It's the time of year where summer and fall need to be packed up and put away to make room for the upcoming holiday and winter seasons. Time has flown by and in different parts of the world, shoe racks need to be switched from flip flops to warm boots and swimsuits need to replaced in dresser drawers by cozy sweaters. Here are some ways to get started on your 'changing of the seasons' home project.
Pack It Up
The key to home organization is a good collection of storage containers. The act of simply packing up clothes and shoes that are out of season can make a huge difference in your house, as it will create space (and therefore less clutter) as well as making room for the new season's arrivals. If you don't have large plastic containers with lids, either purchase some or simply get some big cardboard boxes from your local grocery store.
Label It
Some large storage containers come with dry erase or chalkboard areas on which you can write the contents of boxes. Even without such a fancy categorization technique, simply a roll of masking tape and a large permanent marker have the same effect.
Try to keep holiday items together; for example, if you are packing up Halloween decorations, consider buying the large orange containers found in home improvement stores. Color-coding your storage (green for Christmas storage, and so on) eliminates the need to label. Clothing should be labeled for sizing, but try to pack up contractor bags for donating to charity in order to cut down on storage space in your attic or basement.
Fall/Winter Cleaning
You hear about spring cleaning all the time, but fall/winter with all its back-to-school clutter and sports equipment mud can often be a time where your home needs a good cleaning the most. Set time aside on your calendar for vacuuming, cleaning the bathrooms, or scrubbing the kitchen. Have a little extra cash? Consider a whole house cleaning- nothing makes you feel your home is ready for company more than a good scrub.
Decorate Your Dining Room
The oft-unused formal dining room often becomes the focus of seasonal holiday events. Clear the bills off the table, put on a pretty seasonal tablecloth, and buy some matching candles or a pretty silk flower arrangement for a centerpiece. Feeling like there's one truly welcoming room in your home will help you be more comfortable with the upcoming family visits and holiday celebrations.
One final tip: consider giving your self a 'cleaning deadline.' Invite some friends over for a dinner party or a Christmas cookie exchange: nothing helps get your home ready for the holiday than the reality of certain guest arrivals!
Mary McCarthy - Mary T. McCarthy is the blogger at pajamasandcoffee.com and Editor of Chesapeake Family magazine.
