School is almost in session - make sure your home is too!

The school season is now upon us, which means it’s time to make sure that not only are you and/or your children are ready, but also your home. 

It’s important to make sure you have all the necessary supplies, but buying extra items and storing them in your home isn’t always necessary. These extra supplies often sit unused throughout the year and are eventually forgotten, so only buy what is necessary, and take stock of the items you already have before you do.  

Once you have all of the essential school supplies, you’ll need a place to store it all – backpacks, lunch kits, water bottles, homework, textbooks, etc. To make your home and your family more organized, set up a designated area for school work and prevent these items from creating clutter in other areas of your home. [INSERT TWEET THIS LINK] 

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• Hang backpacks up and add individual white boards and file folders or bins to keep each child organized. The white boards can be used to keep track of homework, tests, and assignment deadlines, as well as any due dates for forms and permission slips. The folders and bins can be used to store textbooks, homework, water bottles, and other school supplies so they are in easy reach each morning before leaving. 

• A portable homework station or caddy can also be useful if there isn’t space for a permanent area. Use a caddy or a portable tray that can hold school supplies, and set up a mini whiteboard or calendar on the fridge or another area that is easily accessible so important dates and tasks can be seen. 

• Over the door shoe organizers or wall/door mounted file folders can also be used to store homework and important papers and supplies. Not only will you maximize on storage space, but you can keep the items out of sight over the weekends and holidays when they aren’t being used. Objects can also be organized based on priority or organized by person. 

• School lunch items can also have a designated bin or area in a pantry. This will help you keep track of what you have available and will also prevent others from using them up outside of school lunch. Food and supplies like Tupperware containers, utensils, and lunch kits themselves can all be kept in one area to save time and increase efficiency when it comes to packing lunches. 

Unpack to Organize after Summer Vacation

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Unpacking from a summer vacation is very similar to unpacking after moving your home. It might not be on as large of a scale, but like moving, unpacking from a trip is often stressful and tiring. The last thing you want to do after being on the road or in the air for multiple hours is have to unpack.  

Do yourself a favour and get the hard work done before the trip home! The way you pack up your belongings has a huge impact on what you will have to do once you get in the door. If you get in later in the day or the evening, unpacking your belongings in an organized way is often far from your mind – but it doesn’t have to be. We’ve got some suggestions to help you get organized before you even depart from your summer vacation. 

1. Get your laundry sorted out 

Don’t make yourself have to go through all of your clothes as soon as you get home. Instead, take a plastic bag with you before you leave on your trip, and throughout your vacation add your used clothing to the bag. This way, your dirty clothes will be separated from your clean clothes, and ready to be taken to the laundry room when you get back. 

2. Pack your essentials last 

They’re your essentials for a reason, so often they’ll be the items you pack last minute and need as soon as you get home. Instead of shoving them in any pocket or area of your suitcase that you can find, place all these items in pockets that are easily accessible, or at the top of your suitcase in the same area. When you open it up, everything you need to access right away will be in reach – no rummaging around necessary! 

3. Prioritize your items 

Items like shoes, sunscreen, books or magazines, and toys should be relegated to the bottom of your suitcase. If you don’t have time to unpack all of your bags when you get home, don’t worry about it. Give priority to your essential items, and then unpack based on how urgently you need to use your items. If you have multiple bags, it might work to categorize the items into different bags based on their level of necessity. However, make sure you know what bags have what items in them beforehand.  

4. Delegate  

Whether there is a group travelling or just yourself, don’t let anyone slack off when it comes to unpacking. Although some items don’t need to be unpacked right away, leaving suitcases half full of items for multiple days can just add unwanted clutter and disorganization. Make sure that you and other travelling companions know what needs to be unpacked and when. Lists, organizers, or even organizing and list apps (like Sortly) can help everyone stay on track of what essentials need to be unpacked and when.  

People go on vacations to relax - but there is no reason why this feeling has to go away when you unpack after vacation. Pack smart before you leave so you can easily unpack to an organized home![INSERT TWEET THIS LINK].

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]