How to Get your Home Organized this New Year

We all make those New Year’s resolutions as the calendar turns to January but they are never easy to keep because life gets so busy. From vowing to work out more often, to cooking healthier meals and of course one of the most popular promises- to get your home more organized!

Well Cook is ready to help you keep all your New Year’s promises and get your house ready for a year of fun with family. If you have mounds of clutter from things that have piled up over the years or from the holidays, think about adding some additional space.

A Cook Portable Warehouse can be customized for your needs and can be paid off monthly through our truly unique in-house Rent-to-Own program. Learn more about what our buildings have to offer by clicking here!

And here are 4 more things that will make it easy to keep that resolution and make your neighbors jealous of how organized your home is!

Declutter your stuff

The best and least expensive way to feel better about your home is to clear out all that clutter. A smart way to make your home look fresher and brighter is by going through cabinets, dressers and drawers routinely and getting rid of those extra things. Then, you will just have the stuff that you really need and actually be able to find it!

In January, go room-by-room and clear out those things that you don’t need, use or wear. Move anything that doesn’t get used on a daily basis off the top of counters and tables. Stash those necessary but not pretty things like remotes, electronic cords, shoes, etc. in cute baskets and tuck them in a corner or underneath a piece of furniture.

Give those extra items to charity. Keep a list of those things that you have donated and any extras so you don’t accidently buy duplicates.

Consider safety

The New Year is a great time to double check that your home is as safe as possible. Check the batteries in all your fire alarms and install carbon monoxide detectors in every bedroom, if you don’t have them already. Both don’t cost very much and are an important safeguard for your family’s protection.

Everyone checks and cleans out the dryer lint trap after doing a load of wash but you should also clean the vents and ducts behind the dryer routinely. Also, double check that your bathrooms and attic is vented outside and nothing like shingles are covering up the exterior openings.

Reduce your energy bill

With just a couple easy tips and reminders you can cut energy usage in your house and have some extra money in your pocket (maybe for a Cook shed…hint, hint).

One of the best tips is the simplest- remember to switch off lights whenever you leave a room. When you aren’t home, turn-off the air conditioner and turn the heater down to 55 degrees at night. Turn off or unplug power strips and set your home computer on sleep mode when it’s not in use.

Also, think about installing compact fluorescent bulbs and low-flow showerheads, air drying clothing instead of using the dryer, waiting until the dishwasher is completely full before running it and watering your yard less often.

Develop a cleaning system

A smart way to get a messy house under control is by devising a simple cleaning system so that mess doesn’t keep piling up. So every day, try to do the dishes (or put them in the dishwasher), put dirty clothes in the hamper and clean clothes back in the correct closets.

Once a week try to do a quick cleaning of your entire house. A good time saver is to focus on one type of cleaning at a time but always sweep or mop floors last.

Keep all of your cleaners, rubber gloves and spare cleaning cloths in a portable container or apron so you easily move from room-to-room. And don’t forget to enlist other family members to make the job much easier for you!

For more help this New Year and throughout the winter months, download the free Winter Home Organization Guide from Cook by clicking below!