12 Amazon Gifts To Help With Home Organization

November 10

Inside: These Amazon finds are incredible products to help you with home organization. And they’re also perfect gifts for the organizers in your life.

Ready to get organized? Self-professed organization junkie? Or looking for the perfect gift for someone who loves all things organization? You are in the right place. Check out these 12 incredible organization tools you can’t live without!!!

An organized home is like a well-oiled machine. It saves you time, money, and frustration of searching for things you knew you had…somewhere.

There are inexpensive ways to organize with containers you already have on hand. Things like mason jars, cardboard boxes from mobile phones, or stationary, or baskets that you’ve had for years are great for creating zones and getting a space organized.

But there are also some pretty cool gadgets that can optimize your space and make it look great. If you don’t want to spend a ton of money at once, prioritize and plan ahead. Look for sales. And make a budget that works for you. There are some organization tools that I’ve accumulated slowly over times and others that I waited until there was a perfect sale that worked for my heart and my wallet.

Let’s look at 12 organization tools you can get for yourself or the organizers in your life.

This post contains affiliate links. For more information, please read my Affiliates Disclosure.

Kitchen Organization Tools

An organized kitchen means faster meal prep, easy flow between tasks, and a welcoming space to entertain. These three home organization gadgets have been game changers in our home.

1. Food Storage Lid Organizer

I tried several methods for storing the lids. I bought 4 different products and tested each out. For several years I used a plastic bin for the lids, but it still made things difficult to find. You can read about the other products we tested here. This organizer by far has surpassed the functionality of the other tools we used and tested. It’s now easy to find lids and maintain the space.

2. Pantry Canned Goods Organization

Storing cans directly on the shelf takes up a lot of space and makes it difficult to find the veggies, cream of asparagus soup, or chickpeas you’re hunting for. This can organizer, on the other hand, has a small footprint and maximizes your vertical space. You can store a ton of canned goods and it’s easy to find what you’re looking for.

3. Bulk Food Organization

If you’re looking for an Instagram-worthy pantry, these OXO containers are the way to go. They give a professional organizer touch to your space. But they’re not just nice to look at, they are also uber-functional. The cereal containers are my favorite, but we use them for all of our bulk items including flour, sugar, and sprinkles.

Find it on Amazon Here:

1. Food Storage Lid Organizer

2. Pantry Canned Goods Organization

3. Bulk Food Organization

Bathroom Organization Tools

The bathroom is a highly used space in every home. They are busy areas that are utilized daily. We want them to be beautiful and need them to be highly functional. But often, the challenge is space. Many bathrooms have too little storage space so thoughtful organization is essential. Here are a few bathroom organization tools that will help you make the most of your space!

4. Under the Sink Shelves

One of the keys to under-the-sink organization is to create structure in the space. If there’s no structure, then things will end up piled on top of each other and difficult to find. Shelves with drawers can provide just the structure you need in this vast cavity. Drawers in particular make it easy to access the things you’re storing down under. Just be sure to measure your space before purchasing any items so that you’re confident it will fit!

5. Under the Sink Back Stock Storage Container

If you have an awkward pipe hanging down like I did, then small plastic bins are a good solution for additional storage. This bin with a lid was perfect for this space.

6. Toilet Paper Storage

No more taking up valuable storage space in a closet or basement to store extra toilet paper. These beauties can be left in plain sight and you never have to worry about an running out of TP at a bad time!

Find it on Amazon Here:

4. Under the Sink Shelves

5. Under the Sink Back Stock Storage Container

6. Toilet Paper Storage

Office Organization Tools

While there are a lot of things I could highlight to organize your office, there is one particular organization tool I want to focus on here. You can say bye-bye to any cable mess in your space.

7. Electrical Wires Organization

These handy Velcro strips are great for wrapping cords and getting rid of that bird’s nest of wires. You can use it like I have pictured here, to bundle individual cords. Or you can use them to tidy a desk, night stand, or any area where you have extra cord length for a monitor, lamp, printer etc.

If you’re looking for more information on how to organize your office, check out this post.

Find it on Amazon Here:

7. Electrical Wires Organization

Laundry Room Organization Tools

Almost daily, things come into and go out of our laundry room. It can be an uber-efficient system or a place that causes frustration and a waste of time. Here are a few home organization tools that can help you keep this space neat and tidy

8. Clear Bins for Organizing Household Cleaners

Bins are great for containing detergents or house hold cleaners. Clear bins are helpful for things that are at eye-level or above. These acrylic bins are easy to clean in case you have any spills, help you categorize similar products, and neatly hold all of your household cleaners.

9. Minimalist Labels for Household Organization

I love a good label and it’s even better when I don’t have to make it myself. These labels are clean and simple not to mention affordable. Labeling bins and baskets help you maintain a space and let everyone in your home know where to find items and more importantly where to return them!!!

10. Ironing Station Organization

The final organization product for the laundry room is this ironing station caddy. It’s perfect for maximizing your vertical space and keeping the ironing board off of the floor- when it’s not in use of course!
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Find it on Amazon Here:

8. Clear Bins for Organizing Household Cleaners

9. Minimalist Labels for Household Organization

10. Ironing Station Organization

Household Organization Tools

Now for a couple of other home organization tools you can use in many different spaces in your home.

11. Acrylic Shelf Dividers

If you have a long wooden shelf and want to create zones without using bins or baskets, this is the thing for you. In our closet, my handbags were constantly falling over and becoming a messy pile. The Acrylic Shelf Dividers created structure to the space and made for some pretty eye candy. They are also great to create zones for stacked towels or folded sweaters.

12. Chalk Labels

Last but not least, these label holders are perfect for adding labels to a bumpy basket or plastic bin. You can easily write on them with a chalk marker or print out a label on paper and put it in the holder.

Find it on Amazon Here:

11. Acrylic Shelf Dividers

12. Chalk Labels

It’s fun to organize your home with all of the clever gadgets are available. But knowing which ones are truly good and work as described can be confusing. These tested products are helpful for bringing more organization to your home, maximizing your storage space, and giving an area a professional organizer’s touch.

Share your favorite organization products down below!

Why Rest is So Important (and How to Incorporate It Into Your Daily Routine)

November 1

Inside: Learn 5 ways to incorporate rest into your daily routines so that you can be more productive with less stress.

It was 15 minutes until the big meeting was about to start. My heart was pounding in my chest. There was a stack of papers on my desk, back-to-back meetings on my calendar, and a to-do list that was a mile long. It was the worst time for me to take off, but the vacation had been booked for months. I forced myself to leave, trusting that the work would be there when I returned.

For two weeks, I melted into a Mexican beach. Warm sand between my toes and a fresh breeze across my face, every stress drained from my sun-kissed body. My priorities became more apparent, the sparkle in my eye returned, and I once again felt ready to crush it!

But life is not full of two-week getaways. The reality is, I’m not able to sneak away for long periods of time during this stage of life, but taking time to rest and refuel is more important than ever. Maybe like me, you can’t take two weeks away. The good news is, there are ways to incorporate rest into your daily routine.

Making Time For Rest

The reality is we all know that we need to rest, but sometimes it can be hard to make time for it. Between work, the kid’s soccer games, book club, and church, there never seems to be enough hours in the day. But what if I told you that making time for rest was actually one of the most important things you could do for your productivity and well-being? It’s true!

This blog post will explore the benefits of rest and give you five easy ways to incorporate more of it into your daily routine. By the end, you’ll better understand why rest is so important and how you can add more of it to your day.

What Is Rest, Really?

Before we cover how to incorporate rest into your daily routine, let’s define rest. Rest is a form of relaxation. It can be both physical and mental. It can be the time you take to relax, or just focus on yourself without any outside distractions. Rest can certainly mean no activity or limited movement like napping, sleeping, or meditating. But it’s also a frame of mind. It’s a place of peaceful thoughts and emotions.

Benefits of Rest

There are countless benefits to getting enough rest. For starters, it can help improve your mood and mental state. When you’re well-rested, you can think more clearly and make better decisions. You’re also less likely to experience anxiety or depression.

Rest also plays an important role in physical health. If you’re constantly on the go, your body is in a state of constant stress, which can lead to a number of health problems. But when you take some time to relax and recharge, your body has a chance to recover from all the stress it’s been under. It helps boost immunity, improve heart health, and reduce inflammation throughout the body. Getting enough rest can also help prevent weight gain by regulating hormones that control hunger and fullness.

Finally, rest makes you more productive. When we think of productivity, we often think of working hard and powering through our to-do lists. But did you know that taking regular breaks can actually make you more productive? It’s true!

When we take breaks, our brains have a chance to rest and recharge, which makes us better able to focus when we start working again. In fact, one study found that people who took regular breaks were able to work for longer periods of time without getting tired. So if you’re looking to improve your productivity, make sure to take some time out for yourself every now and then. Let’s look at 5 ways to incorporate rest into your daily routine.

5 Ways to Incorporate Rest Into Your Daily Routine

So now that we know all the benefits of rest, how can we make sure to get enough of it? Here are five tips to incorporate rest into your daily routine:

Build breaks into your schedule: When you’re working on a project or task, make sure to take regular breaks. Focus on your task for 25-30 minutes, then take a 5-minute break. Get up and walk around for a few minutes or grab a quick snack. These mini-breaks will help you stay focused and motivated.
Unplug from technology: Dedicate some time each day (preferably in the evening) to disconnect from electronics and social media. Spend time talking with loved ones or doing something calming like reading or taking a bath.
Start the day with gratitude: Start the day, by finding things you can be thankful for. Starting your day with gratitude will help you feel more at peace and less anxious…bringing you rest. Cultivating feelings of thankfulness will help your mind focus on what it has going for itself rather than worrying about all its problems. Start your day by listing three things you are thankful for.
Create a nightly routine: A relaxing routine before bed can signal to your body that it’s time to wind down for the night. Try drinking herbal tea, writing in a journal, or reading fiction before turning out the lights.
Make sleep a priority: This one might seem obvious, but it’s important to get enough sleep every night. Most adults need around 7-8 hours of sleep per night. Set a bedtime for yourself and stick to it as much as possible. Avoid working or using electronic devices in bed so that your mind associates your bed with sleep.

It’s important to remember that everyone enjoys resting in different ways. You may like to read, listen to music, go for a walk and breath fresh air, or just sit and do nothing. Find what works for you and make sure to do it regularly.

Rest is essential for our productivity, well-being, and creativity. Making time for rest may seem like a luxury when you’re always on the go, but it’s actually one of the most important things you can do for your productivity and well-being. By incorporating even just one or two of the above suggestions into your daily routine, you’ll start reaping the benefits of getting enough rest in no time! Your mind and body will thank you!

How to Declutter Your Home Before the Holidays

October 22

Inside: In this post, I’ll share the 4 step decluttering process and 3 rooms to declutter to help you get ready for the holidays before guests arrive!

Hey mama, life is busy. You’ve had the school science project, the weekend sports tournament, your husband has been out of town on business and somehow, the holidays are just around the corner!!!

The holidays are a time for family, friends, and fun. But they can also be a time of stress and anxiety if you’re not prepared. One way to reduce the holiday chaos is to declutter your home before guests arrive. In this post, I’ll share the decluttering process and three areas of your home that you can declutter to get ready for the holidays.

Decluttering makes your home more manageable. There’s less stuff to deal with on a daily basis. According to studies, decluttering can also be energizing, reduce anxiety, and ease family tension.

How to Declutter In 4 Steps

Below are the basic steps to declutter any space.

Decluttering Step 1: Identify the Room or Category

The first step to decluttering is to choose the room or category you’re going to focus on. This can be anything from your entire room to just one closet or drawer. I like to break projects up into tiny tasks I can do in 30 minutes or less. So, if you get overwhelmed at the idea of decluttering, start small! Once you’ve decided what you’re going to declutter, it’s time to move on to step two.

Decluttering Step 2: Establish Your Criteria for the Things You Will Keep

This is an important step! You need to decide what criteria you will use to determine which things stay and which things go. For example, if you’re decluttering your closet, you might keep items that are still in good condition and that you actually wear. Or if you’re decluttering your kitchen, you might keep items that you’ve used in the last 12 months and that you don’t have duplicates of. Once you’ve established your criteria, it’s time to move on to step three.

Check out this post for more ideas on how to make decisions on what to get rid of when decluttering.

Decluttering Step 3: Sort

Now it’s time to start sorting through your things. This means taking everything out of its “container” (closet, drawer, pile, etc.) and deciding if it’s a “keep” or “toss” based on your criteria. This can be a little more time-consuming process, but it’s worth it! Sort into five piles, Keep, Donate, Recycle, Sell, and Trash. Once you’ve sorted through everything, then you can move on to step four.

Decluttering Step 4: Organize Your Remaining Items

The final step is to organize your remaining items. This means putting everything back into its “container” (closet, drawer, pile, etc.) in a way that makes sense and is easy to maintain. For example, if you’re decluttering your closet, then you might want to organize your clothes by season or by type (e.g., shirts, pants, skirts). If you’re decluttering your child’s bedroom, then you might want to organize the toys by category (e.g., cars, dolls) or by age group (e.g., baby toys, toddler toys).

You may also decide if you want specific containers to help you store and organize your belongings. Make a list of your needs and locate the items within your home or buy necessary supplies. Finally, be sure to find a home for EVERY ITEM you keep. If something doesn’t have a home, it will soon become clutter (again!)

Rooms to Declutter Before the Holidays

Now that you know the basic decluttering process, let’s touch base on the areas to declutter before the holidays. I recommend focusing on three.

First Room to Declutter Before The Holidays: The Entryway

First impressions are everything, so you want your entryway to be neat and tidy. To declutter your entryway: Start by putting away any shoes or coats that might be lying around. Hang coats up in a closet or on hooks by the door. Store shoes in a shoe rack or in baskets underneath a console table. If you have any umbrellas, hats, or gloves lying around, put them away in a coat closet or storage bench so they’re out of sight but still within reach when you need them. Finally, wipe down surfaces and dust any knick-knacks that might be sitting on an entry table or shelf. A clean entryway will give visitors a good first impression of your home.

Second Room to Declutter Before The Holidays: The Kitchen

The kitchen is the heart of the home, and it’s likely where you’ll spend most of your time during the holiday season. Whether you’re cooking a big holiday meal or just whipping up some snacks for guests, you’ll want your kitchen to be clean and organized. To declutter your kitchen:

Start by getting rid of any expired food in your pantry and fridge. Next, clear off your countertops. Wipe down surfaces and put away any small appliances that you won’t be using. Finally, declutter your cabinets and drawers. Get rid of any dishes or cookware that you have collected over the years like coffee mugs or plastic cups. Discard any dishes that are chipped, cracked, or missing parts. If you have extra pots and pans, consider storing them in a storage closet or basement so they’re out of the way but still accessible when you need them.

Take some time to go through your cabinets and drawers and get rid of anything you don’t use or need. Donate items that are in good condition but that you no longer use. Throw away anything that is old or broken. Once you’ve decluttered your kitchen, you’ll be amazed at how much more space you have—and how much less stressed you feel.

Check out more kitchen organization ideas here.

Final Room to Declutter Before The Holidays: The Living Room

The living room is typically the room where family and friends gather to watch television, play games, or just relax. But if your living room is cluttered, it can be difficult to relax. You’ll want this space to be comfortable and inviting for your guests. To declutter your living room:

Start by getting rid of any old magazines or newspapers. Stack books neatly on shelves or in baskets. Go through your bookshelves and get rid of any books you no longer want or need. Declutter your coffee table by getting rid of magazines, knick-knacks, and other items that you don’t use on a regular basis. Put away any toys or games that might be lying around. Consider storing them in a toy box or closet if you don’t have time to put them away before guests arrive. Once your living room is decluttered, it will be a much more inviting space for you and your guests.

Decluttering Before Christmas

Decluttering before Christmas can seem like a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be! By focusing on just three areas—the kitchen, living room, and entryway—you can make significant progress in getting your home ready for holiday guests. Taking some time now to declutter will help reduce stress later on and allow you to enjoy the holiday season with family and friends!

How to Get More Done Every Day: 8 Tips for Busy Moms

October 14

Inside: If you struggle with getting things done each day or wish there were more hours in a day, then this post is for you. Learn how to manage your time and how to get more done every day.

If you’re a busy mom, you know that there never seems to be enough hours in the day to get everything done. You’re always running around, trying to juggle work, family, and social obligations, and it can be tough to stay on top of everything.

The reality is, we all have the same 24 hours in a day, but some just seem to get more done than others. If you’re feeling like you can’t keep up, I have some simple things you could do to start getting more done every day.

Here are 8 tips to help you get more done every day

1. Make a list of everything you need to do.

This may seem like a no-brainer, but it’s actually the first and most important step in correctly prioritizing your time. You can’t prioritize if you don’t know what needs to be done. So sit down at the beginning of each day or week, make a list of everything that’s on your plate, no matter how big or small, and map out what needs to be done.

2. Break down big tasks into smaller ones.

Big projects can seem daunting, but they’ll be much easier to handle if you break them down into smaller tasks. I call them tiny tasks and they should take 30 minutes or less. This will help you stay focused and avoid getting overwhelmed by the project as a whole.

3. Categorize your tasks by importance.

Once you have your list, it’s time to start categorizing your tasks by importance. To do this, ask yourself the following questions for each task:

Is this task time-sensitive? Does it need to be done by a certain date or time?
Is this task related to my long-term goals?
Is this task going to take a lot of time or energy?
Can this task be delegated to someone else?

Tasks that are time-sensitive and/or related to your long-term goals should be at the top of your list. These are the most important tasks and should be given priority over everything else. Tasks that are going to take a lot of time or energy should also be given priority as they can easily derail your entire day if left unchecked. Lastly, tasks that can be delegated to someone else can be lower on your list as they don’t necessarily need to be done by you specifically.

4. Work on one task at a time.

Once you’ve prioritized your tasks, it’s important to work on one task at a time. Single tasking has been shown to improve productivity and focus. When you commit to working on one task at a time, you’re able to give that task your full attention. As a result, you’re likely to complete it more quickly and with fewer mistakes.

5. Set a timer.

It’s helpful to set a time limit for each task. Just set a timer and commit to working on just one task for a set period of time (Try using the Pomodoro Technique of working in 25-minute bursts). Then, turn off all distractions—that means no email notifications, no social media scrolling, no checking your phone every five minutes—and give your full attention to the task at hand.

You might also want to let people know that you’ll be unavailable for a certain period of time so they won’t interrupt you; this is especially important if you work from home with young children.

When you’re trying to juggle multiple tasks at once, it’s easy to lose track of what needs to be done and when. So take a deep breath, pick one task, and work on it for at least 25 minutes.

6. Delegate when possible.

If you find yourself feeling overwhelmed, delegate! Ask your spouse or other family members for help with certain tasks so you don’t have as much on your plate. This will free up some of your time so you can focus on other things that need your attention.

7. Take breaks throughout the day.

Taking breaks is essential when you’re trying to be productive! Breaks give your mind a chance to rest and rejuvenate so you can come back to your work refreshed and ready to tackle anything that comes your way. Be sure to take at least a few minutes every couple of hours to step away from your work and take a break.

8. Set realistic goals for yourself.

Last but not least, set realistic goals for yourself! If you try to do too much, you’ll only end up feeling stressed and frustrated. Start small and gradually increase your goals as you start checking things off of your list left and right! You’ll be surprised at how much you can accomplish when you set realistic goals for yourself and make an effort to stick with them.

Start being more productive with your time

By making a to-do list, prioritizing, and single tasking with a timer you’ll be well on your way to getting more done every day—in less time! Delegating, taking breaks, and having realistic goals will help you sustain your energy so that you can focus and rejuvenate. Just remember that Rome wasn’t built in a day and neither is a well-oiled machine; give yourself some grace and implement these changes into your life. With a little practice, these tips will soon become second nature—and before long, they’ll help you transform into a more productive version of yourself! So what are you waiting for? Start putting these tips into practice today and see how much more productive you can be!

Declutter Without Regrets: How to Decide What to Get Rid of When Decluttering

September 25

Inside: If you’re looking for tips for decluttering, this post will help you. If you’ve ever wondered “how do you know what to get rid of when decluttering?” This post will give you 7 questions to ask yourself so that you can declutter without regrets.

We’ve all been there. You open up a closet or a drawer, and you’re faced with a pile of stuff. Clothes you haven’t worn in years, knick-knacks that are just collecting dust, old magazines… the list goes on.

It’s no secret that many of us have way too much stuff. And, when you have too much stuff, it can be really tough to make decisions about what to keep and what to get rid of. After all, every item in your home has a story attached to it.

You think to yourself, “I need to declutter.” But then you realize that you have no idea where to start. You don’t know what to keep and what to get rid of. That’s when it starts to feel like an insurmountable task.

But it doesn’t have to be!

Where to Start Decluttering

Knowing where to start is the first step in making decluttering progress. Before you jump in, consider the difficulty involved in making decisions about your stuff.

Start Decluttering Your Easy Areas First

You want to start with the easy stuff—the stuff that requires little to no emotional energy to make decisions about. This might include things like expired food in your pantry or outdated clothes in your closet.

There are always exceptions to the rule, but generally, the following categories are easier to make decisions on including food, kitchen items, toiletries, old magazines, technology, or electronics.

Declutter Your More Difficult Stuff Later

Once you’ve tackled the easy stuff, you’ll feel more motivated and confident to tackle the harder stuff. Anything that is sentimental and requires a lot of emotional energy is generally a more difficult decision.

This might include things like heirlooms or pieces of furniture that are no longer used but are too big or heavy to get rid of easily. Sentimental items like photos, books, mementos, or memories from the kids (artwork, baby clothes etc.) are harder items to make decisions.

Don’t try to tackle everything at once—take it one step at a time and trust that you’ll get there eventually.

How to Decide What you Should Get Rid of When Decluttering

After you’ve decided the area or category to declutter, it’s helpful to have criteria or questions to help you decide whether to keep or toss your items. Here are a few questions to ask yourself that should help make the process a little bit easier.

Decluttering Question 1: How Frequently Is The Item Used?

One of the best ways to make a decision about whether or not to keep an item is to think about how often you use it. If you haven’t used something in over a year, chances are you don’t really need it. We tend to hang on to things “just in case” we might need them someday but, more often than not, that day never comes. So, if you’re really struggling to let go of something, ask yourself how long it’s been since you’ve used it.

Decluttering Question 2: What Condition Is It In?

The condition an item is in is also a great indicator of whether or not you should keep it. If something is tattered, torn, or otherwise in bad shape, it might be time to say goodbye. Of course, there are always exceptions to this rule (like with sentimental items) but, generally speaking, if something isn’t in good condition anymore, it’s probably not worth hanging on to.

Decluttering Question 3: Does It Bring You Joy?

This is a question that Marie Kondo popularized in her book The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up but it’s truly a great litmus test for deciding what to keep and what to get rid of. When you look at an item in your home, does it bring you joy? If the answer is no—or even maybe—then chances are good that you don’t need it.

Decluttering Question 4: Do You Have Other Alternatives?

Another question that can be helpful when making decluttering decisions is whether or not you have other alternatives for the item in question. For example, do you have more than one pair of black jeans? Or more than one slow cooker? If so, do you really need both pairs of jeans or both slow cookers? Sometimes we hang on to things because we think we might need them someday but the truth is that we usually have other alternatives that would work just as well (if not better).

Decluttering Question 5: How Attached Are You To The Item?

It’s also important to think about how attached you are to the item in question. We often hold on to things because they remind us of certain people or times in our lives but, if we’re honest with ourselves, those items usually just take up space and gathering dust. If you’re struggling with getting rid of something because it’s sentimental, try taking a photo of the item and then getting rid of the physical object. That way, you can keep the memory without hanging on to the material goods.

Decluttering Question 6: How Obligated Do You Feel To Keep This Item?

Oftentimes we feel like we have to keep certain items because they were given to us by someone special or because they’re family heirlooms. But the truth is that YOU are the only person who gets to decide what goes into YOUR home so don’t feel obligated to keep something just because someone else wants you to. At the end of the day, it’s your decision—so make the choice that feels right for YOU.

Decluttering Question 7: Do You Have Space In Your Home For The Item?

Last but not least, another great question to ask yourself when making decluttering decisions is whether or not you actually have space for the item in your home. We often hold on to things “just in case” we need them someday but if there’s no place for them in our homes then chances are good that we’ll never actually use them anyway. So rather than hanging on to something “just in case,” get rid of it and free up some much-needed space instead!

These are just a few questions to ask yourself if you’ve been wondering how to decide what you should get rid of when decluttering. They’ll give you a starting point for tackling your own overwhelming piles of stuff!

And remember – once you’ve decluttered your home, maintain the decluttered state by getting into the habit of putting things away as soon as you’re done using them! A little bit of effort each day will go a long way toward keeping your home clean, organized, and clutter-free! What other questions would you add to this list? Share your thoughts in the comments below!