Outdoor patio decor tips - organized and practical!

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Summer is here, and that means getting the most out of whatever outdoor space you have. In Calgary, our summer is typically limited to two months, and even then, those two months aren’t guaranteed. It’s important to keep this in mind when decorating an outdoor space because some ideas, while they might look or sound like a good idea, might not work with the weather we can experience here in the city.

-       Establish what space there is, and what it will be used for. If the space is tiny, figure out what kind of space you want to have. A place to relax? Cook and eat food? This will help prioritize what key furniture items will be needed and where they should go. If the space is larger and can have multiple areas for cooking and relaxing, plan out what area functions best for each activity. For example, having a barbeque and eating area closer to the house is more practical because it has closer access to the kitchen inside. Also, when setting up an entertainment set, it might be best to put it in a way that either doesn’t or does get sun, depending on your preference.

-       Keep the basic furniture pieces and paint (if used) neutral or monochromatic. This way, when the items fade or become weathered, it won’t be as noticeable.

-       Make accessories and accent pieces colourful. Cushions, curtains, pillows, and table cloths typically wear out faster, so go all out with bold colours or prints, and if they fade or get old, they can easily be replaced.

-       Buy weather resistant cushions and decorations because Calgary is notorious for summer storms. Whether cushions are left out in the rain or the sun, having a waterproof and sun proof material means you don’t have to worry about replacing them as often. Furniture like couches or chairs with built in storage is also a great option for storing cushions and pillows if they are not weather resistant.

-       Utilize wall space. This advice not only works in homes, but works outdoors as well. Most backyards and patios or decks offer wall or fence space that can be used to your advantage. Shelves or cupboards can be put up, or décor accents like outdoor art pieces, hanging flower pots, and light fixtures can be added for decoration and storage options.

Ultimately, what matters is that you create a space that you can use and enjoy! [INSERT TWEET THIS LINK]

Unpack to Organize - The Garage

The garage can often be pushed to the bottom of the priority list when it comes to unpacking a home. However, the garage is often a major storage space. There are a lot of items that need to be unpacked, organized, and stored in an easily accessible way.

The first thing to do when unpacking a garage is to go through all your items and purge. It can be a challenge to part with items and easy to justify keeping old exercise equipment and gardening tools, but try asking yourself when was the last time it was used, if you are very likely to use it again, and if there will even be room for you to store it.

Once items have been decluttered, sort like items with like. For example, gather all the hardware tools, gardening tools, sports equipment, and others into separate areas.

After you determine what items you have, and they are sorted together, the next step is to plan out the storage in your garage. Creating different “zones” for each category of items is a great way to stay organized and make it easier to find specific objects. This guide can help you plan out where to set up zones around your garage. 

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 Image credit: https://www.google.ca/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=imgres&cd=&ved=0ahUKEwiQ5cTRwIPNAhVHSlIKHfblD1UQjRwIBw&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pinterest.com%2Flot13%2Fs-o-garage-shed%2F&psig=AFQjCNGD4a-Ih7E-Q1mrrGNldDyiCuV9PQ&ust=1464756317389099

Now, depending what objects are in each zone, the type of storage must be determined. For example, peg boards are useful for tools and hardware. Racks are good for larger tools like shovels and rakes. Check out our next blog post coming later in the month for 5 Ways to Maintain Order in Your Garage!

In these before and after photos of a garage Calm Order worked on, wall panels were installed on the wall, and hooks, baskets, and racks were added to store the items.

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Before image of a garage Calm Order organized.

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After image of a garage Calm Order organized using wall panels.

It can be easy to post pone unpacking and organizing the garage. As Peter Walsh said, “later is the best friend of clutter.” Don’t leave it until later – get unpacked to an organized garage now! [INSERT TWEET THIS LINK].

Unpack to Organize - The Office

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An office room can be made up of multiple parts and items will all need to be unpacked and placed in the right spot after moving. From computer cords and accessories to paper clips and pencils, unpacking an office may seem like a daunting task – but it doesn’t have to be!

-       First, take stock of all of the items you have, and make sure that each item is necessary and will have a place to go. This is your chance to purge old or damaged supplies, or donate unused items.

-       Next, plan out your office space. Before moving in desks and shelves, make sure you know where everything is going. Also, determine what drawers, shelves, and cupboards will store what items, what files and folders will go in what cabinet, and if any other shelving materials need to be purchased. This plan will help relieve a lot of stress when it comes time to put office supplies away!

-       Once all of the furniture and larger pieces are put in place, it’s time to tackle the electronics. Computers can have a lot of attachments and wires, so don’t rush this step. Make sure everything is connected properly, and that cables are kept neat and organized to prevent anything from catching on them. Other electronics like a phone, printer, and lamp, can also be set up.

-       Start unpacking your office supplies with the frequently used items first, like pens, pencils, paper, and calendar. Use drawer organizers to help keep all your office supplies organized. Try to tackle only one box at a time – don’t get overwhelmed!

-       Filing cabinets and bookcases can then be unpacked, because the items typically aren’t needed right away. Any paper weights or office decorations can be added too, but remember, try to keep the decorations to a minimum, because a lot of them only invite more clutter into your space.

Creating a plan for your office space, and knowing what items need to go where before you start unpacking your boxes will make unpacking into an organized space a lot more feasible. There are a lot of different components that go into an office, so unpack step by step until the space is complete!

Moving Tip - label your electronic cords Before you take them apart. It will help you know what cord goes with each device!