The Joys of De-cluttering Your Apartment

In today’s consumer society it is easy to find yourself buried in stuff.  Whether it is clothes, linens, shoes, half-finished packages of food, or an overstuffed medicine cabinet, it is an almost constant battle to keep the stuff we use for our every day lives under control.  By taming the beast of clutter you can simplify your daily routines by having less stuff to sift through, and you can restore a greater sense of peace and well being to your home in the process.  Here are a few guidelines to getting the clutter out of your apartment and to getting some peace of mind back into your life.

The Kitchen

It is easy to acquire food, spices, oils, condiments, plates, and cookware without having the proper storage to accommodate it all.  Generally, if you have not used something—whether it is a fondue set, a blender, or that Thai spice mix set you someday intend to use—get rid of it.   One way to ensure your kitchen stays manageable is by making a few smaller shops per week, rather than one big stock up.  Buying less items more frequently keeps you in touch with what you do have, and allows you to keep fresher ingredients on hand while preventing waste through spoilage. 

The Bedroom Closet

Clothes can be particularly tricky to manage because of the sentimental value we often place upon them.  A particular sweater, t-shirt, or coat can live on in our closets well after it has ceased to be worn simply because it reminds us of a particular time and place.  As a rule of thumb, if you have not worn a garment over the last year then it is time to put it out to pasture.  Once you pare down your wardrobe to a manageable amount, be sure to arrange and present your clothes in a clear and organized manner, so you can keep daily, visual tabs on what you have.

The Bathroom

Bathrooms are magnets for almost empty bottles of shampoo and conditioner and old medications, combs, and tubes of cream that never get used.  Again, if you have not used something in a year then it is good to go.  Think of what toiletries you would pack for a trip—i.e. what are the essential things you need each day—and reduce your bathroom stock to only those items. 

If you clean as you go, and keep your counters, cabinets, and drawers free from becoming dumping zones, than a de-cluttered apartment is easy to maintain.  Remember, thrift stores, charities, and food banks are always in need of good items, so pass your stuff along, and keep yourself and your apartment organized and orderly.

How to Party in your Apartment Holiday Style

Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, or none of the above, December is a wonderful time to get together with friends and family.  As the weather grows cold, and the days become shockingly shorter, the holiday season is the perfect time to open your hearts and you home to those you love.  Apartment parties, however, can be a little trickier to pull off, so keep these tips in mind as you make merry this holiday season.

Use Your Space

Just because you have a one bedroom or a basement bachelor doesn’t mean you can’t host a perfect holiday party—you just need to maximize your space.  You can start by removing any extra clutter you might be harboring in your apartment. Move any extraneous and clunky objects out of the way by storing them temporarily in a closet, or, weather permitting, on a balcony or deck, in order to make room for your revelers.  After you free up some space, create a sense of flow in your apartment by setting up a few different “hubs” or gathering spaces.  By placing hors d’oeuvres or snack trays in unexpected spots, like a home office nook or hallway table, or by placing a self-serve drink or punch station in a less-trafficked part of your living room, you can naturally disperse your guests throughout your apartment.

Don’t Slave Away

There is nothing worse, for you or your guests, than spending the entirety of your party holed up in the kitchen cooking feverishly.  Instead, select menu items and snacks that are quick and easy to prepare.  Cured meats, veggies trays, nuts, chocolates, and quickly warmed finger foods are all great ways to avoid excessive cooking.  The best part about holiday parties is sampling all the different items—so definitely opt for a variety of easy to prepare snacks over a labour-intensive meal.  If you do insist on having something on the stove, try making a warm drink that your guests can serve themselves. Hot apple cider or hot chocolate are wonderful nonalcoholic drinks, while hot buttered rum and mulled wine are perfectly seasonal alcoholic options.   

Dream up a Theme

Feel free to spice your party up with a theme!  There are numerous seasonal themes to draw from (apres ski, tacky holiday sweater, or come as your favourite holiday), but you can take themes to the next level by building an activity into your party.  Whether it is a gingerbread house making contest, a tree or apartment decorating activity, a holiday treat bake-off, a bring your own gift-wrapping party, or a holiday song karaoke jam, incorporating a theme into your party can help break the ice with your guests, and can really make your holiday party a fete to remember.