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4 Tips for Organizing Your Front Entry

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4 Tips for Organizing Your Front EntryDo you have a tiny entry and no closet?  Or a closet that is woefully inadequate for your things?  Here are a few ideas to help you maximize your storage potential!

1. Closet Organizer

Did you know that a closet organizer can double or triple the storage space of a closet?  Finding the right configuration is the key to success.  The best closet organizers are easy to assemble and switch around as your needs or the seasons change.   You can double your hanging space and add shelves or drawers for things that can’t be hung up.

Closet organizers range in price from $50 to $500 depending on finishes and styles.

If a true closet organizer is out of your price range, substitute inexpensive tall bookcases.  Keep the top shelf in place and add hooks or closet rods instead of the middle shelves, just be sure to hang the closet rods flush with the front edge of the bookcase to allow for hangers to be hung without banging the back of the bookcase.

DIY Cinnamon Stick Christmas Tree

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This pretty Christmas wall hanging is simple to create and makes the room smell amazing, too!  Here’s how to put it together:

Supplies

  • 1 package Cinnamon Sticks
  • 1 piece of wood or Bristol board
  • Costume jewelry necklace (optional)
  • Tin foil
  • Snips OR serrated knife and cutting board
  • Hot glue gun and glue sticks
  • Picture hangers

How To Make the Cinamon Stick Christmas Tree

I had a piece of left-over bead board panelling that I used for this project.  It had been painted white so I sanded some of the paint off to make it look worn and ancient.  You can use any kind of wood or even Bristol board in the colour of your choice.

I laid out the cinnamon sticks on the board without gluing them so as to see how well they fit together.  To cut pieces to size, either use tin snips (which is what I did to save time!) or measure where you want the cinnamon stick cut, then score around it with a serrated knife and then cut it through on a cutting board.  When you are satisfied with your design, begin gluing the pieces in place.  If desired, add the word NOEL or JOY or TREE at the top of your board.   Repeat the process to create a border around the edge.

Use the costume jewelry necklace to dress up the tree by draping it side to side from top to bottom of the cinnamon tree.  When you are happy with the way it looks, add a bead of glue at the edges and in the centre so as to allow the necklace to drape nicely in between the beads of glue.

Add a star to the top of the tree by cutting one out of tin foil and gluing it in place.

Add picture hangers or simply prop it up in a bookcase or wall shelf.

Enjoy the scent of Christmas!

DIY Cinnamon Stick Christmas Tree

10 Tips For Decluttering A House

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Life is busy and clutter seems to magically accumulate. What we don’t realize is that clutter impacts how we feel! It can stress us out and we don’t even realize it. A clutter free home feels good and it’s not hard to achieve or maintain!

1. A Space For Everything

Spend a day organizing your belongings and make sure every item has a place. Even if you don’t put things away right away, that’s ok. When we go on cleaning frenzies we tend to just shove things in random drawers and closets. That doesn’t actually solve the problem; it just hides the clutter. If every item has a space, you can quickly put it where it belongs during your next cleaning frenzy.

Tips For Decluttering A House

5 Minute Snowman Wreath

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grapevine wreathsThis super cute and simple snowman wreath can be used indoors or out.  It takes only a few minutes to put together and you can change it up every year with accessories you already have on hand.  Best of all, the wreaths come from the dollar store so they don’t cost much either!  Here’s how to put one together:

Materials

  • 3 different sized grapevine wreaths
  • Twine and/or picture wire
  • Battery powered twinkle lights (optional)
  • Scarf
  • Hat

How to Add Insulation Without Tearing Down Walls

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I love the character of old houses but I don’t love the lack of insulation. There are several ways to add extra insulation to old homes without having to tear down interior walls.  My solution is the least expensive and the cutest (in my humble opinion!) [Read more…] about How to Add Insulation Without Tearing Down Walls