Rooms in Your Home That Need the Most Cleaning Attention

Your house is where you can relax and be yourself. It’s the most comfortable space where you spend a significant part of your life. A clean home provides safety and relaxation, which is why you need to keep your rooms free of possible dangers and pests. There are rooms in your home that need the most cleaning attention. Learn more about how to keep them clean.

Kitchen Area and Countertops

Your kitchen area is one of the rooms you use the most. It brings people together because of one crucial element we can’t live without: food. Cooking is an activity that involves many ingredients, from raw foods like fish or chicken to spicy jalapenos and spices. Cleaning will ensure no cross-contamination occurs. It’ll also prevent crumbs from collecting. These crumbs can lead to insects and pests entering the house if you leave them alone.

Bathrooms and Shower

This is the one room where cleaning is of utmost importance. A bathroom contains many germs that could cause infections. It’s where you and your family clean yourselves and get rid of dirt. The different factors that come into a bathroom will stay there unless you attend to them. Bathrooms are among the few spaces where you need to use strong disinfectants and soap.

Car Garage

This area of the house is useful for storage. But cleaning and organization are crucial to prevent pests like rats and bugs from making nests and infesting your home. You can rent a 10-yard dumpster to throw away large amounts of junk that have accumulated in the garage for years. Doing so will get rid of potential pest hiding places. Move things around, throw away items you don’t need, and create a safe and valuable space in your garage.

Patio and Trash Cans

Anywhere there’s trash, small animals, insects, and germs will appear. To have a safe space inside your house, you must also ensure that the outside is clean. It’s a good idea to keep your trash cans closed when they’re full and away from entryways to your house. Avoid keeping junk on your patio like old furniture or tables to have a safer property.

Bedrooms

The area where you sleep directly influences your health. The bedrooms are among the main rooms in your home that need the most cleaning attention. Unlike bathrooms, you can’t use harsh chemicals in your bedrooms. You only need soap, water, and some bleach to keep this area clean and safe. Washing the sheets in your bed once a week will ensure that no germs or bacteria accumulate that could cause sleeping or skin problems.

Clever Tips To Maximize Space in a Small Home

Living in a small home can be challenging. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the lack of space and quickly lose your sense of order, but organization is key. The following tips are designed to help you regain order and better use your living space. If your home includes one, you can try some ways to reorganize your basement. By learning how to maximize your space, you’ll soon find that your small home is not quite as cramped as it seems!

Eliminate Clutter

To begin, you have to get rid of the clutter. Don’t be afraid of throwing things out—you don’t need them, and it’s not doing anyone any good sitting in your closet or basement. You can also donate items that you no longer use but that someone else may need, such as gently used clothing or supplies for a local school.

Finally, make sure there are no dead spots in your home where clutter tends to accumulate; this includes corners by doors leading outside and hallways near staircases.

Get Organized

The best tip to maximize space in a small home is to organize the space you do have. Maybe there is a room that could serve a different purpose. You can start to reorganize the space you do have to extend your living space. Every room having a purpose and organized contents can make a huge difference in your daily life.

Create a Closet Office

If you want to use a closet as a home office, choose one with doors that open outward. This will give you more space inside and allow you to easily get in and out of the room without moving things around each time.

It’s also essential to make sure that there is enough room for a desk inside. You can find desks of various sizes at stores like Ikea, Walmart, or even online. 

Invest in Shelving Units

Shelving units are a great way to store books, DVDs, and other items. You can install them in the kitchen, living room, and bedroom. Shelving units can be intricate to match your style or simple and almost disappear within your décor. 

Go Vertical in the Living Room

It’s time to maximize the vertical space in your living room. The best tip to maximize space in a small home is to use wall space, shelves, and cabinets to store things that would otherwise take up floor space. You can also use a ladder to reach high shelves or wall hooks to hang things from the ceiling.

Clever Home Solutions

As you can see, there are many creative ways to use storage and make space in your small home. The trick is to be open-minded and think outside the box. Remember that even if you have a tiny house, it doesn’t mean you are limited when it comes to storage! Think about what you need, then start exploring all the possibilities that exist—you may find something perfect for your unique needs. Above all else, don’t give up until you’ve explored and utilized every square inch!

How to Set Up an Effective Home Office

The coronavirus pandemic has significantly altered the operations of numerous organizations. While some are already switching back to their original business model, many are embracing the changes as part of the new normal.

For instance, instead of requiring employees to go back to the office full-time, plenty of businesses are implementing a hybrid setup. This work arrangement allows staff members to work in both onsite and offsite locations. While this is generally a flexible and convenient arrangement, it can be a challenge for those who struggle to keep their performance consistent.

Consider this: a traditional office is a well-equipped environment that is conducive to working. On the other hand, a home is seen primarily as a place of rest. Hence, moving to and from remote and onsite locations can disrupt momentum and decrease productivity.

If you find yourself in this dilemma, fret not. You can build a workspace that is as comfortable as your home and as effective as your office. Here are some styling tips you should consider.

1. Choose a strategic location

Before diving straight into the design process, it's crucial to select a good location. Consider the amount of space and privacy you need to work efficiently. Also, think about the traffic flow of the room as well as your ability to resist distractions.

If you prefer a quiet, isolated place, keep out of busy areas like the living room and the kitchen. Also, consider factors, such as where the windows and doors of the room lead to. If the space you choose is often used as a route to and from different points of the house or is placed near a noisy spot in the neighborhood, that may not be an ideal work environment.

2. Less is more

Don't overdo the furniture. Unless you're sharing your office with someone else, you only need a few items. A minimalist desk with a sleek design and enough space for your electronics and paperwork is more than adequate. You can even choose one that blends seamlessly with the interior design of your house.

A floor-to-ceiling shelving system may also be impractical. A cabinet or a three-rack trolley unit already provides ample storage space for one person. As for wall decor, make sure you choose pieces that add function as well as aesthetic value, such as a memo board or floating shelves. A large artwork may be nice to look at, but your wall space can be used for so much more than just decoration.

3. Enliven the space with greenery

Add a pop of greenery to your home office to avoid feeling bored and lethargic. Plants help regulate humidity and improve indoor air quality. Moreover, seeing greenery can brighten your mood and make you feel calm.

In addition to creating a relaxing space, plants can also help you fight stress and loneliness. Caring for living things is rewarding and provides you with purpose, especially when you see your indoor plants thrive. However, if you're completely new to raising greenery, try low-maintenance plants like cacti, golden photos, ivy, and succulents.

4. Colors are crucial

Like plants, certain colors can affect the mood in different ways. As such, be sure to paint your space with a color that keeps you focused and awake. Avoid dull and monotonous tones like gray and beige.

A cheery hue, such as lime green or lemon yellow, is great if you want a bright workspace. If you prefer a soothing environment, go for cooler shades like forest green and ocean blue. You can also add vivid decor pieces, such as a tapestry or artwork for an extra burst of color.

5. Good lighting is key

Quality lighting is essential in every workspace. Natural light is the best choice but if your chosen area is not located near windows, you will have to install additional light fixtures.

Huge pendant lights or cylinder bulbs may not be suitable because they glow intensely and take up a lot of ceiling height. Choose more subtle lighting that is proportionate to the size of your home office, such as wall sconces, floor lamps, or functional desk lamps. Flush mounts and recessed lighting are also great options if the room has a low ceiling.

6. Have enough storage

Storage equipment is a vital part of a well-designed office. Despite a lot of things being digital, you may still have paper documents and materials that need sorting. Your office supplies should also have designated storage places to stay organized.

It's hard to work in a disorderly and chaotic environment. Finding specific items in a pile of clutter also takes a lot of time, eating away what could have been productive work hours.

A space-saving hack is to forego large pieces like complicated cabinetry, bulky bookcases, and built-in shelves. Go for practical options such as wall-mounted bins, small filing cabinets, and vertical open shelving. You can also purchase an office desk with built-in drawers, so you won't need an additional storage tool for your office supplies.

7. Always prioritize comfort

For your health and comfort, it's essential to invest in an ergonomic chair. Prolonged sitting can cause health problems since it puts a lot of stress and pressure on the spine. If you spend long hours every day slumped in your office chair, an ergonomically correct seat is worth the splurge.

Ergonomic chairs are designed to provide the best support for the human body, taking into consideration factors such as health, comfort, back support, and posture. You can also choose one with a swivel feature for convenience. Moreover, make sure your desk is of an appropriate height so you won't have to lean forward or slouch to reach the surface.

8. Consider your window treatments

Your window treatments can significantly affect the lighting and ventilation in your home office. Accordingly, since you have a wide range of options, be sure to select window treatments that add more dimension to the area and maximize the available natural lighting while preventing glare.

With the right curtains, drapes, or blinds, you can make your workspace appear more spacious and cozy. Apart from the type, you should also consider the fabric. Do you want light airy drapes or dense curtains that absorb heat properly? Furthermore, make sure the window treatments complement the rest of your home décor.

How to Stay Productive While Working from Home

Having a designated workspace is an effective way to improve home office productivity. However, there are other things you can try to work more efficiently at home.

1. Reduce digital distractions

It's easier to avoid checking social media in the office, but the freedom that comes with working from home can make it harder to withstand the temptation. Thus, it's advisable to keep your mobile phone away during work hours. You can leave it in a separate room and only use it during breaks. 

You can also uninstall social media applications on your computer, log out of your accounts before starting work, and disable all social media notifications and alerts. In addition, do not place a TV or gaming console in your home office to eliminate opportunities to slack off.

2. Schedule your breaks

Being productive means you should also have enough rest. Hence, take a few breaks to give your body and mind a chance to relax and recharge. Having regular breaks can keep you from being too tired, uninspired, and burned out.

Every 30 minutes, get up from your desk, stretch out your arms and back, and walk around. You should also allocate time for interacting with family members or your pets.

3. Create a daily to-do list

Write a to-do list to keep yourself accountable every day. Having a list to refer to can help you identify high-priority tasks so you can set aside the appropriate time needed to accomplish each one. Don't forget to include any scheduled calls or meetings in your to-do list. Also, it's best to write your list at the end of every workday, so you can head off to a good start the next morning.

4. Communicate with household members

If you live with your spouse or children, take some time to talk about each other's expectations at the beginning of your workdays. It's hard to juggle caring for kids and working on tasks, so inform them beforehand about your workload and window time. This way, they can avoid disturbing you during busy hours.

Try to establish a schedule for your entire household, as well. Coordinate every family member’s schedules to accommodate the need for doing chores, caring for children or pets, and other activities. You may also consider waking up at least an hour or two earlier, so you can finish some work while the rest of the family is asleep.

The Takeaway

Staying focused and productive while working at home is a huge challenge for many employees. Since the future of work is here today, expect your company to transition to a hybrid model for its workforce soon. That said, it's crucial to be prepared and build a well-designed and comfortable home office that can cater to the demands of a remote or hybrid work setup.

8 Simple Ways to Organize Your Craft Room

We partnered with a art supply company for this post. The opinions in the post are honest. All reviews and opinions expressed in this post are based on our personal views. We are excited because we know you will love it.

Having hobbies is super fun, but sometimes the supplies and finished products can take up too much space and make a clutter. Here are 8 simple ways to organize your craft room and make it a fantastic place to work in.

1. SORT AND CATEGORIZE INTO DIFFERENT CONTAINERS

You don't want to go rummaging through large boxes with a bunch of different stuff to find what you need, so start by separating things into different categories and containers. Whether you like baskets, drawers, or boxes, you will surely find something that fits the style of your room. When organizing your craft room, avoid things that will make it look cluttered. For smaller items, instead of putting them all in one place, consider buying a file organizer or small craft drawers. You will save time from having to sort through them to try and find what you need. And if you want to save some money, we recommend using DIY ways to organize.

2. ORGANIZE YOUR CRAFT ROOM WITH SHELVES AND DRAWERS

Now that you have your items organized, it's time to find a place for them! Open shelving is great because it makes your things easy to find. With nice-looking containers, the room will come together as well. You can decorate the containers and your shelf in a way that speaks to you and make a space you feel inspired to create. Other than that, a cheap way to organize things is to buy plastic drawers. Combine them with some drawer dividers to make the most of them.

3. TOO MANY SUPPLIES? INVEST IN EXTRA STORAGE SPACE!

Sometimes, the space we have is limited, and even if we don't have many things, they still make the room look cluttered. So for storing all those extra craft supplies, on-site solutions are the answer. For an affordable price, you will declutter your home and have your supplies safely stored near you. You've probably thought about getting rid of crafts you've made because you just don't have the space to keep them. That will no longer be the case with a smart solution like this. 

4. ONE OF THE SIMPLE WAYS TO ORGANIZE YOUR CRAFT ROOM IS TO LABEL EVERYTHING

The best piece of advice is to label everything as you sort it. It will take up a little of your time and has many advantages. You won't have to look into every drawer or box to find out what's in it. Knowing that everything has a designated place will make you more prone to putting things away in their right place instead of leaving them wherever's convenient. Today you have so many different types of labels, so even if you opt for transparent storage containers, you can still label what's inside to make it look nicer.s

5. USE VERTICAL SPACE TO THE MAX

There are so many practical ways to utilize vertical space. For example, you can hang a rack or a shoe organizer on the inside of your door or buy one of many beautiful baskets to hang on the walls. If you use a lot of paper for crafting, buy a wall-mounted paper roll holder. You can easily add cupboards or floor-to-ceiling shelves with a ladder for easy access to those things you don't use every day. Turn your supplies into décor with pegboards or magnet boards. They are easy to install and really practical because you can organize and customize them however you want. With these, your tools will be easily visible and accessible with just a hand's reach. Furthermore, they free up more space on your crafting surface for projects!

6. BUY PRACTICAL FURNITURE

If you want to redesign your crafting space completely, find the most useful pieces of furniture for the space. Until you decide what you want to keep and what not, professionals from Zippy Shell Columbus advise you to ask for help storing and moving your old furniture. What sort of pieces of furniture should you look for? Look for items that don't take up too much space and that have multiple purposes. Many desks have shelves on the side that can be used for supplies you use most often. And if your room is small, you can buy a wall-mounted desk that can be folded into the wall or even an expandable desk that you can use for bigger projects without it taking up most of the room. What's great is multi-purpose furniture, such as a bench that has storage space underneath. Also, just because a space is hard to reach doesn't mean it can't be used for storage! For example, we recommend finding a rolling storage cart in the space between your closet and a wall. It's easily accessible and makes the most of this situation.

7. REUSE AND REPURPOSE YOUR HOUSEHOLD ITEMS

This way is both budget and eco-friendly! So many different things can be repurposed as storage solutions, such as an old jewelry stand. This is great for hanging smaller items like scissors or washi tape. Another thing that can be repurposed is old spice containers and spice racks that can hold many different items without taking up much space. Besides that, hang old planters on the wall instead of buying new shelves. For paper, you can reuse and decorate an old mail sorter. Old jars and tins can be very useful, and you can decorate them in so many different ways. When working with certain materials like acrylic sheets, knowing the right way to cut them can save time and effort. If you're considering using acrylic in your projects, check out this guide to ensure a smooth and precise cut.

8. MAKE A DESIGNATED DISPLAY PLACE FOR YOUR FINISHED CRAFTS

No matter what you like to create, it's nice to organize your craft room and leave a little room for all your finished products. You will have a sense of accomplishment and be motivated to design and make even more. Your art will be the center of attention to anyone walking into your craft room. You will feel proud of yourself and get the energy to create even more!