Archives for January 2020
Why is Getting Rid of Things So Hard for Some Homeowners by Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team
This week is a catch-up week. You can revisit the bags of donation sitting in your garage or simply call for picking knowing you haven’t missed them in the last month of decluttering. This week we are going to talk about why giving things away can be really hard for some people. Once you understand why its often easier to let go.
I Can’t Find Time to Declutter
The biggest reason why decluttering is so hard is because you don’t feel like you have time. Time is hard to come by. This life is busy and society puts pressure on us to be busy. It’s like if you aren’t on the go all of the time, then you are doing something wrong. I get it. Time is hard to come by, but it’s also an excuse. You make time for what is important. Really want to declutter? Then make time.Declutter in Sections
Okay, so, I realize that is probably not what you wanted to hear. Just remember it’s a process. Give yourself a break and don’t expect to get it all done at once. The best way to make time is by chunking up your house into a bunch of small sections. Don’t think about decluttering your bedroom. Think about decluttering your closet. If you have a big closet then think about decluttering one rack or one shelf.Declutter As You Go
It also helps to do things as you go. Need to declutter your makeup bag? Take 5 minutes and go through it when you finish up your make up. Go through extra products in the bathroom on your bathroom cleaning day. Clean out the refrigerator while you wait for water to boil.Get A Baby Sitter
Another way to make time is to have grandma watch the kids for a day while you tackle as much clutter as you can. Do this a couple of times and your house will be in tip-top shape in no time. Please note that this Scottsdale Real Estate Blog is for informational purposes and not intended to take the place of a licensed Scottsdale Real Estate Agent. The Szabo Group offers first-class real estate services to clients in the Scottsdale Greater Phoenix Metropolitan Area in the buying and selling of Luxury homes in Arizona. Award-winning Realtors and Re/MAX top producers and best real estate agent for Luxury Homes in Scottsdale, The Szabo group delivers experience, knowledge, dedication and proven results. Contact Joe Szabo at 480.688.2020, info@ScottsdaleRealEstateTeam.com or visit www.scottsdalerealestateteam.com to find out more about Scottsdale Homes for Sale and Estates for Sale in Scottsdale and to search the Scottsdale MLS for Scottsdale Home Listings.Decluttering Linens, Towels and Tablecloths by Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team
One of the reasons that our house has clutter is that I don’t get rid of things that are still useable. Our linen closet used to be filled to the brim of older comforters, threadbare towels, and overflowing with hotel samples of shampoo/conditioner/shower gel. Tablecloths, napkins, placemats can all pile up. Something most people didn’t really know before running a decluttering mission is how they really love to collect and use cloth napkins, of every sort and variety. They really are very pretty, and you can easily accumulate a lot of different colors and patterns, as well as have napkins for basically every holiday and season.
Digging into the linen closet poses a bigger challenge for some homeowners. Here is a handy list from SettingMyIntentions.com for decluttering:
- Pull everything out of the closet – sheets, towels, washcloths, and bins of “extras”
- Place out all the items from on the floor to inspect
- Throw out anything stained, ripped or outdated – if still good donate, or use for cleaning cloths.
- Put extra fabric, extra duvet covers, and bed skirts that we won’t use anymore for the donation pile.
- “Extras” you can’t live without are rearranged to fit neatly in the back on the top shelf.
Decluttering the Dining Room Storage Areas by Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team
If your house has a formal dining room and a breakfast nook, the dining room may not see a ton of use. This plus the fact that it usually has a large flat surface– the table– can make it a prime dumping ground for clutter. We’re going to remedy that this month!
Dining rooms tend to have storage pieces with lots of drawers and cabinets (like buffets and china cabinets), so try to go through each and everyone to make sure to have everything from the day’s category all in one place. I also scan the tops of surfaces because they tend to collect a bunch of stuff.
Things like decorative items or fancy serving pieces that we got as wedding gifts are easy to throw into the bottom of the china cabinet and not think about, but they could be taking up valuable space that we could be using to hold the items we actually use and love. Or clearing them out could leave more open space, which is also great too! Things like gifts can be hard to part with because we feel that twinge of guilt that comes with getting rid of something that someone else gave to us, but if we’re not using it and loving it, it will be much better off in the home of someone who will, so we can donate or sell the item guilt-free. And just think how great you’ll feel when your dining room is looking all neat and tidy!
If you’re still feeling the guilt, do a test run where you put the item away in a bin in a storage area for a while. Set a reminder on your phone to check back in on it in a month or two. If you haven’t missed it at all, it’s probably safe to let it go for good. The biggest battle in the dining room can often be keeping the surfaces uncluttered. It is so easy to walk in the house and throw things right onto the dining room table– it’s big and flat and practically BEGGING to hold our excess papers and bags and books, right…
Please note that this Scottsdale Real Estate Blog is for informational purposes and not intended to take the place of a licensed Scottsdale Real Estate Agent. The Szabo Group offers first-class real estate services to clients in the Scottsdale Greater Phoenix Metropolitan Area in the buying and selling of Luxury homes in Arizona. Award-winning Realtors and Re/MAX top producers and best real estate agent for Luxury Homes in Scottsdale, The Szabo group delivers experience, knowledge, dedication and proven results. Contact Joe Szabo at 480.688.2020, info@ScottsdaleRealEstateTeam.com or visit www.scottsdalerealestateteam.com to find out more about Scottsdale Homes for Sale and Estates for Sale in Scottsdale and to search the Scottsdale MLS for Scottsdale Home Listings.
3 Ways to Make Keep a Clean Dining Room by Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team
The biggest enemy of a clean dining room is the everyday clutter that tends to collect there.
Each Night Clear off your Table before things have time to build up. When your table is the heart of your home, everything gravitates there—books, paper piles, purses and gadgets. The best way to battle this beast is simple: Every night before dinner, dump everything into a basket and tuck it away at the edges of the room. Later that night, you can put those things away. Or not. Let the basket be a permanent stand-in for the table top and collect the things you like to keep close by.
For things that can’t be picked up between meals, like an especially tough puzzle or a craft project that needs to be left to dry for hours, try this trick: Before diving in and spreading out on the table, get yourself a big sturdy craft mat and lay that down first. When dinnertime rolls around, you can lift and carry the whole project over to the floor or bed for a little while you enjoy a clutter-free meal.
If you’re able to migrate your dining room’s non-essential activities to another place, rule number one should be “Not at the table.” But sometimes coloring and craft projects do need their space. To better regulate the table time share, mentally and verbally put your dining room on a schedule. Think to yourself, or say out loud to your housemates—”Ok, we’ll start the puzzle right after lunch, but it has to be cleaned up by dinner.
Please note that this Scottsdale Real Estate Blog is for informational purposes and not intended to take the place of a licensed Scottsdale Real Estate Agent. The Szabo Group offers first-class real estate services to clients in the Scottsdale Greater Phoenix Metropolitan Area in the buying and selling of Luxury homes in Arizona. Award-winning Realtors and Re/MAX top producers and best real estate agent for Luxury Homes in Scottsdale, The Szabo group delivers experience, knowledge, dedication and proven results. Contact Joe Szabo at 480.688.2020, info@ScottsdaleRealEstateTeam.com or visit www.scottsdalerealestateteam.com to find out more about Scottsdale Homes for Sale and Estates for Sale in Scottsdale and to search the Scottsdale MLS for Scottsdale Home Listings.
5 Best Ways to DeClutter your Pantry by Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team
For many families, entertaining and eating is done right in the kitchen, which means that not only do you want a clean kitchen for cooking, but you’ll also want space for having company over and be able to find everything quickly!
- Use closet racks as cabinet organizers. Trim the racks to length with a hacksaw and then mount screws to the back side of the face frame to hold the racks in place. The back side of the rack simply rests against the back of the cabinet. Now you can easily find your soup and check the rest of your inventory at a glance.
- T-molding designed for wood floor transitions makes a perfect rack for stemware. Just cut it to length, predrill screw holes and screw it to the underside of a shelf. For a neater look, use brass screws and finish washers. Prefinished T-molding is available wherever wood flooring is sold. A 4-ft. section costs about $25.
- If your spices are jammed into a drawer with only the tops visible, this nifty rack that slips neatly into the drawer will solve the problem. And it only takes an hour to build. Make it with scraps of 1/4-in. and 1/2-in. plywood.
- Small spice containers use shelf space inefficiently and are difficult to find when surrounded by taller bottles and items. Use a small spring-tension curtain rod ($3) as a simple shelf. It’s easy to install and strong enough to support the spices.
- Free up drawer space by hanging measuring cups inside a kitchen cabinet onr on the back of a pantry door . Position and mount a wood strip so that the cups will hang between the shelves and allow the door to close completely. Mount a second strip for your measuring spoons, then screw in cup hooks on both strips.
Declutter Your Kitchen in 5 Easy Steps by Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team
If you’re like most people, you spend the majority of your time at home in the kitchen. The kitchen is the heart of the home, and it’s where everyone gathers to talk about the day, cook meals, do homework, share stories, and eat.
The kitchen acts as a center stage for our lives, which is why it’s often the most cluttered room in the house. And this clutter affects us in many different ways. It can cause us to overeat, make impulse purchases, and experience feelings of stress and anxiety.
What can you do about it? A lot. Let’s look at how clutter hurts you, why it’s worth your time to simplify, and how to declutter your kitchen in five easy steps.
How Clutter Affects Us
If the kitchen is one of the messiest rooms in your house, that clutter could be causing you to snack more. A study published in the journal Environment and Behavior found that people in cluttered, chaotic kitchens consumed twice as many calories as those in neat, tidy kitchens. While the mess is partly to blame, mindset also plays a role. People who feel chaotic and out of control – which a messy environment can exacerbate – have the tendency to eat more food, especially junk food, than those who feel in control. A study published in the journal Comprehensive Psychiatry found that people with high acquisitive behaviors – in other words, people who like to shop or get things for free – experience lower quality of life, and lower work functioning, than those who don’t exhibit such behaviors. As you might imagine, people who exhibit these behaviors have more cluttered homes than those who don’t. Another study, published in the International Journal of Cognitive Therapy, found a strong correlation between hoarding and acquisitive behavior and stress. Generally, the more objects in your home, the greater the levels of stress you experience.How Decluttering Can Save You Money
A clean, organized kitchen can save you money in several ways. First, you might find that you snack less on junk food and make healthier choices in a tidy kitchen. The healthier you eat, the fewer medical expenses you’re likely to have, which can save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars each year. You’ll also find that you have more energy, and might even have a more positive outlook, when you eat healthy on a consistent basis. A cluttered kitchen can also cause you to waste money on unnecessary purchases. If you can’t find a particular kitchen tool or appliance, you might end up buying one to replace it when, in truth, the original is buried somewhere in the mess. Once you declutter and organize your kitchen, you’ll want it to stay that way, which means you’ll probably steer clear of cluttering it up with new purchases from stores like Bed Bath & Beyond and TJ Maxx that sell an endless variety of single-purpose kitchen tools you don’t need. Cleaning and organizing your kitchen could also be the impetus you need to cook more at home. There are plenty of ways to eat healthy on a budget, but cooking at home is one of the best. Cooking with kids is also a great way to build their confidence in the kitchen and get them started on the path to healthy eating. Last, a simplified kitchen is a cleaner kitchen. When you have to move mountains of clutter to wipe off the countertops, you clean less often. As a result, the kitchen can become a breeding ground for germs and bacteria, increasing the likelihood that you and your family will get sick. A clean, organized kitchen might just keep you out of the doctor’s office.
How to Declutter & Simplify Your Kitchen
Take a look at your kitchen. It’s probably where you and your family dump mail, backpacks, and briefcases. The countertops may be crammed with appliances, fruit that still needs to be eaten, and electronics that need to be charged. The kitchen gets crammed with stuff, and this can make decluttering and organizing the space feel like a huge task. But, I promise, it’s so worth the effort. So, put on your favorite music, and let’s get going.Step 1: Set a Timer
Unless you’re really driven, decluttering your kitchen probably can’t happen in one afternoon. It’s best to work in half-hour increments. Breaking up the task over several days will help keep your energy up and prevent decision fatigue, which can quickly set in when you’re sorting through a large number of items. Before you begin, gather several boxes to store items to donate, items to sell, and items to relocate. You’ll also need some garbage and recycling bags to sort the rest for disposal. Set your timer for 30 minutes and focus intently while the clock is ticking. Can you go longer? Of course. But if you look at your kitchen and feel overwhelmed by how much there is to do, start with 30 minutes.Step 2: Focus On One Area at a Time
It’s easy to start randomly opening cabinets and grabbing stuff, but this will quickly create even more chaos and clutter. A better strategy is to start with one drawer or one cabinet. Go through each item in there and decide whether it should stay or go. If it will stay in the kitchen, is this the best place for it? Keep going until you’ve processed every single item in that drawer or cabinet. Again, try to resist the urge to “graze” your way through the kitchen, decluttering at random. It’s easy to get discouraged fast if you do this.Step 3: Question Each Item You Pick Up
As you go through the items in your kitchen, ask yourself the following questions.- Do I use this? Not “Will I use this someday?”, but “Do I use this now?” We all have appliances we’d like to use, but often, our real life doesn’t match our dream life. Those tools and appliances you’re holding on to for “someday” are likely only taking up space and adding clutter to your kitchen. Let them go to someone else who will use them, and make more room for the life you’re living right now.
- How many do I have? We often accumulate “extras” of certain things, especially wooden spoons, mixing bowls, coffee cups, plastic food containers, and baking sheets. How many of these do you use on a regular basis? Keep your favorites and donate the rest.
- Would I buy this today? Our decorating styles, and cooking styles, change over time. Look at each item and ask yourself, “Would I buy this today?” If the answer is no, sell or donate it.
Step 4: Remove Things That Don’t Belong
There are probably plenty of things in your kitchen that don’t belong there at all. One quick glance at my own kitchen countertops revealed three Matchbox cars, two coloring books, one unread magazine, a stack of mail I still haven’t opened, one toothbrush, a can of tick repellent, and five rubber bands. In the spirit of full disclosure, there was more, but we’ll stop here. The point is that clutter attracts clutter, and kitchen countertops are infamous for being the primary dumping ground for everyone in the house. Put everything that doesn’t belong in the kitchen into a box to relocate after you’re done decluttering. Don’t waste time right now on relocation; that’s a task that’s easier done once the decluttering is finished. Better yet, delegate the relocation task to a spouse, partner, child, or organizing buddy.Step 5: Set Yourself Up for Success
Even the most sparkling, simplified kitchen won’t stay that way without daily maintenance. That’s why it’s so important to have systems in place to catch clutter as it comes – and it will come. Start by looking at what you and your family do in the kitchen. Yes, you cook and eat here. But what else? You might also use the kitchen to pay bills and look up recipes. Your kids might do homework there while you cook. Your systems need to accommodate the tasks you do in this room. For example, if you pay bills in the kitchen, dedicate a bin, basket, or wall-mounted pocket to store mail until you can sort it yourself. If your kids do homework or play in the kitchen while you cook, set up a dedicated space for them to do that. Keep pencils, pens, notebooks, and other related tools in a drawer or cabinet they can reach easily. Do what you can to corral the items you need for various other activities in the kitchen. Please note that this Scottsdale Real Estate Blog is for informational purposes and not intended to take the place of a licensed Scottsdale Real Estate Agent. The Szabo Group offers first-class real estate services to clients in the Scottsdale Greater Phoenix Metropolitan Area in the buying and selling of Luxury homes in Arizona. Award winning Realtors and Re/MAX top producers and best real estate agent for Luxury Homes in Scottsdale, The Szabo group delivers experience, knowledge, dedication and proven results. Contact Joe Szabo at 480.688.2020, info@ScottsdaleRealEstateTeam.com or visit www.scottsdalerealestateteam.com to find out more about Scottsdale Homes for Sale and Estates for Sale in Scottsdale and to search the Scottsdale MLS for Scottsdale Home Listings.Organizing Hacks for your Kitchen by Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team
These simple kitchen hacks will help you maximize your storage space, allowing you to keep your kitchen organized… but that’s not all! I’m going to be throwing in some handy kitchen hacks that make cleaning super simple and quick! When it comes to cleaning around the house, the kitchen should be your priority.
Are you using your cabinet doors for some other clever way to give yourself additional storage? If so, you can still organize your spices in a clever way by making use of magnets. You can also use magnets for storing knives so that you don’t have to use a knife block… just make sure you use a strong enough magnet so that your kitchen doesn’t rain knives.
Preserve precious counter space with an over the sink cutting board which are just really just long cutting boards that are meant to fit over your sink. Not only do you save on either counter or cabinet space, but with these boards you can prevent vegetable and fruit peels or juices as well as other food bits that you’re slicing, chopping and dicing from making a disaster on your kitchen counter or floor. Saves a lot of clean up with food prep! As an added bonus you can also use it to hide dirty dishes when an unexpected guest comes over.
Labels are a great way to help you organize your kitchen. You can even put the labels on the tops of jars so that when you store them in a drawer you can take the guesswork out of which container you want.
Cabinet and drawer space can come at a premium, especially when working with a small kitchen, but fear not! When you’ve run out of room in your available cabinets and drawers, just create some more. Thankfully, this DIY tutorial can help you make use of those un-openable drawers that are beneath your sink.
Give yourself more cabinet space by hanging pots, pans, and even cooking utensils from the ceiling. As a bonus, get yourself an attractive overhead rack and if you have a decent set of cookware, you’ll end up with a funky, stylish decoration for the kitchen.
Spices and herbs play a big role for many people when it comes to cooking and these petite packages can take up a lot of storage space. Utilizing a spice rack that’s mounted onto the inside of a cabinet door allows you to keep your spices organized and make use of an unused space, leaving you the option to utilize your cabinets for store something else, like your pots and pans. Don’t feel like paying a lot for a spice rack or don’t want to drill holes into your cabinets?
Place a collapsible wine rack on the lower shelf of your refrigerator to keep bottles (wine, soda, water, etc.) on their sides. The one in the photo is modular so that you can add as needed.
If you find that your kitchen smells a bit funky or you just want to conjure memories of mom’s chocolate chip cookies, you can easily do so with some vanilla extract. Put two caps full into an oven proof dish and then place it in your oven for an hour at 300 degrees. The smell will encompass your kitchen as well as other parts of your home for about a day. You can also feel free to experiment with other essentials oils like lemon if you’d prefer.
Please note that this Scottsdale Real Estate Blog is for informational purposes and not intended to take the place of a licensed Scottsdale Real Estate Agent. The Szabo Group offers first-class real estate services to clients in the Scottsdale Greater Phoenix Metropolitan Area in the buying and selling of Luxury homes in Arizona. Award winning Realtors and Re/MAX top producers and best real estate agent for Luxury Homes in Scottsdale, The Szabo group delivers experience, knowledge, dedication and proven results. Contact Joe Szabo at 480.688.2020, info@ScottsdaleRealEstateTeam.com or visit www.scottsdalerealestateteam.com to find out more about Scottsdale Homes for Sale and Estates for Sale in Scottsdale and to search the Scottsdale MLS for Scottsdale Home Listings.Clutter Free Home Challenge by Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team
Overwhelmed with clutter and drowning in stuff? There’s a trend in homeownership sweeping the country about decluttering and purging items from your drawers, closets and corners. Here is a handy 14-week chart to help guide you along your way. As you declutter, you free up space for new things, create energy flow where it once was stagnant and maybe feel lighter and freer from your possession maintenance.
- Week 1 (1/5/19) – Kitchen
- Week 2 (1/12/19) – Pantry
- Week 3 (1/19/19) – Dining Room
- Week 4 (1/26/19) – Catchup Week
- Week 5 (2/2/19) – Living Room
- Week 6 (2/9/19) – Master Bedroom
- Week 7 (2/16/19) – Master Closet
- Week 8 (2/23/19) – Kids Closets
- Week 9 (3/2/19) – Linen Closet
- Week 10 (3/9/19) Bathrooms
- Week 11 (3/16/19) – Office
- Week 12 (3/23/19) – Playroom/Toys
- Week 13 (3/30/19) – Laundry Room
- Week 14 (4/6/19) – The Garage
Organize the 30 main spaces of your home, including the living and dining spaces, bedrooms and bathrooms, guest areas, baby and kids’ rooms, utility spaces and garages, entryways and offices, patios and decks, closets and pet areas! Keep track of your pantry, holiday and craft supplies, weekly menu planning, keepsakes, and schedules. From the basement to the attic, this book covers every nook and cranny.
With step-by-step instructions, detailed illustrations, and handy checklists, say goodbye to a messy home and wasted storage space! We hope you enjoy the new year clutter and stress-free!
Please note that this Scottsdale Real Estate Blog is for informational purposes and not intended to take the place of a licensed Scottsdale Real Estate Agent. The Szabo Group offers first-class real estate services to clients in the Scottsdale Greater Phoenix Metropolitan Area in the buying and selling of Luxury homes in Arizona. Award-winning Realtors and Re/MAX top producers and best real estate agent for Luxury Homes in Scottsdale, The Szabo group delivers experience, knowledge, dedication and proven results. Contact Joe Szabo at 480.688.2020, info@ScottsdaleRealEstateTeam.com or visit www.scottsdalerealestateteam.com to find out more about Scottsdale Homes for Sale and Estates for Sale in Scottsdale and to search the Scottsdale MLS for Scottsdale Home Listings.According to Tradition, You Should Leave Your Tree Up Until January 6—Here’s Why by Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team
When it comes to holiday decorations, there are two kinds of people: Those who take down their Christmas trees down on December 26, and those who aren’t quite ready for the season to be over. And while taking down the tree is usually less fun than putting it up, there’s actually another good reason people wait to do it. If you’ve been looking for an excuse to keep listening to Christmas music and admiring your festive decor, you’re in luck: Tradition says you should be celebrating Christmas (and leaving your decorated tree up) through January 6.
You’re probably familiar with the song about the 12 days of Christmas—but you may not have known that the 12 days don’t actually start until Christmas Day, meaning there are almost two full weeks of celebrating to do after Santa arrives. According to Christian tradition, January 6 marks the day the three kings actually arrived in Bethlehem and signals the end of the Christmas celebrations.
This day is called The Feast of Epiphany, The Twelfth Night, or Three Kings Day, and in some parts of the world, it signifies a celebration that’s just as big as the one on Christmas Day. And while we’ll welcome any excuse to leave the ornaments and lights up a little longer, tradition says it’s actually unlucky to take your tree down before this date. When you do finally take down the tree, don’t just leave it on the curb; you can actually recycle live Christmas trees by finding a recycling program or having them chipped into mulch for your garden.
While the Christmas festivities technically end on Epiphany, the holidays aren’t over just yet. The day also marks the official start of the Mardi Gras season, so it’s tradition to serve King Cake on January 6. The tradition of Three Kings Day is actually where the name “king cake” comes from—and why there’s a tiny plastic baby hidden inside.
Please note that this Scottsdale Real Estate Blog is for informational purposes and not intended to take the place of a licensed Scottsdale Real Estate Agent. The Szabo Group offers first-class real estate services to clients in the Scottsdale Greater Phoenix Metropolitan Area in the buying and selling of Luxury homes in Arizona. Award winning Realtors and Re/MAX top producers and best real estate agent for Luxury Homes in Scottsdale, The Szabo group delivers experience, knowledge, dedication and proven results. Contact Joe Szabo at 480.688.2020, info@ScottsdaleRealEstateTeam.com or visit www.scottsdalerealestateteam.com to find out more about Scottsdale Homes for Sale and Estates for Sale in Scottsdale and to search the Scottsdale MLS for Scottsdale Home Listings.
