Get Organized! And 6 More Ways to Make the Most of This Weekend
Set up your kitchen for healthy eating, get your desk and drawers in order and then enjoy some relaxing downtime
Laura Gaskill
17 januari 2018
As we get deeper into January, it can be easy to let those New Year’s resolutions slide. Take some time this weekend to recommit to your goals: Clear a bit of clutter, take care of holiday returns and fill your kitchen with fresh, healthful foods. Then curl up under a cozy blanket with a good book and let the snow (or rain) fall outside while soup bubbles on the stove.
1. Take care of holiday returns. Instead of allowing unloved presents to languish unused, gather them up and return, exchange or donate them as you see fit. Feeling a pang of guilt about not keeping a gift? Remember that your duty as the gift recipient is to accept the gift graciously and thank the giver for his or her generosity and thoughtfulness — what you’re not duty-bound to do is keep the gift forever. But here’s one caveat: If you received a lovingly handmade, labor-intensive gift (like a knit sweater or handmade quilt) it’s best to keep the gift in the family if at all possible.
2. Create space in your kitchen for healthy eating. If eating smarter is one of your New Year’s resolutions, be sure your kitchen is helping and not hindering your mission. Clear unhealthy snack foods from the cupboards, and stock up on fresh, colorful fruits and veggies instead. Clean counters make it easier to get started cooking, so put away small appliances you don’t use daily, along with other clutter that has accumulated there. And if the weather is crummy and you’re stuck inside anyway, why not make up a big batch of your favorite healthy soup recipe? You can enjoy a bowl for dinner and freeze the rest — your future weeknight self will thank you.
10 Ways to Set Up Your Kitchen for Healthy Eating
10 Ways to Set Up Your Kitchen for Healthy Eating
3. Get inspired to declutter. Getting organized feels much easier when you are motivated and inspired — that’s why we often start with a bang around the new year but fizzle out later. Revive your excitement by picking up one of the beautiful new books on the subject, like New Minimalism, by Cary Telander Fortin and Kyle Louise Quilici (a photograph from Fortin and Quilici’s book is shown here), or Remodelista: The Organized Home, by Julie Carlson and Margot Guralnick. Both are packed with inspiring images of clutter-free, neatly organized spaces and include smart, actionable ideas.
‘New Minimalism’ Book Offers Fresh Ideas for Decluttering
‘New Minimalism’ Book Offers Fresh Ideas for Decluttering
4. Protect your pipes from freezing. Low temperatures can wreak havoc on your pipes, whether you’re home or away on a winter trip. If you haven’t done so yet, locate the shut-off valve for the main water line to your property — and if you’re going out of town, be sure to show your house sitter (or a neighbor) where it is too. And if your area is having a cold snap, keep the thermostat set to a minimum of 55 degrees, around the clock.
What to Do When Your Pipes Freeze
What to Do When Your Pipes Freeze
5. Organize your desk. It’s a wonderful feeling to start a new week with a clean, clear desk. Put on some music or set a timer to help you stay focused on the task — file or shred papers as needed, put away items that belong elsewhere and clear out at least one drawer to create some breathing space.
8 Kitchen Desk and Nook Designs to Keep Your Family Organized
8 Kitchen Desk and Nook Designs to Keep Your Family Organized
6. Treat yourself to new slippers (or a cozy new rug). Make getting out of the bed in the morning more inviting with a fluffy pair of slippers to step into, or a cushy bedside rug to warm your toes. It’s a little thing, but on a chilly winter morning, those little things can make a big difference!
6 Ways to Cozy Up Your Home This Winter
Find warm rugs in every style
6 Ways to Cozy Up Your Home This Winter
Find warm rugs in every style
7. Hide away with an engrossing novel, craft project or movie. Spend a little downtime with a great new book, watch a film you’ve been meaning to see or settle in with a podcast and a knitting project. Enhance the relaxing mood with a crackling fire or lit candles, plus something hot to sip. Give yourself permission to put down the smartphone and fully unwind.
Tell us: What are you looking forward to this weekend? Let us know in the Comments.
More simple pleasures at home
Tell us: What are you looking forward to this weekend? Let us know in the Comments.
More simple pleasures at home
Liknande artiklar
Livsstil
Vilka gröna växter kan jag ha som tål att stå mörkt?
Älskar du gröna växter men har knapert med dagsljus? Experten tipsar om 6 krukväxter som frodas även i mörker.
Läs artikeln
Badrum
Renovera smart: Så skapar du ett tidlöst badrum
Av A
Att renovera badrum kan kosta en slant, därför gäller det att välja en stil som inte blir omodern. Här hittar du åtta tidlösa tips.
Läs artikeln
Kök
Modern snickeriglädje: 21 exempel på hur trä kan förhöja ditt kök
Välgjorda snickeriarbeten är som väl valda smycken till en outfit – en liten detalj kan skänka glans till hela rummet.
Läs artikeln
Vardagsrum
Experternas råd: hur högt ska TV:n sitta?
Hur placerar man TV:n så att det passar både nacken och det estetiska ögat, enligt experterna?
Läs artikeln
Arkitektur
Stora expertguiden: Hur anlitar man en arkitekt?
Vi har gjort en djupdykning i arkitektyrket, och fått svar på de allra vanligaste frågorna med hjälp av tre experter.
Läs artikeln
Badrum
Så döljer du tvättmaskinen – 17 eleganta exempel
Tvättmaskinen och torktumlaren är inte det vackraste i hemmet. Här finns tips på hur du effektivt kan gömma dem,
Läs artikeln
Inredning & dekoration
Stora expertguiden: Varför ska man anlita en inredare?
Vi har gjort en djupdykning i yrket, och fått svar på de vanligaste frågorna med hjälp av fyra skandinaviska experter.
Läs artikeln
Inredning & dekoration
Gör ett rum till två – utan att bygga en ny vägg
Skapa avskildhet enkelt och snyggt med rumsavdelare, från fönster till tyger – och trädstammar!
Läs artikeln
Inredning & dekoration
Lär dig expertens trick – möblera med soffan mitt i rummet
Få mer förvaring, bättre socialt umgänge och lättare att städa bara genom att tänka lite utanför ramarna – vi visar hur.
Läs artikeln
Kök
25 geniala förvaringsidéer att pröva i ditt kök
Platsbyggda lådor, gömda arbetsytor och hemliga hyllor i köksön – här finns smarta tips som gör köket effektivare.
Läs artikeln
@poodlemom: just remember "where there is one, there is 7".. . that's what my mom would tell us, and sometimes that was true. Get rid of the first 7, and you might be ok for awhile; but if you have more than 7, you may have problem! We had mice this year as well; can't remember the last time we had them before though.
going through Houzz searching for ideas for the family house reno