Ways to Relax and Unwind With Your Valentine

The days are long, but the years are short, as they say. When you come to the end of your day, regardless of what you have been doing, whether working hard at your job or working just as hard taking care of your kids or parents, you need a well-deserved break. Continue reading for tips on how to find just what you need to unwind.

Enjoy a Delicious Beverage

If you imbibe on occasion, sometimes the perfect way to relax is with a good drink. Try your hand at being your own bartender by mixing up the perfect drink with Long Island iced tea ingredients. Pour the concoction into a tall glass, and sip away. Sit back with your thoughts and let the flow take you to your special place of relaxation.

Go for a Walk

Walking - whether a commune with nature or a stroll through your city center is a great way to unwind. Put on your walking shoes and weather-appropriate attire, and set out. Always bring your phone for safety, but avoid answering unnecessary calls, texts, emails, and Slack messages. Put non-essentials on silent so you can take in the ambient noise of the birds chirping, the gravel crunching underfoot, or the hum of city life. Take in the life around you without thinking about your day. Just relax and see where your feet take you.

Call Someone You Love

Sometimes there is nothing better than hearing the voice of someone you love. Of course, the world is filled with quick texts or social media check-ins. But a phone call is a real connection when you cannot meet in person. Time passes too quickly, so if you have a beloved grandparent that you have not connected with for a while, give them a call. Ask them to tell you stories of their childhood and life in general. You will be amazed at what you can learn when you sit back and listen to their voices. Make it a new routine for something truly special.

Organize Your Space

For some people, organizing their space is the ultimate cathartic act. If you can relate, you are in luck. There is probably something within your home that can use a little clean-up and organization effort. Take a look around, decide what sparks your interest, and get started. Once your possessions have a home within your home, you will feel more peaceful, relaxed, and free to do other things.

Listen to Music

The genre of music you select on any given day is your choice. Pick songs or a playlist based on your mood or how you are feeling at that particular point in time. Go for an easy-listening album or a great vinyl classic that gets you on your feet and dancing every time. Listen to the music in this video to help you find your inner calm.

Unlocking the Potential of Unused Spaces in Your Home

Being a homeowner is truly an achievement at this time and age. Inflation has made it almost impossible for young people to own a house unlike their ancestors who could afford a three-bedroom house at the age of 21. 

Inflation is also the reason why minimalism and maximizing space types of lifestyle rose to fame since most people can only afford a small living space. But did you know that no matter how small your home is, there will always be an unused space somewhere? In this blog post, we’ll discuss how you can maximize the potential of all unused space in your home. 

Identifying Untapped Spaces

Corners are often where dust gathers. Those unused angles can be perfect for bookshelves or as a comfortable reading corner. And have you ever thought about that space under your staircase? You could add some drawers, build cabinets or even turn it into a bar – the options are limitless.

Creative Storage Solutions

So you might be thinking, "How can I avoid having to call SMARTBOX Solutions, Inc. for storage problems?" The answer is by having built-in shelves and cabinets in your home. They seamlessly blend with your design providing an efficient solution. Whether you want to showcase your book collection or put your trinkets on display, the choice is yours.

Do you know what's great about floating shelves? They're not just for showing off your collection of teacups. They can also bring a touch of sophistication to your space while proudly displaying your cherished artworks or beloved family photos. 

Multi-Purpose Furniture

Multi-purpose furniture is like the best life hack. When guests arrive you can simply unfold your dining table. And when you're done you can easily tuck it away as if it's your secret agent's furniture.

Storage beds are truly impressive when it comes to saving space. You can store seasonal clothes or even indulge in keeping your secret chocolate stash.

Room Conversion Ideas

Have you ever fantasized about having your home office? You can transform that corner into a functioning workspace. Simply add a desk and a cosy chair and presto – you're ready to get down to business!

Here's a great idea. Why not have a guest bedroom that can also be used as your home gym? You can set it up with a pullout sofa for guests. Include some gym equipment so you can get your workout in. It's like hitting two birds with one stone!

Decor and Aesthetics

Lighting and mirrors can really make a difference. Incorporate some fairy lights or stylish pendant lights and your space will transform from average to extraordinary in a jiffy. Don't forget about mirrors! They not only create the illusion of space and brightness but also add a touch of coolness to your surroundings.

Also, select a colour scheme that brings you joy and excitement. Experiment with combining patterns, textures and aesthetics and allow your personality to radiate in every corner of your living space.

Wrapping It Up

Now that you’ve discovered the secrets behind those hidden spots in your house, it's time to let your imagination run wild and make the most out of every corner. Whether you want to use them for storage, add some flair or a combination of both your home is filled with opportunities. So go ahead. Give those overlooked spaces the spotlight they deserve in your abode. If you need help creating a vision for your spaces or need help implementing these ideas, doesn’t hesitate to contact a professional organizer.

How To Fall In Love Again, With Your Space

Are you feeling like your space is getting a little stale? Do you find yourself stuck in the same routine every day, growing increasingly weary of your living situation? If so, don't worry – it's completely normal to go through periods where we just need something new. And one great way to get out of that rut and fall in love with your space is by making some simple changes to make it feel like home again. If you’re wondering how to fall in love with your space again, read on for some easy tips on how to spruce up and personalize your living space so you can start enjoying it again.

Declutter, Dispose, Donate

Decluttering is a great way to fall back in love with your living space. Getting rid of stuff may seem counterintuitive, but with just a few simple steps, you can breathe new life into any room. Start by disposing of anything that has broken or irreparable and donate what is still useful and meaningful to someone else who could make better use of it. After the grunt work is done, reorganize furniture and items within the space so that you are reminded why you chose those pieces in the first place. Finally, organize accessories and knickknacks; keep items that spark joy, dispose of what doesn't, and donate whatever else could be put to better use. Once this process is complete, you will have transformed your apartment into a space that feels cozy, inspiring, and refreshing –a reminder every time you enter your living area why it was always worth taking the extra step to declutter.

Keep It Cool and Comfy

Feeling trapped inside your home due to rising temperatures and sticky humidity isn't the most romantic way to stay in. That's why having reliable temperature and humidity control is so important for any living area - it keeps you comfortable and helps you fall back in love with your space. Whether you're opting for high-tech solutions like smart thermostats and air conditioners, or sticking to more traditional styles, temperature and humidity control can help give your rooms a breath of fresh air in no time. With the right setup, you'll be able to look around, take a deep breath, and just enjoy the moment all over again.

Renovate Without Breaking the Bank

Making simple budget-friendly home renovations can be a great way to fall back in love with your living space again. Whether you choose to spruce up a single room or tackle the entire house, small changes can make a major impact. Giving your walls a fresh coat of paint is an easy and cost-efficient way to update any area with minimal effort. You can also switch out older furniture or rework an existing piece with new fabrics and updated accents for a whole new look that complements your aesthetic perfectly. Home renovation projects don't have to break the bank. With some creativity and planning, you can transform your home into something you adore.

Get Some Indoor Plants

Adding plants to your home is an easy way to add beauty, life, and atmosphere to a space. Not only that, but they also improve air quality, making it a healthier place to breathe. If you're looking for something easy to care for, consider something like a low-maintenance spider plant or peace lily. Succulents are always popular choices since they need very little water, and if you have lots of natural light coming in, a beautiful fiddle leaf fig will bring life and energy into any room. Investing in some indoor plants can be the perfect way to take your home from a dull environment to one full of life and freshness - all without doing much more than watering occasionally.

Add or Change the Lighting

Adding or changing the lighting to a space can be an inexpensive yet impactful way to reinvigorate a room or a whole home. Whether you go big by installing a show-stopping chandelier in the dining room, or opt for something smaller, like bedside lamps in the bedroom, it's amazing how much of a difference the right lighting can make. Introducing warm tones through accent lighting can really help to create a cozy atmosphere. And having some task lighting will ensure that no task is too big or small - from cooking up a storm in the kitchen to catching up on your favorite hobby at the craft table. Even if you're sticking with the same light fixtures, try experimenting with different lightbulb wattage - that could help to add new life into your space as well. Rekindle your love for your living space and give it some attention by switching out those bulbs today.

Ultimately, the idea of falling in love with your space again is a powerful way to create a comfortable, cozy, and happy home. When you take the time to invest in upgrading your living spaces into something that brings you peace, relaxation, and joy, it can be truly transformative. Not only will it create a positive environment for you and those around you, but it will also serve as an added motivation to make the most of your time spent at home. Think about what elements would make your living space truly special then take steps toward achieving them, and fall head over heels for your space all over again.

Let Your Space BLOOM offers hands-on organizing, move preparation, unpacking, downsizing, rightsizing and everything in between. For more information, contact Amy. A special thank you to Sophia Young for this informative guest blog post.

Organizing Children's Chores During Quarantine

With most school buildings still closed, kids will have to continue learning virtually and stay at home for a much longer period, especially if they live in areas where lock-downs are being implemented. Given their seemingly boundless energy, it’s easy to assume that kids will be bored being stuck at home longer than they ever expected. Then again, that doesn’t have to be the case. You can keep your kids occupied with activities the entire time. You can arrange for playtime, screen time, and most importantly, chore time to give them things to do while quarantined. An easy way to delegate chores is by using a chore app for kids, especially if you’re getting them to do chores as a way of teaching them about money management.

Before you can organize your kids’ chores, you will need to get them to agree to do them first. Without a doubt, many children would not be too keen on doing household tasks. If your kids like doing chores, then you can consider yourself fortunate. If they don’t, then you still have to get them to help out just the same simply because chores teach them responsibility, self-reliance, and money management skills if you’re giving them an allowance for tasks they do. Many kids may not be too enthusiastic about chores, but the life skills they learn from doing them today will help them later in adult life, and they could only appreciate your helping them out in that regard.

When assigning your kids tasks around the house while in quarantine, always keep in mind that they all should be age-appropriate. For 4 to 5-year-olds, age-appropriate tasks would include folding towels, wiping surfaces, dusting, and sorting laundry. Meanwhile, kids ages 6 to 8-years old can already do more labor-intensive tasks like sweeping the floor, watering the plants, and cleaning their room. More complex tasks like loading and unloading the dishwasher, making easy-to-prepare meals, raking the yard, and changing bed sheets are ideal for 9 to12-year-old children. Teenagers can do any of the above, as well as mowing the lawn, washing the car, preparing full meals, doing the laundry, and most other grown-up household tasks.

There is no better way to organize the tasks you expect your children to do than create a chore chart. With a chore chart, you should be able to list all tasks that need doing and break them down into individual lists for your kids, primarily according to their ages. You can set easy-to-follow schedules and deadlines, and if you’re giving them an allowance, a chore chart can also make tracking the money they make easier. Some parents go for printable chore charts and post them somewhere in the house for everyone to check on a daily basis. However, considering how tech-savvy children these days are, chore apps for kids can offer an easier way of creating and managing chore charts, especially if they receive an allowance for completed tasks.

Aside from making it easier to give out tasks and set schedules and deadlines, a kid’s chore app also gives parents full control when assigning a monetary value to every single chore and transferring funds to their kids’ accounts. All they have to do is check the app for a given chore, complete the task, and tap it as complete on their dashboard. The beauty of these apps is that they also teach kids financial skills like saving, investing, and giving to charity. The benefits they receive from doing well-organized chores during the quarantine, can help make the situation more bearable and manageable.

I hope these ideas help your quarantined space to BLOOM in Maryland and beyond. A special thank you to Samantha Green, Content Marketing Strategist for BusyKid, for this wonderful guest blog post.