This year is about to end and a new one is about to begin. The end of a year is always a good time to plan and prepare. Here are some tips for preparing your apartment for 2020.
Eliminate clutter.
When you live in a smaller space it’s easier for things to accumulate. Now is a good time to start thinking about what to save and what to pitch. It’s not easy, given that you probably have sentimental attachments to some of the things you really don’t need to save. We’re not talking photos, videos and other items of a personal nature, but how about clothing? If you have shirts, pants, coats, jackets, and other pieces of apparel you haven’t worn in a year or more, consider donating them to a thrift store. This is applicable to other things, too. If you have a desk or dining room table covered in months of paperwork, take the time to go through it, file what you need to save and discard unnecessary receipts, invoices and notes.
Clean up.
Has it been some time since you’ve scrubbed your floors, walls and ceilings? If so, get out the bucket and disinfectant, a mop and some rubber gloves and give your apartment a top-to-bottom cleaning. A good cleaning will freshen up the place, plus remove any mold or mildew -- especially in your bathroom, where that stuff is known to accumulate. Pay particular attention to nooks and crannies all over, as well as showers, sinks and toilets. Wipe down kitchen counters and windows, too.
Make it safer.
Sometimes there are hazards you can’t see, and one of them is radon, a colorless, odorless gas that traps radioactive particles in the lungs. You can get an inexpensive test kit at your local hardware store, and it’s worth the minimal investment. Also, be sure to check carbon monoxide and fire detectors to ensure they’re functioning properly, and replace them if needed.
Freshen your apartment’s look (and smell)!
A new year means a new start, and one of the things that can imply is changing the experience of living in your place. Maybe it’s a good time to reconfigure and redecorate. Have you ever thought that the sofa would look nice there, and that maybe the television should be there? Give it a try. Go room to room to see what changes might be worth making. If you’re a flower or foliage person, consider where plants and petals might brighten a room. Place a bowl of fresh fruit on the dining room table. Add a new painting or even some artistic, framed photography to a bare wall. And while you’re at it, strategically place some potpourri around the apartment to give it a fresh ambience.
Restock your fridge and kitchen cabinets.
Many people make New Years’ resolutions that are related to food -- eating less, eating healthier or even trying a new approach to eating, like vegetarian or paleo. To help you start 2020 on the right foot from a dietary standpoint, plan to restock your kitchen with new, healthy foods and beverages. You can start during mid-December with nonperishable items, then move to fresh foods as January draws close. Having healthy food in the apartment will help you stay true to your resolutions.
Eliminate clutter.
When you live in a smaller space it’s easier for things to accumulate. Now is a good time to start thinking about what to save and what to pitch. It’s not easy, given that you probably have sentimental attachments to some of the things you really don’t need to save. We’re not talking photos, videos and other items of a personal nature, but how about clothing? If you have shirts, pants, coats, jackets, and other pieces of apparel you haven’t worn in a year or more, consider donating them to a thrift store. This is applicable to other things, too. If you have a desk or dining room table covered in months of paperwork, take the time to go through it, file what you need to save and discard unnecessary receipts, invoices and notes.
Clean up.
Has it been some time since you’ve scrubbed your floors, walls and ceilings? If so, get out the bucket and disinfectant, a mop and some rubber gloves and give your apartment a top-to-bottom cleaning. A good cleaning will freshen up the place, plus remove any mold or mildew -- especially in your bathroom, where that stuff is known to accumulate. Pay particular attention to nooks and crannies all over, as well as showers, sinks and toilets. Wipe down kitchen counters and windows, too.
Make it safer.
Sometimes there are hazards you can’t see, and one of them is radon, a colorless, odorless gas that traps radioactive particles in the lungs. You can get an inexpensive test kit at your local hardware store, and it’s worth the minimal investment. Also, be sure to check carbon monoxide and fire detectors to ensure they’re functioning properly, and replace them if needed.
Freshen your apartment’s look (and smell)!
A new year means a new start, and one of the things that can imply is changing the experience of living in your place. Maybe it’s a good time to reconfigure and redecorate. Have you ever thought that the sofa would look nice there, and that maybe the television should be there? Give it a try. Go room to room to see what changes might be worth making. If you’re a flower or foliage person, consider where plants and petals might brighten a room. Place a bowl of fresh fruit on the dining room table. Add a new painting or even some artistic, framed photography to a bare wall. And while you’re at it, strategically place some potpourri around the apartment to give it a fresh ambience.
Restock your fridge and kitchen cabinets.
Many people make New Years’ resolutions that are related to food -- eating less, eating healthier or even trying a new approach to eating, like vegetarian or paleo. To help you start 2020 on the right foot from a dietary standpoint, plan to restock your kitchen with new, healthy foods and beverages. You can start during mid-December with nonperishable items, then move to fresh foods as January draws close. Having healthy food in the apartment will help you stay true to your resolutions.