Monthly Archives

April 2016

Bree’s Small Space Organization Secrets

Bree here, from Home Zone Furniture.

Take a look around. When was the last time you cleaned out the nearest drawer? Last month? Last year? Can’t remember? You’re not alone!

Cabinets, drawers and file cabinets rarely receive the same attention that closets do during decluttering frenzies. By clearing out these key spaces, you’ll be amazed at how much space you’ll free up. These are my best tips for giving cluttered, unusable pieces a much-needed makeover.

Clean up and clean out

When cleaning out stand-alone items like cabinets, dresses and armoires, I begin by taking absolutely everything out. If you have items sitting on top, clear them off, too. Once it’s empty, wipe down the piece inside and out. If you’re happy with how this piece works in your home and just want to de-clutter it, take this time to sort through everything before putting it back in. By eliminating things you don’t use or which were misplaced, you can start using this space the way you always intended.

Ask the five Ws

Ask yourself the who, what, when, where, why of this space to help make it more efficient. Who will use it, what will it hold, when is it being used, where will it work best and why do you need it? These questions are particularly pertinent when the piece of furniture can be moved. For instance, if you have a cabinet in your office you thought you’d use but don’t, move it to another room where organization is a pressing matter. Once you think critically about how the space is being used, you’re on the right track to maximizing efficiency and making room for the essentials.

Organization tools

Maybe you’re moving your dresser to your daughter’s room. Maybe it’s staying in the same place, but you’ve decluttered the inside. Either way, don’t forget to break out your organization tools before you put everything back in! Before you decide which dividers, bins or boxes you might need for internal organization, lay out all of your things in front of you and group like with like. From there, you’ll have a better idea of how you want to organize each group of items. For some of the larger items, you might need plastic bins, while for smaller items like socks or knickknacks, you can even use a sturdy shoe box. Keep in mind that the internal organization doesn’t have to be a work of art — it just has to work.

Seasonal check-up

Bins, dividers and the like will help keep your small spaces tidy, but that doesn’t mean it will be immune to the occasional throw-and-go. While we all try to resist the temptation to stuff something in a drawer that doesn’t belong, it happens. At the start of each season, be sure to add a clean-out of your peskiest drawers and cabinets to the organization schedule to make sure these spaces stay clean and efficient.

Bree

Stylish End Tables We Love

Bree here, from Home Zone Furniture.

The way you choose to decorate your home is largely based on intuition. No one knows your family or how it works like you do. While some items in your home may vary depending on your style, it’s safe to say that a home doesn’t feel complete without a few well-placed end tables. Home Zone Furniture offers a wide selection of end tables, but these four are my top picks in terms of both function and style!

You’ll be hard-pressed to find an end table that’s better for your family room than the Deagen. The Deagen is a contemporary piece with straight lines, angled legs and a rich, dark brown finish. Not only is this end table sturdy enough to withstand kids of all ages, but the storage shelf is a must-have for a high-traffic room. Unlike others of its kind, the Deagen’s shelf is located directly underneath the tabletop. That means you can easily hide unsightly objects, like the remote control or celebrity gossip magazines!

For sleek, modern flair, go with the Coylin end table. The Coylin has a sharp, clean look with an angular design and a brushed nickel finish. The X-shaped support on either side of the table is a particularly striking feature which creates an illusion of space and lightness. Due to the clear, beveled glass table top, I’d suggest placing this end table in a low-traffic area, such as the formal living room, for a dose of contemporary beauty.

If you gravitate towards vintage-inspired pieces, you’ll like the Tallenfield Chairside Table. This end table is higher than most, making it the perfect partner for couches with tall arms or a high back. The Tallenfield is an interesting mixture of colors and textures. I love the way the heavily distressed plank look is integrated with a bronze X-shaped brace design. An intricate piece like this would be lovely in traditional or eclectic homes alike.

To make a statement, choose the Zanders end table. The curvilinear brace is certainly eye-catching, and the natural slate mosaic inlay on top and the birch veneer exemplify rustic elegance at its finest. What this end table lacks in storage space it makes up for in high design. Place the Zanders in a library or formal space where storage isn’t essential, but extra surface space is needed. Wherever you may put it, the Zanders end table is sure to refine any atmosphere with its unique look.

Which end table would work best for your family and lifestyle?

Bree

Seasonal

How to clean your cleaning tools

Bree here, from Home Zone Furniture.

Have you ever spent all day cleaning house only to be disappointed with the results? I have. While a targeted checklist is certainly an important component to getting everything done, the most overlooked reason your house isn’t as clean as you’d expect could all boil down to your cleaning tools. That’s right: The tools you use to clean your home could just be perpetuating the mess.

From your mop to your toilet brush, cleaning tools need to be cleaned themselves in order to do their jobs efficiently. Why go through the trouble of tending to these household essentials regularly? Aside from having a house so clean that it sparkles, your dutifully maintained cleaning tools will save you time (they’ll work faster and better) and money (you won’t have to replace them as regularly).

Vacuum

Each vacuum is different, so while there are common pointers everyone can use, your user manual will provide you with an in-depth explanation of how to thoroughly clean your vacuum cleaner. Firstly, empty your canister after each and every use so the vacuum can run faster and last longer. Once a month or so, take your vacuum cleaner apart and clean every tube and connection you can get to with a damp rag or canned air. Take scissors to the brush rollers at the bottom to cut out any hair and debris that might be trapped.

Broom

A clean broom is the first step toward clean floors. Wipe down the handle of the broom, then do your best to remove any hair or large debris stuck to the bottom. Next, submerge your broom in a bucket filled with soapy water and continue to brush out the bristles. Once it’s clean, throw out the bucket water and run hot water over the broom until the runoff is clean. Let the broom dry in the sun, if possible.

Sponges

The sponge that hangs around your kitchen sink is a notoriously dirty cleaning tool. Sponges not only collect bits of food and bacteria from scrubbing dishes, but they can also pick up an unsavory mildew smell from sitting damp for too long. Luckily, there’s an easy solution. To clean your sponge, thoroughly soak it in water then stick it in the microwave for 30 seconds to a minute. This will kill bacteria, eliminate odor and generate steam. When the minute is up, open the microwave door and let the sponge sit for a minute to cool off before removing it. While the microwave trick is an easy way to clean sponges, remember that sponges should still be replaced every month!

Toilet brush

Your toilet brush should be disinfected once a month to maintain a clean bathroom. To thoroughly clean the toilet brush, combine a full kettle of boiling water with one cup of bleach. Let the brush sit in the mixture for an hour, and in no time, you’ll have a cleaning tool that’s as good as new.

Washing machine

In the long run, tending to your washing machine means you’re also tending to your clothing. After every load, take the time to wipe down the rubber seal — water, dirt and debris can get easily trapped here. Once a month, go a step further to banish bacteria and odors by running your washer with warm water and one cup of white vinegar. Leave the door open when the empty load is done, and you’ll have fresher feeling (and smelling!) laundry. By the way, you can use this same cleaning recipe on your dishwasher!

It’s hard to believe that our trusty cleaning tools could be so dirty, but give them a good scrubbing and you’ll be amazed at how much more efficient they become.

Happy cleaning!

Bree