It’s a great time to purge and repurpose items in your home before the holiday season takes over. (Photo: Dreamstime/TNS).
The holiday season is officially upon us. From gifts and gadgets to holiday decor, a lot of items will fill the home. Some will be treasured, others admired, and some will need to be removed and/or purged. But what about items that could be repurposed and reused? Now is an ideal time to start thinking of ways to give new life or renewed purpose to some household items. Don’t know where to start? Here are some tips to help set you on the right path.
What to purge
1. Ask yourself if something will continue to be of use and value. If the answer is no, remove it.
2. Is the item broken or in need of repair? If the item can’t be fixed or won’t have the same appeal once repaired, toss it.
3. Do you have decor items from a previous home that you are saving but doesn’t fit into your current home? If so, donate them.
4. Take an inventory in your home and decide what is a necessity and what isn’t. An item that once brought you joy and is now in a box may be best suited for a new home.
5. Edit and then edit again. Take an inventory of what you are truly using or plan to use and remove the excess.
How to repurpose
1. Shop your house. Instead of tossing an item, look for where it may be able to reused within your home.
2. Get crafty. What’s old is new again. Can’t use that item? Look for ways it can be taken apart and transformed.
3. Swap. Many communities have clothing and equipment swaps. Why not swap decor items with a friend?
4. Donate. A worthy and well-made item you can no longer use is an ideal item to donate so someone else can enjoy it.
5. Paint. Sometimes an item can be repurposed by changing the color or finish with paint or varnish.
By Cathy Hobbs, Tribune News Service. Cathy, based in New York City, is an Emmy Award-winning television host and a nationally known interior design and home staging expert with offices in New York City, Boston and Washington, D.C. Contact her at [email protected] or visit her website at cathyhobbs.com.
