Decluttering can be a challenging task, but it’s a great way to create a more organized and stress-free living space. Here are five decluttering hacks to help you get started:

1. Tackling one room at a time is an effective approach to decluttering, as it allows you to focus your efforts and see noticeable progress. Write down your goals, identify the purpose of the room and what you would like to achieve when decluttering. Gather your supplies such as garbage bags, bins and cleaning supplies, this will make it easier to stay focused and efficient.

2. Minimizing decor on shelves can create a clean and streamlined look in your home. Empty your shelves to allow you to envision a more minimalist arrangement. Opt for decor items that serve purpose or a functional aspect – you could include baskets for storage, trays to corral smaller items or containers that double as decor.

3. Bins and boxes are valuable organizational tools that can help you declutter and maintain an organized living space. Using clear bins or boxes can help you see the contents easily without having to open them. Grouping similar items together in labeled bins create a sense of order. It makes it easier to find what you need and prevents the space from becoming chaotic.

4. Implementing a “one in, one out” rule is an excellent strategy to prevent the accumulation of unnecessary items and maintain a clutter-free environment. Ask yourself if the item is necessary, adds value to your life or serves a specific purpose. When committing to the rule, it means for every new item you require, you must be willing to part with an existing item.

5. If you haven’t used it in a year, reconsider its worth and get rid of it! Periodically reassessing the items you own and considering whether they’ve been useful or meaningful in the past year can help you make more intentional decisions about what to keep and what to let go. Set a regular schedule to review your belongings, this can coincide with the changing seasons, birthdays or beginning of the year. Start with clothing and accessories, kitchen items, books and media etc.

By regularly using these hacks, you’ll be better equipped to maintain a clutter-free and organized living space. It will encourage mindfulness about the items you surround yourself with and promotes a more intentional and simplified lifestyle .

Planning to have friends & family over during the holidays. Don’t stress, check out these tips to make everything so smoothly!

1. Plan Ahead:

• Start planning well in advance to avoid last-minute stress.
• Create a checklist of tasks and a timeline for preparation.
• Set the table and arrange decorations the day before.
• Plan an easy but diverse menu to give your guests some selection.
• Cook and prepare whatever you can ahead of time.
• Don’t hesitate to ask for help. Assign specific tasks to family and friends.

2. Décor & Atmosphere:

• Plan seating arrangements to allow good conversation and mingling.
• Create a festive atmosphere with holiday decorations.
• Use candles, lights, and seasonal colors to enhance the festive mood. Ensure the temperature is comfortable for guests.
• Use warm lighting and soft music to create a cozy ambiance.

3. Activities

• Plan some activities or games to keep guests entertained.
• Create a festive playlist but keep volume at a modest level.
• Have a variety of drinks, including non-alcoholic options.
• Consider a signature holiday cocktail for a special touch.
• Focus on enjoying time with guests rather than stressing over perfection.

Remember the purpose is to enjoy the festivities and time spent with loved ones. Don’t stress over minor imperfections; your guests are there to spend time with you and to celebrate the season together.

Clean, Declutter & Depersonalize
Regardless of the time of year that you choose to list your home, these three are always a top priority! Before pulling out decorations make sure you’ve checked them off your list.

Decorate Modestly
Reduce decorations and be sure to choose more classic, non-personal Christmas decor. Selecting decorations that match your existing decor will also help create simplicity.

Make Space
Avoid squeezing Christmas decorations in with your existing furniture and decor. Instead, try to remove items to make space so that rooms don’t become over crowded.

Warm & Cozy
Making sure your home is warm and inviting is especially important during the Holiday Season. Create a festive feel with smells of gingerbread cookies or apple cider and add cozy pillows & throws to seating areas.

Break it Down – Feeling overwhelmed is only natural when looking at everything that needs to be done. Start by creating a list of areas within each room that need attention and set aside small periods of time to complete them one by one.

Prioritize Problem Areas – Focus first on the areas that will have an immediate affect on your day to day life. Reassess the usefulness of items cluttered in the areas of your home that are restricting you. For example, your kitchen table or island. Organizing these first will help inspire you to tackle other areas.

Don’t Wait to Donate – Most of us seem to have a pile of items that we plan to sell, discard, or donate. Try to move things out as frequently as possible to avoid just moving things from one pile to another.

Optimize Storage Space – There may be areas in your home where it’s possible to create more storage space. For example, take advantage of available vertical space by adding extra shelves, stackable bins or hooks.

Never Ending – Decluttering your home does not have to have a finish line. Try to find enjoyment in the process as well as the end result. Each task will help restore beauty and functionality to your home and you may even call in love with it all over again!

Texture:

Add texture and color to your table setting by selecting a table cloth, runner, and/ or cloth napkins that match your decor or dinner theme.

Foliage:

Fill in empty space with a touch of nature to bring natural scents & colour. Add vases, single stems, or lay greenery to enhance your table setting.

Lighting:

Use different tones of light by blending a variety of candle shapes & sizes in holders that compliment your decor. If you need more than candle light, try adding other styles of lighting such as string lights.

1. Selecting Art:

• Consider the Room: Think about the style and color scheme of the room. Your art should complement the existing decor.
• Size Matters: Choose art that fits the space well. Consider the wall size and the furniture around it.

2. Placement Planning:

• Eye Level: The center of the artwork should be at eye level for the average person. This is generally around 57 to 60 inches from the floor.
• Grouping Art: If you’re hanging multiple pieces, consider their arrangement. Aim for a cohesive look, whether it’s a grid or a more eclectic grouping.

3. Hanging the art:

• Fill Holes: If there are existing holes, fill them and touch up the paint
• Measuring Tools: Use a tape measure to ensure precise placement and a level ensures your art is straight.
• Choose the right hardware Choose appropriate hooks or anchors based on the weight of the artwork.
• Measure & mark Find the centre point on the wall for individual piece and don’t forget to account for the position of the wire if there is one,
• For multiple pieces, is useful to pay them out on the floor first and move them around until you are happy with the arrangement

4. Other Considerations:

• Lighting: If possible, consider how lighting in the room interacts with the art. Avoid glare on glass-covered artwork.
• Maintain Consistency If you’re hanging multiple pieces, maintain consistent spacing between them and aim for a consistent height for all art pieces in a room.