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When it’s time to graduate from your dorm or your small apartment, the change can be overwhelming. We have so many things but not enough room to store it. This leads to clutter. Clutter can have negative impacts not only on your property, but also on your mind and psyche. Despite one’s best intentions, mountains of “things” can encroach on vital physical and emotional space.

Here’s how to combat clutter:

Homeownership comes with its joys and its challenges. One reality all owners must face is that, eventually, everything will need mending. As such, it pays to understand which factors will push you into either repairing an existing feature and those indicating a replacement is in order.

Let’s start with the flooring. Have you noticed wear and tear on the hardwood floors or tiles in the bathroom? These indicators could mean it’s time for a refinish. For hardwood floors, you’ll want to inspect the boards for scratches, dents, sun damage causing discoloration and water damage. If these seem manageable and mainly cosmetic, you could refinish the surface by hiring professionals to sand and apply a fresh coat of polyurethane.

However, if the floors show significant damage that cannot be patched or covered, especially if there is water damage affecting the baseboards, it may be time to replace. Another indicator that replacement is necessary is the height of the boards. Resurfacing requires a thick enough surface and if you’re down to the nails, sanding and refinishing just won’t be possible.

For further examples of home projects and how to assess the scale of work needed, please see the accompanying resource.

While the dullness of household chores will often leave families unmotivated, it’s work that must be done. This work is made easier with the help of many disinfecting products and other household cleaners. Though these products are used so candidly, few of the users ever stop to consider their chemical make-up, which can cause harm if not handled or stored properly. Smarter storage is the one of the most important elements of limiting the dangers these products can impose. Convenience is always preferred but is seldom the safest option. Finding a healthy balance between the two is where a family should reside. It can be difficult to find a convenient spot for these items to sit when they are in excess. Few families will ever take inventory of their current selection and will allow excess to form, opening up the opportunity for more harm. Smart and selective storage, then, is the safest option for your family. For more information on how to be smarter and more selective in your home, read on to the resource accompanying this post.

Household Chemical Storage Guide from SolvChem Custom Packaging Division, an organization specializing in industrial chemical services

There are many good reasons for downsizing into a small home. Bigger isn’t always better, contrary to what people usually say or think. The extra space of a larger home encourages us to fill them with things we don’t need, sometimes leading to a disorganized mess. Cutting out that clutter in your life will do wonders for your psyche.

If you’re considering this kind of lifestyle change, read more about it in the accompanying guide!

Few of us are lucky enough to live in a place of our dreams, which means most of us must work with what we got. No matter how small your place might be, there are simple techniques to create the illusion of additional space. Manipulating things like color, texture and patterns won’t add any square footage to your home but will help you feel less cramped and claustrophobic. For example, using a monochromatic color palette will make a room feel more airy and open, compared to a room with loads of contrast.

The accompanying guide contains many more ideas on how to make your small place feel like a big space. Apply them to your home and it will feel much closer to the dream space you’ve always wanted.

Congratulations! You’ve added a she shed to your backyard, built a craft room addition above your garage, or turned an extra bedroom into a cozy reading room. No matter where your sanctuary is, now is your opportunity to decorate the comfy space especially for you. Here are some ideas to get creativity flowing.

Decide on a decor theme: Maybe your home yoga studio will have a boho flair, complete with a rattan sofa, Moroccan ottomans on the floor, or a macramé hammock suspended from the ceiling. Or perhaps you want to give a Hollywood glam vibe to your walk-in closet by including a tufted sofa with hobnail trim. Whatever suits your tastes.

Incorporate versatile, dimmable and smart lighting: Your private room might have several purposes. If that’s the case, include versatile lighting. You will want over-the-shoulder lighting for reading, task lighting for crafts, and soft, glowing light strings for long winter naps. Look for floor lamps with dimmer switches and attached reading lights. If you want to go high tech, investigate voice-activated smart lights, for when your hands are full. There are even smart light bulbs that change colors.

Use “hide-away” furniture: If your book nook still needs to double as a guest room, free space by incorporating convertible furniture, such as a sleeper sofa or a pull-down Murphy bed.

Wrap up: Keep a cozy electric blanket or warm afghan handy for chilly days. 

Make room for your BFFs (best furry friends): Cats and dogs appreciate good naps, too. Be sure they have separate comfy, color-coordinated beds and pillows to snooze upon, while they keep you company. 

Bloom where you are planted: Plants are good for your body and mind. Having plants in your space can lower blood pressure, increase attentiveness and raise productivity, which makes them well-suited for home offices. The aromas of plants can benefit your physical and mental health. For example, the scent of eucalyptus may help relieve cold symptoms, and the scent of lavender is said to be calming. If you’re a foodie, stock potted herbs to use in your cooking, such as rosemary, basil and thyme.

Store important beverage and snack equipment: Include a coffee maker, electric tea kettle and mini fridge. (Pro tip: This is where to keep your favorite ice cream that you don’t want your kids to find.) 

Make it personal: 

• Gather your vacation photos and group them into shadow boxes with souvenirs from your trips.
• Frame your kids’ early masterpieces and hang them on the walls.
• If you still have your old record collection, display favorite album covers.
• Unpack all your boxes and plastic totes that are stored in the garage to uncover forgotten treasures.

Now that you have your cozy space, create the look you’ve always wanted. See the accompanying resource created by the experts in online furniture shopping.

Moving to a new home can be demanding, though not quite as much as a newborn. When faced with the prospect of handling both tasks simultaneously, parents might be stressed, to say the least. Not to worry: Despite the heavy load, there are ways to make the upcoming move a success. Below are a few words of advice on juggling moving boxes in one hand and a baby in the other.

First, it’s essential to go over the move with the baby’s pediatrician. Because a newborn doesn’t have a developed immune system, it’s important to make sure travel will be safe beforehand. Whether with precautions specific to the child or just general recommendations, these experts can get parents going on the right path.

It’s also a perfect opportunity to gather any necessary documentation to take to a new doctor or ask for a referral. Having healthcare and childcare providers lined up in advance can make the transition easier, especially as they may have waiting lists.

One of the top suggestions from parents who have handled a relocation with an infant is to stay on routine as much as possible. By following the same established patterns day-to-day, the baby may adjust to the new home sooner, and moving day itself may not be so problematic. Accomplishing this can be done several ways, but a tried-and-true tip is to save the baby’s room for last in terms of packing.

While decorations can be wrapped up and ready to go, it’s advised to pack diapers, wipes, a few outfits, toiletries and formula last. Likewise, these supplies should be kept readily available during the move and unpacked first on arrival at the new place. If it’s a long move, pack a box with everything needed for the first night and keep it separated from the rest. The goal of this is to prevent unpacking a bunch of boxes out of order or making a late-night run to the store for lost items.

Another recommendation is to hire a moving company to take on some of the heavy lifting. Finding a reliable company to not only haul the big items but to unload boxes and even unpack them can make all the difference. What’s more, this allows parents to focus on the baby while calmly delegating tasks and avoiding any moving-related injuries.

Lastly, parents should keep in mind that there could be a few hiccups along this journey. The key is to prepare ahead of time, take deep breaths and avoid stressors when possible. For additional pointers on moving with a newborn, please see the accompanying resource.

There are a lot people going through hard and frustrating times. You can help them channel and release their frustration by making Relax Bottles: water bottles decorated and filled with glitter. Watching the glitter settle after shaking the bottle can be relaxing. Check out the instructions below from Points of Light. 

What You Need:

• Clear plastic water bottles. (We recommend sturdier bottles)
• Clear Elmer’s Glue
• Hot water
• A mixing bowl (preferably one with a pouring spout to easily put it in the jar or use a funnel with the bowl)
• A whisk
• Food coloring
• Glitter
• Super glue 

Steps:

1. Buy the appropriate amount of glitter, food coloring, glue, and hot water. This depends on the size of the water bottles you are using, as well as the number of bottles you’re making.
2. To make the Relax Bottles:
   1. Pour Elmer’s clear glue and hot water into a mixing bowl, along with food coloring (add drop by drop until desired color is reached) and glitter.
   2. Mix with the whisk and pour right away into the water bottle.
   3. Clean the residual glitter out with a paper towel before rinsing and cleaning out the bowl.
   4. Shake the bottle to make sure the lid is secure. The glitter will settle at the bottom after 5 minutes roughly. Increase or decrease the wait time by adding water or glue.
   5. Repeat until all the bottles are made.
   6. Let the bottles cool with the lids removed (and out of reach of any children or pets).
   7. Once cool, secure the lid with superglue and let the glue dry.
3. Clean up!
4. Present the Relax Bottles to others in your home. 

Reflection Questions:

• How did this project help you or others in your home?
• Do you feel you made a difference?
• How else can you help others in your home relax?