Managing Renovations

Renovations are a blessing but can also lead to clutter!  All the dust, stress and second guessing equal a beautiful, completed home project!  Once the project is complete, it’s now time to empty those boxes and put your personal belongings back into the renovated space. 


STOP DON’T OPEN THAT BOX YET!


1. First decide if you missed or still need the items that were boxed up during the renovation?

2. Have the kids been asking for the boxed toys?

3. Did you purchase new items to replace the items you had boxed up during renovation?

4. Do you really need or plan to use all the boxed clothes?

5. Do you really need, or did you really miss all those choochkies?


The renovation allowed you to live with minimal supplies, and minimal to no clutter!  What do you really need out of those boxes?


If you completed a kitchen renovation, put away the absolute bare minimum and the basic dishes back out.  Then take a hard look at everything that is leftover.  Do you really need all those small appliances?  How many blenders, food processors etc. are needed?  Do you really need 2 drawers full of mix- match Tupperware?  Do I really need 10 coffee mugs?  No one needs 10 whisks!  20 Spatulas!  Keep only 4 or less of the most used utensils.


If you completed a different kind of renovation, think about what is in the boxes:  Are the contents décor?  Do you want the same old décor, or did you change with the remodel?  If the answer is Yes, then donate what doesn’t match or is no longer needed. 

If you completed a renovation in the bedroom, think about the clothes you might have boxed up.   Will you ever wear all these clothes?  Can you manage with less clothing?  Take a hard look at what’s in the boxes and make the hard decision to get rid of old or out of style clothes.



Was the renovation in the family room or kids’ playroom?  Will your kids ever play with the toys that were boxed during the renovation?  Did the kids even realize that the toys were not around to play with?  Did the kids out outgrow some of the toys?  Don’t overthink it, let them go or donate them to someone who will play with them.


Remember you spent time and money on making your home beautiful!  Take the extra time to decide what is really needed before unloading all those boxes!

By Annie Kilbride March 31, 2026
Hello friends, When the calendar flips to January, we’re suddenly flooded with possibilities of fresh starts, clean slates, and promises to ourselves that this is the year we’ll finally get organized. Organization isn’t about perfection—it’s about creating systems that make your life easier, calmer, and more intentional. 1. Start with on small space Instead of tackling the whole house, choose a single drawer, a nightstand, or a pantry shelf. Small wins create momentum. 2. Set realistic, measurable goals Replace 'Get organized' with specific, achievable goals. 3. Do a quick purge of everyday clutter Spend 10 minutes collecting items you no longer need. Immediate relief! A visual timer helps. See link below for a timer recommendation: https://a.co/d/jjDKhoB 4. Create homes for your most-used items A home for everything keeps chaos away. 5. Simplify your daily routines Prep the night before. Make mornings calmer. 6. Embrace the ‘One In/ One Out’ rule Maintain clutter-free spaces all year. 7. Use Visual Systems Labels, clear bins, color coding - especially helpful for kids and busy families. Kids do well with pictures and word labels. Link for products below: https://a.co/d/8uFMLzw 8. Schedule your organizing time If it’s not scheduled, it won’t happen. Consistence is key! 9. Ask for help when you’re overwhelmed Support accelerates success! 10. Celebrate progress, not perfection Every organized drawer is a success! Here’s to a simpler, lighter, more organized year ahead! Life Simplified is here to help you every step of the way!
By Annie Kilbride December 3, 2025
Don't stress! Follow these helpful hints to stay organized and enjoy your time with family and friends. ​ Hosting Holiday Meals Ask your guests to help Lists! Lists! Lists! (grocery, menu, etc.) Remember the batteries Use disposable pans & Plates as much as possible Consider Grocery delivery Service Also, support any local farmers markets or farms by buying any produce from them! Stay focused, Hydrated & keep that protein level up! Have 10 quiet minutes? Wrap a present! Grab a glass of wine Turn on a Christmas movie Be sure to have your camera ready but don’t forget to sit back & enjoy the moments Set the coffee to automatically brew. You'll love having a hot cup of coffee to start your day! Most Importantly... Enjoy this time with your family and friends . Yes, it can be stressful; yes, it can be overwhelming, but it can also be fun! Allow yourself to enjoy it - stress and all!
By Annie Kilbride November 24, 2025
How long do you leave your holiday decorations on display in your home? We hear from a lot of people that they continue to enjoy their holiday decorations well into the new year . We’re all for squeezing every last drop of joy out of the season and we think you should leave your decorations up as long as you’d like! However, when the time comes to un-decorate, we highly recommend that you downsize holiday decorations: take the time to sort and organize them before you put them away. Always edit your collections before you store them. This concept is harder than it seems, but if you decorate your home for the holidays and still have more decor in storage, you may want to donate or re-home anything you didn’t display this year . If you’re ready to apply this principle, try this method: 1) Pull out ALL of your holiday decor and supplies at the start of the season. 2) Decorate your home and set up your gift wrapping area, holiday supplies etc. 3) Box or bag anything that didn’t make the cut this year for decor and supplies. 4) Retain any storage containers that could be useful to better organize the items you want to keep for next year. The pros recommend clear containers so you can see what’s in there! If you’re downsizing or short on space, consider: Choose unbreakable and easy-to-store options when you can. Fragile decorations that need a lot of protection take up a lot of space in storage. We know some downsizers who have chosen to go all-natural (as much as possible) with live garlands, wreaths, tree trimmings, floral arrangements, etc. so that there is less to store at the end of the season. You can always choose fewer areas to decorate , focusing on the spaces where you will most enjoy your holiday trimmings. When it’s time to store: Use the right container for the job . Specialty ornament containers may cost more, but they will protect delicate items. Consider off-site storage . We’re seeing more and more specialty storage solutions for small-space dwellers, including services that will pick up and deliver your holiday supplies on demand.
Show More