The kids are heading back to school and as much as you loved the carefree days of summer, I think we all relish a time when we can get back to taking care of our homes, sprucing up, and putting a fresh spin on low-cost decorating. Here are my top ideas for fall.
1. Buy a new mat for the front door. Clean the door and sweep surrounding area. Nothing says neglect as much as a dirty entrance. While you’re at it put a large pot of flowers by the front door. It will welcome guests and give curb appeal at the same time.
2. If you have fallen in love with a very expensive fabric find ways to use it in small ways. Accent pillows, a table runner or placemats or better yet stretched over an artists canvas. Just stretch, fold corners and staple in the back. Instant art. You don’t have to spend a fortune to make the room look and feel luxurious.
3. Paint or wall paper the back of bookcases or dining room hutch. You’ll be amazed how it shows off dishes and favorite collectibles. If you wallpaper, just cut to size and use double faced tape to adhere.
4. Give your home a good cleaning and wash the windows. Enlist help from the kids and their friends for extra spending money and your home will sparkle. Crank up the music,provide snacks and don’t look for perfection just a clean house. Everyone wins!
5. Rearrange your furniture. It’s free. If you don’t like it, move it back. Sometimes taking a piece from another room is enough to make the room look fresh. Pull furniture out from the walls. Make groupings for easy conversation. Angling a sofa slightly in front of a focal point can make fraffic easier to navigate.
6. Use a small writing desk as a nightstand. It makes the room do double duty and looks great. It also affords more space for that glass of water and stack of books you’ve been meaning to read.
7. Edit, edit, edit. If it is not beautiful, meaningful or useful get rid of it. How many stuffed animals do your kids really play with. How many cookie sheets do you need, and those size 4 clothes you’ve been hanging onto…donate and feel cleansed. I keep a shopping bag in my closet and when it’s full I drop it off at Goodwill.
8. Have the kids go through their bookcases and donate all books that are no longer age appropriate. It teaches good habits and helps the community. Do the same for board games, action figures and outgrown clothes.
9. Clean out the junk drawer. Use a utensil divider to organize the loose items. Batteries, flashlight, tape measure, picture wire. Everything will be visable and much easier to find.
10. Clean out your pantry. Check expiration dates. Now group like items together. All baking staples should be together. Cake mixes, cupcake papers and flour together. Likewise with cereal and breakfast bars. Healthy snacks can be put on lower shelves for kids to grab on the way out the door.
