Its spring, time to clean and organize – Marin Independent Journal

When the COVID-19 shelter-in-place order was first put in place, I thought Id have a lot of free time. Like many of us, though, that didnt happen.

Were either working remotely or looking for new work, homeschooling children and keeping them and us entertained and exercised, playing with our pets, or checking in on elderly parents or neighbors.

Rather than focusing on fear and the opinions that flood social media, Id like to humbly propose that we step away from that and use this time to improve our surroundings and our routines.

That way, well all be perfectly prepared to launch back into our lives even stronger and, possibly, even more organized.

Courtesy of Fotolia

Here are some tasks that might need your attention right now.

Set a date and tackle the most frustrating space or container in your home. You will definitely feel better afterward.

Plan future appointments, adventures or classes.

Catch up on projects that have dropped through the cracks.

Organize your home office, file stacks of paperwork and delete emails from your inbox.

Sort and file the photos on your cell phone.

Toss out expired medications responsibly (look to see where and how to dispose of them in your town) and canned foods (check online first, as most canned foods are fine to eat past their use by date.

Deep clean your refrigerator or pantry. See which veggies can be repurposed into soup or stock.

Sort and either redistribute or discard outgrown clothes and toys, and wash the remaining ones. Do the same for pet toys, leashes and bedding.

Wipe cabinets, shelves and drawers, and vacuum the hidden spots under area rugs, between sofa cushions and under appliances.

Update your address book.

Will your furniture need a new coat of paint or your outdoor cushions need replacement before summer? Put it on your list.

The San Francisco Decorator Showcase, always a popular Bay Area event, recently announced that it has been indefinitely postponed.

We are hoping to reopen later this year in the same location with the same class of 2020 designers, says Denise Lamott, Showcase spokesperson and Muir Beach resident.

Included among the class of 2020 are four Marin design companies Barbra Bright Design and Leap Interior Design, both from San Rafael; Ross Nest Design Co., based in Ross; and FDG Design Group, headquartered in Sausalito.

Here they share their best ideas to improve our homes without leaving them.

Barbra Bright, of Barbra Bright Design (415-686-2928, barbrabrightdesign.com)

Its a great time to rearrange your artwork and photos. When art remains in one place for years, there is a tendency to stop seeing it. Moving art to different areas engages the mind to see it in a new light.

Chelsea Brown, of Leap Interior Design (415-830-7460, LeapInteriors.com)

Organize. Clear out visual clutter, or even the clutter you cant see, like that junk drawer youre always trying to get to. Either one can do wonders for the psyche and completely improve your perspective.

Fresh-cut flowers are an amazing way to bring some springtime into your house when youre spending so much time indoors. I love to put a large bouquet on my dining table where I can see it throughout the house, and then cut small stems from it for bedside tables and bathroom counters. Pick from your own garden if you have one, or support a local floral company, like Farmgirl Flowers. One of my favorites is the Just Right Burlap-Wrapped Bouquet, because its always seasonally appropriate and absolutely beautiful. And Farmgirl ships nationally, so you can spread the floral love to friends and family, too.

Refresh bedding and table linens and support local businesses that take online orders. Theres nothing like the feeling of a fresh, new set of soft sheets. I love Coyuchi bedding and its focus on sustainable fibers and dyes.

Introduce new pops of color with throws, accent pillows and placemats or napkin. I love Hudson Graces Dip-Dye napkins. The hues are vibrant and perfect for spring and summer table settings. Try a color youve never introduced before and experiment with new tablescapes for that moment we can finally gather again and toast to good health and friendship.

Jennifer Patton Wundrow, of Nest Design Co. (415-294-2554, nestdesignco.com)

Hire a designer. We are fully equipped to design remotely and have designed, built and furnished entire homes through virtual meetings, emails, etc. Supporting our small business helps to support many other local small businesses (artisans, sub-contractors, etc.), so we would encourage you to reach out.

Theres another good reason to consider this idea.

Many of our large construction projects are on hold due to the recent shelter-in-place ordinance, so we have time to really focus on the smaller projects and start planning for remodels.This is the time to thoughtfully think through how you live and how you want to live. We know now, more than ever, that your home should be your sanctuary. Let us help.

Purge, refine, design. Take everything off your shelves and start over with a clean slate. Think streamlined and minimal, and focus on a single color theme.

Move throws, pillows and accessories around. We all get stuck and used to seeing our homes one way. Shake things up and move everything around. For example, move your guest room bed pillows to your living room and your living room pillows to your family room.

Fatima Silva, of FDG Design Group (415-324-7030, fdgdesigngroup.com)

This is a perfect time to purge. Spring clean for a fresh new start, as well as to help sanitize ones home.

Reorganize living spaces to create better circulation based on your personal lifestyle. With busy work schedules one never has the time to rearrange and truly experience the benefits of a great layout.

PJ Bremier writes on home, garden, design and entertaining topics every Saturday and also on her blog at DesignSwirl.co. She may be contacted at P.O. Box 412, Kentfield 94914, or at pj@pjbremier.com.

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Its spring, time to clean and organize - Marin Independent Journal