How to Condense Your Belongings
For most of us, we have some sort of room that is often devoted to just storage. And not only does that room tend to get more and more stuffed with items as time wears on, but we also avoid any opportunities to clean it out. We know what we have to do, but we just don’t want to do it.
But then we move into a new home and the thought of moving boxes of stuff we just don’t need brings us new motivation. So if you’re moving into a new home, want the use of that spare bedroom back or are simply just sick and tired at looking at a closet full of clothes you never wear, here are a few ways to get rid of the clutter:
1.) Categorize. Your first step should be to divide things into piles. Your first piles should be pretty basic and will typically fall into these five categories: Keep, Store, Sell, Donate and Trash. A good rule of thumb for keeping things it that it has to serve at least two purposes; a top that can be worn with a number of bottoms or a kitchen gadget that is constantly being used. A garlic press, for example, shouldn’t be in the “keep” section. It takes up room, has one very specific purpose, and a knife and cutting board can be used for the exact same purpose. Throw it in another pile.
One more tip: be overly cautious about what is trash. Someone you consider trash could be just what someone else is looking for. If you don’t think you can sell it at least donate it and let the people at your local shelter make the final decision.
2.) Get rid of duplicates. Chances are, you probably have more than one of one specific thing. Maybe you found three different waffle irons while going through your kitchen, or maybe you’ve come across 2 or 3 of the same movie in your collection. Either way, pick the best of all your duplicates and resort the remaining things to your Sell or Donate groups.
3.) Sell, Donate or Trash. After you’ve got the groups set up, get busy disposing of them! And if you’re like me, do it quick before you can go through them again and start changing your mind! First, drop off all the donation stuff and toss out the trash pile. That
should give you a feeling of accomplishment and allow you to focus on selling what’s left. Consider if you want to sell your things online, by yard sale or even by consignment.
4.) Organize. After you’ve gotten rid of your Donate and Trash groups and made arrangements for your Sell group, take a look at what you have left in your Keep and Store groups. Now’s the time to get organized. That fan that you found that you swear you’ll always use? Put it someone with easy access to using it! Those clothes you’ve narrowed down your closet to? Arrange them by color or by season. Getting rid of all that excess clutter won’t do you any good if whatever you have left is simply shoved in that same corner where you originally found it.
Do you guys have any tips for condensing your stuff?
Our Birch Log Pillow is comfy. Also it looks like a tree. What else do you need?
The Secret Storage Space You’re Forgetting About
Storage? For a safety blog?
One of the biggest safety concerns is whether or not you can store your stuff in a private place. If you were to ask 1,000 people that lived in a small space what their #1 wish would be, the vast majority of them would probably tell you they would like more storage. And in college, more storage becomes more important than ever. You’re slowly growing a collection of your own things, but you also probably have endless boxes of childhood knick-knacks sitting at your parents’ house as well. And let’s face it, between your nosy roommates and snooping RAs, it can be tough to find a bit of privacy in your own room. However, after you’ve already packed your closets as full as they can get an crowded every junk drawer in your home, you start looking for other options. So where’s the one place you can hide your stuff without someone else finding it?
The stairs.
Sound crazy? Probably. Of all the places in the home you’d like to keep clear of clutter, the stairway is probably priority #1. But we’re talking about a sneakier version of storage than just stacking things along your stairway. We’re talking about reinventing the idea of storage and applying it to a wasted space in your home. Read on.
1.) As individual drawers. It doesn’t take much to turn each step into a drawer, and you’ll never even notice the change. When all the drawers are closed your staircase will look exactly as before, plus it gives you the chance to do something with one of the most awkward spaces I your house.
2.) As shelves. There is no need for the sides of your stairway to be a blank wall or empty space. Adding some edges or shelves will give you space to put some of your smaller items. Just make sure the shelves and items are arranged in a uniform way to prevent the look of extra clutter.
3.) Reconfigure storage bins as stairs. Pretty much anything can work as a stairway if it gradually raises in elevation, one step at a time. So don’t limit yourself to the traditional look. Creating steps out of wooden storage crates can provide an interesting look and still get the job done.
4.) Slide-under storage units. There are plenty of storage units that come with wheels on the bottom. Simply order a couple of units measuring the same width as your staircase but varying in height and store them underneath your stairway. You’ll have all your things organized and easily accessible.
5.) Lift tops. Much like the drawer idea, turning the top of each step into a lift-able lid will also provide you with plenty of extra storage space. And no one will ever know, except for the face that the rest of your house will be incredibly less cluttered since a great deal of your belongings have been moved to their new secret storage area.
And don’t forget; for dorm safety items (like pepper spray, safes and personal alarms), check out our store at www.secureoncampus.com, and for dorm decorations (like dorm lighting, fun drinking games, and wall decals) check out our store at www.thegoodlifeoncampus.com!
Thoughts?
It’s finals week for many of you, so we’re just giving you a head’s up that we have this: our Chemistry Textbook with Hidden Flask.
Good luck and you’re welcome.
Friday nights for normal college people.
Friday nights for me..
Because it’s funny. We’ll leave it up to you to determine the accuracy ;).
Spring Cleaning the Green Way
Spring is officially here, and we all know what that means: spring cleaning. And while there’s nothing wrong with really digging into that storage closet and getting ready for summer, many people avoid spring cleaning for one very good reason: allergies. All those dust, fumes and other particles can make for some difficult breathing environments. However, if you go about your spring cleaning in a green kind of way, you’d be surprised how much easier-to-live your environment can become.
1.) Forget the chemical air fresheners. We all want our place smelling its freshest, and that often means going out and purchasing whatever “fresh cotton” or “clean linen” air freshener you can get your hands on. Not a good idea. These chemical air fresheners are used in about 75% of homes and have been linked to sex-hormone and other developmental abnormalities, as well as cancer (of course). Your best bet is really to either open the windows and let some actual fresh air come wafting in, or to use natural fresheners, like baking soda or essential oils.
2.) Reuse what you can. You know what else people don’t like about spring cleaning: the expenses. Purchasing all these cleaning supplies costs money, and the costs tend to add up fairly quickly. So instead, use what you already have laying around. Use old socks or old T-shirts instead of disposable wipes. You can also use newspapers as paper towels and replace all furnace and air conditioning filters with washable ones.
3.) Make your own cleaning products. Cleaning products contain a vast array of chemicals linked to just about every health problem you could think of. Respiratory problems, birth defects, headaches, eye irritation and even cancer and infertility are just a few of the problems that can arise. So instead of using your traditional cleaning products, make your own. A mixture of salt, vinegar and water can be used on a variety of surfaces (especially kitchen counters), and plain soap, baking soda and lemon juice have also been found to be just as effective, and much safer, when used on other surfaces.
Of course if you don’t have the time or energy to make your own cleaning products, you could always switch to the green versions when you go to the store. You’d probably surprise yourself to see just how effective eco-friendly products really are. Plus you’ll no doubt sleep better at night after you’ve used them.
4.) De-clutter your home. Dust and allergens tend to settle where they won’t be found, and that means in all the little nooks and crannies that you can’t see. Of course on one wants to clear off all their picture frames and replace them all every time they need to clean the mantle, so make life easier on yourself and keep it less cluttered in the first place. It’s much easier to move and clean under four photos than it is to move and clean under 26 little knick-knacks.
And don’t forget; for dorm safety items (like pepper spray, safes and personal alarms), check out our store at www.secureoncampus.com, and for dorm decorations (like dorm lighting, fun drinking games, and wall decals) check out our store at www.thegoodlifeoncampus.com!
Mirrors are one thing, but our Quill Feather Mirror Wall Decor brings it up to an entirely different level.
What do you guys think?
We don’t have this, we just thought it was an awesome combination of travel and reading.
We have other awesome stuff though….www.thegoodlifeoncampus.com
3 Ways to Protect Your Home from Theft
Did you know roughly 1.6 million residential burglaries occur in the US every year? Of course we’re not saying that to scare you, we’re telling you that so you’ll be aware of the risks. Home theft does happen, and even if you always hope it doesn’t happen to you, the truth it is at some point in time someone will most likely look at your home as a potential target. In those cases, here the top three ways of protecting yourself and your belongings from outside intruders:
1.) Give a “lived in” feel. A “lived in” feel means it looks like someone is home at all times. Things like keeping the mail from building up on the front porch or having your neighbor park their car in your driveway when you’re gone for the weekend give the impression that someone is home. And for longer periods of time, making sure your yard is maintained and is also a simple tip to make it look like your home isn’t completely abandoned.
Another great tactic is to use light to your advantage. Motion lights outside your home are an easy way to spook anyone that might be scoping your place out. Even if you aren’t home, it still shines some light on them for other people in the area to see. In addition, set your lights and television to times that come on and off at various times. A potential burglar is much more likely to go for the dark and quite home at 9:00 at night rather than the one with lights and an active television.
2.) Protect your valuables. Leaving your laptop on the dining room table right next the front window can often be just asking for trouble. Instead, make your home appear less tempting. Purchase an entertainment cabinet with doors that close over your television when you’re done watching it and have your valuables in a well-hidden area that isn’t the cookie jar, under your mattress or the freezer. A great trick is to have an empty safe in plain view while you keep your valuables in a much more hidden safe. Thieves tend to take the safe and run, thinking they’ve already hit the jackpot, when really they’ve only gotten away with a free safe.
3.) Get to know your neighbors. By having a good relationship with the people around you, they will better be able to tell when someone isn’t right at your home. The better they know you, the better they know the people around you. They know what your friends and family all drive and they know when a strange car is lurking around your place. It can be very comforting knowing someone is looking out for your home when you have to leave town for a few days.
And don’t forget; for dorm safety items (like pepper spray, safes and personal alarms), check out our store at www.secureoncampus.com, and for dorm decorations (like dorm lighting, fun drinking games, and wall decals) check out our store at www.thegoodlifeoncampus.com!
Finals are coming up and we all know what that means….party time! Our Portable Ping Pong Set is awesome for just such occasion. Or just use the balls for a game of beer pong. Or play with beer anyway. Hell, every game in college is a drinking game anyway…
The day after finals. Be free, young students.
And a happy final exams to you all! And then afterward let our Chemistry Cocktail Set help you celebrate ;).
