How To Make A Space Your Own- Step One

 I love a good Home Renovation show. It excites me to see how a space can go from broken down and decaying to beautifully decorated and organized. These renovations require a lot of skilled trades and they require a significant financial investment, as well. 

Most people don't have $100,000 to spend to make their home beautiful and organized. But there is hope! 

Small changes, and some time spent being intentional can make a big difference in a space. 

I'm a believer in using what you have on hand. Your home decor can often be re-purposed. If it's broken and can't be fixed it probably needs to go. If it is too big for your space, it can be sold on a resale site and those funds can be spent to make your home more comfortable and functional. 

Your home does not have to look like the Before/After photos in a typical live streamed renovation. Most of those homes on TV have a significant amount of staging, a lot of which may not stay in the home once the cameras are gone. And your style may not be what is the most popular trend.

Your home can look beautiful and be comfortable. It can be functional and pretty, showcasing your personal style. You can keep the items that have sentimental value. And you can re-purpose a lot of items to keep your investment affordable, while bringing in a few things that refresh your space and make it your own. 

Step One of the process involves purging.  Some of your clutter may be from sentimental items, which I respect. With my help, those items can find a special spot in your home. However, you may have A LOT things that are not sentimental because we tend to think, "Someday I'll use this." But the truth is, most of the time we never use those things. 

As a former military spouse, I learned the One Year Rule. If an item is not sentimental and just being "saved for someday" then the question to ask is:

1. Have I used it in the last year?
(Usually the answer is no.)

2. Will I use it in the next year?

If the answer is "I don't have a set occasion to use it for" (like Christmas) then it needs to go to someone who will love and use it. Donating these items allows you to de-clutter while also helping to give someone else a second chance in life. (I like to donate to Women's Shelter Thrift stores and other organizations that help those in dire circumstances.)


With hard work and know how, you CAN begin the journey of creating a comfortable and organized space you will LOVE and ENJOY. 

 


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