Seasonal Clothing Switch Done Right

Warmer days are upon us here in East Tennessee and it’s time to break out the sundresses and tank tops! For many of us, this may mean a shift in our dresser drawers or closets. As with any transition in our lives, this is a great opportunity to take the extra time to ensure you store the clothing that feels good and fits, serves your current season of life, and you actually like it.

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What to keep and what goes?

Here are some tips from one of our favorite resources, The Spruce, for how to make the decisions about what stays and what goes.

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Once you’ve made the decisions on what to keep and what someone else can now enjoy, it’s time to decide how to store the keepers and how to share items that no longer serve you.

How to Store Seasonal Clothing

1. Clean all seasonal clothing before packing.
   

2. Use the right storage. HYD recommends a weather-proof bin such as this labeled “Off-Season Clothes” so that you store one bin of clothing per member of your household.
   

3. Hang the proper items. HYD recommends hanging dress coats, winter dresses, and slacks or skirts properly with a breathable garment bag to reduce the risk of mold or mildew. Add a cedar block or sachet to deter visitors. Make sure to fold knit items and sweaters into a box to prevent stretching them on a hanger.

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How to Share Unwanted Clothing

1. Sell gently used clothing in a consignment sale.
   Here are some local options here in Knoxville:

   Statemint Consignment
   Planet Xchange
   Taylored by Maria
   Repeat Boutique
   Clothes Mentor

2. Donate professional clothing to Smokey’s Closet at UTK or Dress for Success.

3. Give clothing to local rummage sale. Check with churches, women’s shelters, or children’s groups to see who may be having a sale soon.

4. Contact local homeless shelters directly. Call first to ask what items they are taking and how best to pack them so your donation is helpful and can go directly to those in need.

5. Give away hand-me-downs to neighbors, friends, or family members. It’s fun to see your kids’ clothes or a dress that never fit you well on others who love it.

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Want a closet you love in a flash?

Let the experts at Help You Dwell work alongside you to expedite the process so that you can spend these lovely days doing the things you love, not stuck in a closet!
Click below to get started and mention this blog to get 15% off your next session!

Organizing with HYD

Help You Dwell was established nine years ago because we love helping others. Every week our team members have the pleasure of meeting new faces and hearing new stories, which brings us lots of joy.  But often, when we walk into a new client's home, the first thing we hear is "sorry."  We want you to know that you never need to apologize for your home!  Your home is part of your story, and we all have a story, too. We never judge you and want you to know that we are always compassionate, professional, and respectful

So, what does an organizing session with us look like? Well, it begins with understanding that together, we are a team. As we walk through our plans to help you find order and peace in your home, we want to hear the story that brought you to where you are.  Our organizing sessions are really a four-part process: listen, plan, declutter, and organize.

At Help You Dwell we begin every organizing session by listening to your needs. After we have learned more about you and your home, we will begin walking through a plan for your space. There is no “one size fits all” approach for us. Our company understands that being organized means different things to different people, and we hope you never feel pressured by trends on social media and television, friends, or family to become a version of "organized" that doesn’t work for you.

When we are ready to spring into action, the first thing we do is help you declutter. You must declutter before you can organize. Decluttering means sorting and purging items. If we don’t declutter first, we are simply moving items around and spinning our wheels. When we declutter, we make space. When we make space, we can easily organize.

So how do we declutter? We like to put items into 4 categories: keep, donate, trash, and relocate. Remember, we are a team! We are there to help you make tough decisions about things you may be holding onto for varied reasons. Often when you have a teammate beside you, decisions are easier to make, and you feel “lighter” when you can be free from some of the clutter in your life. There are several organizations here in town that we love to send donations to. We can also take your donations if you don’t have time, or the task seems overwhelming.

Once we have decluttered, we can begin organizing! We will create systems that keep you organized, as well as discuss routines that work for you specifically. Doing this will free you up to spend more time being with the people you love doing the things you love.

We want you to be yourself, just with less stuff and more you.  You are worth the effort. 

Entryways for Fall

As the seasons change and the colors start to pop let's talk about spicing up the WELCOME area of your home: the entryway. No matter how big or small, formal or informal, adding some seasonal personality to the entrance of your home will bring that festive Fall feeling we have all waited all summer to enjoy!

First things first, lets begin with what already exists in your space and tidy up our "palate." Start by analyzing the furniture in the area. Take stock of how items are being stored in, on, or under the furniture pieces. Clear out seasonal summer accessories (i.e. expired sunscreen, old or broken sunglasses, sun hats, sandals, etc). Store these items or discard if they will not weather another year. Next, give the area a good cleaning to prepare for the next season of storage and decor. Once the area is clean, bring in this season's necessities like a warm rain jacket, your favorite scarves and hats for chilly mornings, and your coziest pair of boots. This is where a piece of furniture with drawers is ideal for storing small autumn accessories such as gloves, pet sweaters, and your favorite chap stick!

Fall Leaves Coir Doormat // World Market

Now for the fun part, you have curated and cleaned and are prepped for the cooler days and now it is time to celebrate with the fabulous colors of this season. We like to think that the entryway actually begins just outside the front door. We love a splash of Fall foliage on the porch or on the door. This creates the first warm welcome as you or your guests approach your home. This can be done using a fall wreath, a bouquet or two of mums, and maybe some pumpkins. This does not have to be much, just adding a splash of color outside to welcome the season and your guests. If you are just feeling extra warm and spicy you can add a beautiful seasonal welcome mat like this one from World Market as well!

Once you enter the home, the "simple splash" approach still applies. We love pumpkins, gourds, and your favorite fall foliage strategically placed around the room. A tiny pumpkin on a key tray, a bouquet of vibrant leaves or flowers on a table is all you need to add that little festive pop to brighten up this area. We love how Julie over at Little Farmstead embraced the simple beauty of this season by showcasing her fabulous boots alongside some precious pumpkins. We think this is a "gourdgeous" combination :)

Feeling inspired? Need a little help? Well we would be delighted! Check out our October promotion below to find out how to let us Help You Dwell....for less :)

Image: Little Farmstead

** Also, this month HYD is offering an entryway/mudroom organization and refresh for a discounted rate of $75 for 2 hours. We'll help you rethink the way you use your entry way or mudroom... including furniture, storage, and decor.  This is a great time of year to show this area some love, with lots of friends and family sure to be visiting your home for the holidays!
More details by emailing katie@helpyoudwell.com or calling 865.245.9080**

pantry inspiration

When you're in a space that makes you feel happier, you tend to feel a little more inspired...and maybe even a little more motivated. Let's talk about a tidy pantry. I don't know about you, but when each kitchen utensil, appliance, and food item is in it's rightful place, it motivates me to not only eat healthier but to spend more time in the kitchen! 

Today we are sharing a few ordered pantry images to inspire a happier pantry.

Switching your stock pantry items into glass jars is a great way to display your food. The task may seem daunting, but once the chore is complete your pantry will instantly feel fresh and your food can easily be located in just a glance. 

Another great way to freshen up your pantry is to store items such as onions and potatoes in decorative baskets or accessible bins. Also, try putting your fruit in wire or mesh containers. 

Grab a trash bag, a few air tight containers and start creating a happier pantry! Who knows, you may be so inspired that you'll also organize your refrigerator!

Stay tuned, our Interior Designer is upgrading her pantry. More to come soon!