I’m in the process of moving. Again. Its easy to get stressed out when your home is in boxes, and having moved my fair share of times throughout the years (twice since I’ve been authoring this blog alone), I’m more than willing to admit it does not get any easier.
It may be getting harder in fact, as I find I’m accumulating more and more stuff. I was lucky enough to have friends to recruit to help me face the daunting task of getting my drawers and closets and bookshelves into boxes. Sometimes you need an outsider’s opinion to help you through the purging process, so you don’t convince yourself everything you own has sentimental value and is worth keeping (my preferred approach).
Since I find myself too close to the situation, often without even realizing it, an impartial observer can be crucial to help you evaluate what is junk and what is not. After all, who wants to waste time and energy moving junk from place to place? The Unclutterersuggests that moving is a great opportunity to prioritize your belongings and get organized.
Organization is not my strong suit, but using some simple guidelines, I was able to feel a little bit like I could take control of the situation. Unclutterers suggest asking yourself simple questions like:
• Have I used or worn this in the past year?
• Do I absolutely need this item in my new home?
• Do I really like this item?
• Does this item work as intended?
(If the answer is no, that’s your cue to junk it.)
Take Things One Step at a Time
I’m proud to report I purged a lot over the eventful moving weekend. And I’m not ashamed to admit it felt good. Really good. Make it feel even better by taking advantage of craigslist: list items on there and you might even find you make some extra spending cash. And if you’ve got the time and the ambition, a yard sale is an equally feel good approach.
Moving your home can be stressful, but it dosen’t have be if you invest the time to get yourself organized, get some unbiased help, make a plan, and stick to the plan. Deep breaths can do wonders too.
I spent the weekend in Bend, OR and it was a stunning and urgent reminder that winter is on the way. My favorite part of the trip? Camping out on the floor in front of the fireplace to warm up. Maybe its those genes of ours that spent time as cavemen, or maybe its just that the warmth of a fire feels so relaxing after being out in the cold, but fireplaces are quick to top my list of winter survival essentials.
While I realize the convenience and ease of gas fireplaces, I’m not entirely sold on the idea. I don’t think there’s a substitute for the crackling kindling and smoky aroma that makes a fireplace a fireplace. Lets be clear, have you ever tried roasting a marshmallow over a gas fireplace? Besides feeling a little awkward, I’m betting there’s a good chance you could ruin your gas stove.
Nothing instantly cozies up your house in the winter like a smoldering fire in the hearth, and fireplace remodels are a great way to add charm and value to your home. Not to mention all the benefits you’ll reap, cocoa in hand, watching the flicker and flash of your real fire.
I recently came across this quote in the New York Times Home & Garden section from a veteran contractor:
“A contractor is like a cold: you’re not going to get rid of it.”
That is sage advice from someone who has spent their entire career in the remodeling industry. You don’t want to get stuck with a contractor you’re not happy with for the length of a major remodeling project.
Almost everyone has heard stories about contractors who did less than satisfactory jobs, left giant messes, or were generally frustrating to work with.
At worst, you may have heard of homeowners who were conned into giving large sums of money to a contractor only to have them disappear, or of contractors who started on a project, made a mess ripping things apart, but then never showed up to the job site again.
While these stories may scare you, instead of fearing the contractor hiring process, just make sure you know what you need to do to end up with a contractor you’ll love.
Essential parts of the contractor hiring process are:
1. Receive Multiple Estimates: Getting at least three estimates will enable you to compare prices from different contractors. Take the time to talk with each contractor and get a feel for which one you will be most comfortable working with and having in your home. A sign of a good contractor is one who is on time, communicates effectively with you, and presents himself professionally.
2.Get a Contract: Don’t do anything with a contractor unless you have it in writing. Any professional contractor will create a contract for both parties to agree to before starting work. This protects both homeowners, and the contractor, and ensures that the project is done to your exact specifications.
3. Check References: You should check the professional references of any contractor you are thinking of hiring. You can ask to see past work, as well as ask for prior client contact information. When talking to former clients, have a list of questions to ask them, such as “How close to the project timeline was your project completed?” and “Did the contractor clean up the job site after completion?” Former clients can give great insight into a contractor’s work.
4. Check License and Insurance Information: Make sure to check the that the remodeling contractor you choose is licensed, bonded, and insured. Proper licensing and insurance doesn’t guarantee a job will be completed to your satisfaction, but it does give you leverage with your local consumer affairs department who can investigate any problems on your behalf. To obtain a license, a remodeling contractor must undergo a background check, pass a written test and pay for the license. They should be able to provide copies of their licenses, and you can verify these licenses with the proper state agencies.
Taking the time to go through each of these steps, and simply using your instinct and common sense, will ensure that you get a contractor who does the job right.
Here are some helpful links to help you hire the right contractor:
You might be surprised at what your front door says about you. Its one of the first things visitors to your home will notice, and such an important impression creator should deserve some of your attention. Front doors are also thought, in most situations, to set the stage for the rest of the home. So read up and choose carefully.
There are all kinds of front doors. They’re as individual it seems now as the people that own them. This can make things a bit complicated when you’re replacing yours, because this means there is a lot of contemplation involved when its time to decide on a door.
While the style of your house can certainly direct what type of door might look nice, you’ve still got a lot in terms of flexibility and design choices as a result of just the sheer numbers of doors available out there for your perusal.
There are generally three basic types of traditional front entry doors, classified by their composition as either:
steel
fiberglass
wood
I suggest narrowing down which of these you need first and then looking at the specific styles contained with in each type. That should help you get a handle on things before you have to start seriously thinking about the design aspect of your front door.
Another key front door consideration you might want to spend some time on is deciding weather or not you prefer windows in your door. There are many different schools of thought surrounding the proper window styles for front door, and while this is ultimately your decision to make, you might want to think about things like security and durability in addition to the strictly style aspect of the door.
People would say I’m organized. Particular even. But the truth is I’m hiding a shameful little secret called my closet. And my suspicion is I’m not the only one. I try to keep my bedroom orderly and calm so I can fall asleep in a peaceful place, but for some reason all bets are off when it comes to the closet. And it gets harder and harder to ignore the last line of defense that is my closet door.
At any moment, the chaos therein threatens to unleash unruly pandemonium on my ordered little universe. I comfort myself with the hope however that this is not an uncommon circumstance and that otherwise cleanly and organized individuals find themselves completely unable to face the escalating horrors of their closet.
Just because we’re in good company however, does not make the situation any less reprehensible. Just think of all the un-used outfits that have been swallowed, absorbed by the darkest depths of your closet. How many great pairs of shoes have been lost to the abyss?
Its time to reclaim our closets…and, more importantly, our shoes. But if it’s too much to face by yourself, recruit some help. Be it a professional closet contractor, or just some close pals and a bottle of wine to get you through, you can reclaim your closet and bring your wardrobing world back into balance.
Getting organized doesn’t have to be a chore; It can be satisfying and even fun. The options for great closet spaces are great sources for inspiration:
To hire a professional home stager, or do it yourself?
These are just some of the questions that plague the minds of individuals in the market to sell their homes. Just how worth it is home staging though? Before you spend the money, it would be nice to know if you could count on a return on your investment, right?
The trouble is, home staging is a loosely defined art at best. There are some common sense tips floating around out there, but what kind of measurable result will forking over the cash for the professional contribute towards your home’s resale value? The answer to this question is subject to debate naturally, but if you ask this blogger, if you’ve got even a bit of the do-it-yourself-ing spirit, this is one area where you can save yourself some money.
Where should you start to stage it yourself? Think in terms of marketability: what colors, patterns, features etc. are going to appeal to the widest possible audience while still making your place seem ‘homey?’
You don’t have to be afraid anymore, here are some tips to get you started:
• Get curb appeal: clean up the yard, put down new sod, new house numbers, welcome mat etc.
• Fresh Color: Paint to make your home feel newer and more open and inviting
• Purge: 86 anything old or worn out, this includes carpeting, furniture, tile etc. This also applies to anything that personalizes your house. For example, family photos and fridge magnets should be out in hurry. Potential buyers won’t be able to visualize themselves living in your home if you’re still there.
• Naked Windows: get rid of window treatments. All of them. You want your home to seem bigger and more open. Nothing shrinks a room more than giant valances and heavy drapery.
• Smell the sell: Seriously, bake some chocolate chip cookies and let the warm fuzzies do the selling for you. Ok, so maybe your place dosen’t have to smell like freshly baking cookies, but it couldn’t hurt, and it certainly shouldn’t smell bad. Double check that everything is clean and fresh, and keep Fido outside. As much as we may love our furry friends, buyers may not dig the dander, or the odor that comes along with them.
• Size matters: The furniture you use should appropriately fit the space without overwhelming it.
• Lighten up: Never underestimate the power of good lighting. This might bring out the warm fuzzies even more than the cookies. For a really simple way to apply this tip, just turn on all the lights, even if you’re showing your house during the day.
You might be surprised at what your front door says about you. Its one of the first things visitors to your home will notice, and such an important impression creator should deserve some of your attention. Front doors are also thought, in most situations, to set the stage for the rest of the home. So read up and choose carefully. 
Another key front door consideration you might want to spend some time on is deciding weather or not you prefer windows in your door. There are many different schools of thought surrounding the proper window styles for front door, and while this is ultimately your decision to make, you might want to think about things like security and durability in addition to the strictly style aspect of the door.
organized individuals find themselves completely unable to face the escalating horrors of their closet. 
Loading ...
