Need more space? Install some shelves.  If you don’t have additional cabinets above your washer and dryer then adding some wire shelving or wooden shelves will help give you some much needed space.  I installed a long wire rack above my machines so I can put my laundry detergent, dryer sheets, iron and other miscellaneous items above them.  If you have room to the left or right of your machine you can also install shelves there.  I am vertically challenged and so I need to be able to access certain things regularly and so having shelves lower and to the right or left of the washer and dryer really  help.

Make use of the space next to your machines.  To organize my laundry room I make sure every area is maximized.  I have a little bit of room to the left of my washing machine and so I store my clothes drying rack (look up) and ironing board at the side of the washer.  That way it is easily accesidble and clealry in the most obvious place.

You can find a plethora of garage storage systems out there today.  You can find garage workbenches, metal garage cabinets, garage cabinet sets; I mean really the list goes on. Plus, they come in sleek looking colors such as steel, black, white, red and various types of wood.  If your garage is not in need of a full overhaul you can buy garage wall cabinets or base cabinets to fit where ever they are needed.  If you just have one problem area that is in desperate need of a storage solution then this may be the best solution.

Want to get your husband, dad, boyfriend, or even your wife who spends a lot of time in the garage working on things a great gift?  Take a look at some custom garage cabinets.  Meet with a professional who can design a layout for you.  You can either have them professionally installed or if you know someone who is handy, you can give them the garage cabinet plans and they can do the work for you.  If you have someone who spends an awful lot of time in their garage this would be the ultimate gift to give.  Imagine the look on their face when they show up to a completely decked out garage with all the accessories.

So guys, ladies, if you want to take your garage to the next level or if you are in need of a big garage organization overhaul then take a look around at the garage cabinets that are available.  Shop around, get some quotes, figure out exactly what it is you need and get ready to turn that garage into something all of your friends and neighbors are going to be so jealous of.

A way to organize all the items as well as keeping them safe is to purchase a fireproof safe.  Fireproof safes come in a variety of sizes and price ranges so you do not feel like you have to break the bank to store and protect your documents. Here are a few different types of fire proof safes that you can use in your home or office.

Fireproof Wall Safe – This type is often a small fireproof safe that you can hide a lot easier than a standard safe because you can hide them behind pictures, doors or even at the back of closets. You not only want to install fireproof home safes just because they will protect your important documents in a fire, from dust or water or a disaster, but they are less likely to be tampered with in a break-in because the thief must first locate the safe before he can even try and break the lock.

Fire Safe File Cabinets – If you have a lot of important documents in your office or at home, then investing in a fire safe file cabinet is a good investment.  These also come in a variety of sizes and are essential if you need to file a large amount of critical documents.

Fire Safe Security Chest – This is the type I currently have, but I am considering upgrading to a fireproof document safe now that I am working from home and have a lot more items than just personal documents to store.  I did find this fire proof safe to be absolutely perfect for my situation.  It was the perfect size for me to store my passports, social security cards, a few important backup CD’s as well as two years worth of tax returns.  If you are looking at fireproof home safes and do not want to spend a lot of money and only need to store a small amount of valuables and documents this is the best option.  You get security without spending a lot.

Being prepared is essential to having a stress free life.  I’m not saying that you have to prepare for every moment or every thing, but when it comes to important things it will save you in the long run.  Should a disaster strike such as a fire, flood or theft, having a fireproof safe to store your documents and valuables in will give you some peace of mind.  Take a look online at the various types of safes that are available.  Figure out what it is you want to store to get and idea of the size of the safe that you need.  Then shop around to find the best price to fit your budget.

Jewelry boxes have many benefits. The obvious one is to keep your jewelry collection neatly organized so you can find the right piece when you want it. The other important benefit is to protect your jewelry collection from damage. Many pieces of jewelry can become scratched or tarnished if they are regularly jumbled together and exposed to the elements. For example, natural pearls are notorious for being scratched by other pieces and these should be stored securely and separately. Choosing a jewelry box with a nice soft interior will help to prevent these from moving around and bumping other items in your collection. Gold is another softer material that can scratch if exposed to hard stones like diamonds.

This of course leads to the next question. Once you have ample storage space for your collection, what will you fill it up with? If you started out just trying to organize a few key pieces but went overboard and now have drawers and compartments lined with velvet and faintly crying to be filled with treasure, you need to add more to your collection. Don’t make the mistake of thinking that all your jewels have to be horribly expensive. Round out your collection of necklaces with some simple beaded affairs – local designers are sure to have some lovely pieces at a budget price. Another option is to invest in some lab created diamond jewelry. Lab created diamonds are chemically identical to the real thing, so your friends will never know the difference if you never tell! Of course, you aren’t limited to just using your jewelry boxes to store jewelry. Mementos of travel, small family heirlooms and trinkets will all benefit from being securely sorted and stored away from damage.

With a huge range of sizes and styles of jewelry boxes available, you could even get an armoire to house a series of smaller jewelry boxes! A classic or antique armoire is an amazing feature to add to your bedroom or dressing room. Best described as a large jewelry chest, these can have multiple compartments, shelves and doors as well as fold out table trays, mirrors, and even secret compartments! Choosing one with locks will be an extra layer of security; only the most dedicated thief will lug a hundred kilos of furniture with him, through your bedroom window!

Organizing Recipes On Your Computer – Create a folder called recipes.  Within that folder create sub-folders that you label by category. I find it’s easier to label them with simple words like meats, vegetarian, appetizers, pastas, breakfast, low cholesterol, low sodium, deserts, gluten free recipes etc.  It all depends on what foods you typically eat and what your preferences are.  Then, save the document in its designated folder and label it something that you can clearly find and identify for example: Moms Toad In The Hole.

Organizing Recipes Online – I have two ways that I organize my recipes online.  The first one is using bookmarks on my web browser. I set this up no different than how I set up a folder on my computer.  I create my recipe folder in my bookmarks and all the sub-folder with the various categories and when I stumble across a recipe online I save it to the appropriate folder. I make sure to label it in a way that is easy to identify.

The second way I store my recipes online is a website and iphone application called Big Oven. With big oven you can store your favorite recipes as well as browse new ones.  They have great features like try soon as well as a leftover wizard that will tell you what you can make out of your leftovers.

Organizing Recipes Hard Copy – The best way that I have found to keep all my recipes in one location is using a 3 ring binder.  That way you can add to and remove at your convenience.  If you write your recipe in a notebook its permanently there and if you run out of room you have to start another book. Here is how I set mine up

• Organize all your recipes into categories, just like you would if you were doing this on a computer

• Get a new 3 ring binder and some tab dividers that you can label yourself.  Write each of the sections that you have onto a new tab divider

• Buy some clear sleeve inserts for the 3 ring binder. This will help keep the recipe in good condition and should you need to take it out of the binder it adds a layer of protection

• Insert your recipes into the clear sleeves and file them in the correct category they belong in

If you want to find your recipes at a glance you can always create an index.  You can put an 8×11 piece of paper at the front of the binder and write the name of each recipe that is in each section or you can create the list on your computer and as you add some new recipes, update your sheet and print it out.  This way you don’t have to continually skim through the entire section to find what you’re looking for.  This is also great if you have no idea what you want for dinner and need to see a big list for ideas.

You can also create an index for recipes that you like in your cookbooks or ones that are stored on your computer.  Quickly right down the recipe you enjoy, write the name of the cook book it is in as well as the page and now you can quickly pull that book and get to cooking. Same thing with your recipes on your computer. Write down the name of the recipe and the folder it is stored in.

If you come across a lot of recipes that you would like to try soon, create a try soon section within your computer folders or recipe binder. If you get a lot of recommended recipes from friends create a section labeled recommended.  So now, as you come across recipes in a magazine you can rip them out of the magazine and insert them into your binder.  If you come across a recipe online, you can either print a hard copy for your binder or save it on your computer.

Once you have set up your recipe organization it will be so much easier going forward to find all the recipes you enjoy.   Then you can start to brag to all of your friends telling them “this is how I organize my recipes” and you will sound like an organizing guru.

Once you have decided to have a sale, you will need to decide on a date to have your sale. A good day to have your sale is on a Saturday because that is when most people are out and looking for neighborhood bargains. Once you have a date in mind, you will have to check the weather forecast. Nothing will ruin an outdoor sales event faster than inclement weather. Strive for something neither too cold nor too hot and avoid rain at all costs.

After you have a nice day set aside, you will need to let people know about the sale. Word of mouth should be the first method you use to spread the news. Tell all of your friends and co-workers and ask them to do the same. With that done, you can make some fliers and post them about town (after you have checked your local laws to ascertain the legalities of doing so, of course). If there are any community bulletin boards, put them to good use as well. Lastly, pay to run a small classified ad in your local paper.

Before the big day comes, plan out how you will organize everything you are selling. It is wise to group all related items together. If you have clothes to sell, group all of them into one area. Furniture, if there is any, should be put with other furniture. Think of how a department store is setup and try to mimic that. Also, you should keep the cashbox (never unattended!) beneath the carport along with other expensive items. This will help protect those running the “register” from the sun and other elements while allowing them to keep an eye on the more valuable items that may otherwise disappear without compensation.

Once you have met these three conditions, then you should have a successful diy carport sale under your belt that you can be proud of. In fact, don’t be surprised if you find your friends asking for help in setting up theirs!

The most common storage cube or storage box as it is often referred to is the plastic storage cube. The little plastic storage boxes are rectangle containers that hold any and everything you could possibly imagine. I use them for many various items. For example I have a garage full of them and they hold all my seasonal items and decorations. I also have them storing extra tools, household cleaners and shop rags. Parts for my motorcycle hobbies are also one thing they are used for. Plastic storage cubes are also great for complementing closet organizers. You can use them to store out of season items like sweaters or bathing suits. They are great for storing office files and household paperwork you do not want to rid of.

Your childrens bedrooms are also a great place to have a cube storage system in place. This is where stackable storage cubes can come into play. They are made to stack on top of one another and they come in many different designs and colors. It is not uncommon to see a kids room utilize one of these as a closet to store all their toys, clothes, etc. Many of the stackable storage cube units are made of wood so they look more appealing with the existing home decor.

Finding plastic storage bins is a rather easy task. You can get them at almost any department store like Walmart or Target or online. They sell for as little as two dollars and go up from there depending on size and color. The brand that is most popular has to be Rubbermaid. Rubbermaid storage cubes are found at all the above mentioned stores as well as home improvement stores. Online stores carry a much more diverse selection of cube storage furniture including, wire, metal, plastic and wood storage cubes.

Here are some pointers on what to prepare in the case of an emergency:

• For your disaster supply kit, you should have enough essential water, non perishable food and supplies to last for a minimum of three days.  The more days you prepare for, the better.  This kit should be in an easily accessible and designated area in case you have to evacuate your home quickly. Ensure everyone in the home knows where the kit is kept.

• In addition to food and water, you should set aside some items for sheltering.  Something that will last for about one to two weeks.

• Set aside some clothing determined by your climate for each member of the family.  If you live in a colder climate pack warmer clothes.  I believe you should have at least 2 changes of clothing available. One set for warmer weather and 1 set for colder weather such as long pants, a sweater, socks, shoes, a jacket, hats, gloves and mittens. You do not have to spend a lot of money on these items.  You can find this type of clothing at any thrifty store, as you will not be too concerned about your appearance as much as you are its usefulness. Also, store a few blankets and some sleeping bags for warmth and/or bedding.

Here are some of the other basic items you should have on hand:

• Battery powered flashlight & radio – extra batteries as well
• First Aid Kit
• Matches
• Cooking Utensils (aquire at the dollar store or thrift store)
• If possible, have documentation available such as ID’s, passports, VISAS, anything that you will need to prove who you are.
• Money
• Medication – prescribed medication, hearing aids
• Infants/Babies – forumla, diapers, baby bottles, blankest

Think about the necessities your family will need on a daily basis.  As I said, you do not need to spend a lot of money on these items.  You can find a lot of them at the dollar store or any thrifty store.  You do not need to buy all the items at one time, but make sure you set a deadline for when to complete your preparation. Buy some storage boxes to store all the items in such as plastic storage boxes that are deep and sturdy. Don’t overpack anything as you do not want it to be too heavy to carry.  If need be, buy 2 boxes.

Ambient Lighting

Each room needs to have general background lighting by which you can see to move around or talk to others. Although many rooms are fitted with a central pendant light this tends to cast a harsh light over the room and occupants. You will be able to create a more convivial atmosphere if you install softer lighting which may be in the form of wall lights, floor lamps or table lamps or a mixture of these. If the wiring in your room needs to be changed to accommodate a change in lighting, remember to include the cost of an electrical contractor when planning your budget and to make any changes to the wiring before you start on the decoration of the room.

Task Lighting

Not all rooms need task lighting, but it is very important in some rooms where you need to be able to see clearly to carry out a specific activity. For example, in kitchens you need to be able to see clearly to prepare food properly, in bathrooms where you might need lighting to shave and put on make-up, and in a study and any other area where you might like to read or do other close work. You can always add task lighting in addition to any ambient lighting in the room. With task lighting it is important that the light shines onto the area you are focusing on, like lighting on the underside of the kitchen cabinets which is focused onto a counter top or a reading lamp pointing to the surface of a desk.

Mood Lighting

Some lighting may be required to enhance a particular mood in a room. This is generally a temporary requirement but it is important that you consider it. For example, you may want romantic lighting at times in your living room and you can add this by having a number of candles ready for use. Your teenager may want funky lighting for their bedroom and you may want a dimmer switch on your bathroom lighting for taking a relaxing soak in the bath tub.

Looking Good

As well as being fit for purpose, lighting is a great way of adding decoration to a room. For this you can get some wonderful lamps and lamp shades that add accents to your tables. And even if you do not use your pendant ceiling light make sure that you plan to give it a wonderful pendant lamp shade or chandelier fitting in a style to match your interior. This will add decoration to your ceiling and enhance your room. Whatever style of room you have in mind, make sure that your lighting is in keeping with that style. For example, you could have designer brushed chrome light fittings in a contemporary kitchen with stainless steel appliances and a retro lava lamp in a teenager’s 70s style bedroom.

First of all look at the surface of your patio and see if it needs to be replaced. It is likely that you will not need a new patio if you were happy with it last summer, but you may need to pay some attention to cleaning the surface and removing any weeds.

If you prepared your patio properly for winter your garden furniture will be packed away in a dry location such as garage or shed and you will not have much work to take it out and make it ready for use. If, like many of us, you neglected to store your patio set out of the winter weather however, there will be a bit more work involved to get your furniture looking good again.

Neglected patio sets can generally be easily cleaned with warm water, mild soap and a bit of effort with a soft scrubbing brush. Once they are clean make sure that you rinse off any soapy residue and leave your furniture to dry in the fresh air.

If you have hard wood furniture it will probably benefit from being treated with teak oil to restore the oils in the wood. Painted furniture may require a new coat of paint. If so, you can think about painting it in a fresh color to give your patio a new lease of life.

Hopefully, you remembered to take your patio cushions inside at the start of the winter and they are ready to put back on your garden furniture. If they are past their best think about buying replacement patio cushions as they can boost the look of your old garden furniture like nothing else. You can buy new cushions to suit all kinds of chairs so you should be able to find something to fit even if it has been some time since you bought your patio furniture.

While you are making new purchases for your patio think about whether additional items of furniture would be useful. What were you lacking last summer? Perhaps a large patio umbrella would help you use your patio on the hottest days or a drinks trolley might be just the thing for entertaining. Finally think about adding some colorful and fragrant plants to the area of the garden around the patio and add a pot or two of flowers to the patio itself to make it ready for the sun.