Make Back-To-School Laundry a Breeze
Even though I no longer meet the teachers, pack lunches, or have a back-to-school shopping list, this is still the time of year I start preparing for a reset. You know that sense that fall isn’t quite here, but you’re ready to create new habits like a healthy meal plan, reorganize the pantry, start a project, or start a new book!
With my goal in mind, I will quickly begin to think of the tools I will need: a new app, new storage containers, journals, pens etc. These are the fun and easiest parts of creating a new goal or habit! The real work for me is creating a plan to make room in my schedule, my head, and my home. The Benjamin Franklin quote “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.” has proven true. In my schedule, I’ve got to put one thing down, before I pick one up or I just end up frustrated. In my home, I need to create an environment that encourages and rewards my goal.
Planning - This can be as simple as purging old food from the pantry and mapping out a new layout before I go buy the pretty containers and healthy snacks. This can also mean it’s time for a facelift with a complete redesign, or a new coat of paint and new furniture plan. That’s where I am! I’ve completed my laundry room refresh and am currently redesigning my home office/studio. It has been purged and is a blank canvas. Now I’m finalizing the space plan. This is the step that so many skip, instead jumping right to that boost of instant gratification by shopping for new furnishings and accessories.
Brainstorm & Determine Your Priorities - If you’re in the planning phase to build or remodel your new laundry room, start by making a list of your “must haves” and “nice to haves”. What frustrates you about your current laundry room situation? This is brainstorming time, so nothing is off the table. Think about each of the activities that happen here. Do you primarily hang your clothes, or do you fold? That will determine how much space you want to dedicate for hanging rods and a folding station. Do you have a large family and need a second washer and dryer to keep your crew’s laundry from piling up? For me, this isn’t necessary, but I’ve had my eye on the steam closets. The thought of refreshing or dry-cleaning my clothes at the touch of a button sounds dreamy.
Maximize the Space - While you’re planning, remember the laundry room tends to be multipurpose space for most of us so go-ahead plan for it. Is the laundry room where you bathe your fur-babies? Is this where you will crate them or store their toys? You may want to consider a washing and feeding station. These little luxuries can easily be incorporated while you are building a new home or remodeling and will make the chore of pet care seamless.
Create Storage and Contain the Clutter - Whether you use scent boosting beads, pods, or dryer sheets, place them in clear containers and throw out that orange bottle of detergent. Seeing my laundry beads and detergent in pretty glass canisters makes me happy and my laundry routine more efficient! Maybe consider dedicating pullout hampers for each kiddo. Not only will this make sorting a breeze, but it will also make it easier to enlist little helpers.
Make It Your Own - Add a touch of whimsy with fun wallpaper or bold color on the cabinetry. Hang an abstract, a fun portrait of Fido or frame that drawing the kids made but haven’t found a home for just yet. This is your opportunity to let your personality shine through and make it your own. You’ve got to be here, why not enjoy it!
Are you ready to love tackling that back-to-school laundry? If you need help creating your dream laundry room or with another project coming up, please reach out. We’ll have you loving your new space in no time!
Until next time, Tangy