Guest Post - Practical Strategies for a More Organized Home This Winter

In winter, we have a tendency to get a little bit more disorganized. The cold weather and dark days can make it a little bit harder to stay on top of things.

This article will cover some strategies that will help you maintain your home this winter while still maintaining your sanity.

The goal of home organization is to make your routines easier and your space more productive. Not only that, but you will be able to have a clean living environment for yourself and your family. And the best part? You don’t have to spend any money on products or services. All you need is some simple knowledge and the desire!

Imagine coming home from work, school, errands or socializing with friends. The last thing you have the energy for is to spend hours cleaning up all over again just so that you can feel at ease in your own home.

Your house needs an organizational plan before it becomes a disaster!

How to Deal With the Clutter and Get Rid of It Quickly

Clutter is a common problem that can easily be solved with a few tricks.

Do you need to declutter? Take a look at these decluttering tips. The process is not easy, but it’s worth it.

We must remember that clutter doesn’t only come in the form of physical items. We also need to clear our thoughts and get rid of mental clutter. The following are some tips on how to deal with clutter for the winter time:

• Go through your clothes and get rid of anything you don't wear anymore

• Organize your home's storage spaces

• Declutter kitchen cupboards or pantry by throwing away expired food or old spices

• Take control over your inbox - unsubscribe from any email lists you don't read regularly, delete spam emails, make rules to prioritize important emails

Why is a More Organized Home Important in Winter?

Winter is a very cold and rough season, especially for those who live in Northwest Europe. It can be tough to make the house look tidy when there are no leaves on the trees and all of the plants are dead.

It may seem like a daunting task to make your house organized, but it is easier than you think. Start by decluttering your home - get rid of any items that you don't use or have not used in a very long time. The more clutter-free your home is, the less work it will be in the future when winter comes around again.

1. How to Become Less of a Clutter Person This Winter with These 4 Steps

One of the biggest causes of clutter is when we cling to items that we don't need. They may be useful at one point but they soon become unnecessary and useless.

If you want to declutter your home this winter, these steps will help you do it:

1. Make a list of all the things in your house that you don't use anymore and never plan to use again.

2. Get rid of the things on your list by donating them to charity or throwing them away if necessary.

3. Clean up your living space and throw away any trash that has accumulated because there's no longer anything cluttering up your home!

4. If there are items that have sentimental value to you, put them in a separate box so they won't get mixed up with other stuff.

8 Great Ideas for Decluttering Your House in just 10 Minutes

Looking at a cluttered house can make you feel overwhelmed, frustrated and unhappy.

In order to get it into a tidy shape, all you need is 10 minutes of your time and these 8 great ideas.

1. Start small.

2. Create a "picking station."

3. Set aside an hour on Sunday night to declutter while watching TV or movies.

4. Sort papers by person for easy reference.

5. Put away what you have used in the last month.

6. Tackle one floor at a time so your mind doesn't get scattered. 

7. Designate a place for all of your clutter that will help keep things from piling up again.

8. Use hooks or over-the-door organizers to keep things away from the floor.

How I Finally Mastered the Art of Tidying Up My House and It's Working!

Many people underestimate the power of a tidy home and think it is not worth the effort. But I beg to differ. It has been scientifically proven that a tidy and organized home provides many mental, physical, and emotional benefits to its inhabitants.

For me, it has helped to make a game out of it. Put the timer to five minutes and see how much you can tidy up in just this short time. If you did well, don't forget to reward yourself with a little treat.

Practical Strategies for a More Organized Life

People often underestimate the importance of organizing their life and don’t realize the difference it can make. It is a common misconception that organization is time consuming and doesn’t bring any benefits.

The fact is that organization does not only help you save time, but also improves your general satisfaction and wellness.

Here are some simple strategies to help organize your life:

• Create a list of goals: The first step in organizing your life is to know what you want from it, so you need to create a list of goals. These may be short-term or long-term goals, but their importance should be the same for you. The purpose of this step is to provide clarity and motivation for all other steps ahead.

• Make a plan: Once you know your goals it is time for action. Some find it helpful to break tasks down into smaller steps.

Conclusion: Start Organizing Your Stuff This Winter for More Happiness

Organizing your stuff will help you to be more productive and happier. The best time to do it is this winter when we don't have many distractions and we need to slow down a bit anyway.

Bio

This article was written by a real estate team. They are the founders of www.propertyunder20k.com and www.listproperty4free.com with the goal to search the cheapest real estate in the world and make it easy for others to find. The team is made up of landlords, real estate investors, architects and builders from several different countries.  We just love to have a good strong cup of coffee while we write our experiences.

Finding Inspiration for Your Next Home Project

Home improvement projects are extremely popular across the country. The industry itself is exceedingly successful, seeing as in 2020, Americans spent about $457 billion on home improvement projects. A lot of that had to do with people spending more time at home, but it’s a trend that’s here to stay as more people are working remotely and want living spaces that make them feel comfortable. 

However, even if you know you want to strap on your tool belt and tackle a home project, you might not know exactly where you want to get started. 

If that’s the case, don’t worry. There are plenty of places you can find inspiration for your next home project. You just have to be willing to use your imagination, get a little creative, and decide which renovations are most important to you. 

So, if you’re still scratching your head about where you can find inspiration, keep reading for a few helpful tips.

Look for Ideas Everywhere

Thankfully, because the home improvement industry has become so popular, there are countless ways to find inspiration for your next project. 

And, let’s face it, the Internet also makes it easier than ever. 

Browsing online is a great place to start gathering project ideas. Check out things like: 

• Home improvement/renovation blogs

• YouTube channels

• Pinterest

• Social media

You can also take things one step further and look at how other people have designed their homes. That can put things into a more realistic perspective for you. Looking on real estate websites like Zillow will allow you to check out houses that might have similar layouts to your own. So, you’ll get a more accurate feel of how your living space might look. 

You might also see designs and decor that you would have never considered before just by taking ideas from other people’s projects. House hunting can be fun, even if you’re not looking to buy anything. Additionally, you can get a feel for which design and decorating trends can boost a home’s value by checking out listing prices. If you ever do plan on selling, knowing some of those ideas can make a big difference in the projects you choose. 

Set Your Project Priorities

Finding inspiration for your next home project can quickly become “the easy part” once you start digging. But, you can hone in on that inspiration by setting your priorities and thinking about things that really need to be done around your house. 

If you’re not sure how to get started there, think about areas of your life you want to improve, and how making changes at home can help. 

For example, are you working remotely? Maybe your next project should be renovating a room into an office space. Did you give up your gym membership but not your fitness goals? Why not turn your basement or den into a home workout space? Even if you just want a cozy place to read and journal each day, let that be your priority. It can give you the motivation and inspiration you need to get started and to make positive changes around your home. 

If you’re ready to make changes to your living space, don’t let finding inspiration overwhelm you. It can actually be one of the most fun parts of the whole project if you’re willing to get creative and step outside of the box. 

Whether you look online, watch home improvement shows, or even check out what others are doing to tap into the latest design trends in their homes, make sure you choose a project that fits your needs and wants. When you do, you’ll feel more “at home” than ever, and you’ll be even more motivated to tackle the next one. 

Guest Post - Plumbing Upgrades That Help With Water Conservation

Here's an interesting statistic: the average American uses an average of 88 gallons a day. Undeniably, that's a lot of water! That said, if you want to improve your conservation efforts (and save money simultaneously), you can start by saving water. 

Fortunately, routine plumbing maintenance and investing in the right plumbing upgrades can cut your water utility bills by more than a third and save you a substantial amount of water. Plumbing fixtures come in all finishes, profiles, and styles, and the options can seem endless. 

Below are some of the plumbing upgrades that can help minimize water consumption, help conserve water,  and keep your water utility bills low:

Pressure-Reducing Valve

While unfortunate, many households often use more water than they need because there's too much water pressure in the pipes. In reality, homeowners won't notice any change if the home's water pressure has dropped from 70 to 35 psi (pressure per square inch).

Fortunately, this is where installing a pressure-reducing valve can come in handy. A pressure-reducing valve works by automatically controlling the amount of pressure that flows into the pipe system. You will need the help of a professional and competent plumbing contractor to measure the psi and install the pressure valve.

Electric Water Heater

This might not be common knowledge, but the water heater is one of the biggest consumers of electricity in households. This is especially true if you are using an older model. The good thing is you can save a significant amount on your heating bill by switching to electric heaters. 

Electric heaters work by heating water on-demand, so you won't need to heat water in a tank constantly. To maximize your savings, make sure you pick the most energy-efficient model you can find.

High-Efficiency Toilets

Do you have an idea how much water is used each time you flush the toilet? The answer might just surprise you. If you are using an old bowl, you will send at least 3.5 gallons of water down the drain each time you flush. By investing in a high-efficiency toilet, you will not only save thousands of gallons of water annually, you will also slash your water bills substantially.

Low-Flow Showerheads

Did you know that showering can use as much as 2.5 gallons of water per minute? It's no surprise showering accounts for up to 20% of the typical household's water consumption. If you are the type who loves long and luxurious showers, it would be a smart idea to invest in a low-flow showerhead.

Low-flow showerheads can reduce your water usage by a staggering 70 percent. Another enticing benefit of using low-flow showerheads is that the less water used, the less wear and stress on the water heater. This means you can save on both the water and electricity costs.

Water-Saving Fixtures

In the average household, faucets, toilets, and showers account for 63 percent of water usage. You will be surprised by the amount of water (and money) you can save when you upgrade outdated plumbing fixtures. 

• Installing a high-efficiency toilet can save you as much as 13,000 gallons of water usage annually. You can also save around $2,000 over the service life of your fixtures.

• You can save as much as 2,900 gallons of water annually by investing in low-flow showerheads. The amount of energy you can save on heating water can power your home for almost two weeks!

• Low-flow faucets can save you enough water to enjoy 40 showers each year—free of charge. Also, refitting your old faucets with aerators can make them as efficient as today's new models.

Do some research or ask an expert to help you determine plumbing upgrades and leak fixtures that can help you conserve water and save money without compromising performance. It is also recommended that you opt for products that have been tested by third-party organizations to ensure they meet the strict standards set by the Environmental Protection Agency.

Final Thoughts

While investing in plumbing upgrades will require a significant upfront cost, the investment will save you a substantial amount of water and money down the road. If you can use further advice and recommendations on how you can save water and money through your plumbing, don't hesitate to seek the help of a trusted plumbing contractor.

About the author

Rachel Watson is the Senior Content Editor of Precision Air & Plumbing, a full-service HVAC, plumbing, and home performance contractor operating in Chandler, Arizona. Rachel enjoys yoga and writing articles about how to make home living more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly.

The Most Common Defective Products Found in the Home

We use our appliances every day. Our kids play with toys every day. The United States is the biggest consumer goods market in the world—we use lots of different products in our everyday life! To keep your family safe and your home a pleasant place to be, look out for the most common defective products found in the home. Get rid of any malfunctioning items now to prevent disaster later!

Kitchen Appliances

A fridge that doesn’t keep your food cold leads to spoiled food that can make you sick. Any appliances that use electricity should have functional and safe wiring; electrical problems, especially in items you use every day, can cause severe burns. And make sure your blender and food processor are in good working condition. Anything with fast-moving parts should close tightly, and blades should be secure.

Heating Equipment

Portable heaters and space heaters present a fire hazard. Follow proper safety precautions and don’t leave the heater near any curtains or furniture that can catch fire. However, if you follow all safety precautions and the heat still causes damage, the temperature controls and auto-shutoff settings may be defective. If your heater burns you or scorches your furniture, research whether you have a product liability case and contact an attorney for further advice.

Toys

Back in the ‘70s, many toys featured lead paint—which infamously led to poisoning in scores of children. Although toy manufacturers no longer use lead paint, other defects can crop up, like sharp edges and loose parts that can snap off and pose a choking hazard. When you buy toys for your kids, read any warnings on the packaging and be aware of any small parts or potential dangers they pose during regular play.

Cleaning Products

Any cleaning product should have a label that lists every ingredient and potential hazard it poses. If a cleaning product releases toxic gases, this may legally be considered a product defect if the label didn’t adequately warn you of the possible danger. All chemicals should warn you if you need to open your windows while you clean.

Smoke Alarms

It’s better to be on the safe side and have an overly sensitive smoke alarm than a lazy one. If you rent your home, your landlord has a responsibility to install a working smoke alarm. If you own your home, the company that made the alarm has a responsibility to sell working smoke alarms.

Keep your living space safe by checking the working condition of items you and your family use every day. These are only a few of the most common defective products found in the home, so keep your well-being in mind as you use them.