hope these tips can help you and you will start implementing into your life and daily routine! I know it will be worth it!
Life does get busy. However taking the time to create a game-plan will benefit you and the rest of your family. Plus these tips I have shared will give you back more time with your family and isn’t that what you really want?
The Wild Gems 