Tag: home

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Luxury Decor Ideas for VDay | Home Tips

February, the month of love, presents a perfect opportunity for luxury homeowners to infuse a romantic ambiance into their living spaces. With VDay at its heart, it’s the ideal time to consider elegant home makeovers that blend romance with opulence.

Creating an Intimate Setting with Lighting

Lighting can transform any space into a romantic retreat. Elevate the mood by adding dimmer controls that let you fine-tune the atmosphere to your liking. Opt for opulent chandeliers with crystal detailing to bring a hint of glamour, or use floor lamps to cast a warm, flattering glow in cozy nooks. And when it comes to setting the tone for a special dinner, candlelight is always a timeless favorite—try sculptural candleholders or softly scented candles for an added layer of allure.

Luxurious Textiles for a Sensual Touch

Bring in luxurious textures to elevate both comfort and style. Think velvet accent pillows, smooth silk bedding, and crisp Egyptian cotton sheets to give your bedroom a dreamy, indulgent feel. In the living room, a cashmere throw tossed over the couch invites warm, laid-back nights with a touch of romance.

Romantic Color Palettes

Color sets the tone for any room, and choosing the right palette can instantly infuse your space with romance. Shades like blush pink, crimson, and plum bring warmth and sensuality without overwhelming the design. Use them thoughtfully; whether through an accent wall, statement art, or a vase of fresh blooms, to create a space that feels both intimate and refined. The key is balancing bold tones with your home’s existing upscale vibe.

Art and Decor for Love

Art has a quiet way of speaking volumes, especially when it comes to creating a romantic ambiance. Opt for pieces that stir emotion, whether it’s a sultry abstract, a timeless sculpture, or a dreamy black-and-white photograph. These visual elements can anchor the mood of a room with grace and intention. For an extra layer of allure, display fresh florals in sculptural vases, long-stemmed roses or exotic blooms always make a statement without saying a word.

Creating a Spa-Like Bathroom Experience

Turn your bathroom into a romantic, spa-worthy escape just in time for Valentine’s Day. Think beyond the basics, a freestanding soaking tub sets the scene, while plush robes and aromatic bath oils infuse the space with calm and indulgence. Dim the lights, queue up some soft music, and add a little decadence with champagne on ice and a tray of chocolates nearby. It’s the kind of luxury retreat you won’t need to leave the house for.

Outdoor Spaces: Setting for Romance under the Stars

Show your outdoor spaces a little love this Valentine’s Day. A thoughtfully styled patio, balcony, or garden can set the scene for an unforgettable evening. Cozy seating, twinkling string lights, and the soft glow of a fire pit come together to create a dreamy, starlit ambiance. Add a faux fur throw and a couple of glasses of red, and suddenly your backyard feels like a five-star retreat.

Ultimately, designing a romantic home for Valentine’s Day is all about intention and atmosphere. Whether it’s with mood-setting lighting, indulgent fabrics, a rich, warm color scheme, or art that speaks to the heart, small touches go a long way. This February, turn your space into a celebration of love, comfort, and luxury.

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Late Winter Garden Upkeep | Home Tips

While most of the country is knee-deep in snow, gardeners in Southern California are treated to a milder, more forgiving late winter. That said, the transition from January to February is still a crucial time for maintaining your garden’s health and preparing for the vibrant spring ahead. With a little attention and the right touch, winter garden upkeep in Southern California can set the stage for blooming success.

Later Winter Pruning Tips for Health and Shape

One of the most important aspects of winter garden upkeep in Southern California is pruning. January is an ideal month to prune deciduous fruit trees like apples, pears, and peaches. Trim back any dead or diseased branches to encourage healthy growth and fruit production come spring. Roses also benefit from a hard prune this time of year—cut them back to about one-third of their size to stimulate fresh, vigorous canes.

For ornamental shrubs and perennials, light pruning can help maintain shape and remove any frost-damaged foliage. Always use clean, sharp tools to prevent the spread of disease.

Feed the Soil, Not Just the Plants

Your garden’s soil may be working harder than it looks. Enrich it now to ensure it has the nutrients it needs to support future growth. Add compost, well-rotted manure, or an organic soil conditioner to your garden beds. This is a great time to plant cover crops or add mulch around existing plants to regulate temperature and moisture as the weather fluctuates.

Remember, winter garden upkeep in Southern California is less about survival and more about preparation. A well-fed garden now means a stronger, more vibrant garden in the months ahead.

Plan and Plant Cool-Season Crops in Late Winter

January and February are ideal for planting cool-season vegetables like kale, broccoli, lettuce, and carrots. If you’re tight on space, container gardening works beautifully in our region’s temperate winter climate. Herbs such as parsley, cilantro, and chives also thrive during this time and can be harvested fresh throughout the season.

It’s also a great moment to assess your garden layout and start planning for spring planting. Take stock of what worked (or didn’t) in the fall and envision what changes you might want to make.

Watch the Weather, Water Wisely

Despite our reputation for sunny skies, Southern California winters can bring sudden cold snaps and sporadic rain. Keep an eye on the forecast, and be ready to cover sensitive plants if temperatures dip near freezing. Frost cloths or old bed sheets work in a pinch.

When it comes to watering, less is more this time of year. Established plants generally require minimal irrigation in winter. However, be sure to check the soil moisture regularly—especially for potted plants or newly planted vegetables.

Clean Up and Stay Ahead of Weeds in Late Winter

Finally, clear away fallen leaves and debris to prevent pests and diseases from taking hold. Tackling weeds now while the soil is soft can save you hours of backbreaking work in the spring. Consistent cleanup is a key part of smart winter garden upkeep in Southern California.

Last Leaf

With a little planning and proactive care, your garden can stay beautiful and productive through winter’s end. Whether you’re nurturing a backyard haven or a small patio plot, these simple steps will keep your green space thriving as we move from January to February.

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Smart Home Upgrades for 2026 | Home Tips

If you’re looking to make your home not only smarter but also more elegant and energy-efficient, 2026 is bringing a new wave of smart home upgrades that blend beautifully with luxury living. Today’s technology doesn’t just make life easier; it enhances your space’s comfort, design, and sustainability. From intuitive thermostats to next-gen security, these smart home upgrades help turn your house into a sanctuary of modern convenience.

 

Smart Thermostats: The Cornerstone of Smart Home Upgrades

When it comes to smart home upgrades, a learning thermostat is one of the smartest investments. Systems like Ecobee and Nest now analyze your daily habits and local weather conditions to fine-tune your home’s climate. With touchscreen displays and voice controls, these sleek devices complement high-end interiors while saving energy and money. In luxury homes, they’re no longer just functional; they’re part of the design.

 

Smart Lighting: Stylish Illumination with Intelligent Control

One of the most transformative smart home upgrades is a custom lighting system. With setups like Philips Hue or Lutron Caséta, you can change the mood of a room with a voice command or app. Imagine waking up to gradually brightening lights or dimming the entire house for movie night, all without touching a switch. These systems are as beautiful as they are functional.

 

Voice Assistants: The Heart of Your Smart Home

Voice assistants are no longer novelty gadgets: they’re now essential components of the modern smart home. Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple Siri serve as command centers for your connected devices. Whether you’re closing blinds, setting the thermostat, or starting your meditation playlist, voice assistants enhance both comfort and control. For high-end homes, integrated speakers offer a discreet yet powerful tech touch.

 

Advanced Security: A Smarter Way to Stay Safe

Top-tier smart home upgrades also include next-generation security systems. Today’s offerings feature AI-powered cameras, facial recognition, and app-controlled door locks that allow you to monitor and protect your home from anywhere. These systems are built to be sleek and subtle, offering serious protection without clashing with modern design.

 

Energy Monitoring: Smart and Sustainable Living

In 2026, smart home upgrades are as much about sustainability as convenience. Tools like Sense and Schneider Electric give you real-time insight into your home’s energy usage, helping you reduce waste and improve efficiency. Paired with smart plugs and timers, your home becomes more eco-conscious without sacrificing luxury.

 

Smart Home, Smarter Living…

As we move further into the digital age, smart home upgrades have become an integral part of efficient, stylish living. Whether you’re planning a full-home tech integration or just starting with a smart thermostat, these 2026 innovations offer endless ways to elevate your space. It’s not just about keeping up; it’s about living smarter, one upgrade at a time.

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Winter Home Wellness | Home Tips

As the days grow shorter and temperatures dip, our homes become more than just a place to escape the cold; they become a refuge for our well-being. The concept of winter home wellness goes beyond simple comfort; it’s about cultivating a space that nurtures your mind, body, and spirit. Whether you’re seeking stillness after a busy year or craving more balance in your daily routine, small changes can lead to big emotional shifts. Here are some holistic enhancements to help turn your home into a cozy sanctuary this winter.

  1. Start with Scent: Aromatherapy That Soothes

Scent is one of the quickest ways to shift your mood and create a sense of peace. Essential oil diffusers are a staple in winter home wellness, offering both functional and emotional benefits. Try grounding oils like cedarwood or frankincense to evoke calm, or energizing citrus blends to brighten gray afternoons. Ultrasonic diffusers also double as humidifiers, which can help with dry winter air.

  1. Let There Be (Soft) Light

Lighting plays a major role in regulating mood and energy levels. Swap harsh overhead lights for soft, warm-toned lamps and candles. Himalayan salt lamps are a favorite for wellness enthusiasts, said to release negative ions and improve air quality. They also emit a calming amber glow that enhances any room. Cluster them in reading nooks, bedrooms, or meditation corners for a gentle touch of magic.

  1. Breathe Easier with Air-Purifying Plants

Indoor plants are a year-round wellness win, but in winter, when windows are closed and heating systems run full throttle, they become even more essential. Snake plants, pothos, and peace lilies are low-maintenance options that naturally cleanse the air while adding color and life to your home. Group several together for a mini indoor jungle, or place one on your bedside table for a touch of serenity.

  1. Design a Cozy Meditation or Reading Corner

One of the most impactful winter home wellness upgrades? Carving out a corner dedicated to quiet. Whether you meditate, journal, read, or just sip tea while doing nothing at all, having a designated space for stillness signals your brain to slow down. All you need is a soft floor cushion, a warm throw blanket, and perhaps a small shelf for candles or books. The goal isn’t perfection, it’s peace.

  1. Incorporate Texture and Warmth

Wellness is sensory. Add plush textures through faux fur throws, wool rugs, velvet pillows, or soft flannel sheets. These tactile elements not only look inviting but also engage your sense of touch, a grounding force during times of stress. Layering fabrics and materials also helps your home feel more intimate and cocoon-like, perfect for chilly evenings.

  1. Clear the Clutter, Clear the Mind

Lastly, give yourself the gift of space. A tidy environment can do wonders for your mental health, especially during the winter months when we spend more time indoors. Embrace small, manageable decluttering projects, like organizing a drawer or clearing off a countertop, to create breathing room for both your home and your headspace.

This winter, let your home support your inner world. By integrating elements of winter home wellness, you can create a space that not only protects you from the cold but also actively restores and rebalances you each day.

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New Year, New Home Refresh | Home Tips

There’s something about the start of a new year that makes you want to hit the reset button. And while we can’t promise a complete life overhaul, giving your home a refresh might be the next best thing. If you’re craving a change but don’t have the time (or budget) for a full-scale renovation, don’t worry, you can refresh your space with simple updates that make a surprisingly big impact.

From upgraded lighting to a strategic furniture swap, here are some luxe yet approachable ways to elevate your interiors as you step into the new year.

 

1. Swap Out Your Hardware

An easy, inexpensive way to refresh your space is by updating cabinet knobs, drawer pulls, and door handles. Matte black, aged brass, and even lucite options can instantly modernize your kitchen or bathroom without replacing a single cabinet. Think of hardware as jewelry for your home; the right pieces add polish and personality.

2. Reimagine Your Lighting

If you’ve been living with the same builder-grade fixtures for years, it might be time to let there be light; beautiful, flattering, conversation-starting light. A statement pendant in the dining room or sculptural sconces in the hallway can do wonders for a home refresh. For a cozy glow, layer in floor lamps and table lamps with warm, diffused bulbs to refresh your space with ambiance and intention.

3. Reupholster, Don’t Replace

Before you ditch that old accent chair or dated ottoman, consider giving it new life with fresh upholstery. A luxe velvet, textured linen, or playful pattern can completely transform a piece of furniture—and your entire room. Bonus points if you use this as an opportunity to add a pop of color or bring in a new texture.

4. Edit and Rearrange

Sometimes, refreshing your space simply means letting it breathe. Start the new year with a decluttering session—donate, store, or repurpose items you no longer love. Then try rearranging your existing furniture for better flow. Float a sofa away from the wall, angle your armchairs, or place your bed on a different wall to re-energize the layout without spending a dime.

5. Upgrade Your Soft Goods

New throw pillows, updated bedding, or a modern area rug can completely shift the vibe of a room. For a quick home refresh, choose a new palette or mix of patterns to layer in personality. Focus on plush, touchable textures to add warmth and make the space feel renewed and inviting.

6. Bring in Nature

Biophilic design isn’t going anywhere. Bring the outdoors in with leafy houseplants, sculptural branches, or even just fresh flowers. Natural elements help refresh your space both visually and energetically, adding life, movement, and mood-boosting properties to any room.

7. Accent Walls Without the Paint Fumes

If you’re not ready to commit to painting, try peel-and-stick wallpaper, wall decals, or even large-scale art panels. These can offer color and dimension, and they’re renter-friendly and easy to update when your tastes evolve.

8. Scent Is the Silent Decorator

Don’t underestimate the power of scent to refresh your space. Swapping out seasonal candles, diffusers, or essential oils can signal a new chapter and evoke a sense of luxury. Opt for uplifting scents like citrus, sage, or cedarwood to invite clarity and calm.

You don’t need to demo walls or install custom cabinetry to feel brand new in your space. Sometimes, the simplest updates are the most impactful. So as you toast to new beginnings this year, take a moment to refresh your space and set the tone for everything you’re manifesting in 2026; one stylish corner at a time.

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Home Tips: Organizing Into the New Year

Home Tips: Organizing Into the New Year

Each New Year inspires resolutions of change and growth with organization of life at the top of mind. Start gradually with attainable intentions, and eventually you will find yourself in an organized oasis of a life. Check out our tips below! 

USE A CALENDAR

Create calendar reminders to stay organized important events, appointments, anniversaries and birthdays ahead of time to prepare. You can even use a datebook to avoid overbooking yourself!

DE-CLUTTER

Everything has a home, including you! Find a place to designate items to maintain cleanliness in your space. Anything without a place to be can be donated to your community.  

COLOR-COORDINATE

When choosing baskets, bins, and buckets for organizing, choose similar colors to the style of each room for a clean, consistent look throughout. use this tip to organe your closet for further color coordination.

UPDATE FILING SYSTEM 

Start small! organize files with broader file names, store old files, and have copies of important documents prepared.

STAY ON TIME

Allow extra time for appointments and events requiring travel. You can also set your clocks at home a few minutes faster to stay ahead all year long!

USE CHECKLISTS

Life gets busy! organize checklists by type. errand checklist in the car, a morning checklist, what to get at the grocery store, etc. Keep them on your phone or computer to avoid losing your sticky note!

MONITOR SPENDING 

Create a budget and stick with it. Stay on top of organizing your bills with calendar reminders, and mark them as they are paid. Don’t forget about automatic withdrawals!

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5 Smart-Home Tools That You Did Not Know You Needed

There’s this notion going around that everything needs to be “smart” for ease of lifestyle —  even your home.  Fortunately for you, the market is saturated with smart-home tools, with new ones added almost every day. Below is a list of a few smart-home tools for your home that you did not know you needed.

Voice Assistant

The most common way that homeowners get started with smart-home technology is by purchasing a voice assistant device such as an Amazon Echo (Alexa) or Google Home Assistant. These come in a variety of sizes. From the Google Mini or Echo Dot to the larger hubs such as the Google Hub or Echo Show (which offer touch screens and more robust speakers). You can place them in popular areas in the house, such as the kitchen or bedroom, to look up information, play music, and control other smart-home devices. From there, homeowners can choose other smart-home products that are compatible with their voice assistant.

Smart Thermostat

The next item that energy-conscious homeowners will want to purchase is a smart thermostat. Popular brands include Ecobee, Nest, and Honeywell. Nest has been acquired by Google, which is transitioning the “works with Nest” program to work with Google Assistant and offer additional products such as a video doorbell, a smart-lock, cameras, and a security system. Ecobee is our  personal favorite since it includes an additional occupancy and temperature sensor that can be placed in any room of the home. Both systems have scheduling and geofence features that will adjust settings based on whether the owner is home using their phone as a presence sensor.

Video Doorbell

Ring has helped video doorbells gain popularity with their aggressive advertising on Nextdoor and Facebook. There are other great options from Google, Simplisafe, and Skybell. A video doorbell allows the homeowner to see who’s at the door, monitor when packages arrive, and avoid those pesky door-to-door salespeople. Beware: if you don’t have a strong Wi-Fi connection you’ll be disappointed with the video quality.

Smart Lighting

Whether you install a switch at the wall or just replace a few lightbulbs, smart lighting is a popular choice for convenience, security, and entertainment. We recommend going with a system such as Lutron, which does not require a neutral wire and can be controlled via voice or application with a smart bridge device. Philips Hue or LIFX bulbs are both great options for lighting up a room with color, and each includes a variety of scenes that can help set the mood. Smart lights and switches can also be integrated with a home hub such as Hubitat and connected to other devices such as door or motion sensors. Smart bulbs can also be compatible with Alexa and Google Devices.

Smart Plugs

Plugs are another cost-effective way to control dated devices such as lamps, fans, or holiday lights. This allows the homeowner to setup a variety of automations and use his or her smartphone or voice assistant to turn them on or off. Some versions also include energy monitoring, which can be used to trigger other automations or to simply let the owner know how much power they’re currently using. Perk: You can set these to go on or off on a timer so that your pets aren’t left in the dark when the sun sets.

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Home Tips: 10 Home Décor Crafts to Turn Your Home Into an Autumnal Oasis

Transforming your home into an autumnal oasis could be as simple as focusing on the small accents you’re bringing into each room of your home. When it comes to the changing of seasons, there is nothing more exciting than when summer fades into fall. The leaves are changing, the weather is cooling down, and your coffee order changes from iced to hot. Fall is a time to put your beach towels back in storage, and get back into regular routines. Thus, making it the ideal opportunity to return to your crafting room with these 10 Fall DIY crafts in mind.

1. Fabric Pumpkins

Fabric pumpkins are a fresh way to display seasonal gourds. You can pair sewn faux pumpkins among real ones (some of which you can spray or sponge paint) during this fall season. Imagine — spare branches, scattered leaves, and these pumpkins displayed in your home. Autumnal oasis dreams.

Home Décor Craft: Sew linen, silk, and velvet into adorable faux pumpkins that can be displayed and reused every year.

2. Wheat Cluster

For an easy, lightweight decoration that still evokes the glorious fall harvest, try these dried wheat bundles.

Home Décor Craft: Begin by bundling together three to ten stalks of wheat. Then, wrap the stalks of wheat together in twine. Leave about three feet of twine hanging off the bunch in a tail. Next, cut the stalks to approximately three-inches in length. Repeat for as many bundles as desired. Then, push the separate tails on the twines through a chosen bead, loop all at the end, and tie it into a knot. Hang it upside down on your front door as a creative way to say hello to the fall season!

3. Rustic Woven Lanterns

Thinking of dressing your dinner table with fresh center pieces this holiday season? Look no further with this eco-friendly and chic way to upgrade your dinner table.

Home Décor Craft: Upcycle old mesh placemats by cutting & rolling them into tubes and stitching them along the seams. Place cylinder shaped votives around candles. Wax, soy, or electric candles – your guests won’t be able to spy the difference! Candlelight will gracefully flicker through the loose weave of the hurricane lanterns as you entertain over dinner.

4. Soft Seats

With this DIY craft, dinner isn’t going to be the only warm thing at your table. With these simple slipcovers, you can instantly reinvent dining chairs at your formal dining table over the holidays.

Home Décor Craft: To start, simply drape a finished sheepskin over the back of the chair before securing it with Ultrasuede-tape or cord. Extra fall points for choosing a contrasting cord color. Next, finish securing them to the chair by threading the tie through the sheepskin on each side with a tapestry needle (that will help you create a cuff over the chair’s top). Knot the ends and let them hang loose. Voila!

5. Gingham Knit Blanket

Believe it or not, you don’t need to be an expert knitter to tackle this DIY project; you can make this cozy throw blanket with quick-to-knit strips.

Home Décor Craft: Gather scarves in the colors you want, and sew them together. That’s it! Below, scarves of alternating stripes are sewn together to create a unique gingham pattern.

6. Harvest Branches

We love how easy these fleeced branches are to put together. Specifically how they have the power to add a touch of warm color to any setting you place them in.

Home Décor Craft: Simply pull a bit of fleece roving off a ball, and then press the end of the fiber against the branch. Start wrapping tightly, gently pulling the fleece apart (without tearing it) as you go. Wrap the branches until the piece of fleece runs out. Add more fleece as needed to cover the branch. When adding, wrap over the last inch of wrapped fleece with e.

The friction of your fingers on the fibers and the natural oils form your skin help the fleece stay on the branch and adhere to itself.

7. Pumpkin Spice Scented Candles

If you’re among the camp that counts down the days until you can sip a classic pumpkin spice latte once again, these homemade candles are for you. Poured into orange-tinted mason jars, they throw off an especially autumnal glow in any area you might have in mind.

Home Décor Craft: Hot glue candle wick to bottom of festive colored jar. Bring water to a boil in a pot (filled half way). Reduce to a simmer. Place a different jar with broken up candle wax inside into the pot of simmering water. Water should be about 1/2 way up the side of the jar. When the wax becomes liquid add a heaping tablespoon of pumpkin pie spice. Mix. Carefully pour the liquid wax into the festive colored jar. If the candle wick starts to tilt, secure the wick between two sticks or pencils. Set aside to cool overnight. Trim the wick. Light it up!

8. Nut Wreath

Celebrate fall’s abundance of almonds, hazelnuts, pecans and walnuts with this festive decoration. Use any hard-shelled nuts, including acorns you gather from your own backyard.

Home Décor Craft: Gather all your nuts, small and large. Begin hot gluing the large ones together to form the shape of your wreath. Add in the small nuts as you go to fill in the spaces. Let cool, and hang on door. Ta da!

9. Embroidered Throw Pillows

Upgrade a pair of store-bought wide-weave cushions by tricking them out with bright neutral yarns sewn directly into the weave.

Home Décor Craft: Grab some of your favorite colored yarn and sew in fun patterns and fringe with a tapestry needle. That’s it. Truly. 

10. Block-Printed Linens

Block-printed linens are costly to buy, but surprisingly simple to make. With some textile paint, muslin fabric, and woodblock stamps, you can create linens that are exclusive and unique.

Home Décor Craft: Begin by layering a paper towel on top of a foam sheet; lay pre-washed muslin fabric on top, and smooth out any wrinkles. Then, pour your choice of textile paint on a plate. Next, dab a sponge in the paint and smooth it evenly onto a wooden printing block with a unique pattern. Stamp it on the muslin fabric. Let dry. Pictured are indigo shades, but you can substitue for any color of your choosing.

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10 Spring Cleaning Tips for Your Home

Now that spring is officially here the time to tidy up around the home has also arrived. As cliche as it sounds to “Spring Clean” there is no better time to clean house and spruce up in and around your abode. That’s why we have rounded up 10 of the best tips to clean your home for the Spring Equinox!

 Bye, Bye Dust Bunnies!

  • Use a sticky lint roller to clean dirt and pet fur off the lower parts of drapes. For a deeper clean, take the drapes down, remove the hooks and run them through an air-fluff cycle in the dryer with a damp towel for 15 minutes. Rehang immediately after.
  • Dust blinds often with a microfiber cloth, swiping left to right and blade by blade from top to bottom on each window.
  • Spring is allergy season so dust end tables and shelves in your home thoroughly to keep allergies at bay.

The Rinse Cycle

  • Wash out trash cans. To really clean garbage cans, spray them thoroughly with a hose and then dump the water out. Afterwards use a disinfectant spray on the inside, then scrub the trash can with a handled brush and rinse it out again. Leave the trash can upside down to thoroughly dry.

Kitchen Kleanse

  • To clean glass, chrome or steel appliances, fill a spray bottle with a mixture of 50 percent rubbing alcohol and 50 percent water. Then use a dry cloth to polish and clean the surfaces to remove spots and fingerprints.
  • The refrigerator can become an unexpectedly cluttered place. Organize it once it’s had a thorough cleaning. Keep highly perishable food front and center and sort the longer-lasting ingredients and toppings by category.

 Scrubba-Dub the Tub

  • Maintain the tile surfaces of your bathroom, especially the shower by spraying the surface with generous amounts of cleaner. Allow the cleaner to sit while cleaning the rest of the bathroom, then go back to start scrubbing. If the grout is dirty with mold or mildew, make a paste of washing soda and peroxide to deep clean and disinfect.

Bedhead

  • On average we spend about 3,000 hours a year in our beds, almost the equivalent of four months to be exact! With that in mine, keeping our mattresses clean is as easy a flip of a coin. Rotate your mattress a few times a year and vacuum the surface. Afterwards sprinkle a mixture of baking soda and a few drops of essential oil. Let the mixture sit for a couple hours then vacuum the mixture away.

Office Space

  • Spend the day getting your files organized and space decluttered. Aside from going through papers on your desk, you should also take the time to back-up files on external or cloud devices so they’re secured. Have a lot of documents to toss? Make sure to shred anything personal before throwing it in the bin!

Outside and over Yonder

  • Cleaning your outdoor furniture is incredibly simple, but easily forgotten. While the rain can wash away some dirt and pollen, a thorough wipe down with a mild detergent goes a long way. Make sure to check your furnitures manufacture guidelines if a special care routine is required.

 

 

 

 

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A Rodeo Guide to Moving and Packing

Moving can be stressful. From sorting through what stays and what goes to purchasing a heap of supplies, it’s a journey. Literally. But it does not always have to be. At Rodeo Realty we pride ourselves on making your home experience as seamless as possible. Thats why we’ve narrowed down your moving and packing essential tips! Read below for a helpful handful of moving tricks and click the link at the bottom for your moving checklist!

1. Don’t hesitate on ordering a-lot of boxes…because you never know

It is better safe then sorry! Rather then get the bare minimum and have to last minute track down more boxes, bulk up on extra boxes. It will save you that extra time you can use towards a well deserved glass of wine after all the packing is finished.

2. Pack in all sizes

When picking out boxes, it is better to get a variety of sizes. You are likely to need more small and medium boxes rather then a heap of large ones. Grab a few wardrobe boxes, many medium and certainly a lot of small boxes.

3. Don’t forget the other moving supplies

Sure you’re all set on boxes but make sure you have enough tape to close them securely! More then what you think you will need is better then not enough. Make sure you grab packing paper and everything else you will need to ensure your items are packed safely and securely.

4. Keep your fragile items safe

Group delicate items together and make sure they are labeled as fragile so your movers know which boxes need extra care and a secure space in the van.

5. Paper packing

When packing you delicate items, avoid using newspaper as it can stain and smear. Instead go for the real deal and pick up packing paper to save yourself the ink scrub down on your fine china.

6. Bundle Breakables

As you pack your dishes, put packing paper around each one, then wrap bundles of five or six together with more paper. Pack dishes on their sides and never flat. Make sure to use plenty of bunched-up paper as padding above and below. Cups and bowls can be placed inside one another with paper between and rapped three or four in a bundle.

7. Consider other items that will need special treatment

Plasma TVs require special wooden crates for shipping if you don’t have the original box and can be ruined if you lay them flat. If packing yourself, double box your tv, setting the box containing the tv into another box that you’ve padded with packing paper.

8. Label your boxes

This is an easy but often overlooked step. Label each box so you know whats in it and in what room it goes. This will make the unpacking process a breeze.

9. Ditch the heavy load!

The heavier the item, the smaller the  box should be! It is much easier to carry heavier items when they’re in smaller boxes. Save the larger boxes for things that are lighter but hard to carry on their own. And of course never over pack a box!

10. No packing on moving day!

Take on the busy day with ease by making sure all your boxes are packed already. It is less stress ! This includes removed pictures from the walls beforehand.

11. Put heaver items on the bottom of boxes add lighter items on top.

If you are loading the truck yourself, it is better to have your boxes properly proportioned. Another tip is to pack heavier boxes first and toward the front of the truck for balance.

12. Don’t leave empty spaces

Fill in the gaps with clothing , towels, or packing paper. Movers often wont move boxes they feel are loosely packed.

Packing with movers?

We have you covered here too!

1. Last in, First Out

Tell your movers which boxes you need first at your new home and they will load the moving truck accordingly.

2. Keep your most important things with you

Don’t pack  jewelry or medication–keep these with you. You might need to access them on moving day and its nice for the movers if they know they don’t need to worry about keeping track of these small items.

3. Sort out the details ahead of time

Make sure you know where you movers can park. This is LA and we know how parking is. Visit the parking enforcement page head of your move in case you need to obtain a permit.

4. Prep your furniture

Remove all heavy and breakable items from dressers and desks so they are easier to lift.

5. Moving fine art?

Ask your movers about special crating for you prized positions. Never wrap an oil painting in regular paper. For pictures that are framed behind glass, make an X with masking tape across the glass to strengthen it and hold it together if it shatters.

 

Need a checklist to get you through the big day? Click here for Rodeo Realty’s Moving Checklist and check those moving jitters off your list!

 

 

 

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