From chaos to calm: How to keep your home tidy with multiple hobbies

From chaos to calm: How to keep your home tidy with multiple hobbies

Having a range of hobbies can be incredibly fulfilling, but when you’re passionate about multiple activities, it’s easy for clutter to pile up. Whether you’re into painting, knitting, gaming or even gardening, the materials and tools for these hobbies can quickly take over your home. The challenge then becomes finding a way to enjoy your passions without letting them overwhelm your living space. Fortunately, with a few simple strategies, you can keep your home tidy and organised, regardless of how many hobbies you have.

Designate specific spaces for each hobby

One of the most effective ways to keep your home tidy when you have multiple hobbies is to designate specific areas for each activity. This creates a sense of order and ensures that materials are stored where they are used, reducing the likelihood of clutter spilling into other areas of your home.

If possible, allocate a room or a corner of a room to each hobby. For instance, if you love painting, set up a small studio space with a table, easels and paint supplies. If you enjoy knitting or sewing, organise a cosy nook with a comfortable chair, storage bins for yarn or fabric and a small side table for your tools. If you enjoy playing online games like blackjack, roulette and poker, consider setting up a dedicated area for your casino gaming hobby. Think of a corner or a small games room. Luckily, the best new casinos UK players are visiting can be easily accessed using a device from anywhere, which means you don’t need a lot of space to play the casino games you enjoy most. You can dedicate a comfortable chair in your favourite room with a good internet connection, and you’ll have all you need to game online.

Even if you’re limited in space, you can still dedicate a small area, such as a corner of a living room or an unused cupboard, to your hobby. The key is to keep each hobby’s items in one location, making it easier to keep track of your materials and preventing them from spreading around your home.

Use storage solutions to keep supplies organised

Storage plays a crucial role in maintaining order when juggling multiple hobbies. Investing in practical, easy-to-use storage solutions can help keep clutter at bay while ensuring that your supplies are easily accessible when you need them. The right organisational system will save you time, reduce mess and even encourage you to enjoy your hobbies more.

For smaller items, such as knitting needles, paints or crafting tools, clear storage bins, boxes or drawer organisers are perfect. Label each container to make it easier to find specific items. For larger supplies, like books, sewing machines or equipment for outdoor hobbies, consider using vertical shelving or tall cabinets that make the most of your available space without overcrowding it. Multi-functional furniture, such as coffee tables with hidden storage or ottomans with compartments, can also serve as stylish yet functional storage for your hobby-related materials.

For a more streamlined approach, opt for modular storage units that can be adjusted as your collection grows or changes. Floating shelves are an excellent way to keep things organised without taking up valuable floor space. You can even incorporate decorative baskets or stylish boxes to hide clutter while keeping it easily accessible.

Declutter regularly and prioritise items

With multiple hobbies, it’s easy to accumulate materials you no longer need. Old supplies, tools and unfinished projects can quickly add to the clutter. Regularly decluttering your hobby areas is key to maintaining a tidy home.

Every few months, go through your materials and ask yourself if you still use them or if they’re simply taking up space. If you haven’t used something in the last six months, or it no longer fits your current interests, consider donating or selling it. For unfinished projects, assess whether you are likely to finish them soon or whether they can be repurposed or gifted away. By minimising the number of supplies and materials you keep, you’ll create more space for the things you truly use and enjoy.

You can also get into the habit of cleaning up after each session. Whether it’s putting your paints back in their containers or neatly folding up your knitting, taking a few minutes after each session to tidy up will prevent the build-up of clutter.

Make use of hidden storage

Not every item needs to be on display. For some hobbies, such as gaming or model building, you might prefer to have your equipment easily accessible but out of sight when not in use. Hidden storage is a great way to keep things tidy while still having everything at your fingertips when you need it.

Consider using furniture with built-in storage, such as a storage ottoman or a sofa with under-seat compartments, to keep hobby-related items out of view. You could also use decorative baskets or stylish boxes to keep materials tucked away in plain sight. If you have shelves, place baskets on the lower levels to hold your hobby supplies, keeping your upper shelves for decorative items or books.

Additionally, wall-mounted cabinets, hooks or pegboards can offer space for tools or craft supplies while keeping them neatly stored and easily accessible. For gaming enthusiasts, gaming consoles and controllers can be kept in closed cabinets with cable management solutions, keeping wires organised and out of sight when not in use.

Incorporate your hobbies into your home decor

Instead of hiding all your hobby-related items, why not incorporate them into your home’s décor? If you’re an artist, display a few of your paintings or sketches on the wall. For those who love gardening, a few indoor plants can be a beautiful and functional addition to your space. Creating a display area for your hobbies can prevent clutter while showcasing your passions in a way that feels integrated into your home’s overall design.

If you have a collection, such as vintage board games or musical instruments, consider using shelving units or glass-fronted cabinets to display them neatly. For hobby materials that you use regularly, such as knitting yarn or craft supplies, use decorative baskets or jars to keep everything tidy but still easily accessible.

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A simple guide to a clear and organised kitchen

A simple guide to a clear and organised kitchen

Your kitchen is often seen as the heart of your home; it’s where you gather to cook and socialise; however, keeping it organised and clean can sometimes feel as though it’s an unachievable task. With meal prep, snack time and the occasional spill, it’s very easy for your kitchen to become messy and feel cluttered.  However, with a little bit of effort and some smart thinking, you can make sure your kitchen is a clean, efficient and welcoming space.

We’re going to have a look at some of the ways you can create a thoroughly clear and organised kitchen so it’s a space that you can be proud of and enjoy.

Declutter your kitchen

Before diving into the deep end of cleaning, you need to start by decluttering your kitchen. This means that you need to get rid of any items that don’t belong in your kitchen, like keys, post and books.  Then, you need to go through each of your cabinets and drawers and make sure you get rid of anything that you no longer use or need. You need to be ruthless with this; if you haven’t used it in the last year, it’s probably time to get it gone.

You could think about donating old kitchen items such as pots, pans and appliances to a local charity shop or thrift store. This will help you to free up some space and it will also help somebody who is in need.

Deep clean your appliances

 You use your kitchen appliances on a daily basis; therefore, they need some care and attention. You need to have a thorough cleaning of them to make them look better and last longer. Items you should tackle:

Your refrigerator:  You should start by removing all the food and getting rid of anything that is no longer on date. Then, clean with a mixture of baking powder and water. Make sure you clean the seals and the outside of the fridge as well. Before you put anything back in, make sure you think about some storage solutions that are easier to use.

Your oven: This is something that people often dread; however, it is important for both safety and hygiene. Take out the racks and soak them in warm, soapy water; then, use baking soda to coat the inside of the oven. Allow the mixture to sit for a few hours, then start getting rid of all the grime.  If you have any stubborn areas, then you may want to use a little bit of white vinegar to help you lift them. If you don’t want to get your hands dirty, then you may want to consider using an oven cleaning service so that you can get your oven nice and clean without all the hard work.

Your microwave: Your microwave is really. All you need to do is put water with a few slices of lemon or vinegar into your microwave and put it on high for three to five minutes.   The steam created from this will help you loosen any nasty gunk and allow you to wipe it down easily.

Your dishwasher: This is another one that is easy to clean. Load a piece of copper or white vinegar and put it on a hot water cycle.

Clean the cabinets and worktops

You may be surprised by how much dust can accumulate on your worktops and cabinets; therefore, it isn’t a good idea to clean them regularly. Clear off any items from your worktops, wipe down the surface with a mild cleaner, making sure that you pay attention to the corners and edges where detritus can collect. If you have any stubborn stains, use a mixture of water and baking powder, leave it for a couple of hours, then wipe it down. For your cabinets, you can use a mix of warm water and dish soap; if they are a little bit greasy, then you may want to add a bit of vinegar to the mix. Make sure you pay attention to your handles, as they can gather a lot of bacteria. Make sure that you don’t forget your splashback when you are cleaning your worktops and cabinets, as a lot of grime can get on there without you realising it, especially if it is behind this stove or in an area where you prepare food.

 Organise your kitchen space

Now that you’ve made everything clean and tidy, it’s time to organise your kitchen and make it as functional as possible. First, look at your pantry and make sure that you have similar items in it, all grouped. For example, if you’ve got canned goods, make sure they are all stacked together and easy to see. If you have containers for things like pasta, rice and cereal, make sure you put them in a place where you can easily see them and have access to them. It’s a good idea to label everything so that you can see what you need. When it comes to your cabinets, make sure that you have one cabinet for each item. For example, put your pots and pans together in one place. If you’re short on space, you could consider using shelf risers or pull-out organisers so that you can make the most of your kitchen space. Don’t forget that you can use the space under your sink for things like all your cleaning supplies and random bits and bobs. Think about adding some bins where you can put smaller items together, so they’re organised.

Getting your kitchen cleaned and organised might seem like a huge task; however, when you put a bit of planning and effort into it, you can create a kitchen that is both functional and inviting. Whether you are going to do it all in one day or you’re going to spread it out across a couple of weeks, it’s really worth getting this done. Don’t forget that it’s important to keep up to date with your kitchen cleaning regularly, but you don’t need to do a deep clean every single time.

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3 practical ways to kickstart your day

3 practical ways to kickstart your day

Sometimes, getting up and getting ready for the day can feel like more of an effort than it’s worth. No matter what you do, you could feel like it’s just a chore and something you need to struggle through. What if that doesn’t have to be the case? With the right ways to kickstart your day, it’ll become much easier than you’d think.

If you’re already finding it difficult to get your day started, it’s worth focusing on three of these tips. They’ll make your morning – and the day itself – more enjoyable than you could’ve thought. Why not dive into them?

Ways to kickstart your day: 3 practical options

1. Have a coffee

A dose of caffeine can always be a great way to kickstart your day, but you don’t need to settle for the same flavour every day. Instead, you could experiment with different types of coffee and flavours. You can get these from various places, such as Horsham Coffee Roaster.

With a little experimentation, you’ll have a new favourite flavour before you even know it. You could end up enjoying your coffee more than you could’ve thought.

2. Write your daily to-do list

You’ll have quite a few things to do every day. While these can change somewhat, some of them are relatively standard. You’ll do them most days without needing to change them up. Sometimes, it can still be difficult to keep track of everything. Why not make this easier with a daily to-do list?

Writing this first-thing in the morning makes sure you know exactly what you need to get done, making your day more straightforward. If you don’t feel like writing it in the morning, do it before you go to bed and review the list not long after you wake up. While you’re having your coffee perhaps?

3. Have a ‘getting ready’ order

Needing to make too many decisions all the time often results in fatigue, and you can start feeling this even in the morning. Why not avoid that by making sure you don’t need to make too many decisions right after you wake up? A “getting ready” order can be a great way of doing this.

Look at this as a step-by-step list of what you’ll do every morning. Having this in a specific order makes it much easier to follow and prevents you from needing to decide what you should do next. It’s a great way of making your morning routine much more straightforward than you could’ve thought.

Ways to kickstart your day: wrapping up

If you’re struggling to get up and get ready every morning, you might need to use a few ways to kickstart your day. You shouldn’t have to put too much time or effort into this, though. All it takes is the right habits and a good morning routine.

Having an order to everything, writing or reviewing your daily to-do list and having a good coffee are all great parts of this. With a little bit of effort, you shouldn’t have a problem setting up your day the right way.

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Tips for keeping your home and family super organised

Tips for keeping your home and family super organised

Do you feel like your family and home are in constant disarray? If you’re looking for tips to help control things, read on! In this post, we’ll share some easy ways to keep your home and family super organised. From decluttering to creating a daily routine, these tips will help you regain the peace of mind you crave. Let’s get started!

Have a permanent donations bin in your home

A dedicated donations bin in your home can easily keep your family and home organised. Donation bins are great for quickly sorting and storing items you no longer need so that you can donate them and reduce clutter in the home. When setting up a donation bin, make sure it’s easily accessible to everyone in the family but also out of the way if you do not want it in view. Try labelling the bin with simple signage such as “Donate Here” or “Give Away”, so there is no confusion when anyone wants to use it. After the bin is filled, consider donating the items regularly and replace what was given away with anything else you find around the house that needs to be donated instead of thrown away or stored. If a donations bin still needs to be part of your family’s organisation toolkit, take a few minutes to set one up and start collecting unneeded items that could be rehomed!

Menu planning

Menu planning can be a great way to stay organised in your household. It is convenient and cost-effective, as weekly or even monthly meal plans can help cut down on trips to the supermarket, reduce food waste and harness leftovers. Menu planning also helps alleviate dinnertime stress as you can plan for busy weeks when cooking can become an unwanted burden. Start by thinking of meals everyone likes, including simple options everyone can make. Then, plan dinners for the week and can use leftovers for lunch the following day or for another dinner. If meal prepping is something that works with your routine – making those meals on Sunday when you have more free time & space – then do it for shorter amounts of time throughout the week, including packing your lunches in advance, batch cooking a few nights’ worth of dinner and pre-made components to include in a salad, sandwich or wrap each day. Setting yourself time goals will set you up for menu planning success while allowing variety while keeping things organised.

Have designated personal spaces for everyone to keep their belongings

Creating designated personal spaces for each family member is an easy way to organise your family and home. Allocate a cupboard or wardrobe to each family member where they can keep their belongings such as clothes, bags, shoes and any other personal items. You can use fitted wardrobes, storage boxes, lockers or separate areas delineated by coloured drawers. Once allocated a space, encourage each family member to put their items away when not in use — this will also help them feel more responsible for keeping their area clean and tidy. When it comes time to do chores like cleaning bedrooms or changing sheets, this will be faster and simpler since everyone knows where their things should go. Designated personal spaces with creative organisation methods enable you to stay on top of clutter before it compounds, allowing for order instead of chaos.

Create a visual family schedule

Keeping your family organised can be a daunting task, but if you create a visual family schedule it can make it much easier. A visual family schedule is a great way to keep the entire family on track and know what is happening throughout the week. It can also help foster independence in children and teenagers as they learn to use the schedule to plan meetings, appointments and extracurricular activities. Visual family schedules also act as helpful reminders for everyone in the household, so there are no unwelcome surprises on important dates or days when specific tasks must be done. Creating a visual schedule at home takes some simple planning – get creative with colourful dry-erase boards, printable calendars or even wallpapers taking up some space on your fridge. However, these mediums make organisation fun for kids and show that you can have an incredibly organised household with a bit of ingenuity!

Involve the whole family in cleaning & household tasks

Keeping a busy family and home organised can seem like an overwhelming task. However, involving the whole family in household tasks is a great way to share the workload and keep your home tidy. It’s important to give each member of the family ownership of their tasks, so assign housework based on skills and interests. Build teamwork by setting specific goals for each cleaning or organising task or introducing incentives for reaching those goals. Try assigning tasks to various family members regularly, or create a rotating schedule throughout the week so everyone has an afternoon off each week. Giving everyone individual tasks will help ensure all areas of your home stay organised and free of clutter; remember to keep it fun and ensure everyone is doing their bit!

Keeping a family and home organised is an important task to maintain. The key components to staying organised are planning meals, allocating designated personal spaces for each family member, creating visual family schedules and involving the whole family in household tasks. With these tips, you can keep your home clean and clutter-free without all the stress.

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