Rough Linen Immediately throw away pens that don't work struck a nerve!

scarbowcow The first one - about scissors in every room - I've got down. Unfortunately, at my age, I now need to put a pair of reading glasses in every room!

JAN MOYER My favorite here needs an amendment: Discard all junk mail BEFORE it comes into the house! PS, since this is winter, can spring be far behind? Vow to be able to really enjoy the first burst of great weather, and use the dead of winter doldrums to:
January: Tidy up all the financial stuff, get everything ready for your taxes. In fact, just
do your taxes, if at all possible! When the sun is shining in April, you won't be
digging through receipts at the dining table,when you'd rather be outdoors.
And if you owe, at least you'll know. Boo and Wah.
February/March : Start one- room -at a -time spring cleaning, and vow to do one room a
week. Purge the unnecessary first, then clean "to the walls" . Make an end
date for the whole process, and make a date to get any carpets cleaned that
need it as your crowning touch, along with a sprucing cleanup of the muck
from winter in your garage, and the windows all around the house, as soon
as weather permits.
When all on your street are just beginning tasks that always seem far worse when the
weather is beckoning you will be out for a walk, and an outdoor lunch in the sun.

Fine Art & Portraits by Laurel All very good ideas, including Jan's.
May I add: be your unique self, don't live to conform to other's taste, and let your home reflect that. You'll help make a more interesting world.

dollar_dedhia hahahah couldn't help smile

Contempo Space Scissors in every room, never thought of that one!

Casart Coverings All excellent ideas and Jan is one of the most organized, forward-planning commentators, but will someone please tell me if ANY closet is ever organized once and for all?

JAN MOYER Casart Coverings,
The unfortunate : ) answer to closets, and all else, is a big fat NO, ... not until you're "six feet under"! lol. Every single aspect of maintenance in your house just mimics the cycle of life and the seasons, and your tolerance or lack thereof for clutter. But all kidding aside, there is no reason these tasks have to amount to a herculean effort. They do so only when you keep bringing stuff in, never taking it out, saving tasks for a later date, doing anything later vs sooner. Doesn't matter if it is purging and cleaning the kitchen, your laundry, sorting a drawer or a closet or cleaning the bathroom. WAH!!!!!!

scampy0226 That first one is the story of my life...

patricia beharry @ Scarbowcow,

I did the eyeglasses thing; I keep ending up with all the eyeglasses in one place, and am still looking for one to wear.

JAN MOYER Okay, one more and don't laugh. Here's my thing on pens. I vowed to find one I loved, and not be tempted ever again to try a new one. Buy in bulk once, and then it's over. When one runs out, toss it. But here is the key. Don't get sucked into trying a new one until those are gone. The reason is obvious, as you will "switch" and the bulk quantity you bought will languish and dry in a drawer lonely and forgotten. Tell me I am not right about this!!!
As to reading glasses, I tried that grand plan. Doesn't work because they have a tendency to keep migrating as you move from one room to the other. It takes incredible discipline to remove them from your nose when you exit a room. You will end up with lost glasses, sat upon glasses,, glasses that came off your face in the night and were crushed when you rolled over, and most likely.... nine pair at your desk or computer. But the thought is great huh? I concede a pair tied to your glove compartment in your car is in fact...excellent.

Casart Coverings @ Jan. Agree and at my age, I'm always planning for the day when I AM 6 ft. under. Don't want anyone saying what a cluttered house I have. I'm a Scorpio so controlling. I rotate clothes in closest seasonally, hang all blouses together by color and do the same with pants and skirts. It makes mixing and matching easier when dressing as well as returning a garment back to its place in the closet. I divide the chore of tax preparation by doing it every 6 months-doesn't take as long and less depressing!

Immersion Design finish out the last two closets so you don't hold your breath every time you open the door! :) The rest of the house is an organized home but for that. Definitely agree that less clutter = less stress. Happy 2013 design lovers!

andyseibt reorganize

the_misfit I am buried in all sorts of chaos (some year I will even get the carriage house clean, but I don't delude myself that it's this year; 'cause this year, we have to do all the landscaping, new fence, and paint the exterior, plus I swear I am finishing the kitchen by the end of January, and insulating and finishing the sun porch before spring. And then in some yet later year I will dry-lock and paint the basement). So no one ought to envy my level of organization. But my linen closet is permanently organized. The secret? Nobody gets to put anything in there but me (well, they do, but I just take it out when they're not looking). And I fold everything with mathematical precision, so that it stacks properly. Somehow this makes the mismatched assortment of extra linens, towels, blankets, and comforters look charming and colorful, rather than eye-wrenchingly hideous. But if once a sloppily-folded towel, blanket, or pillow case invades, chaos will take over and never retreat. I literally re-fold every item my husband has folded before I put it in - absolutely no exceptions.

A. Peltier Interiors These resolutions were so great! The first one made me laugh out loud and the last one is so on point. Thanks for the great post!

astraea This was a great article, and wonderful resolutions! The one that caught my attention was staying to a strict budget for a bathroom renovation. That's what I'd like to do, but the theme I've been reading is that's impossible. I see too many people getting brainwashed that projects can't come in on budget; that unexpected things always come up. Unless you're in a house that's in bad shape or has lots of hidden issues, people should be able to plan a project without all these things cropping up .. unless they change their mind mid-stream. Maybe it's worth identifying problematic items in the beginning, and have a "plan B" ready to keep within the budget!

india11 surround yourself with positive notes and artsie friends...allows the creative juice to flow

beyy Design and build my own home this year

ruthgo I don't like the suggestion that all wallpaper should be gotten rid of and replaced with paint. I vote for more wallpaper!

Casart Coverings Yeah for you, Ruthgo! Wallpaper has benefited from modern technology, too. it's no longer your grandmother's wallpaper. Now you don't have to struggle with paste, glue, and "booking". There are products with pressure sensitive backing (peal and stick) that allow you to DIY, reposition if not exactly plum and remove without steaming, scraping or damaging your walls. Some are even reusable so you can take with you if you are a renter or want to decorate seasonally. You can upload your own personal photos or art work. Now that is definitely something you would want to take with you if you move!

laurieannvan I want to redo/refresh my master bath, even though its only 10 years old! It was custom built, but at the end of our budget, and I wasn't thrilled with the shower tile and small bench. Can some of the tile be removed? Also, I want to put 2 framed mirrors in place of the large piece over the sinks. My materials were dark green marble and cream colored ceramic. Any comments or ideas?

cnyambani Along with the pens, add used batteries. All used batteries to be immediately recharged, or taken to appropriate recycling bin

jenniruthjames LOVE!!!

andyseibt get organized