Interior Design Blog

A Fresh Start

With the election over and as we prepare to hunker down for winter we wanted to share the perfect three step ritual for a fresh start. Because who isn’t ready for a fresh start? Feeling anxious and stressed in your space? Check out our article in Hunker that provides some awesome tips on how to alleviate stress through good design choices and an understanding of how your environment affects you. By the time you finish reading you should be more than ready to tackle the remainder of 2020!

DE-CLUTTER

Design and Photo by Gala Magriñá Design

You’ve heard us say this before, but the best thing you can do for your space is de-clutter. Not only will this create a sense of calm and order, but it will make space in your life for new things and opportunities to come into it.

Dispose of anything that is broken or no longer usable, and donate items that still have life, but no longer serve you. This way you are getting a fresh start and also giving a fresh start to someone who is in need.

As per Marie Kondo, thank your items for what they have given you, and get rid of them without guilt.

Need some inspiration for how to organize what’s left? We love these boxes for taming the insides of drawers, and decorative baskets for larger items that need to be kept accessible. And – if you really want to kick it into high gear – tune into The Home Edit on Netflix for some inspiration.

CLEAN

Photo via Emily Henderson

Now that your space is free of clutter, it’s time to roll up your sleeves, turn on some music and prepare for a deep clean. Of course do all of your normal tasks like vacuuming, dusting and wiping down surfaces, but now, before hunkering down for winter, is the time to really get in there.

Set your oven to ‘self clean’ (with your windows open!) while you wipe down baseboards and cabinets. Use the brush attachment from your vacuum to get into every corner, under every cushion, and behind each piece of furniture. Leave no stone unturned. For getting the inside of your microwave sparkling clean – we love Go Clean Co’s natural method: Fill a mug halfway with water, add about ¼ cup of white vinegar, microwave for 5 minutes and voilà – anything stuck in there now easily wipes off.

We recommend avoiding harsh chemical cleaners when you can. For an all natural, all purpose surface cleaner, check out our recipe below. Bonus – this mixture is anti-bacterial, anti-viral, and also smells divine.

When you’re done, not only will you feel accomplished, but your space will feel lighter and happier, which brings us to the final step in our fresh start guide…

CLEAR

Photo via A Cup of Jo

Now that your space is clutter free and squeaky clean, it’s the perfect time to perform a space clearing to cleanse your home of stagnant or negative energy. Gather your essentials, and follow this guide from The Spruce. An added tip we like to share is that once you’re finish the space clearing, make sure to set an intention for your home and what you want it to provide for you!

You and your home are now officially ready for winter, the Holidays, and anything else 2020 might come up with to keep us inside.

With colder weather settling in and as we brace for what else 2020 might throw at us, all while we continue to work, teach our children, and spend almost every waking moment in our homes, it’s safe to say that most of us could use a bit of help with reducing stress.

We spoke to Hunker.com about small changes you can make to your space to limit anxiety and promote a sense of calm and sanctuary in your home. Click here for the full article.

Gala Magriñá Design works with clients that understand the importance of creating a beautiful space and want to work with a no-nonsense design team that is able to clearly chart the best way forward. What separates or approach from other designers is our extensive knowledge of how people live and how best to create a customized space that nurtures that. We aim to merge cool and beautiful interiors with a holistic, mindful and intuitive approach to design that results in powerful, healthy spaces that elevate and transform people’s lives. For more information please visit galamagrinadesign.com.