Guest Post - 6 Excellent Organization Tips for Your Kitchen and Dining Areas

An unorganized living space can wreak much havoc into your day-to-day life. Dealing with a messy kitchen and dining area is a nightmare for every busy person since it can make mealtime very stressful. However, you deserve to unwind and enjoy yourself while you eat, be it on your own, with your family, or with guests. If you’d like to cut down on time spent trying to find the utensils in your kitchen and you’d like to impress your guests with the design of your dining room, read on.

Declutter your pantry and other storage areas

If your passion for organizing has been idle for some time, you probably have many things you don’t use, and will never need, lying around your pantry and kitchen shelves. To alleviate the stress when cooking, you need to roll up your sleeves, prepare some boxes and bags and be strict and start decluttering. The spices you got on vacation four years ago – into the trash they go. Check if you have some unopened food that you know you won’t be using and put it in a donation box. Take it to your local charity. They will surely appreciate your kindness!

Use glass containers

Now that you’ve thrown out things you forgot you even had in your kitchen, it’s time to really start organizing. Keeping your food in glass containers will give a more organized, as well as more elegant, look to your kitchen. Whether you're storing leftovers, bulk goods, or spices, glass containers such as jars and canisters will be a great addition to your kitchen. You can also easily tell when you're running out of oats, rice, and other pantry essentials when you use glass, unlike steel and non-transparent plastic containers. Another plus to glass is that it is healthier for you than the plastic option. Glass is easier to clean and it’s less porous. Therefore, it doesn’t absorb bacteria and other germs so your food will last longer.

Store related objects together

Your baking pans and mixer should be stored next to one another in the kitchen. Make a separate section for each category! Your baking essentials should all be kept in the same cupboard, where a shelf dedicated to baking goods such as sugar, flour, vanilla, and baking soda should also be. This is a great way to simplify the kitchen chaos and turn it into a functional cooking haven. Baking gingerbread cookies this Christmas could be an experience you thoroughly enjoy now that you know the location of everything you’ll need.

Display your dinnerware

If you don’t regularly use your fancy dinnerware, there’s no need to keep it in your kitchen with the utensils which get everyday use. A great idea is to move them to your dining room and store them in a cabinet. If you don’t own a hutch, this is a sign to get one. The hutches in which you’ll display your special dinnerware should look timeless, and be sturdy and durable. For example, you can find beautiful and eco-friendly Amish dining furniture that will add a cozy touch to your dining area with their beautifully hand-crafted hutches. Having trendy storage options in your dining room will liven up your eating experience and make your living space more functional.

Clean your kitchen and dining area regularly

It’s easy to lose control of your living area and have it turn into a land of disarray and clutter. This is especially likely to happen if you live with children. The little monsters storm the house, scattering around their belongings every time they enter the room. Your dining room is a place where you gather your whole family for dinner, not a playroom. An effective way to keep your dining area clean is to incorporate tidying up into your nighttime routine. It’s easier to put a couple of misplaced things back to their place before you go to bed than to have a huge clean-up once a month.

Decoration is key

Staying organized is simple when you like the design of your living space. This is why you should put more thought into the décor of your kitchen and dining area. Adding the much-needed warmth to your rooms can be easily achieved by placing soft cushions on your chairs or picking out a seasonal centerpiece for your dining table. Make sure you follow a certain color combination. As a result, your dining room will look gorgeous which will make you more likely to maintain the area’s cleanliness and organization.

Wrapping up

To sum up, if you care about making your kitchen and dining area immaculate, you should get rid of all the clutter prior to organizing. For your kitchen, choose glass containers. Pay attention to the order and way you use your appliances when placing them in their new designated spots. Finally, don’t forget about some gorgeous décor and furniture which will make it easier to maintain spotlessness while making your rooms feel homier.

About the author: Mike Johnston is an experienced blogger and editor with a background in creative writing and digital media. He’s a regular contributor to the ‘Smooth Decorator’ blog and numerous other online publications where he writes primarily about home improvement, interior design, and sustainable living.

Ways To Give Your Home an Effective Rustic Flair

The simplistic and rustic feel of a countryside aesthetic is massively appealing to a wide audience of homeowners. It not only feels easy but has elements of nature that we find naturally pleasing in our day-to-day lives. If you’re ready to make a change in your house’s appearance and atmosphere, read about some ways to give your home an effective rustic flair.

Use Reclaimed Wood

You can’t get anything more authentic than wood reclaimed directly from old barns and warehouses. Refurbished to be aesthetically pleasing and even stronger than newer wood, reclaimed burnished wood is a fantastic and unique choice that serves as a beautiful accent on walls, floors, and even ceilings. Furthermore, you can add a reclaimed wood barn door as a partition within your home, allowing you to open rooms or close them for privacy as you see fit.

Have Warm and Earthy Colors

Keep in mind that rustic style has an overall color palette. So one of the ways to give your home an effective rustic flair is to take advantage of warm and earthy colors. Using them creates a warm and cozy atmosphere that appears more vintage in tone. Some good ways to incorporate them include repainting the walls or incorporating furniture that uses warm colors or wood in its design. Lighting is also a powerful tool, as soft lights are vital for creating a cozy environment that allows you to enjoy evenings much more.

Go Green

As we mentioned, a large part of country aesthetic involves having close proximity to nature. Introducing more plants and foliage into your home is a great start, but you can also achieve the rustic lifestyle by turning to eco-friendly utility systems. Make use of the environment with solar panels, small wind turbines, and more. These additions will not only save you money but reduce your use of environmentally harmful resources like fossil fuels.

Acquire Antique Decorations

Thrifting might be the best way to find decorations for a more rustic home. Taking the time to clean up and decorate your home with antiques will make a room reminiscent of times past when the West was still wild and country life was much more common. Older furniture serves the same purpose. You can take an old dresser and refurbish it into a TV stand, for instance.

Guest Post - 5 Home Maintenance Tasks That Are Frequently Overlooked

Owning a home requires regular upkeep. With multiple maintenance tasks, it can be easy to let some things fall through the cracks. However, this can lead to costly repairs in the future. Here are five of the tasks you may be overlooking.

1. Examining Your Roof

Once homeowners move in, many of them start paying less attention to their roofs. However, storms and fallen branches can damage your exterior. Have your roof professionally inspected once a year.

You can also do your own examination from the ground. Using binoculars, look for any signs of cracked caulk or missing shingles. A missing chimney cap or masses of moss can be warning signs as well. If you notice these problems, get them repaired right away to prevent leaks.

Consider replacing your roofing with durable material, such as asphalt shingles or metal. While inspecting your roof, clean out your chimney as well. Move a cleaning brush up and down the flue to remove the soot. Then vacuum the fireplace.

2. Clearing Your Gutters

Quite often, gutters get overlooked since they are part of the roof. Yet, if you don't clear them, water can accumulate, leading to mold growth. Therefore, once a year, remove leaves and debris from your downspouts. When removing the debris, wear a long-sleeved shirt and gloves. Then, use a small plastic scoop or trowel to clear the leaves and pine needles.

If you don't like heights, consider hiring a professional cleaning service. If you have overflowing gutters or water damage, then call the service right away. While outside, rake fallen leaves to prevent water buildup and increase your curb appeal.

3. Inspecting Your HVAC System

Your heating and cooling unit is essential in maintaining a comfortable home environment. Although, sometimes they can become clogged with dust, decreasing their efficiency. The harder the system works, the more energy gets wasted, increasing your bills. Changing the filters can help fix this issue.

Before changing the filter, turn off the unit. Then follow the installation instructions. Ensure there aren't any gaps around the filter frame. It's also essential to get your system professionally inspected at least once a year.

4. Checking Your Water Heater

Some homeowners focus more on the visual features of their houses. So, they forget hidden components like water heaters. If left unchecked, sediment can build up at the bottom of the water heater. Flushing your hot water heater using a garden hose and bucket is an easy task that keeps your family safe.

You can also add some vinegar to your tank to increase its cleaning power. Suppose you're looking for a long-term solution? Consider installing a water softener, which can remove chemicals that harden your water.

5. Cleaning Your Refrigerator

Cleaning your refrigerator is often an overlooked maintenance task. You may be more focused on mopping the floors or superficially reorganizing the fridge. However, you want to clean your refrigerator condenser coils regularly. Vacuum them with a crevice or upholstery tool to remove any debris. Then place a duster or refrigerator coil brush between the rings.

Cleaning the coils helps to prevent clogs caused by dirt or dust. These clogs can decrease the effectiveness of the appliance and increase electricity bills. So, the next time you go to get a snack, give your fridge a good cleaning.

5 Home Maintenance Tasks to Do Today

When it comes to taking care of your home, there is so much to think about. Some projects may seem like a low priority but can prevent long-term issues from cropping up. Make sure to add these maintenance tasks to the top of your to-do list.

Author bio: Rose Morrison is the managing editor of Renovated, where she offers advice on home renovation, maintenance, and organization.nd slow-paced lifestyle now, because your little ones will be back in school before you know it!

Tips for Simplifying Your First Home Purchase

Becoming a first-time homeowner is daunting for many people, as the process of buying a house is complex and dense. Luckily, owning your very own property is an exciting and wonderful experience. If you’re in the market for a new abode, check out these tips for simplifying your first home purchase.

Research Your Market

The most significant decision to make when looking for a home is determining where you want to live. You want to pick the location that’s right for you and your family, so choosing the right neighborhood is imperative. Research the housing market you wish to buy into and figure out how much homes in that area cost. Starting your research early prepares you for market trends and makes the purchasing process more straightforward.

Luckily, many apps and websites exist online that showcase countless for-sale properties. Their helpful tools allow you to search for a home that will meet all your needs. Open houses are another great resource when researching a market, so look for ads in the newspaper and online.

Stay True to Your Budget

We’ve all seen someone on a real estate reality television show spend far more on a home than their budget would allow. To avoid this mistake, create a comprehensive budget well before your purchase that ensures you won’t spend a dime too much. Aim for a house that doesn’t exceed three to five times the household’s annual income.

When building your budget, consider every aspect of your new neighborhood, as your cost of living may rise when you move. With a complete, air-tight budget, your finances should be in order by the time you sign the dotted line. For additional funds and aid, apply for mortgages and other loans from your local bank.

Use a Good Real Estate Agent

To find the best house, you must hire the best house hunter. Real estate agents assist in all aspects of house hunting and purchasing, making your life far more manageable. A quality real estate agent is familiar with a property’s neighborhood and all of its features. Furthermore, they will advise you through every step of purchasing a home. Ultimately, a good agent greatly helps you narrow down your choices and eventually helps provide you with a beautiful house.

Don’t let the stress of house hunting deter you from becoming a homeowner. With these tips for simplifying your first home purchase, you are well prepared for the buying process and all its challenges.