home decorations Archives | MoneyDigest.sg

Cleaning Queen Marie Kondo’s Guide To A Joyful Home

As “Tidying Up With Marie Kondo” debuted early this year, cleaning queen Marie Kondo went from a best-selling author to a Netflix star. Viewers were inspired by the KonMari method and started cleaning up their own messes at home. However, what stood out was her specific way of folding clothes.

Aside from the special way of folding clothes, here are some tips that you can employ to spark joy in your home.

INSTILL RESPONSIBILITY ON EVERYONE

As parents, is your duty to encourage the maintenance of cleanliness and orderliness inside the home. Your children should be responsible for cleaning up their own space.

You should lead by example and start giving your toddlers minimal tasks such as sweeping or wiping. For instance, my two-year old students can sweep pieces of paper when prompted. Make cleaning a bonding activity for the whole family.

PUT AS LITTLE AS POSSIBLE

Minimalism is one word that encapsulates the KonMari method. Let us apply minimalism in the kitchen. She organizes her kitchen by putting as little items as possible on the counters and around the sink.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

For her, de-cluttering the kitchen should be based on the ease of cleaning. Which items will save you more time and space?

STORE YOUR POSSESSIONS BY CATEGORY

As mentioned above, ensure that your children are responsible for their own belongings. Your job is to help them find a designated place to store their items. While, their job is to put back their belongings to the designated place/s.

Start by gathering your clothes, books, documents, miscellaneous, and sentimental items. Organize your belongings following this order. When going through your clothes, ensure that you toss the unwanted items in one massive pile.

According to the KonMari method, you must only keep items that spark joy to your life. If it does not bring joy then, toss it out.

FOLD YOUR CLOTHES SIDE-BY-SIDE

Marie Kondo’s popularity can be attributed to the way she organizes her drawers by stacking clothes side-by-side. She teaches a strategic way of folding clothes whereby a properly folded article of clothing can stand on its own. Not only does it make for some very Instagram-worthy portraits, it also allows you to see what is inside your drawer at a glance.

Image Credits:pixabay.com

Through this, you can survey which articles of clothing to you spend most on. Which articles of clothing should you stop buying? Which colors do you invest more on? What do you lack in your wardrobe? Asking these questions will help you make more informed shopping decisions in the future.

Sources: 1 & 2

How To Decorate Your Home On A Tight Budget

Minor decorating projects can freshen up your nest without breaking the bank. Try one or two of these Do-It-Yourself ideas for an instant upgrade!

AN EYE-CATCHING NAPKIN

Are you tired of your dull satin napkins? Well, you can liven up your dining table by adding ombre linens. Ombre is a display of similar tones. Start by gathering your plain white linens and by soaking them in water. Brush the fabric paint from the bottom. Put water as you move up the linen. Do you notice how the tones gradually transition from light to dark?

Complete the faded look by drying and ironing each one. These napkins can double as place-mats too!

A PLUSHY PILLOW FIGHT

If you are down for a plushy pillow party, please read along. Instead of rounding up your store-bought throw pillows, you can customize on your own. Prepare sewing pins, scissors, fabrics, ironing cloth, buttons, and hem tape. You can purchase hem tape at your nearest Spotlight store. The instant hem tape will cost you about S$8.

Follow this Mr. Kate YouTube tutorial to create a cozy pillow without the ability to sew.

A ONE OF A KIND “LAMP”

Add sophistication to your romantic dinner with a quick lighting trick. Simply pop a LED tealight inside a wine glass and cover it with a paper shade. Battery-operated light is a safer alternative, which does not have the risk of stimulating a fire. The 8-piece STÖPEN tealight from IKEA costs S$12.90.

Print and cut along this template on a piece of 8.5″ by 11″ paper. I recommend that you use a scrapbook paper as it is vibrant and sturdy.

AN ARTISTIC CHEST

Locate your old wooden cabinet such as the RAST from IKEA (S$59). The RAST acts as a blank canvas due to its untouched pine wood exterior. You can spruce things up in two ways – going bold or going classy. Achieve the first route by painting everything with high-gloss orange hues.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Lastly, you can tone things down by painting the chest white. Add gold pulls for a fancy touch. This design goes well with any bedroom.

Source: GH

7 Budget-Friendly Ways To Organize Your Kitchen

Imagine a disorganized kitchen with tools clustered and mess everywhere. You might be motivated to cook more if it was not so disorganized. Okay, perhaps not. But, you wouldn’t it be nicer to have a clean and organized kitchen space? Upon realizing this, keep in mind that although this is time-consuming…it is all worth it!

1. MAKE AN INVENTORY

To get organize, start by determining what you have and arranging these items based on their functionality. Create an inventory wherein the items on top are the ones you use often and the ones you need the most.

2. EVALUATE THE ITEMS

After making an inventory with specific ranking, look at the items on the lower end and evaluate whether you are going to toss or donate them. Toss items that are helplessly broken or cannot be repaired. Then, donate the items that you underused or have too much of (e.g., three pots of the same size and color).

3. BRING OUT THE ESSENTIALS

Increase accessibility by placing the essential items and products such as knives, cutting board, and oil, near the stove and sink. It does not make sense to put these overly used items inside the drawer.

4. MAKE IT REACHABLE

I generally hear homemakers say: “You must put the kitchen items within reach. If you do not see them, you would not use them.” It is totally sensible. Avoid losing money to rotten potatoes or other expired products by making these items reachable. For instance, you my keep the potatoes in a basket near the cutting board.

Image Credits: pixabay.com (License: CC0 Public Domain)

5. GROUP ITEMS BY TYPE

Keep the kitchenware of the same kind together. All the pans should be in the same cabinet or drawer as well as all the baking sheets. Arrange items from smallest to biggest and cluster their “group mates” close by. This way, it will be easier to locate items without messing with the kitchen.

6. USE THE WALLS WELL

Create space by making use of the kitchen walls. Hang up shelves or pegs to keep your utensils, dish towels, spices jars, small bowls, and pot holders on plain sight. You may purchase IKEA’s GRUNDTAL shelves that range from $15.90 to $19.90.

7. CHECK YOUR KITCHEN REGULARLY

After you arranged everything to your liking, value your efforts by regularly going through your drawers, shelves, cabinets, and cupboards once every 2-3 months. Make sure everything is on its right place. This shall only take up a few minutes of your time.

Image Credits: pixabay.com (License: CC0 Public Domain)

Sources: 1 & 2

Save Cash By Reusing These Vintage Things

Have you heard of the saying: “out with the old and in with the new”? If you have and you strongly believe in it then, let me change your mind with these vintage or old things that you can still reuse:

1. CLOTHES

You can recycle your gorgeously patterned old clothes by sewing it into pillowcases or teapot covers. On the other hand, you can accept mint condition hand-me-downs from family and friends especially those who have baby clothes or infant toys. Do not be too picky. These said items are not utilized a lot since babies grow significantly every day anyway.

2. PIECES OF FURNITURE

There are plenty of used pieces of furniture that you can greatly score online. Try searching for drawers, tables, chairs, and closets at singapore.craigslist.com.sg or carousell.com.

Alternatively, do not be shy to ask your friends or neighbors if they are giving away any pre-owned furniture. Be careful or do avoid the articles with fabric (e.g., couch) to prevent getting bed bugs into your home.

3. DESIGNER BAGS

Pre-loved bags that long-lived across time can be found in online shops too! With prices that are up to 80% lower than the retail price, how can you resist an online bargain deal? Start with the trusted retail websites such as madammilan.com.sg and reebonz.com.sg.

What is special about these vintage bags is that they give a one-of-a-kind twist in the modern fashion.

4. CARRIER BAGS

Give your carrier bags a chance by recycling them! Plastic bags can be reused at home as the bin bags around the flat while paper bags make as a simple wrapping paper.

5. BOOKS AND MAGAZINES

Save more money by purchasing secondhand books or magazines that still look practically new. Start with purchasing good condition used books at Evernew Bookstore, Bras Basah Complex. Evernew Bookstore has a full collection of non-fiction books, fiction books, textbooks, children’s books, and so much more.

Image Credits: Sharon & Nikki McCutcheon via Flickr with Creative Commons License

Another option of browsing books and magazines would not cost you a thing! Go to your neighborhood public library and flip through a nice book or two.

Budget-Friendly Ways To Build Your Dream Home Office

If you are waving goodbye to the office life and venturing to the exciting world of freelance or self-employment, you will find yourself in need of a home office. Luckily, due to modern technology, building a home office is easier than ever before. Here are some budget-friendly ways you can start with…

1. DO IT YOURSELF

Instead of hiring an interior designer or other professionals, decorate your office by yourself. You have the freedom to choose your working space. Be creative, as your imagination knows no bounds. For example, you may hang inspiring posters or family photos to motivate you everyday.

2. USE WHAT YOU ALREADY HAVE

Recycle and repurpose your old furniture or decorative materials. Buried in your attic or closets are useful yet forgotten things such as lamps, chairs, or notebooks. Seek for these things. Then, reinvent these forgotten treasures by fixing and painting on them. Not only did you save more money but you also saved Mother Earth. 🙂

If purchasing for other items is necessary, consider to…

3. PURCHASE FURNITURE ONLINE

Looking for stylish yet inexpensive furniture? Then, GROUPON.sg is the website for you! They currently offer a wide selection of discounted furniture but, here are some of my top picks:

a. The classically beautiful Funika 3-Tier 2-Tone Reversible Bookcase priced at S$25.90 (38% off). Available here.

b. The assorted colors of Bolton Swivel Chair with Armrest priced at S$79 (47% off). Available here.

c. The space-saving Set of 2 Folding Chairs priced at $29.90 (30% off). Available here.

d. The maple colored 2-Tier Desk priced at S$59 (54% off). Available here.

4. BARGAIN AT THE FLEA MARKETS

It is possible to buy unique yet affordable pieces of electronics, rags, stationery, paintings, and furniture at Singapore’s flea markets and thrift shops. Some of the known fleas include MAAD (Market of Artists and Designers), Zouk Flea & Easy, and China Square Central Sunday Flea Market.

5. LASTLY, SHOP DURING SALES

To save more money, list down everything that you need for your home office. Then, buy these items one by one once the sale comes up. It is okay to take your time in building up your ideal haven since you are the master of your own time. One of the large-scale brand that offer quality products at low prices is IKEA Singapore. And, they occasionally have special product offers. For example, you may add a tampered glass VITTSJÖ laptop support to your home office for only S$19.90 (U.P. S$39.90).

Image Credits: Jeremy Levine via Flickr

Building your own home office may take time, money, and effort but, once you found something you truly love (whether it be blogging or web designing), all of these will be well worth it. 🙂

Search the site