FlyLady.net: Cost of a Bedroom Remodel? PRICELESS!!

This week we are in the Master Bedroom and we challenge you all to get this room in order for YOU! Not for anyone else but YOU! You deserve to sleep in a room that is peaceful and in order!

I have heard from several members that have said that they don't like their bedrooms very much and that it is hard to feel at peace in a part of their homes that they just don't like. Add to that feeling a lack of additional funds to "re-do" their bedrooms, they are sad and frustrated. I am sure that they are not alone. I have moved a lot in my life and with my husband we have moved 8 times in 16 and 1/2 years and these moves have included apartments and rental homes that we did not own so we were limited in what we could do with those homes. In most of the lease agreements we were not allowed to paint the walls (other than white) and of course we had no choice in carpets or flooring choices. We had what was there and had to figure out a way make it ours. If you find yourself not liking your bedroom because it is not what you chose it to be or do not have the money to make it what you think it should be, I have a few things that you can try that have really helped me always have a bedroom that was peaceful and comforting even if it wasn't a room that would make the pages of Better Homes & Gardens.

Go and stand in the bedroom and really take a look at what you have in there. Look at the walls and the ceiling. Look at the furniture. Look at the accessories. Look in the closets. When we look at these areas we have a tendency to not see the things that are really cluttering up the spaces. On the dressers we have perfumes, coin jars, jewelry and miscellaneous items that are tossed there because it is usually the first flat surface that we see when we come into the room. We view these items as necessary and that we will get back to them later we never see them as actual clutter but it contributes to the overall feel of the bedroom seeming too cluttered. The top of the closet is a real spot that we seem to take for granted, that since it is tall we can toss things up there and if it looks remotely like it belongs in the bedroom it is ok. For some odd reason we always seem to want to fill up a space because we think it has to be that way. I was able to stop cluttering up the top of my closet by placing sweaters that needs to be folded instead of hung, this way I use space that can be a clutter magnet for "storage" of things that make sense to be in the bedroom.

The flat surfaces of our furniture seem to multiply items faster than you can put them away! Look at all the things that we think NEED to be there, do we really use them enough to warrant keeping the flat surfaces of our bedrooms cluttered? Reassess these surfaces and see if there are not some things that you can relocate or get rid of . When you free up this space it gives the bedroom such an open feel. Look at the walls and the decorations that you have placed there, these are items seem to be contagious and we are always adding more. Whether it is mirrors, pictures, wall sconces with cute little candles we can get carried away and put up way too much when LESS IS MORE!!See if there are some things that you can let go of to add to the more open and less cluttered feel of your bedroom.

Take a look at your furniture now that you have cleared some of these items off. When was the last time you gave this room a real detailed cleaning, complete with dusting and vacuuming? Now is the time to really make your furniture shine and vacuum underneath and behind it. This is not something that you have to do every time you vacuum and you may need to get someone to help you. The room will just take on a whole new feel when it is rid of the dust and the dust bunnies that are residing underneath/behind your furniture.

Now lets take a look at the floor of your bedroom. Do you have stacks and piles? Are these things that need to be in your bedroom or things that have been stashed here until "you get time" to put them away? Set your timer at 15 minute intervals to get rid of these piles of stuff that are cluttering up the floor of your bedroom. Start with a trash bag to toss the things that are obvious to toss. Then a donation bag to get rid of the things that you can bless others with. Next, start putting away the things that belong in other areas of the house. Once this is accomplished, grab that vacuum and go to town on that floor. Get up against the baseboards and in the corners. Give the floors in your bedroom the detail session that it deserves. This is a room that you sleep in, it deserves to feel like a peaceful haven whether the furniture if old or the carpet is worn. Take care of what you have!

The Walls - Sometimes our walls are just in need of cleaning. Now to some of you this may sound silly but if you have vinyl wall paper or wall paint that you can wash, then get a white cloth and a mild cleaner and wipe them down. You may need to have some help with this but it is worth doing. Make sure you test wipe in a small inconspicuous area to make sure that your walls are washable. If you really feel that it is necessary , look in to painting the walls. Figure out the square footage of the bedroom and cost out what the paint and rollers will cost. Maybe you can make this a priority even if you have to use white it will brighten up the room. Don't forget to wipe down the areas behind the furniture and the switch plates.

The Ceiling - Look up at your light fixtures, ceiling fans and the corners that have dusties and cobwebs in them. Get a step stool and clean your light fixture. A great tip for your ceiling fans is to use an old pillowcase and slip it over each blade and wipe, all the dust stays in the case and not flying all over the room. This is something that we just don't see but the dust is still there.

Whew! Now I hope you have realized that these are things that should be done in baby steps! Set your timer and do things one a time! Even if you hate your furniture and flooring they are worth blessing because you are worth having a place of peace just for you.

The Bed - are your bed linens in desperate need of washing then go for it! Set a time to take care of these. I am talking about completely. From the mattress pad, sheets,bedspread, dust ruffle, blankets, etc. If you need new ones then check your linen closet for some that you have been saving or forgotten about! If not then check your local discount stores and see if you can find some inexpensive replacements. You do not have to break the bank for something clean and pretty. When was the last time that you turned your mattress? This can help lengthen the life of your mattress and help with even wear. Make sure you get someone to help you with this.

Down Under - There are many of you that use under the bed as storage space. This should be the last place that you store things. Under the bed is a breeding ground for dust bunnies and dust mites. If you absolutely have to have storage under the bed, make sure it is not just stuffed under there. Get some under the bed storage boxes and keep things to where you can easily get to them. When you get ready to flip your mattress this is a good time to vacuum under the bed. Get all of those dust bunnies that have gathered and seemed to have started a colony under there!! You will sleep much better knowing that this is clean and neat.

The windows - if you have a window or windows in your bedroom, take a look at the sills and the glass. Use the vacuum to get all of the little bugs and moths that like to nestle in there and then Shine those babies up! Look at the curtains or blinds. Do they need to be washed. I washed some curtains recently that I thought I hated but once I washed, ironed, tightened up the rod, replaced the hooks and re-hung them I was amazed at how pretty they were. If you have mini blinds that are beyond dusting you can try cleaning them. In the past I have taken them down and put them in the bathtub with some general purpose cleaner and hot water, let them soak and then use the shower to rinse them. Left them there to dry and then re- hung them. Amazing what a difference this makes.

You can set your timer and bless your bedroom with a positive outlook and love! Have fun and remember to take babysteps -do not do this all at once!!

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