Hey Gang!

Spring has officially started and that means it's time for spring-cleaning again. It may seem a little overwhelming at first but it can be quite easy if you plan ahead. Check out these tips for making your spring cleaning like a spring breeze:

Make a checklist - Before you begin, make a list of all of the places you want to clean around your house. It's also a good idea to make a list of cleaning supplies you will need.

Create a realistic schedule - Spring-cleaning is a lot of work but if you make a schedule and stick to it, you can finish it up in no time! Keep in mind, you most likely won't be able to get it all done in one weekend.

Throw away unwanted items - Before you get to work, you'll want to throw away items that are cluttering your home. This will make the cleaning process much easier.

Clean - It's best to clean your entire house when you do your spring-cleaning, but you'll want to focus on key areas such as your windows, drapes, refrigerator and bathroom. Also, make sure to dust your home thoroughly.

Organize - Part of the cleaning process is making sure everything is put away in its correct place. Storage bins and organizers can be very helpful!

What are your spring-cleaning tips?

Ciao!

Lisa

Photo Credits: TLC, Newbeehomeschooler, ECampusBlog, SmithBlogOnline, Squidoo

Hey Gang!

It’s almost time to start spring cleaning and I think the closet is a great place to start! Here are three tips I’ve learned to help keep your closet in top-notch shape:

1. Uniform hangers. When you have a set of uniform hangers, your clothes just hang better and more evenly. If you’ve collected a mixed bunch over the years, it just might be time to trade them on in.


2. Shoeboxes. Shoetrees and shoe racks work too, but I’m a fan of the good old-fashion stackable shoebox like these ones. But whatever you do, make sure you have an organized method of storing that footwear!


3. Color coordination. Try organizing your clothes by color. It doesn’t cost a thing and gives your closet a whole new look!


How do you keep your closet in order?

Ciao!

Lisa

Hi gang!

It’s a new year, which for most of us, means New Year’s Resolutions! One popular resolution is getting organized, so I thought I’d share a few tips for going from cluttered to calm courtesy of HGTV’s Fran Harris. Check it out:

Home Rule #1: Everything Has Its Optimal Place 

Newspapers don't belong on top of the refrigerator or on the floor by the front door. Earrings don't belong on the counter by the stove. Decide where things should go and start putting them there today.

Home Rule #2: Put Things in Their Place Immediately aka the Ice Cream Rule

If you walk into your house with a pint of ice cream, you don't leave it on the counter for an hour, do you? No. It goes in the freezer now, or you'll be sorry later. Apply the "ice cream rule” to everything in your house and life. Doing so will minimize the likelihood of creating a cluttered living space.

Home Rule #3: Alert the Troops

Make sure everyone in the house knows about the new organization system so that your hard work and commitment aren't in vain. It may take a while for the new system to catch on but don't worry. When people see how much smoother things are at home, they'll jump on board.

Thanks, Fran! How do you plan to get organized in 2012?

Ciao!
Lisa

Related Stories:

Declutter Before Decorating
The Cheapest Way to Remodel? Declutter!
From Frumpy Sitting Room to Sophisticated Study
Get Organized

Hi gang!

Often, if a decorating project seems overwhelming, it's because a room contains too much clutter!

My favorite part about decluttering is that it's free - and the results can be dramatic! This living room was disorganized before my crew from HGTV and I got our hands on it, but now it's an inviting space, centered around the all-important fireplace.

We also added a new chandelier and window treatments in the foyer and painted the walls with warm, neutral paint to soften the room.

What room in your house needs to be decluttered the most?

Ciao!
Lisa

Hi everyone!

My last staging to sell installment (for now!) is about clean up and de-cluttering tips that seem obvious…but that might escape your notice as you get your house ready to show.

Unpleasant pet odors won't win over buyers. We all love our pets, but unpleasant pet odors can make a negative first impression. Be sure to get rid of old carpet that can trap offensive smells. Replace it with fresh new carpet in a neutral color. Plus, if you paint the walls to match, your living room will look bigger. It'll go from designed to smell to designed to sell.

Pack up unnecessary items and furniture before you show the house. An over-packed living room is a red flag to buyers that your home lacks storage space. Pack up unnecessary items and furniture, and move items to your garage or a nearby storage facility. Clear the way for a sale by letting buyers see your square footage, not your personal belongings.

Storage space sells!

Potential buyers love homes that have lots of storage space. Since they will open your closets, it's a good idea to clear out unnecessary clutter, and organize your shelves to show off how much storage you really have. Plus, it gives you a chance to start packing, as you will definitely be moving once buyers see all that closet space.
 
De-cluttering is always a good step to take before packing, and it feels great to get organized. What staging to sell tips have you used in the past?
 
Bye for now!
Lisa

Hi friends!

In this episode of HGTV's "Designed to Sell", I help a couple to de-clutter, and with a few decorative touches, completely transform their home. The result? They sold their home for $50,000 above their asking price!

Is it time to declutter your home?

By for now!
Lisa

If the thought of redecorating overwhelms you, back up a step and get organized!
This room is not about lack of space or storage, it’s about messiness and lack of organization. If you have loads of stuff, remember that you can keep it without displaying it at all times!

Start by getting rid of 25 to 50 percent of the things in each room of your house. You’ll be amazed at how this opens up your space! Once you’ve pared down, get to organizing the stuff you plan to keep. Remember, visual clutter creates more actual clutter. Here are some tips for getting it under control:

• Pack and organize your stuff into storage bins
• Bins can be handsome! Pick out some that you love
• Organize possessions into groups of “like” objects – i.e. all shoes in one place, all clothes in one place
• Give away what you can to friends or a local thrift store
• If you have a lot of books, consider donating some of them to a local library
• Neatly store sentimental items that you want to keep (but not display) in a clearly labeled bin
• Invest in a paper shredder and either file or shred any loose papers you’re keeping around the house
• Encourage your kids or teens to donate old books and toys to an organization of their choice
• Get together with your neighbors and hold a garage sale

If you have tons of beloved collections, put them on rotation! Too many small collectable objects become distracting and then no single object stands out. Group smaller display objects into odd numbered groupings.

Once you’ve de-cluttered, I guarantee that decorating will seem a lot more fun!

After

Earlier today I showed you a picture of a cluttered office, with some suggestions for improvement. Well, we transformed the office that just “happened” (pictured below) into a sophisticated workspace (pictured above)! Can you believe it’s the same room?

Before

A “Library-Office” feel is always sexy. Rich but cool wall colors look dramatic but they aren’t distracting. Instead, cool colors allow for concentration and calm. For this office, we chose a multi-purpose desk for multiple users. The desk could even be pulled into the middle of the room for projects and crafts or family game night. The repetition of bookshelves creates sculpture and drama. The shelves also could have easily been standard bookcases with doors for more storage – you can choose whatever is right for your needs. Chandeliers always add beautiful light and every room can have one, even your office!

Without all the clutter, this room looks bigger and more like a space that would make you look forward to working. Have you redecorated a room recently? Post your before and after photos in the forum and “like” them. I’ll check them out and may feature them on the blog!