5 Tips To Organize A Small Kitchen

5 Tips To Organize A Small Kitchen

The kitchen is one of the most important areas of your house. Because this is where you’ll cook and
prepare meals for your friends and family, it’s vital that you keep this area clean and clutter-free. You don’t
want to serve meals which will only make your family sick, right? Organizing is key for you to enjoy a
clean and sanitary kitchen all year long. The more organized your kitchen is, the safer the area will be for
everyone.

Regardless if you just move to a new house with the help of NYC Moversor if you are living in the same house for years, you need to prioritize the cleanliness of your kitchen.
Here are some tips to help you organize a small kitchen:

1. Purge, purge and purge some more

Every item in your kitchen is your investment. More often than not, you’ve spent a lot of money on buying
your kitchen appliances, cooking ware and utensils. This is especially true if you’re someone who loves to
spend time in their kitchens. However, even if you paid a lot of money in buying these things, it doesn’t
mean that you have to keep all of them. Since you have limited space, it’s important that you dispose of

items that are damaged or no longer in use.

Go through all of your kitchen items and assess which among these are no longer usable. Are you still
using your microwave oven? Does your coffee maker still work? Keeping items that don’t serve its
purpose will only collect dust and take up valuable space.

2. Rethink your walls

When you have a small kitchen, floor space can become an issue. Usually, you’ll only have enough floor
space to accommodate basic kitchen appliances and fixtures. For you to better organize your kitchen,
utilize the walls. Use this area to hang your pots and pants, and other kitchen utensils. You can also invest
in a rack and hang commonly used items.

3. Use all of your cabinets strategically

Most kitchens are built-in with cabinets. While some of these cabinets are seen underneath the sink, others
can be installed above the kitchen counters. If you have limited cabinets in your kitchen, maximize its
function by using risers to create shelves inside your cabinets. These risers are very cheap and can be
bought from any home depot store and even online websites.

4. Use your doors

Aside from investing in risers, improve the functionality of your cabinets by using its doors. Look for
hooks and caddies, and use these to place light items such as sponge and cleaning towels. You can also
place grocery bags in this area. This is one of the easiest and cheapest ways of adding extra storage in your
kitchen.

5. Use clear containers

Going through all of your kitchen cabinets and not finding the food you want to eat can be very frustrating.
Instead of looking forward to a productive day, you’ll be stressed because you can’t find your favorite box
of cereal. To avoid clutter and stress to all of your family members, invest in clear containers. These should
be utilized in placing smaller food items such as flour and sugar. Take the time to label all of these properly
so everyone can find what they’re looking for fast. And because these containers are clear, it’ll be easy for
you to know which items are running low.

Your Consistency Counts

There are actually a lot of ways on how you can organize your kitchen. Aside from the tips presented in
this article, you can ask help from your friends and family or rely on the World Wide Web for more
information. But no matter how you plan on organizing your kitchen, keep in mind that you will only be
successful if you’re consistent with your efforts. Organizing your kitchen for one week and not having the
discipline to store kitchen tools in its proper place will not make your kitchen clutter-free and sanitary. 

How to be a Boss at Renovating Your Own Home

Renovating your own home can seem like a daunting task. Learning how to do some basic DIY, woodwork, and interior decorating is no mean feat, particularly when you’re completing it on your own. While many of us would love to have the budget to hire someone else to do our renovation for us, we don’t always have the budget to do so.

Get creative with paint

It’s no secret that a brand new lick of paint can do wonders for any room. If you’re worried that your bedroom, living room or kitchen is looking a little tired, then it could be time to get out the rollers and drop cloths. If you really want to paint in style, it’s time to get creative. Taking your time to look through swatches and experiment with color could see you creating something truly unique. Pairing deep slate greys with pale yellows or bright creams with vibrant furniture could give you a home that looks as if it belongs in a brochure.

Make the most of small rooms

Small rooms often feel like the most difficult to renovate in many ways. While there’s less space to conquer, you often run the risk of accidentally cluttering the room. There are a few gospel rules when it comes to smaller rooms, and those include:

No dark paint

No busy patterns

No dark curtains

These focus on getting as much light into the room as possible, which is always a wise approach. You can also use clever tricks of the light to make it feel like a much bigger room. Adding mirrors is just one way of doing this, as they give a slight illusion of extra space, as well as bouncing light around the room.

Don’t be afraid of cosmetic changes

Cosmetic changes to a home can include changing the tiles in a room, re-painting a room, or adding wallpaper. While these jobs might require a bit of elbow grease, they are well within most people’s capabilities. There also some unique hacks you can try to spruce up some features in your home. Did you know, for example, that if you unscrew the doorknobs in your house and boil them with baking soda you’ll be able to get rid of any accidental paint spills? Don’t be afraid, either, to switch up some of those smaller features. Purchasing quirky and artistic doorknobs to fit in your home will give it a stylish boutique feel.

Be bold with your front door

It’s surprising how small aspects of a renovation can make it feel like a much bigger one. For example, changing your front door can have a surprisingly large effect on the overall appearance of your abode. If you can’t afford an entirely new front door, then why not paint it? Opting for a bold and vibrant color such as yellow will give your home an immediate sense of character.

Go bargain hunting

As you may have already surmised, renovating can be an expensive project. Cans of paint, new artwork, and new furniture can all come to quite an expensive price. This is where sales become your friend. Bargain hunting for materials way in advance could save you plenty of money. Take trips out to DIY stories and browse through online retailers’ stock until you find the best possible bargain. While there are some features that shouldn’t be scrimped on, items such as paint can be affordably purchased at a much cheaper price with very little consequence.

Leave the tough work to the professionals

If you find yourself wondering if it’s possible to fit a toilet by yourself or maybe do the re-wiring in your kitchen – don’t risk it. Some jobs are best left to professionals, particularly when the condition of your home is at stake. It might end up costing you a fortune to repair the damage caused. By searching “plumbers in my area” online you can find tradespeople to get the big jobs executed successfully.

The easiest way to be a boss at home renovation is to be brave. Get creative with your color use and accept the challenges that learning DIY can bring. While some bigger tasks are best left to professionals (plumbing and wiring, for example) there are still plenty of home improvements you can complete yourself. Start hunting around for inspiration and DIY sales; you never know what you might come up with.

15 Fabulous Fountains for the Garden

Add an elegant touch to your garden this summer with a fountain. These options are classy, functional and best of all, affordable!

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Water Pump Cascading Fountain
This fountain stands at 32 inches and creates a relaxing atmosphere. Water pours from a vintage style pump to fill the aged buckets with gently cascading water. It makes for a lovely sight and sound in any garden.

3 Tier Garden Fountain
This 45 inch fountain has a nice aged appearance and would look at home in the most elegant garden. It is made of fiberglass and requires no plumbing at all, as the water recirculates.

Tuscan Garden Fountain
This fountain stands 54 inches high and looks like it came straight from a Tuscan garden. It will add lot of elegance and charm to your garden, no matter where you live.

Stacked Stone Tiered Bowls with LED Light
These stacked stone bowls offer a modern look to your garden. I love the added bonus of an LED light to add even more charm after the sunsets.

Rustic Jugs Fountain
Three rustic jugs make the perfect vessel for cascading water. This low maintenance fountain would look fantastic in a country garden!

Modern Sphere Fountain 
With a curve and  sphere, this modern fountain is elegant, artsy and ideal for adding a special touch to your outdoor oasis.

Faux Marble Bowl and Pillar Fountain
This fountain has a very classy appearance with a faux marble look. This fountain features LED lighting to add another wow factor once the sun goes down.

Rippled Slate Fountain
This fountain is visually stunning with a spotlight and copper accents. It will add a sophisticated feel to your garden along with peaceful sounds of falling water.

Wishing Well Fountain
This cute fountain adds a touch of charm with its wishing well design. At under $100 it is perfect for small gardens or as an accent to the beauty of your outdoor space.

Curved Cascading Fountain
With a super quiet pump, this curved beauty is nothing short of garden art. No one would ever believe it retails for under $150!

Two Tiered Zen Fountain and Bird Bath
This fountain brings a lot of zen to any outdoor space. It is peaceful and will attract birds for even more natural beauty in your garden.

Peeing Boy Fountain Statue
These fountains are classics, with an antique finish, no one would ever suspect this fountain didn't come from a historic estate.

Cherub Fountain
With an LED light, this timeless cherub style fountain adds a sweet touch to you garden. Low maintenance and under $100 make this a great choice for any garden.

Farmhouse Watering Can Fountain
This watering can style fountain is chic and stylish. With a metal tub and multiple watering cans, this fountain looks great in any farmhouse garden!

Virginia Rock Fountain
With lovely rocks and cascading pools, this elegant fountain adds an element of relaxation to any garden area!

Rustic Water Barrel Fountain

This fountain features 2 barrels for soothing water to cascade into. With a rustic look, this would be an ideal fountain for a farmhouse or a cabin, but would look charming in any garden!

Imperial Lion Fountain

This fountain is regal and charming and adds a touch of classic sophistication to any outdoor living area. Standing tall and proud like any lion should, this fountain will capture the attention of anyone to view it.

15 Wonderful Windchimes

Windchimes are nice, but this collection has some of the best that money can buy. Melodic and visually appealing, these would add such a nice touch to your outdoor space!

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Amazing Grace Wind Chimes
This wind chime is tuned to play the beginning chords of amazing grace for a lovely sound every time the wind blows.

Pachelbel's Canon in D Wind Chimes
Measuring 32" long, this wind chime is tuned to Pachelbel's Canon in D. It creates a lovely sound your ears will delight in all summer long.

Wind Chimes for People Who Like Their Neighbors
This bamboo and aluminum and chimes plays a unique variation on the G-major Pentatonic scale. It is literally, music for the ears!

Classic Havasu Large Wind Chime
This large and unique wind chime is tuned to the E-major Pentatonic chord, but includes a adjustable striker to help you set the ideal tone for your garden.

Corinthian Bells Wind Chimes
Measuring at 44 inches, this wind chime provides rich, deep tones in the C chord. This wind chime sets a relaxing tone to your outdoor space.

Bamboo Wind Chimes
Peaceful bamboo chimes are perfect for the backyard. They are sturdy, beautiful to look at and provide a peaceful song everytime the breeze blows.

Brass Wind Chimes
This unique set of chimes provides the sound of bells ringing and is said to be known as a money bell for good fortune.

35 Bar Chimes
This large set of wind chimes contains 35 metal bars for an incredible sound that makes it worth every penny of the $120 price tag. The wood parts of the chimes is gorgeousin contrast with the metal.

Baritone Wind Chime
The baritone wind chime is a part of a series. You can pair this with 7 other chimes for a musical masterpiece, or enjoy the chimes one on one. This is the middle voice in the set and provides a really pleasing sound with the breeze.

Neptune Wind Chime
This chime provides low tones from the 54" bronze tunes. This sets the tone for a peaceful and serene garden. While the chimes are close to $100, they are an investment in peace and calm for anyone who enjoys spending time outdoors.

Fine Tuned Healing Chimes
This fine tuned set of healing chimes gives the illusion of more tones than tubes for a melodic effect that is a treat for the ears.

Tuscany Wind Chimes
The Tuscany chimes is a 27 inch set that has been tuned to the notes of a Verdi aria from La Forza del Destino. The chimes provide a completely elegant sound for your outdoor area.

Heroic Windbell
Featuring a 40 inch windchime this heroic bell sounds lovely in the wind. You can also use it to call the family to dinner for an added bonus.

Tibetan Prayer Chimes
A lovely sound awaits with these chimes. They have been tuned to 5 notes that make up the principal motif of a work by composer Toru Takemitsu for a zen escape anytime the wind blows.

Bells of Paradise Wind Chime
This set of chimes is tuned in several chords to create a harmonious effect anytime the wind blows.

Color Trends for Bedrooms

Whether you are looking for the paint color or just want to pick a color to make your bedroom seem a little bit bigger, professional paint companies and designers have been well consulted and they have put forward a few colors in trend this year to certainly make your home stand out.

Swirling Smoke

This is considered a great color, light colored with the tint of gray that feels very relaxing as well as calm. Swirling Smoke is definitely recommended by a colorist, Lee Crowder in Darling Homes, situated in Dallas. The renowned colorist also has quoted that she feels a challenge not using this color all the time for different customers just because she herself likes it too much.

Hale Navy

Hale Navy is a very fresh clean shade of blue. It is one of the popular bedroom colors that tops the list to make the room feel brighter. It is quite surely a combination of both brightness and freshness; and together, they certainly do attain a spot on Benjamin Moore’s bestselling shades of blue. The color works in any lighting situation, is a mix of both warm and cool tones and always looks stunning whether used on walls or even furniture.

Colonial Aqua

This color is one of the shades of green, tilting more towards the sea-green side. The color can make a dull room with little light look well bright. Along with that, the color brings a sweet and soft touch to the resting master or visitors in the guest bedroom.

Colonial Aqua must be considered in a spa-like bathroom or an elegantly constructed kitchen. It can also be paired with off-white to result in a harmonious look.

Orange Blossom

Though different shades are a personal and subjective choice, using orange color is always a bolding and an uplifting move. The color radiates warmth as it generates happiness be it tender, romantic or energetic.

The Orange Blossom is an elegant shade that allows the room appear lighter and brighter and sends off a relaxed energy throughout the room. The color can also be seen as soft peach and may look extremely elegant in a dining area. Contrast this color with shades of the blue or green and you get yourself a beautiful room to welcome your guests.

Alabaster

This color is most similar to an off-white one. The color particularly looks good on a room with plenty of windows outlined by a white color. Alabaster is the perfect creamy white, not too dull like yellow but not  white at all either. This may be well suited in a dining room, increasing the elegance of the room and dining in with your guests with confidence.

Though 2018 has been the year where most colors found their way to the top, these 5 have topped the list. Whether you paint all four walls of a room or just a single side, these colors will surely get the best out of the room.

DIY Kids Reading Nook and Book Storage Solution

We have moved into our house and are now in the stages of making it work for us. The rooms are all spacious, there are closets! But we have a mass of childrens books fitting for a small library. After filling the only 3 shelves available with books, I had to get creative about storing them but I also wanted to come up with something functional.

I got an under the bed storage tote. I filled it with about 50 books.

I placed the lid on it and immediately my daughter dashed into see what was up. She is a little bookworm and the idea of several hundred available books really appealed to her... and the mess maker in her too.

                  From here I got a soft blanket. and covered tote of books.

I added a few favorite stuffed animals, but they were instantly snatched away by the kids. so I gave them a pillow and a small basket of books at the side of this reading nook.

As you can see, it was instantly put to use by my sweet book loving daughter.

So, for about $8 I created a storage solution and a seating area for the kids! This has worked well because the kids like to lay down and read, and the tote filled with books supports their weight and is just the right length for them to do so.

Making Motherhood Less Messy With Dyson

I was compensated to write this feature with a sample from the manufacturer. 

As a busy mom of 2 kids, 2 dogs, a cat and a few small animals, let me tell you that life can get busy and messy! Having the right tools on hand to clean up all of the aftermath of family life is important to me because it makes the job easier and it helps me to stay stress free.

We are a crafting family so, scraps, sprinkles and sparkles are frequently an issue to contend with. Not to mention general dirt, ever present pet hair and kid schmutz.

My husband often comments that in my hands, a vacuum stands no chance at survival. I will work it to death in record time. He isn't joking either. With a herd of goblins in tow, things get out of control fast here. My vacuum is put to work 2 times a day, at least!

The number of vacuums I have worked to death over the years is at about 10. With a track record like that and knowing in my heart, if it can suck up dirt, I will push it to the cleaning limits, I am a hard sell on any vacuum retailing at over $200.

Then I got to try the Dyson Animal Ball. This vacuum is priced much higher than my cut off of $200. I had never used a Dyson, so I wasn't sure how I would feel about this unit. I know this is the brand my peers all cheer for so it had a point in its favor with me.

The vacuum was easy to assemble. My husband had it together in a few minutes time. He reported the instructions were easy to follow.

When I turned it on to start my daily cleaning, I was immediately taken by the power of this unit. This vacuum really sucks. And it sucks up dirt you didn't know was there, left behind by my old vacuum! Pet hair? Where? I can't find any on my floors after running this.

It is easy to clean with, easy to empty and has a whole lot of power. No matter how much dirt the family tracks in, they can rest assured I am nearby with my Dyson Animal Ball in hand.

I tested this unit for a full 4 months. I wanted to form a complete opinion on how it preformed compared to the cost. First, the vacuum looks good. The purple color is appealing. The canister is easy to see, making it obvious when to empty.

The unit has a lot of power. It really sucks up well, but I have found that on occasion I need to release hair and small debris that might become lodged inside the vacuum. This has been easy enough to do, but is a problem I haven't encountered with other vacuums. I love how much hair and dirt it can suck up quickly, making cleaning time less time consuming for me.

I like the lightweight features of the Dyson Animal Ball. It is easy to push and carry as needed. It is compact enough to easily store in a small closet when not in use, which is another bonus for me.

Overall, I liked this vacuum very much. It is one of the best ones I have used in terms of cleaning power and durability. I think it is well worth the price and would happily recommend the Dyson Animal Ball to other parents looking to make clean up time a breeze!

Adding Dreaminess With My Wonderful Walls

We moved 53 weeks ago. That is one year plus one week of time. In a way, it seems like it was not that long ago but then again... it feels like we have been here forever. Funny how that works out. The house is an old charmer for sure. It has its own quirks, conveniences, and irritations. Mostly, the place feels like home. Then we get to the master bedroom...

You guys, this is horrible to admit on some level, but the master bedroom was completely ignored. Like, people may use this room... but I can't be certain as it is like... empty! Like I mentioned above, the house has quirks and conveniences, but it also has one massive inconvenience. The stairs twist in 2 spots, this makes taking basically anything up the stairs impossible. On moving day, we realized that getting our mattress up the stairs and twisted to go around the corners was quite a feat. Nothing else was going to go up there... my bedroom furniture was destined to sit in the shed.

Life moves fast... so fast. Finally, one cold winter day I walked in that room and said "Are we college kids, forced to sleep on the floor?! Why have we never dealt with this bedroom situation!?"

The project began, some artwork was brought in, a small dresser was purchased. A bed in a box type of contraption was purchased and brought in. It was starting to look like an actual bedroom. But, it really lacked something.

This is where My Wonderful Walls comes into my story.

I didn't want to do anything permanent to the room, as I am trying to convince my family that my daughter should trade rooms with my husband and I. But, I really wanted to add something to the room while we are using it. My Wonderful Walls happens to offer an impressive selection of decals for your walls that are perfect for what I wanted to do.

The hardest part about adding to my wall decor with this company was this... How do you decide when there are so many cute, fun and gorgeous options?! Really! I finally made use of my best gal pal and ran my favorites by her. We both seemed to have fun with the selection process.

In the end, I decided on a constellation scene, Scorpio and the Blue Ridge. It was absolutely perfect for adding a dreamy touch to a bedroom! The decal arrived quickly and securely shipped in a sturdy tube {this is so important as I have ordered a decal from another site in the past that arrived folded and unusable as it never flattened out properly...} I unrolled it, oohed and ahhed and hopped on to the next moment in this busy life.

This is what it looked like on the site.

A few moments later, my husband asked me to have a look. I couldn't believe he already had it up! It looks fantastic in our bedroom and would look great in a living room, maybe behind a sofa as well! My son suggested putting one on a ceiling too!

Mr. Sweet Silly Sara informed me that the decal was incredibly easy to apply to the wall and that it was practically effortless because of the shape and size of the decal.  {We got the large size.}

This is what it looks like on a wall in my home.

Overall, I couldn't have asked for a better experience with this company. They make great products to bring  new life to any space. Many years ago we featured a canvas print over here and it is still looking fabulous on the wall of my sons room! I know that this decal will be a part of the atmosphere of our bedroom for many years to come. It is so peaceful and pretty I can't imagine anyone ever wanting to take it down. However, should you change your mind about a decal from My wonderful Walls, rest assured these can be removed without damaging the wall, and with little effort.

If you want to add some awesome to your walls, you will not want to miss this giveaway! My Wonderful Walls has graciously offered to give one incredibly lucky reader a $100 gift certificate to the site! This giveaway is not endorsed or affiliated with facebook or any social media site or application. The prize is to be delivered from the sponsor. The giveaway is open to US residents, 18 and older.



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How To Remove Cat Urine From Carpet

There is nothing quite like the smell of cat pee on your carpet to really put a damper on the day. While we don't want to admit it, life with pets leads to a few messes here and there. Cat pee can be such a hard odor to get rid of, especially on carpet! It also seems that once your cat has an accident on the carpet, that spot is going to become a frequent place for future accidents if not treated.

My cat has had several accidents over the years. I have tried several methods to remove the odors and the germs! From specialty products sold in pet stores to natural remedies. I have had a variety of results as you can imagine. It seems that the products that work the best require the most work. Then one day, I had an idea and I tried it... Luckily it worked! I can't wait to share this easy DIY solution to pet odors that not only kills bacteria and germs but also has a pleasant smell!

Best of all- this is a DIY solution for pet odors like cat pee that will only cost you $2 to create. You may already have all of the supplies on hand for a frugal and fast fix to pet accidents!

The first step to take when your pet has an accident is to clean up as much of the urine as possible with paper towels. Blot it up as soon as possible until your paper towel is dry after blotting! This will make the job so much easier.

If you have a newspaper around lay it on top of the area where the accident occurred. The newspaper will absorb some of the odor.

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Next, you need an empty spray bottle and mouthwash.

Pour mouthwash into your clean and empty spray bottle.

Simply spray this over the area that the accident occurred. Spray the area down until it is damp.

And there you have it. A simple DIY Cat Urine Remover that is super easy to make and use. The mouthwash will kill bacteria and leave a pleasant smell. As you can see I used mint, because that is what my local Dollar Tree had in stock.

How do you deal with the mess and smell when an accident happens? 

DIY Blanket Box

I had this really great box. I had been holding on to it for several months because I have a cardboard hoarding problem. Ha! It is true, I will say "Ohhh! I am going to make a cardboard bed with that box..." and my husband will nod his head and say "Great idea!" or maybe "Interesting." He is patient and will give me a few days. If the box remains untouched, he sweetly breaks it down and recycles it to keep my hoarding to a minimum.

This box however I had managed to keep stashed out of the way in a closet used for coats. We haven't needed jackets in months now, so no one has been in that closet. Until one day. I saw him open the door. His eyes locked on the box.

He asked "What are you doing with this box?"
I knew my time was limited. It was a great box... I couldn't lose it! My mind went to work and I came up with a great way to use it and make it look pretty too!

From a swifter box to a blanket box in under 5 minutes. This project cost me about 50 cents to complete which makes this not only an upcycle, but also a frugal organization project in one.

I purchased my contact paper for $1 at Dollar General. I have enough to do another box about the same size.

First I unrolled enough paper to cover the top.

I peeled a small section of the paper off of the contact paper to carefully begin applying it to the lid of the box.

Then I did the same for the sides and the bottom.

I took a hard plastic case and smoothed out the bubbles and wrinkles in the contact paper the best I could.

My edges were a touch uneven, but that is okay. I highly doubt anyone is going to inspect my blanket box for perfection.

This box is great for storing baby blankets and it fits perfectly under Harp's crib.

This project only took a few minutes (5) and it created a really useful organizational tool for my daughters room!

30 Days to Move: Day 7

By Day 7 I had a viewing! The house was cute, but bland. White and gray everything. But, it had lots of closets. As we walked through I liked it... a lot. 

We approached the subject of pets. He said "People with dogs won't be my first choice... but go ahead and fill this out. Let's meet Sunday morning to discuss." Huzzah. A Prospect. 

As we drove away, the mixed emotions played in. The location was not prime. It had no fence, neighbored a car wash and was on Main Street. With Kids and Dogs, this was an issue.

We talked about installing a fence with his okay. End of discussion. Or was it.

We had no more prospects in order so we saw the application out and went back Sunday. The guy wasn't there... he was at Sam's Club. He forgot... 

Not one to waste time, we scouted out several other houses. In no time, we found 2 lovely possibilities and one so so option.

The game continued.

As this was one full week in, we were starting to worry... just a little. 

I continued searching and Adam networked.

As the day continued on, I gave up on packing... I really got discouraged. My stress levels were high. I basically had a mini relapse of Day 6.