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Tips for Organizing Your Laundry Room Like A Pro

June 29, 2021
When you think of a laundry room, does your mind immediately think of a stark, undecorated room illuminated by a bare bulb in the basement? You're not alone. But considering how often we all do laundry, why don't we put any care or thought into this room?It's time to make your laundry room a pleasant place to be. And you're going to start by getting your room cleaned up and organized. Here are our six quick tips to get started.1. Keep Supplies Stocked and Ready to GoThere's nothing worse than running out of laundry detergent just as the washer is filling with water. Or scrambling to find the proper stain remover to take on spaghetti sauce on a white shirt. The first step toward having a functional, organized laundry room is to make sure you're fully stocked to tackle anything that comes your way.Make sure you are ready to go with…Laundry detergentStain removersDryer sheetsScent boostersWhite vinegar (perfect for naturally removing stains)A small repair kit to fix holes or missing buttonsThen, make it a habit to add an item to your shopping list whenever you start running low.2. Sort and Organize Those SuppliesDon't throw everything together on a single shelf in your laundry room. Make it easy to find whatever you need right away by keeping those supplies separated and organized. Sort those items by purpose and make sure everything is easily within reach.The storage possibilities are endless here. You can use…Clear glass jarsCanisters with lidsDurable bins with handlesWicker BasketsWhatever you choose, add a label! Choose whichever storage style fits the laundry room size, your aesthetic, or your household's activity. We don't recommend using many glass jars on lower shelves if you have small kids running around, for example.3. Set Up A Sorting SystemAre you guilty of sorting clothes on the floor of your laundry room? (It's OK to admit it, we've all been there!) From here on out, you'll never have to do that again. Invest in a sorting system that works better:Use multiple wicker or plastic baskets to sort clothes.Get a multi-bin hamper (bonus points if it's on wheels!)Start using a partitioned laundry basket to sort clothes right away.Consider using a sorting system that fits in with the style of your laundry room. Remember, you want this to be a nice, comforting place since you'll be using it regularly.4. Create a Place for Hanging OutA hangout place for clothes, of course. Hanging clothes straight from the dryer avoids wrinkles, but freshly dried clothes rarely make it into closets that fast. Instead, install a rod underneath your cabinets or get a free-standing one to hang clothes up right away.This solution also works well for any clothes you're washing that can't be dried – or needs to be hand-washed. Just make sure you always keep a set of hangers handy!5. Dedicate a Household Lost and Found AreaLonely socks. Loose change. Bobby pins. Grocery lists. The list could go on of things that end up tucked in pockets and reach the laundry room. Instead of leaving these items lying around, dedicate a space for these discarded objects. We recommend a small basket or bin for this.6. Bring Life, Style, and Color to the Laundry RoomThis final tip is a bit more open and looser than the others. You're going to be spending a good amount of time in your laundry room (whether you like it or not), so why leave it bare and bland? If your laundry room is open to your kitchen or another room on the main floor, add in design elements that tie it together. If it's in the basement, bring in whatever style you want. Paint the walls, add pops of color with laundry bags or artwork, and get matching storage solutions.Don't make your laundry room unpleasant to be in just because it's mostly functional. Brighten it up and keep it organized, and you'll never dread laundry day again!

Advantages of Home Ownership

June 22, 2021
Owning a home of your own means you and your family can set down new roots, get to know your neighbors, and involve yourself in your community.The ability to deduct your mortgage interest and property tax payments from your federal tax return is a major financial benefit of homeownership.When you own your home, your mortgage balance goes down with each payment, and generally, your property value is going up. Rent payments go straight into the pocket of the landlord and at the beginning of the next month, you have nothing to show for it. Homeownership is the chance to stop paying your landlord’s mortgage.In terms of renting, pet ownership can seriously limit your options! Even if pets are allowed, you almost always are required to put down a hefty pet deposit which you likely won’t get back.You can personalize your home and make modifications as you see fit. You can really make it yours and you are investing in YOUR home!Now is the time to take advantage of lower than average fixed-rate mortgages that will never change over time. Remember, rent payments almost always increase at the end of the lease.

Father's Day Gift Ideas

June 14, 2021
5 Father’s Day Gift IdeasOur dads deserve the best and with Father’s Day less than a week away, the pressure to get the perfect gift can add a lot of stress! These gifts will make dad feel special without breaking the bank so he can have an amazing Father’s Day!1. National Park Pass – This is the perfect gift for anyone who has been itching to get out and see the sites after the past year. This covers dad and 3 additional people ages 16+ and children younger than 15 are free! This isn’t just a gift; this is an experience that you and your family will talk about for years to come. https://store.usgs.gov/product/2069462. Ginmic Magnetic Wristband - If dad is a handyman or even likes to work on the occasional home improvement project, this accessory is perfect for keeping everything in one place. https://www.amazon.com/Ginmic-Magnetic-Wristband-Carpenters-Boyfriend/dp/B07FC9N2TJ3. Wise Owl Outfitters Hammock - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N45NNCL?tag=221704-goodhousekeepingfdhotlist-20 Take this 5-star hammock anywhere from the mountains to the beach. This hammock is portable and comes in dozens of colors.4. PVO Portable Projector – Whether he is watching movies in the backyard or DIY videos while working on a project in the garage, he will surely love the best-selling projector. https://tinyurl.com/46mdpteu5. Apple AirTag – This is the perfect gift for the dad who is always losing things. Attach to keychains, backpack, or anything you want to track and sync with your iPhone or iPad, and he’ll never have to look for it again. (Compatible with iPhone 6s and up and must be on iOS 14.5 or above). https://tinyurl.com/4v5whvvu

The Kitchen Backsplash Trends to Follow in 2021

June 7, 2021
You’ve likely spent hours dreaming of your dream kitchen. You’ve carefully selected the appliances, agonized over counter choices, and hand-picked the hardware. Now it’s time to focus on one of the most important design aspects of this area: the backsplash. The backsplash can pull the entire kitchen together, balance out different designs, and reflect your ideal aesthetic. The goal is to pick something trendy but won’t be outdated within a few years… but what’s popular right now?Here are the top trends in backsplashes in 2021 to help you choose.Simple and ChicPeel-and-stick tile backsplashes are becoming increasingly popular. It’s not hard to guess why: It’s easy to do yourself, it’s cost-effective, and looks just as good as set tile or stone backsplashes. This is an excellent option for homeowners with tall spaces they’re looking to fill. You just pick the style, peel off the back, and stick it to the wall – it’s really that simple.Grout-Free and TrendyLuckily, your backsplash options aren’t limited to either peel-and-stick or hiring a professional to deal with grout. Grout-free backsplash tiles are stylish, versatile, and much less work. You also won’t have to spend hours cleaning between the tiles to avoid grimy grout. For the designer inside us all, there are hundreds of geometric and mosaic tile options to choose from that require zero grout.Classic and ClassyCeramic and porcelain are classics for a reason. They’re resilient, durable, and reliable materials to hold up as kitchen backsplashes. But just because they’re classic choices, it doesn’t mean they can’t stay on-trend. You can find porcelain and ceramic tiles in every design imaginable to fit your aesthetic and style.Sleek and IndustrialMetallic backsplashes are on the rise. We’ve seen a trend in industrial styles that include copper metal or stainless-steel tiles. These tiles go exceptionally well with dark-colored kitchens or ones with industrial lighting or hardware. If you’re going for this look, you can stick with classic rectangles or go for something extraordinary, like circles or swirled patterns.Traditional and MinimalistYou just can’t go wrong with a minimal backsplash design. Subway tile is an affordable option that adds understated elegance to your kitchen. These tiles tend to be slightly glossy and textured, which looks beautiful and handcrafted. Though horizontal rectangle tiles are common, you can pattern them in any way you want to add a spin on the classic look.Bold and BrightIf your kitchen is minimally designed, the backsplash can serve as an accent piece. Go for strong geometric patterns or add a third color that can add a pop of color – like red or blue – or blend in with the white and black, such as gray or gold. Polished marble works great in this application, though it does tend to be pricier than other options.Your backsplash makes a statement, whether you go for subtle tiles that blend into the background or something bright and bold. How you choose a backsplash will depend on your kitchen’s style, your personal design aesthetic, and the amount of time you want to spend installing it. Go for a look that will age well along with your kitchen, so you won’t feel the need to replace it every few years to stay on-trend.
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