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How to Organize your Home for
Summer Living
by Sherrie Le Masurier
Summer is the season of exterior pleasures - soaking up the sun,
enjoying a refreshing beverage on your deck and cooling off with a swim.
So with summer just around the corner now is the time to turn our
organizing thoughts to outdoor pleasures.
Spring is the perfect time to gather all the necessary supplies you’ll
need for summer. (I’m assuming you’ve already cleaned your outdoor
furniture and have set up your porch swing or hammock. If not, get to
it. No sense, putting it off. After all, you’ll need a place to relax
once you get everything done.)
Let’s start with the biggest of your must have accessories – a heavy
duty plastic cooler, a small table and a decent sized trash can. These
are all good to have on hand. You may also want to pick up a bag or two
of ice so you never run short.
Next check your condiment supplies. Do you have enough ketchup, mustard,
relish, barbecue sauce and mayonnaise to get you through the season? If
not, stock up now. A condiment refrigerator tote keeps everything
organized and easy to retrieve.
While you’re thinking about what you’ll need check out your stash of
paper plates, cups, napkins and plastic utensils. Consider keeping a
tray of disposables handy for quick table setting. Don’t forget to stock
up your picnic basket for impromptu outings. Keeping everything in your
picnic basket organized and ready to go will save considerable time when
it comes to hosting your next picnic.
Keep barbecue tools and accessories like your apron and hot pads handy.
Soon school will be out and your backyard will be overrun with summer
toys in all shapes and sizes, makes and models. By establishing a game
plan at the start of the season you’ll eliminate considerable
frustration.
Keep swimming and water related items like floating toys, flip flops,
and goggles in one place. A great way to do this is to string up some
fish netting. All you need is a couple of heavy duty hooks and a bunch
of toys. It keeps things all in one spot and anything damp dries
quickly.
Use a large lidded bin to store outdoor toys. Insisting on a daily
clean-up effort at the beginning of the season will get everyone off to
a good start.
Fill your cooler with ice, and then organize it with drinks, snacks and
antibacterial wipes so the kids won’t have to keep going into the house
for stuff.
Keep necessities like bug repellents, a small first aid kit, sunglasses
and sunscreen organized together and near your back door.
If you find sand or dirt frequently gets tracked in consider placing a
heavy-duty mat outside and another lighter-gauge one indoors. In
addition, place a basket or shoe holder outdoors to encourage family
members to remove their shoes before going inside. A broom and dustpan
combo or a hand-held vacuum kept nearby will also help keep your floors
cleaner.
Other cool summer organizing ideas include:
* Using a folding clothes rack for hanging towels poolside.
* Affixing bathtub decals to the bottom of kiddie pools to make them
slip-free.
* Using a small kiddie/wading pool and lots of ice to keep drinks cool
when hosting a large pool party.
* Using a kiddie pool to bathe the dog, as a sandbox, or to wash freshly
cut grass off your feet before entering the pool.
About the author
Sherrie Le Masurier is a
lifestyle columnist, organizing consultant and a member of Professional
Organizers in Canada. She offers up smart solutions for busy families
via
http://www.familysanitysavers.com. Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sherrie_Le_Masurier
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