h2oc.org | Oct 29, 2020
OC Rainy Season Checklist
There’s rain in the forecast for later this week! Now is a great time to take a few simple steps to prepare your home and yard for rainy weather.
Here are a few simple steps you can take to get ready for the rainy season:
- Pick up around your yard. Rain can carry trash, pet waste, yard debris or exposed household hazardous waste from your yard and other storage areas, such as the side of the house, into our storm drain system. To keep pollutants from entering our waterways, sweep up any trash or debris on hard surfaces like patios or driveways and place it in a covered trash bin. Rake up yard debris and place it in a covered trash or green waste bin. Store Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) indoors or under cover, in closed and labeled containers. You can dispose of HHW for free at any of Orange County’s four recycling centers.
- Repair leaking vehicles. Rain can wash oil and other fluids from leaky vehicles into our storm drains. Now is a great time to get your vehicle serviced to prevent leaking fluids from polluting our waterways. If vehicle maintenance isn’t an option at the moment, place drip pans under leaking vehicles to help protect our beaches and waterways. Recycle used oil by taking it to service stations and other recycling centers.
- Run your irrigation system and check for runoff. The start of the rainy season is a great time to make sure your irrigation system is doing its job by only giving your yard the water it needs to stay healthy. If you have a zone-based automated or manual irrigation system, try running each zone. Using a stopwatch or timer, monitor each zone for signs of runoff and note the time when runoff occurs. If you see runoff, try the following actions:
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- For runoff caused by sprinklers…
- Align your sprinklers to only water vegetated areas. Your yard doesn’t benefit when sprinklers spray onto sidewalks or other areas that don’t need water. In addition to creating runoff, poorly aligned sprinklers can damage outdoor structures like fences. Adjusting any misaligned sprinklers and properly aiming sprinkler heads to water only vegetated areas can prevent runoff, reduce repairs, and keep your yard healthy.
- Repair sprinkler heads and leaks. Broken or leaky sprinklers can waste thousands of gallons of water per month and cause runoff. Immediately repairing sprinklers and fixing leaks prevents runoff from entering our waterways, reduce water bills, and helps keep our ocean clean.
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- Reduce runoff by adjusting your watering schedule…
- Cycle and soak – Shorter water cycles are good for your yard. Running multiple, shorter cycles with an hour or more break in between allows water to soak into soil and nourish your plants instead of running off as waste.
- Change the days – Watering too many days in a row may prevent your yard from absorbing water. Adding more time between your watering days can enable your yard to absorb the water it needs while preventing runoff. Be sure to check with your local water district, HOA, or city for guidance regarding watering days in your area.
- Water at sunrise – Watering early in the morning prevents water from being lost to wind or evaporation.
Helpful tips: For more accurate results, run your system on a day not too soon after a recent watering. Since watering needs change throughout the year, check your system for runoff every three months to ensure your yard is getting the water it needs to stay healthy year-round.
- Consider hand watering outdoor plants. During the rainy season, when your yard needs less water, hand watering plants may be a good alternative to other watering systems. Garden hoses with automatic shutoff nozzles can use less water than sprinkler irrigation systems. An easy alternative to sprinklers, hand watering ensures only those areas that need water get it. Be sure to replace any leaking garden hoses and repair any leaky connections to help prevent runoff and keep our waterways clean.
- When hand watering or using a non-automated system, set a timer. Lawns quickly absorb the water they need to stay healthy. Setting a timer can help you remember to move or turn off your manual watering, to prevent overwatering and ensure your yard gets the amount of water it needs. Your local water district or city may have irrigation schedules to help determine the best water scheme for your yard.
- Skip watering before, during, and after rain. Watering too soon before or after a forecasted rain event (48 hours is a good benchmark) may affect your yard’s ability to absorb water and cause runoff. To prevent your yard from receiving too much water, monitor the weather forecast during the rainy season and adjust your watering accordingly.
- In addition, fertilizers and pesticides can be washed off your yard and into our storm drains during rain events. Apply fertilizers and pesticides only when it is not windy and never when rain is in the 48-hour forecast. Limit pesticide use by using nonchemical methods, integrated pest management, or least-toxic pesticides whenever possible.
Here are additional resources to help you prepare for the rainy season in OC:
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- Looking for guidance on how much water your yard needs? In addition to running your system to check for runoff, you can find watering guidelines and customizable calculators from bewaterwise.com and the Municipal Water District of Orange County.
- Interested in updating your irrigation system? Rebates may be available for weather-based irrigation controllers, upgraded sprinkler nozzles, drip irrigation, and rain barrels to capture water and prevent runoff. Check your local water district for current rebate programs.
- Wondering how to monitor your yard’s watering needs? Moisture meters feature easy-to-read dials to indicate if soil is dry, moist, or wet. You can find moisture meters and soil moisture sensors at home improvement stores and irrigation supply stores. Rebates may also be available.
For more ways to prevent overwatering and runoff, check out our Landscape Improvement and Capture Water pages for additional modifications you can make to your landscape to protect our local waterways and ocean.
Will a Porch Increase My Home Value?
The simple answer is: yes, a porch can increase your home value. But not just any porch — the space must be well-designed, functional, and attractive.
Here are two great resources to consult on how to transform your porch into a warm and inviting entry way to your home sweet home!
30 Cozy And Beautiful Small Front Porch Ideas You Will Love
The Creatives Hour | Sep 3, 2024
A small front porch, despite its limited space, can significantly enhance the curb appeal and functionality of a home. These porches are typically compact entry areas or seating spots, making creative use of the available square footage. Design strategies for these spaces often focus on optimizing usability while maintaining aesthetic charm, from selecting appropriate furnishings to choosing the right color schemes.
Incorporating thoughtful details into a small front porch can transform it into a welcoming and stylish entrance. Whether it’s through the clever use of vertical gardening, multipurpose furniture, or vibrant accents, each choice is crucial in maximizing both the practicality and attractiveness of the area. These design ideas not only elevate the porch itself but also contribute to the overall ambiance of the home’s exterior.
See 30 Cozy And Beautiful Small Front Porch Ideas You Will Love
56+ Aesthetic Small Front Porch Decor Ideas (2025)
Doctor Explains | Nov 9, 2024
Creating a beautiful front porch is one of my favorite ways to make a welcoming first impression. A well-designed porch not only enhances your home’s curb appeal but also sets the tone for the rest of your home. Whether you love bold colors, elegant decor, or a rustic feel, there’s something special about each design that can inspire you to create your dream front porch.
See 56+ Aesthetic Small Front Porch Decor Ideas (2025)
ALSO! Read about a Texas mom who turned her porch decorating abilities into a booming side hustle that earned her $100,000 in 2020!
Halloween side hustle brings mom a fortune for her decorating abilities — with clients spending upwards of $1,300
By Brittany Kasko, Fox News
Published Oct. 24, 2024, 12:30 a.m. ET
Jen Sentani | Jan 13, 2025
Christmas was three weeks ago and you’ve probably already taken down your string lights for the season, BUT WAIT! Before you do anything else, if you don’t know what’s hidden in this secret compartment, YOU NEED TO KNOW THIS! 🙂
This is Jen. You might know me as CA Real Estate Group’s Client Services/Ops Director, aka Christine’s assistant.
Well, we have stringed lights in our patio and when my husband went to turn them on yesterday, he “blew a fuse” and “shorted something” (his words; not mine) and now our pretty, twinkling lights in our patio weren’t working…not even one bulb. I was ready to order another set from Amazon but I thought I’d do some research on what exactly happened and if it can be corrected without paying for another set.
Not far into my research and I find this entry in ifixit.com:
Okay, so I found my answer. If I replace the fuse, I should be able to get the whole strand working again!
Now how do you replace the fuse?
I found this wonderful YouTube video that taught me how to locate the fuse and how to replace it! I was like, “Noooohhh…it can’t be THAT easy! Can it?!?!”
I tried it just like the video taught me and with little to no faith at all, I plugged in the lights and THEY WORKED!!! I am officially TODAY YEARS OLD when I learned about extra fuses in a fuse box on the plug of stringed lights!!! I am beyond excited and needed to tell the world about this wonderful thing.
I hope this will help you to NOT throw away a perfect set of lights! Happy New Year, all!
Just in case this didn’t help solve your string lights problem, check out Home Depot’s DIY website for for other common issues with string lights and How to Fix Holiday Lights.
New Year’s Eve traditions can be exciting for people across the globe. Below are some of the most common, organized by country of origin.
If you’re ringing in the New Year with loved ones, you may find it interesting to discover how traditions are carried out across the world. You might also become inspired to incorporate one of these customs into your own New Year’s Eve celebration.
From eating 12 grapes at midnight to jumping in the ocean, these traditions signify the beliefs and cultures of different people that are often tied to similar intentions. The many NYE traditions celebrated worldwide help unite people to promote hope and prosperity.
ARGETINA
Put Your Right Foot Forward
Take the first step into the new year with your right foot forward—literally. In Argentina, it’s believed that taking your first step with your right foot at midnight brings good luck.
BOLIVIA
Wear Red (or Yellow) Underwear
In Bolivia, the color of the underwear you’re donning as you enter the new year has a direct correlation to how it will go. Wearing red is supposed to bring love and passion into your life, while yellow or gold attracts money.
BRAZIL
Jump Seven Waves
In Brazil, it’s considered good luck to start the new year by jumping over seven waves. You get one wish for each wave, so be ready with your list for 2025!
Wear White
Some folks in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, are used to wearing white on New Year’s Eve. The practice is rooted in the belief that wearing the color will attract peace for the coming year.
Tossing White Flowers in the Ocean
Brazilians have a custom of throwing white flowers into the sea each new year. Doesn’t that sound so romantic? Residents will toss flowers and candles into the Atlantic Ocean as offerings to Yemoja, a god of water who can pass along good things in the upcoming year.
CANADA
Take a Polar Bear Plunge
All around the world, people will be kicking off 2025 by running into freezing cold lakes and oceans. The tradition was started in Vancouver, Canada in 1920 by a group of swimmers who called themselves the Polar Bear Club. In the U.S., these events are usually held to raise money for charity.
CHINA
Red for Good Luck
Red is a color that denotes good fortune and happiness, and in China, it’s a hue that’s often attached to New Year’s. You’ll spot decorations, fans, gift packets, and lanterns in shades of red.
CHILE
Dine on Lentils
The Chilean superstition of consuming lentils at midnight stems from the round legumes’ resemblance to coins. Eating a good serving of lentils is believed to bring more money into your life.
Sleeping in the cemetery to be with deceased loved ones
In Talca, Chile, residents gather in local graveyards on the last night of the year. However, their New Year’s Eve traditions are not considered sad or negative occasions. Instead, people sleep in these graveyards to welcome the New Year with their departed loved ones. Families gather at the gravesites, often with food and drinks, to stay overnight right beside the graves of family members. Some people reflect quietly, while others celebrate with loved ones, sharing meals and making toasts to honor those no longer with them.
COLOMBIA
Carry an Empty Suitcase
Want to go places in 2025? Take a cue from the Colombians, who walk around the block carrying empty suitcases on New Year’s Eve to bring a year filled with travel.
Three Potatoes
On New Year’s Eve, Columbians place one peeled, one unpeeled, and one half-peeled potato under their beds. When the clock strikes midnight, they pull out the first potato their hand touches, and the potatoes symbolize different things: a peeled potato means financial ruin. An unpeeled potato promises a good year all around. And a half-peeled potato is a mix of good and bad for the year.
CZECH REPUBLIC
Cutting Apples
While we might be used to cutting up apples for a pie, in the Czech Republic, cut-up apples hold unique significance when it comes to New Year’s. On New Year’s Eve, residents will cut apples in half and the shape inside denotes what one can expect in the coming year. For instance, while a star is good, a cross can foretell a future illness.
DENMARK
Leap Into the New Year
Have you ever seen someone standing on a chair at your New Year’s Eve celebration? Chances are, they’re celebration with a particular Danish tradition in mind where you literally leap into the new year at midnight for good luck. Why not give it a whirl?
Smash Dishes
This Danish tradition is a great way to take out any pent-up anger you don’t want to bring into the year. Smashing old or unwanted dishes outside your loved ones’ doors on New Year’s Eve is supposed to bring them luck—the bigger the pile of broken dishes, the luckier they’ll be.
ECUADOR
Burn Some Photographs
Everyone who has gone through a nasty break-up is familiar with this ritual. In Ecuador, it’s common to find photos of things or old memories you don’t want to bring into the new year and burn them before midnight to avoid carrying them along with you.
Burning scarecrow effigies
In Ecuador, people build and burn scarecrows that signify the past year. Ecuadorians start by constructing scarecrow-like figures with old clothes, paper, wood, or other materials. As the clock strikes midnight, Ecuadorians come together and set the scarecrows on fire. This activity is meant to symbolize the end of the past year, with the figures often resembling disliked public figures or the past year’s events.
ESTONIA
Feast All Day
For those of you with stomachs that never feel full, this Estonian New Year’s superstition will be the one to follow. In Estonia, there’s a tradition of eating either seven, nine, or 12 meals on the last day of the year in order to begin the next one with the strength of the same number of men as meals you’ve eaten. The more you eat, the stronger you’ll be.
GERMANY
Pouring lead to predict the future
One of the most common classic New Year’s traditions in Germany is Bleigießen. It involves pouring molten metal to forecast the coming year’s fortunes. While historically lead was used, today, safer materials like tin or wax are used instead because of health concerns. People may melt these metals in a spoon over a flame and quickly pour them into cold water. The solidified metal forms random shapes, which people interpret in different ways to predict future events. Commonly seen shapes and their meanings include, for example, a ship for travel, a ball for good fortune, and a tree for growth.
Lucky Pig
Pigs? And New Year’s? There’s actually a connection between the two, at least in Germany. Germans call this custom “Glücksschwein,” which translates to “lucky pig.” Pigs appear as marzipan treats, and noshing on them can foster good fortune in the new year.
Eat Herring
Whether you like your herring pickled or fresh, eating it in some form at midnight is considered good luck in Germany and Sweden.
GREECE
Hang an Onion on Your Door
It might not look or smell the best, but in Greece, hanging an onion on your door on New Year’s Eve symbolizes rebirth heading into the new year. As for January 1, parents are said to tap the onion on their children’s foreheads to usher in prosperity for the 365 days ahead.
Baking a Coin into a Cake
On January 1st, people from Greece celebrate St. Basil’s Day with a special cake known as “Vasilopita,” which contains a single coin. The person who finds the coin is believed to be blessed with good luck for the new year.
Smashing Pomegranates
No matter what time of year it is, pomegranates are very important in Greece. In Greek mythology, the fruit represents abundance and life, things that are tied to New Year’s there. Just after midnight, Greeks will crush pomegranates against their doors—the number of seeds that fall to the ground symbolize how much good luck you can expect in the new year.
IRISH
Put Mistletoe Under Your Pillow
Mistletoe isn’t just a Christmas tradition. The Irish believe that if you put a sprig of mistletoe, holly, or ivy under your pillow on New Year’s Eve, you’ll dream of your future love.
Bang Some Bread
You’ve heard of breaking bread, but how about banging it? Families in Ireland have a New Year’s tradition of banging loaves of Christmas bread against the walls and doors to ward off evil spirits and pave the way for a healthy and prosperous new year.
ITALY
Tossing old items out of windows
Like South Africa, Italy also literally casts off the old to make room for the new. Italians might dispose of old items by throwing them out of windows. This act symbolizes saying goodbye to negative experiences and making resolutions for the coming year. While not as commonly practiced as it once was, the tradition remains in some areas. It’s especially done in southern parts of Italy, where anything from pots and pans to clothes may find its way onto the streets.
Lucky Lentils
Italy is almost always known for dishes like spaghetti and linguini, but during New Year’s celebrations, it’s all about the lentils. Italians see lentils as mini, edible “coins,” and if you include them in your New Year’s Eve dinner, they’ll bring some luck into your life.
JAPAN
Clean Your House Before Midnight
In Japan, there’s a New Year’s tradition called “osoji” or “o-souji,” which involves giving the house a thorough cleaning before midnight. This practice stems from the belief that a clean home helps purify the space and prepare it for a fresh start in the new year. We could all use that!
Eat Soba Noodles
People in Japan traditionally eat soba noodles on New Year’s Eve. According to the superstition, the meal will melt away the pain and difficulties of the previous year.
Ringing bells 108 times
In Japan, the New Year’s Eve tradition, Joya no Kane, involves striking temple bells 108 times as midnight approaches. This ritual is a symbolic way to get rid of 108 earthly temptations or evil spirits that, according to Buddhist beliefs, cause human suffering. Temples nationwide participate in this ceremony, often attracting locals and visitors to collect lucky charms and experience the ringing that is said to purify the soul for the coming year.
Watch the Sunrise
Watching the first sunrise of the new year is called “hatsuhinode” in Japan. This practice is thought to bring good fortune for the year ahead, and many people rise early to find a picturesque spot, such as a beach or hill, to enjoy the view.
LATIN AMERICA
Throw Water Out of a Window
In Latin America, one New Year’s tradition involves throwing a bucket of water out the window to signify cleansing and renewal. What better way to prepare for a new year than by leaving the past behind you?
MEXICO
Eating a grape with each bell strike and making a wish
In Mexico, as the clock nears midnight on New Year’s Eve, families and friends prepare a cup or bowl of 12 grapes. With each of the twelve strikes of the clock at midnight, individuals consume one grape for each chime. This custom, known as “Las Doce Uvas de la Suerte,” translates to “The Twelve Grapes of Luck,” and it’s more than a festive activity. As the clock’s bell rings, people make a wish for every grape eaten, which represents each of the 12 months.
NETHERLANDS
Eating desserts for good luck
In many cultures, eating round foods or ring-shaped foods is a common way to commemorate the end of the old year. In the Netherlands, it’s traditional to eat oliebollen, a dessert similar to a doughnut made of fried dough. The tradition, which started as a way to protect oneself from evil spirits during Yule, continues to this day, and oliebollen are now a staple New Year’s food for many Dutch people.
PHILIPPINES
Wear Polka Dots
Here’s a New Year’s clothing tradition that doesn’t involve sparkles! In the Philippines, wearing polka dot-patterned dresses, shirts, or pants on New Year’s Eve is a tradition that’s believed to bring good fortune in the new year.
Find Round Objects
Round items are all the rage on New Year’s Eve, especially in the Philippines! Because the circular shape symbolizes money and wealth, it’s the more the merrier! According to this tradition, you can wear polka dots, carry coins, and eat round foods like donuts, bagels and cookies to boost your funds for the next 12 months.
POLAND
Wake Up Early
As the old adage goes, the early bird gets the worm. And if you’re up and at ’em on January 1, Polish tradition suggests that you’ll easily rise on the early side every day for the rest of year.
PUERTO RICO
Cleaning Streets, Cars, and More
At the start of the new year, Puerto Rico just might be the cleanest country around, since their tradition is to clean their homes and cities top to bottom, from indoor spaces to cars to streets. It’s a way to start out with fresh energy in the new year.
Step Backwards into the Sea
In Puerto Rico, some greet the stroke of midnight—and keep evils spirits at bay—with a quick fall backwards into the waves of the ocean. If you’ll be beachside for New Year’s, it certainly can’t hurt to do the same.
ROMANIA
Toss a Coin
Similar to throwing change and making a wish, many Romanians believe that tossing a coin in the river on New Year’s Eve will provide good luck for the whole year. So, gather your pennies and bring on the good fortune!
RUSSIA
Drink Your Wishes
Across the pond in Russia, it’s a tradition to drink your New Year’s wish! Over there, people write their New Year’s wish on a piece of paper, burn it, put the ashes into a glass of champagne, then drink it. Cheers!
SCANDINAVIAN COUNTRIES
Serve Herring
Consuming this silver fish at midnight is very common in Scandinavian countries. The shiny color is supposed to represent money, and it’s believed that eating it will bring luck and prosperity.
SCOTLAND
Carefully Choose Your First Guest
In Scotland, a tradition known as first-footing will supposedly determine whether your household has good luck or misfortune for the rest of the year. For prosperity in 2025, superstition says the first person to enter your home at midnight should be a tall, dark-haired male. He should also bring symbolic gifts like coins or black buns. It’s worth a shot, right?
SOUTH AFRICA
Throwing furniture out of windows
One common New Year’s Eve custom in South Africa is tossing furniture from windows. Johannesburg’s Hillbrow district is particularly known for this unconventional New Year’s tradition. The act symbolizes discarding old, unwanted items from the past year, making room for new opportunities and a fresh start. However, it’s not a chaotic free-for-all; the police have outlined safety and legal concerns while providing increased monitoring during the festivities.
SPAIN
Eat 12 Grapes at the Stroke of Midnight
Eating 12 grapes at the stroke of midnight is customary in Spain. With each chime of the clock at midnight, you have to pop another grape in your mouth—it’s no easy feat! Each grape symbolizes a month, and successfully eating all 12 promises a lucky year ahead.
SWITZERLAND
Throw Some Ice Cream
On December 31, instead of toasting with a glass of champagne, ring in the new year the Swiss way and throw a scoop of ice cream on the ground. Doing so is supposed to bring luck and prosperity.
Ringing the bells
While you may be familiar with setting off fireworks as the clock strikes midnight on New Year’s, Switzerland, a country that is home to many Christian churches, takes a different approach. In both villages and cities, it’s traditional for the church bells to start ringing just before midnight, with many people going outside or opening their windows to listen and welcome in new year’s day.
TURKEY
Smash Pomegranates
Take a cue from Turkey and smash a pomegranate outside your front door to bring good luck in the year to come! The ruby red fruit is seen as a symbol of abundance, health, and prosperity.
Sprinkling Salt
In the United States, spilling the salt can represent bad luck, but in Turkey, sprinkling salt is encouraged. Turks will sprinkle salt on their doorsteps at midnight, something that can generate success in the new year.
OTHER TRADITION – COUNTRY NOT MENTIONED
Bang Pots and Pans
Before there were noisemakers, people made their own joyful ruckus by banging pots and pans at the stroke of midnight. This tradition was once thought of as a way to drive away evil spirits.
Sources:
https://www.thepioneerwoman.com/holidays-celebrations/g34787153/new-years-traditions/
https://www.thepioneerwoman.com/holidays-celebrations/g42156374/new-year-around-the-world/
https://www.housebeautiful.com/entertaining/holidays-celebrations/g46027278/new-years-superstitions/
https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/holidays/g42180424/new-years-superstitions/
https://www.betterhelp.com/advice/current-events/15-ways-nye-traditions-are-celebrated-around-the-world/
https://www.countryliving.com/entertaining/g29538911/new-years-superstitions/
Christmas time can be a little chaotic, a little messy, and the addition of new toys and other gifts might make your home feel extra cluttered. Having a concrete post-holiday cleaning and organizing strategy can help make the holidays feel less messy and more relaxing! This coming year, I’m determined to do a better job at cleaning and organizing my home. I’m notoriously bad at it, but I know that a tidy home helps me (and my family!) feel less stressed. I like to use lists to keep me on track – if I don’t write down a task, it never happens! – so today I’m sharing with you my post-holiday cleaning and organizing checklist with the hope that it will help some of you, too.
Post-Holiday House Cleaning and Organizing Checklist
The Christmas Decorations
Taking the time to put away your decorations with care will make next year’s decorating so much simpler and more fun!
- donate or discard any old or broken decorations
- label storage boxes clearly
- store decorations by room in durable boxes
- ensure that delicate, breakable ornaments are protected
- wrap Christmas lights around recycled wrapping paper tubes or pieces of cardboard to keep them from getting tangled
The Gifts
Being intentional about gift storage and making room for new things will keep your home clutter-free.
- determine a storage spot for all new gifts
- donate or discard any old toys, books, clothes etc. (purge one or two items for each gift received!)
- recycle Christmas cards after saving all of the mailing addresses; keep some for Christmas crafts for next year
The Food
There’s often excess food after Christmas parties, so make the most of it!
- prepare and freeze any leftovers to use for meals in the new year (i.e. cut turkey into bite-sized pieces for soups and sandwiches)
- make a meal plan for after the Holidays that’s easy and makes use of leftovers (like slow cooker meals and freezer meals)
The Cleaning
Doing an intentional deep clean post-Christmas will get you off to a fresh start in the New Year.
- deep clean the kitchen, paying special attention to the Holiday high-use items:
- the cabinet doors
- the back splash
- the fridge
- the stove
- clean the guest room after your guests have gone
- clean the main living areas and check for and treat stains from any Holiday parties
- deep clean the bathrooms, especially a main floor powder room that would have received lots of use
The Maintenance
Keep your home protected and safe for your family, as well as energy efficient.
- clean or replace your furnace air filters as needed
- test your smoke detector and replace batteries as needed
- check the exhaust duct of your clothes dryer and clean as needed
- dust or vacuum your refrigerator coils
- inspect your fire extinguisher and ensure it’s easily accessible
This is a big checklist, but I think it’s a thorough list that will help get us organized, ready, and safe for the New Year! Don’t worry about doing all of the items immediately. Simply go through the list as you have time after your big Christmas get-togethers to help get your home in tip-top shape.
It can be pretty easy to spot some of the most common causes of a cluttered home, from the array of kids’ toys all over the floor to the small army of appliances on your kitchen counter. But even after you’ve gotten rid of all that stuff, your home may still feel a bit too cluttered, thanks to some pretty surprising culprits.
If you’re ready to take that next step to a more calming home, see what the experts say may cause your home to feel overwhelming—and the quick steps you can take to make your home feel serene once and for all.
Meet the Experts:
01 of 07
Your Entryway Is Cluttered
Your entryway is the first thing you see on entering your home, and it sets the stage for everything that comes after it. “Keeping lots of shoes by the door will make footwear the first thing you and guests focus on, rather than the beauty of your home,” says Katrina Teeple, professional organizer and founder of Operation Organization.
Your fix: Because the entryway is typically a major drop zone in your home, you’ll need to stay vigilant to declutter, Teeple says. “Taking 10 minutes twice a week for ‘Tidy Time’—grabbing a laundry basket and thinning out the items in your entryway—will keep this area clutter-free.” That includes putting extra jackets in the closet, moving out-of-season items elsewhere, and reducing the number of shoes stored at the door. For a really serene entryway, Teeple suggests investing in a shoe cabinet or a bench with bins underneath to stash shoes.
02 of 07
You’re Into a Maximalist Decor Style
We all love a bit of maximalism—but if you’re looking for a calmer, less cluttered vibe for your home, a massive gallery wall and a mountain of pillows may not get you there. “Things on walls without a real purpose or anchor also feels like clutter,” says Becky Rapinchuk, creator of Clean Mama. “Don’t put things up just to fill a space.”
Your fix: Here’s a perfect opportunity to use that Marie Kondo decluttering strategy, and edit down the decor to only the items that really bring you joy. “Make sure it makes you happy and makes sense in your space,” Rapinchuk says.
03 of 07
Your Fridge Is Cluttered
Your fridge may need a major declutter—and we’re not talking about the interior. “It may be time to retire the look of novelty fridge magnets, grocery list notepads, and dare I say, your kids’ art from the fridge,” Teeple says.
Your fix: Move your must-have items from your fridge to inside a cupboard door. “That way, when you go for your favorite mug to drink coffee each morning, you’ll be greeted with sticky note reminders and your child’s latest drawing of a dinosaur,” Teeple suggests.
04 of 07
You Have Too Many Things on Your Surfaces
Clearing your counters and tabletops is essential for a more serene vibe at home. “It’s important to keep surfaces clean and clear,” Rapinchuk says. “This gives the home an overall feeling of calm.”
Your fix: Start with a really clean slate, Rapinchuk says. “To test this out, completely clear a surface and live with it empty for as little as 24 hours. See how it feels and slowly add items back in until if feels just right.”
05 of 07
You Don’t Have Enough Seating
Too little of something may seem like a strange thing that creates a cluttered vibe. But when guests have nowhere to sit, that can give off a bad impression. “Not having obvious places for company to sit down always feels cluttered to me,” says Cian Ballentine, professional cleaner and founder of Cannonball Cleaners.
Your fix: You may need to overhaul your furniture configuration—or add some unexpected seating, such as storage ottomans under a console—to provide easy-to-grab seating when friends arrive.
06 of 07
You’re Drowning in Doom Piles
Creating piles or baskets filled with stuff you don’t have time or energy to deal with may make your home feel a bit less cluttered in the short-time—but unless they’re dealt with, those piles can quickly weigh down the feeling of your home.
Your fix: Use doom piles only as a very temporary solution—such as scooping clutter into a basket when unexpected guests arrive. But make sure you make time to deal with the doom pile and make it disappear.
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You Don’t Have Enough Storage
Even the best decluttering job won’t help much if you don’t have the right places to actually store the items you’re keeping. If storage space is at a premium in your house—too small closets, too few cupboards—you’ll need to figure out other spots that can house your items.
Your fix: Look for smart ways to incorporate more storage into your space. Think storage ottomans, closed baskets or boxes on bookshelves to hold small items, or even sneaky storage suggestions like putting out-of-season clothes or bedding into suitcases.
“Add storage furniture that is not only functional, but blends with your home’s aesthetic—like an affordable cubby shelving unit with decorative baskets behind a couch,” Teeple says. This provides a spot to stash your kids’ toys so they’re accessible but hidden out of sight.
Tackling these projects now will set you up for an even better New Year.
Test water quality
Checking water quality is one of those home maintenance tasks that’s easy to forget. But it never hurts to test the mineral content or hardness of your water, especially if you’re hosting guests for the holidays. “Testing your water is an easy, indoor home project to complete over the holidays,” says Chris Counahan, president at LeafFilter Gutter Protection. Purchase a water testing kit and follow the package instructions by filling a glass of water and dipping the testing stick in to assess the quality. “If your tests find hard water or contaminants, consider calling a professional to install a whole-home reverse osmosis system to ensure clean water throughout your home,” Counahan says.
Refresh the walls
Whether it’s wallpapering a feature wall in the primary bedroom or giving the bathroom a fresh coat of paint, try refreshing your interior walls over the holiday break. Painting projects can easily be done in a couple of days, depending on the size of the room, so they’re perfect for completing over a long holiday weekend. Wallpapering can be done in around a maximum of 8 hours, again depending on the size and number of walls you’re tackling. So, if you’ve been pondering a wall upgrade, the holiday break is the perfect time to check it off the list.
Patio or deck maintenance
For homes not covered in snow during the holiday season, exterior maintenance should be top of the to-do list. “Holiday breaks offer a great opportunity for homeowners to freshen up their outdoor spaces, and catch up on deck maintenance,“ says Michelle Hendricks, Deckorators’ category marketing manager. Cleaning rust stains, tightening railings or loose joints, reorganizing the deck box, or even refinishing deck wood can all be done over the course of a few days.
Deep clean floors and carpets
Not all home projects for the holidays have to be renovations—deep cleaning is just as important. High-traffic areas like hardwood floors and carpets can always use a deep cleaning. Aside from the usual sweeping and vacuuming, try using the wet vac for carpets and rugs. Target baseboards and try a carpet cleaner, especially in high-traffic areas used by people and pets.
Add insulation
Holiday breaks are the perfect time to work on energy-efficient upgrades. “With the colder temperatures that arrive before the holidays, homeowners inevitably start noticing how well their home holds up against the elements,” says DR Richardson, co-founder of Elephant Energy. “For many homeowners, that is the perfect time of the year to weatherize their homes by adding air sealing or extra insulation,” he says. Try weatherstripping to seal gaps where air can enter, window caulking to seal gaps or cracks, or adding insulation—professionally or DIY—to basements, garages, or attics.
Declutter
With days off on holiday break, there’s extra time to look around and notice items you no longer need. Spend some time decluttering neglected areas of your home. Closets, pantries, and home offices are often home to lots of outdated junk. Decluttering can make it easier to find items you really do need and to keep spaces clean. It’s also worthwhile to tidy spaces before guests come over for holiday celebrations. Try tackling one room at a time and have a plan. Have a pile for what you’ll keep, trash, and donate. For clothing and furniture, try organizing a pickup from a charity, so you’ll have a deadline for completion and no excuse to wave goodbye to items that will be put to better use elsewhere.
Revisit Landscaping
If you’re tired of spending time inside, it’s worth considering what upgrades you can make outdoors. Revisit your landscaping and outdoor living spaces. “Additions like outdoor heaters, fire pits, and lighting will help extend the use of your outdoor living space throughout the seasons,” says Hendricks. These features can make the outdoor space more comfortable just in time for the holidays. Lawncare, repotting plants, cleaning outdoor furniture, refreshing mulch, or finishing hardscaping features can set you up for success in the warmer months.
Upgrade light fixtures
Another easy project to take on during the holiday break is to upgrade indoor lighting. Get a new fixture above the dining table, bring a new lamp to the living room, or replace sconces in the bathroom. Replacing or refreshing lighting fixtures can completely transform the look and feel of your home. Usually, putting up simple task lighting does not require a professional technician, so you can try this fix yourself. If you need an electrician or lighting specialist, use the holidays to call around, visit showrooms, and finally place your orders.
Clean the fireplace and chimney
If your home has one, your fireplace will be the focal point of the holiday season. Cleaning up the fireplace area is more complicated than it looks. Even minor renovations can make a huge difference. Small upgrades include re-tiling the floor and redecorating the mantle. Cleaning the chimney, however, is a professional job. Doing regular maintenance can prevent allergens and fire hazards. Remember to plan and call ahead, as pros in your neighborhood may be in high demand this time of year.
Refresh the cabinets
Are your kitchen cabinets looking worse for wear? Refresh or refinish them this holiday season. Try replacing hardware, repainting, or refinishing cabinet faces. If you’re happy with the outside of your cabinets, try reorganizing the inside. Refreshing kitchen cabinets can bring new life into your space without hiring a professional to replace them. The same applies to bathroom vanities and storage cabinets, which are often neglected.
