Cleaning Tips for the Master Bedroom

When it comes to home improvement or housework, organizing is the biggest challenge for most people. The master bedroom is a good place to start if you are considering getting your home in order. This is because it often becomes a catch-all for things that don’t have anywhere to go. Out of season clothes get stored here, books that don’t have shelves, even electronics, mail, and magazines seem to find a cozy home in the master bedroom at times.

The bedroom becomes a problem if we don’t make a point of keeping it in order. Most people only go into the master bedroom to sleep or put away laundry. We don’t spend the waking hours in there that we do in the living room, office or kitchen, so the master bedroom often gets neglected because we don’t have to look at it.

A good place to start is storage. You need to find room for all of those out of season clothes, magazines, mementos, books, and craft supplies. It is perfectly fine to keep all of these things in the bedroom, but you need to acknowledge that you are going to keep them here, and make a space for them.

You will need shelves for books. Get shelves deep enough that you can also use them for storing random small items. Bins and baskets can be put on the shelves and hold all of those little extras, like mementos, batteries, your video camera, and other little things that keep ending up in your bedroom.

A desk is great to have in the master bedroom. You can keep mail and other important papers private by keeping them in the bedroom instead of out in an office area that is more public. Your desk can also be used for craft supplies, a sewing machine, or an extra computer. If you have a lot of stuff to store, consider adding some cabinets around the desk area. Many people are able to utilize a corner unit and store a lot of stuff in a small, usable area.

The last thing to organize in your bedroom is the closet. Clothes hangers should match so that they hang straight. This will keep your clothes from becoming wrinkled and save you from having to re-iron them later. Hangers should be made to fit the clothes that you’re hanging on them. For example, a coat hanger is curved to help wool coats and suits hold their shape. A wood hanger is not only beautiful, but sturdy and smooth enough to use on a lot of different types of clothes.

Add shelving and a space for a laundry basket to the closet by getting shoes onto a shoe rack, luggage stored up high, and blankets stored in vacuum sealed bags. With just a few touches, you can have your closet and your entire master bedroom organized and easy to keep that way.

About the Author: Joe Granville is on the staff of Only Hangers, a leading online resource for wood hangers, coat hangers and all types of clothes hangers which is recognized for the excellent quality and value of its wood hanger and coat hanger offerings. For more information, please visit http://www.onlyhangers.com.

How to Revamp Your Closet

Now is the perfect time of year to give your closet a facelift. The winter clothes are coming out of storage, the holidays are in full swing, and we need to make room for the new things that will be coming into the house. Follow these simple steps to get your closet in order and keep things organized this year.

The first thing to do is to get your winter clothes out and get them organized. Some things you may pull out and realize that you really don’t care for them anymore. They may be out of style, misshapen from being in storage, they don’t fit anymore, or you’re simply just not interested in the garment. Don’t waste closet space on things like this.

Only hang what you really love and see what that looks like in your closet. Do you need some more staples? Some long-sleeved t-shirts, undershirts, layering sweaters and jeans are just some of the basics that you’ll need to keep or replace. The rest of those winter clothes that you’re not sure about can go. Donate them to a charitable organization or ask friends and family if they would like to take some. Have a yard sale to make money for Christmas.

Now do the same thing with the summer clothes that you took out. Go through and get rid of what you didn’t wear or didn’t enjoy wearing last summer. Don’t waste the storage space by keeping more than you need. Clear out all that you can, including shoes, worn out flip-flops, extra tote bags, and old purses. People tend to keep things that are still good, even if they don’t need them. Get rid of as much as possible and your closet will thank you.

Get a good storage system going. A rolling garment rack makes a great place to store clothes that need to stay hung. Large, shallow containers that seal are great for storing clothes under your bed. You can use risers or bed feet that raise your bed up so that you have more storage room underneath.

Now that you’ve thinned the herd, get ready to create a scheme that will help you stay organized. Categorize your winter clothing so that it is easy to find what you need and easy to hang clean clothes when they come out of the laundry. In the winter, it is generally best to hang shirts from warmest to lightest so that you can easily grab what you’ll need.

Hang pants together on pants hangers. A wood hanger is best for hanging heavy canvas pants or jeans while a suit hanger is best for hanging suit pants. Use an actual coat hanger for your coats so that the shoulders don’t get misshapen while they’re hanging. Your hangers should meet the needs of the wardrobe. Clothes hangers come in a lot of different styles, so compare your wardrobe to the ones available on the market to get the best fit.

About the Author: Joe Granville is on the staff of Only Hangers, a leading online resource for wood hangers, coat hangers and all types of clothes hangers which is recognized for the excellent quality and value of its wood hanger and coat hanger offerings. For more information, please visit http://www.onlyhangers.com.

Home Improvement for the Holidays

Getting your home ready for the holidays can help you to relax and enjoy the season. Many people have unfinished projects, areas of the house that have become unruly, and simple repairs that just have been put off. Set aside some time to get things in order and you’ll enjoy having company over without worrying about explaining the mess or being pressed for time.

The first thing to do is to make a list. What things in your house are getting on your nerves? Is it the big coat pile that keeps accumulating on your living room chair? The half painted bathroom? The pile of mail and junk that seems to take over your end table? Identifying areas of concern will help you to prioritize the things that need to be finished or organized.

When you have your list, get a shopping list together. What has been holding you back from painting? You may need a new paintbrush, a drop cloth, or a paint tray liner to finish the job. Whatever it is, put it on your list and get the things that you need to finish. Put them out in the room that needs to be worked on and schedule a time to complete the task.

Another thing that may be on your list is your closet. Many people find it hard to make it places on time because they’re closets are so junked up. It’s nearly impossible to find what you want to wear unless the closet is neat and orderly. You can quickly update your closets and the laundry situation that you may be experiencing will be so much easier to handle.

Get some nice clothes hangers. Your hangers could be to blame for everything hanging unevenly, clothes ending up on the floor, or garments coming out all wrinkled and unwearable. Choose some space saving hangers that keep your clothes from getting wrinkled while optimizing your space. Cascading or tiered hangers are great for hanging like things together, or preassembling outfits to speed up the time it takes you to get ready.

A nice wood hanger or coat hanger is great for your coat closets. Guests and family can hang their coats when they come in, eliminating the coat pile that most homes end up getting. Hanging a bar right by the front door makes a usable space that is separate from the coat closet. This makes more room for the coats that you simply need to store. Using a wood hanger or coat hanger on the bar by the door will keep your entryway looking nice and organized.

Tackle little piles of junk by identifying what keeps ending up in them. You need a special, easy-access place where mail goes when it comes in. Mail, magazines, newspapers, the kids’ art, phones, keys, wallets and change are the most common things that need a place to go. When everything has a place to go, it will make cleaning and organizing a snap this holiday season.

About the Author: Joe Granville is on the staff of Only Hangers, a leading online resource for wood hangers, coat hangers and all types of clothes hangers which is recognized for the excellent quality and value of its wood hanger and coat hanger offerings. For more information, please visit http://www.onlyhangers.com.

DIY Decorating for Winter

When the weather changes from warm to cool, it changes the way that we feel about certain things. Winter makes us want cozy, warm feelings around us. The holidays make us feel thankful for friends and family. This is the time of year that many people want to make their home seem cozier. Use these tips to get ideas of how you can make your home seem warm and inviting for your visitors this winter.

1) Use accents that encourage people to snuggle up. Natural fibers are best, but you can throw in some faux fur as well. Hand knitted afghans, floor pillows, and fluffy rugs are a good place to start. You could put a down comforter in a big basket underneath your end tables so that people can easily get warm on cold winter nights.

2) Stock your kitchen and fireplace with things that people enjoy during cold weather. Specialty coffees and liqueurs are great for late night get-togethers. Hot chocolate, peppermint sticks and marshmallows can be kept on hand for children. You can make a s’mores supply basket that you keep near the fireplace. Sticks to roast marshmallows, a popcorn popping tin, and other fireplace accessories can make your fireplace seem like a wonderful place to hang out and talk. Bring your thickest mugs out of storage and have them handy for whenever the mood strikes.

3) Lighting can really set the mood. Use as many lamps as you can instead of big overhead lights. Choose darker lamp shades that fill the room with warm colors of light. Reds, oranges, and yellows are good choices for winter. Another option would be to install dimmer switches on your regular lights.

4) Decorate for the holidays. Don’t stop at Christmas lights outside of your house. Hang a fresh wreath or order a fresh evergreen table centerpiece with candles to fill the room with comforting light and a scent that puts everyone in the holiday spirit.

5) Reserve time for simply hanging around and talking. Invite friends and family or just hang out with your spouse. Turn off cell phone ringers, radios and TV for the night. Set up the room for social entertainment instead. Card games and dice games are fun for people of all ages. Board games and coloring books are great to keep around for entertaining kids.

6) Make sure that your company always feels welcome. Create the mood as soon as they come in the door. The foyer area should be clear and ready for visitors. A simple bench and rug will let people know that there is a place prepared for them to take off their wet winter boots and settle in. A wall-mounted hanging bar stocked with a nice wood hanger or coat hanger will make them feel like you were totally prepared for their visit. When you choose hangers, remember that wood hangers are the most inviting. Regular clothes hangers will work, but wooden hangers and coat hangers will help your company’s coats keep their shape and you don’t risk the hangers breaking, causing your guests’ coats to end up on the floor.

Once your home is decorated for the season, you and your guests will feel closer and more content when the cold weather moves in.

About the Author: Joe Granville is on the staff of Only Hangers, a leading online resource for wood hangers, coat hangers and all types of clothes hangers which is recognized for the excellent quality and value of its wood hanger and coat hanger offerings. For more information, please visit http://www.onlyhangers.com.

DIY Closet Ideas

Organizing your closet can be a lot of fun when you do it yourself. Die-hard “do it yourselfers” would never pay to have something done that they could do themselves. This is what makes DIY home improvement projects so rewarding. You learn a lot, gain experience, build the confidence that you have in yourself, and end up with a unique product that you can be proud of.

The closet is a good place to start for beginners. Building and installing shelves is a relatively easy DIY project. You can create storage, get organized, and beautify your closet all at the same time.

If you are installing wood shelves, make sure that you have all of the necessary tools. You will most likely need a mitre saw, unless you can have your wood cut at the store. You will also need a power drill, long wood screws, a stud finder, and a level. You can use 1x4 boards to support your shelves, or pick up a few L-brackets.

Wire shelving is really popular because it’s so easy to install and is very sturdy. These wire shelving systems often come with a tool to cut the shelves to the length that you need, and don’t require many tools.

Whatever type of shelf you choose, make sure that you anchor them into studs so that they can hold a lot of weight. Use a level to be certain that each shelf is level. Take a lot of measurements to make sure that you have everything how you want it before you cut. Use a pencil to mark level lines to make the job easier.

The biggest problem in most closets is that they waste available space. To make the most of your space, inventory what you have and how you want it stored in the closet. Draw up a few designs before you settle on one. Sometimes your arrangement of clothes can determine how much room you have. For example, if you hang all of your shorter shirts or folded pants on one side of the closet, then you free up some space near the bottom. This is often enough room for a laundry hamper or bin, drawers, or shoe shelves.

Utilize dividers, bins, or baskets to keep things in order. Stacks of clothes tend to get knocked over and unfolded when you rummage through them looking for what you need. Keep stacks to a minimum, or create dividers and cubbies so that the stacks are not tall. Buckets are great for socks, underwear, and other small things that you keep in your closet.

Finish out the closet with decorative hooks, specialty clothes hangers, lighting and matching bins. Use a wood hanger or coat hanger for heavier items. This will keep the closet looking beautiful because not only are the hangers themselves nice to look at, but they keep your clothing perfectly separated for a clean look. When you are done, you will be proud of what you have accomplished. Your closet will fit your special needs and be much easier to keep organized than before.

About the Author: Joe Granville is on the staff of Only Hangers, a leading online resource for wood hangers, coat hangers and all types of clothes hangers which is recognized for the excellent quality and value of its wood hanger and coat hanger offerings. For more information, please visit http://www.onlyhangers.com.

Freshen Up Your Winter Storage

Don’t you just hate it when you take your winter clothes out of storage and they all smell musty? The wrinkles aren’t going to be any fun to deal with either. Most people end up washing all of their clothes again. Some things even need to be taken to the dry cleaner. It takes up so much energy, time and money that it has most wondering if there is a better way. Well, there is. There are a few things you can do to make your seasonal transitions easier to manage.

The musty smell is actually mold growing in the fibers of your clothes. You can get rid of the smell by getting rid of the mold. One way is to hang the clothes out in the sun. If you have an outdoor laundry line, take your boxes of clothing outside and hang them in the full sun. Don’t attempt this if it is a damp or dreary day, or you’ll just end up helping the mold grow some more. Let the clothes hang for at least two full hours in the sun. Hang the clothes on clothes hangers that keep them slightly spaced apart in your closet. You can use a hand steamer to get out wrinkles if they don’t fall out naturally after being hung.

Another option is to use your dryer. Items that are “dry clean only” can usually be put in the dryer on low heat. You can try a home dry cleaning kit available at your grocery store or discount store, where ever you buy laundry detergent. These kits have sheets, like dryer sheets, that you put into the dryer with your dry clean only clothes.

If you want to freshen up clothes that are not dry clean only, put them in the dryer on a heat level appropriate for the fabric type with a dryer sheet. Navy blue and black fabrics may pick up a waxy residue from the dryer sheet, so dry darker items with a used dryer sheet. If you do get the residue, you may need to use a clothes shaver or lint brush to get it off.

Wool can be easily damaged by heat, so be careful using the dryer if you have wool suits or coats. You can spray a fine mist of vodka on wool items to kill the mold, and then use a lint brush to brush away any moth larvae that may be imbedded in the wool. Air-dry the garments on a sturdy coat hanger.

You may decide to invest a little in a garment rack. You can hang your clothes on cascading clothes hangers that hang lots of items on one hanger. This will help you to fit your winter clothes on one rack. Use cedar hangers to absorb moisture and deodorize clothing while it is in storage. Using a wood hanger is a great idea for helping your suits and coats keep their shape at the shoulders.

About the Author: Joe Granville is on the staff of Only Hangers, a leading online resource for wood hangers, coat hangers and all types of clothes hangers which is recognized for the excellent quality and value of its wood hanger and coat hanger offerings. For more information, please visit http://www.onlyhangers.com.