by Jayme Radomski | Sep 11, 2023 | Cleaning, Cooking & Kitchen, Eating & Kitchen, Organizing, Pantry
Preparing your kitchen for fall can make the transition to the cozier, colder months more enjoyable and efficient. Here are Top Shelf Home Organizing’s simple steps to help you get your kitchen ready for autumn:
Start by giving your kitchen a thorough cleaning. This includes wiping down countertops, cleaning appliances, and scrubbing the floors. Declutter your kitchen by getting rid of items you no longer need or use. Donate or store items that are taking up valuable space.
Check the expiration dates on canned goods and dry goods. Dispose of anything that’s expired. Organize your pantry by grouping similar items together and making a list of what you need for fall recipes. Make a list of pantry essentials you are low on or out of.
Replace any summer-themed kitchen decor with items that have an autumnal feel. Think about adding fall-colored dish towels, tablecloths, and decorative pumpkins or leaves if you desire. Swap out lightweight kitchen towels and potholders for thicker, cozier options to keep you warm while cooking.
Give your oven, stovetop, and microwave a deep clean to ensure they’re ready for more frequent use during the fall cooking season.
If you enjoy baking during the fall, make sure you have all the necessary supplies, including flour, sugar, baking soda, and pie crust ingredients. Make a list of fall-specific ingredients like canned pumpkin, spices (cinnamon, nutmeg, etc.), apples, and root vegetables. Ensure you have these items on hand for fall recipes. Consider having a variety of teas, hot chocolate, and coffee on hand for those chilly fall mornings and evenings.
Check the freshness of your spices and herbs. Replace any that are past their prime. Organize your spices for easy access when you’re cooking.
Dust off your slow cooker and other large pots you use for making soups, stews, and chili. Ensure they’re clean and in good working order.
If you plan to can or preserve fall fruits and vegetables, make sure you have all the necessary canning supplies, such as jars, lids, and a canning pot.
As the days get shorter, consider adding some cozy lighting options to your kitchen. This could be in the form of warm-toned light bulbs or decorative candles.
Plan some fall-inspired meals and recipes to enjoy throughout the season. Having a menu plan can make grocery shopping and meal preparation more organized.
By following these simple steps, you can create a warm and welcoming kitchen environment that’s ready to embrace the flavors and activities of the fall season. Remember organizing your home is a process, and it’s important to approach it at a pace that feels comfortable for you. If organizing your home is daunting task, the professional organizers at Top Shelf Home Organizers are happy to help. Contact Jayme for a consultation. This article was written in collaboration with our friend, OpenAI.
by Jayme Radomski | Jul 10, 2023 | Cleaning, Clutter, Organizing, Productivity
Have you ever felt overwhelmed walking into a messy house after a long day of work or felt suffocated walking into your kid’s bedroom? There is a reason a messy, cluttered home is stressful. Having an organized home can have several positive effects on your mental health. Here are some reasons why:
Clutter and disorganization can contribute to feelings of stress and overwhelm. When your home is clutter-free and well-organized, it creates a calming and peaceful environment. It allows you to easily find what you need and minimizes the time and effort spent searching for things, reducing stress levels.
An organized home can enhance your productivity and focus. When everything has its designated place and is easily accessible, you can accomplish tasks more efficiently. A tidy environment helps you stay focused and prevents distractions, allowing you to concentrate on important tasks.
A cluttered home can lead to mental clutter. It can be overwhelming to have a constant visual reminder of unfinished tasks or disorganized spaces. By decluttering and organizing your home, you create a clear and ordered space that can promote mental clarity and reduce mental fatigue.
Living in a tidy and organized environment can positively impact your mood. A neat home can evoke a sense of pride, accomplishment, and satisfaction. It can also create a visually pleasing atmosphere that can boost your mood and create a sense of calm and harmony.
Your home environment can significantly affect your sleep quality. An organized bedroom free from clutter can create a serene and relaxing atmosphere that promotes better sleep. When your bedroom is organized, it becomes easier to unwind, both physically and mentally, leading to improved sleep patterns.
Having an organized home gives you a sense of control over your environment. It can provide a feeling of mastery and empowerment, as you are able to manage and maintain your living space effectively. This sense of control can translate into increased confidence and overall well-being.
Living in a chaotic and disorganized environment can contribute to feelings of anxiety. The uncertainty and constant visual reminders of unfinished tasks or clutter can be overwhelming. Organizing your home can create a sense of order and structure, reducing anxiety and promoting a sense of calm.
Remember that organizing your home is a process, and it’s important to approach it at a pace that feels comfortable for you. Start small, declutter one area at a time, and develop systems to maintain organization. Gradually, you’ll experience the positive impact it can have on your mental health. If organizing your home is daunting task, the professional organizers at Top Shelf Home Organizers are happy to help. Contact Jayme for a consultation. This article was written in collaboration with our friend, OpenAI.
by Jayme Radomski | Jun 9, 2023 | Cleaning, Garage, Organizing
The warm weather is here and we are in full garage organizing mode. Wisconsin garages serve many purposes. They store our yard maintenance equipment, snow removal equipment, toys, tools, bicycles, vehicles and even serve as entertaining space. That is a big responsibility for a small space. Utilizing vertical space to store as much as we can is necessary. Here are five tips on how to get the most out of your vertical space, keep the floors clear and have space for your vehicles.
Install overhead storage racks or shelves to take advantage of the vertical space in your garage. These racks can be used to store items such as seasonal decorations, sports equipment, or rarely used items. Be sure to securely fasten the racks to the ceiling or wall to ensure safety.
Install wall-mounted shelves or cabinets to maximize vertical storage space. These can be used to store smaller items, tools, or gardening supplies. Use hooks or pegboards on the walls to hang frequently used tools or accessories, keeping them easily accessible.
3. Hanging Bins and Baskets
Hang plastic bins or wire baskets from the ceiling or walls of your garage. These are great for storing lightweight items such as balls, camping gear, or automotive accessories. Use hooks or a hanging system to suspend the bins or baskets at various heights, making use of the vertical space.
Install a pegboard on the walls of your garage to create a versatile storage system. Attach hooks, hangers, or specialized pegboard accessories to hang tools, power cords, and other items. This not only keeps your belongings organized but also saves space by utilizing the vertical area.
Utilize vertical tool storage solutions to keep your tools organized and easily accessible. For example, you can mount a pegboard or a magnetic strip on a wall to hang and display your tools. Alternatively, invest in a tool cabinet or a vertical tool rack specifically designed for vertical storage of various tools.
The engineer in me reminds you to consider the weight-bearing capacity of your garage walls, ceiling, or overhead structure when implementing any vertical storage solutions. Properly secure shelves, racks, and cabinets to ensure safety and stability. At Top Shelf Home Organizing, we take pride in our ability to organize garages to make them the best use of space for you and your vehicles. If getting your garage summer-ready is overwhelming, please reach out to Jayme for a consultation.
This article was written in collaboration with our newest organizing expert, Open A. I.
by Jayme Radomski | May 1, 2023 | Cleaning, Garage, Organizing
The warm weather is here and we have been thinking about organizing the garage. The patio furniture, lawn mower and bicycles need to be more accessible, and the snow shovels, sleds and road salt can be packed away. Organizing a garage can be a daunting task but breaking it down into smaller steps can make the process more manageable. We share six steps to organizing your garage:
The first step is to sort through all the items in your garage and decide what to keep, donate, sell, or throw away. You may want to categorize items into piles based on their function or purpose.
Before you begin organizing, it is essential to clean the garage thoroughly. Sweep the floors, wipe down shelves and cabinets, and dust off any cobwebs. Make any necessary repairs, such as fixing broken shelves or repairing damaged walls. It is ideal to completely empty a space to thoroughly clean it.
Sort the items you have decided to keep into categories such as sports equipment, gardening tools, automotive supplies, etc. Grouping similar items together will make it easier to find what you need.
Based on the items you have and the space available, decide on the type of storage solutions you need. Consider using shelves, cabinets, pegboards, or hooks to maximize space and keep items organized. Clear bins are helpful for finding and putting away items.
Once you have your storage solutions in place, label each container or shelf so that you know what goes where. Arrange your items by category or frequency of use, with frequently used items easily accessible.
Maintaining an organized garage requires ongoing effort. Regularly assess whether items are still needed and adjust your storage solutions as needed. Try to put things back in their designated spots after use, so they don’t accumulate and clutter the space again.
At Top Shelf Home Organizing, we take pride in our ability to organize garages to make them the best use of space for you and your vehicles. If getting your garage summer-ready is overwhelming, please reach out to Jayme for a consultation.
This article was written in collaboration with our newest organizing expert, Open A. I.
by Jayme Radomski | Jan 9, 2023 | Cleaning, Organizing
The new year brings a desire to clear out the old, bring in the new, focus on goals and be more productive. Making a clean sweep through your life and home will help you focus on all your new year goals and plans. Top Shelf Home Organizing has created a list of simple organizing projects to start the new year that will not cost you anything.
The new year brings a desire to clear out the old, bring in the new, focus on goals and be more productive. Making a clean sweep through your life and home will help you focus on all your new year goals and plans. Top Shelf Home Organizing has created a list of simple organizing projects to start the new year that will not cost you anything.
After weeks of celebrating and entertaining, your home likely needs a good cleaning. Set up a cleaning schedule that allows areas of your home to be cleaned regularly. Involve family members in the plan to share the workload. Keep cleaning supplies in a central location so everyone knows where to find them and you know when they are running low.
Assess your wardrobe and remove clothing items that do not fit, are worn out or do not make you feel fabulous. Reducing your clothing to what you love will lift your spirits and make mornings easy. Clothing items can be donated or sold.
A good pantry assessment will help plan meals and save money in the new year. Remove all items from the pantry, organize them by food type and plan your meals based on the food you have. Organizing your pantry will get you started on your healthy eating and money saving resolutions.
5. Take a Break from Buying
This month, as you plan for the new year and go through your stuff, don’t buy anything. As you remove items don’t rush out to purchase a replacement, take time to be without. You will be surprised how much less you can live with. Getting organized in the new year also does not mean that you need to spend on organizing gadgets. Reuse organizing items you currently have, or use boxes and containers from around your home. After you have fine-tuned your organizing system, then consider purchasing new storage products.
6. Don’t Ignore Your Feelings
Your home is where you rest and rejuvenate. Items in your home that cause sadness, stress and anxiety don’t belong. Consider keepsakes that bring bad memories all the way to items in disrepair that strike anxiety every time you think of them. As you clean and organize throughout your home, remove these items as they come up. The bad feelings need to go.
This list is enough to get you off to a great start this year. Decluttering is a process and cannot be done in one hour or one day. Start with areas with the biggest impact and start the snowball rolling. After years of working with busy families, we know where to focus. When organizing and decluttering overwhelms you, we are happy to help. Reach out to Jayme at Top Shelf Home Organizing to get you started on the right track.
by Jayme | Mar 8, 2022 | Cleaning, Organizing
These quick organizing tips will get you and your house ready for the first warm spring day. Block your calendar this month to prepare your home for spring. Take it one task at a time and soon you’ll be ready for your first backyard barbecue.
1. Winter Décor
Let spring in your home by packing away your winter décor. Add some fresh flowers and bright colored pillows to your home.
2. Patio Furniture
Take patio furniture out of storage and give it a good wash down.
3. Entry Doors
Wash down the inside and outside of all entry doors and storm doors. Remove dust and webs from entryways. The sun will shine nicely through the fresh glass.
4. Coat Closet
Organize your coat closet by removing any coats not worn in the past year, laundering the coats, and hanging them the same way.
5. Back Entryway
Remove all items from the back entryway. Wipe down the walls, the baseboards, and give the floor a good scrub. Pack away winter items and bring out the spring jackets, shoes, and umbrellas.
6. Winter Outerwear
Wash and dry or dry clean all winter outerwear before packing it away. Pack winter wear loosely in bins or hang garment bags on clean coats to keep them fresh for the next season.
7. Windows
Wash your windows inside and out. Wipe webs and dust from window frames, and vacuum dust from sills. The clean windows will brighten up your space on warm spring days.
8. Grill
Pull out your grill and give it a good cleaning. Scrub down the grates, degrease the base, and polish the stainless. Check the level in the propane tank so you are ready to grill some burgers.
9. Vehicle
A warm, dry day is a great time to clean the salt and dirt on the inside and outside of your car. It is such a good feeling to have a clean car on a warm spring day.
Top Shelf Home Organizing loves to help busy families transition to the new season. We would love to chat with you about creating a plan to get your home ready for spring. Give Jayme a call.
