9. Create Your Haven

You’ve uncluttered and organized, now lets create your own Personal Haven Retreat … Its time for some fun . . . .

So you’ve finally decluttered and cleaned up a room. You’ve spent hours tossing, donating and relocating stuff. You’ve then grouped like items and stored them efficiently.

You can see the floor and its clean. The benches/furniture/counters/floors are clear of clutter and they’re clean and dusted too. Now what? You deserve some treats ! Now you can add some nice touches, which make your new cleared space into your own haven.

I’ve always been fascinated to visit Bed and Breakfasts with their fluffy towels, lovely scented candles, matching décor, stocked fridges and lovely bubble baths and lotions.

The Bedroom.

Choose some soft sheets, a matching quilt set and decorative pillows in bright fun or antique colors. Let this set the mood for the room. Fluff up your doona ready for the evening.

Get a few big scented candles to match your bedspread. Put a few on a large plate with some pebbles scattered beneath them.

Add a jug of water and a couple of glasses on a tray, perhaps a bunch of flowers near the curtains to capture the morning sun, and you’re well on your way to making a lovely bedroom to retreat to after a long hard day at work.

The Bathroom

Get some fluffy towels, have them in the bathroom, hotel folded with scented soaps on top, just waiting for you to have a hot bath. Get a washable bath mat to match your bathroom or bedroom (its time to throw out some of those tatty thin towels and mats that have been begging to become rags). Get some big candles in the same colour, and go on the look out for bathroom sets, such as soap on tap, bubble bath, bath bombs, oatmeal and natural soap bars and loofah scrubbers (only buy what you’ll actually use). Arrange these in your bathroom, and you’ll feel like you’re staying in a hotel.

The Kitchen

Now that the kitchen is clean, clutter free and the sink is shiny, perhaps a new chrome dish rack, or a fruit basket would add a nice touch. You could even get matching place mats, a vase of flowers, or a new spice rack. Maybe its time to replace the old café curtains or cannisters? Or get some tall candles for your next dinner. You could go for a modern style or the homely, country feel. Whatever you decide, have fun!

The Entrance Hall / Living Areas / Dining Rooms / Children’s Rooms

Potted plants in the corners, a new vase filled with bright flowers, fresh posters on the walls for children’s rooms, tall candle bases, table runners, framed pictures, its all up to your imagination. The department stores are out there, but don’t forget the op shops (charity stores), antique shops and brick-a-brack stores for excellent finds. However do keep it simple, too many gadgets will give the room a cluttered feel again. I recommend that you choose just a few new features as simplicity feels clean.

Whether you live in the queen’s castle or a small humble home, any house can be transformed into a haven.

I hope you feel the satisfaction of a job well done.

Proceed to Page 10 – Easy recipes for Dinner