Making the most of spring in your rental home
Category Property Advice
Spring is here, and with it comes longer evenings, warmer weather and chances for long evenings of braais and entertaining friends and family. It's also the time of year for cleaning and decluttering - but with a few simple strategies, this becomes something to look forward to rather than to dread. The CSi Property Group takes a look at ways you can make the most of the entertainment area in a home that you rent rather than own and at some of the decluttering tips that turn the annual chore into a pleasure.
Making the most of your entertainment area
Since you're a renter rather than an owner, it is probably impractical to think about putting in a built-in braai or pizza oven. However, portable braais are remarkably affordable, and it's easy to choose one that's right for you. Another great investment is movable patio furniture that can go with you from one rental home to the next. You can personalise your outdoor entertainment area and make it cosy for those chilly evenings with an assortment of throws and scatter cushions. When it comes to your patio furniture, there's no need to compromise on comfort - the comfier your entertainment area is, the more you'll use it. Think couches, chairs and a coffee table - of course, these need to be of a variety that can handle the elements. Cushions and scatter rugs can easily be taken inside when not being used.
One of the most important things to consider when planning your entertainment area is seating. Having outdoor furniture means that whoever is doing the braaiing isn't standing outside alone. At the same time, it's ideal if the seating area is slightly set apart from the braai to avoid too much smoke clouding the conversation.
Another important thing to think about when planning your entertainment area is lighting. Fairy lights or string lights are a great option for tenants because they can be installed and removed with relative ease - and the soft light they give provides a perfect ambience for those warm spring and summer evenings spent outdoors.
Clearing out your clutter
Staying on top of your clutter levels is extremely important, as anyone who has recently had to pack up and move house will tell you. There are a number of strategies for sorting through your clutter - some suited for those wanting to go minimalist and others that will work better for people only wanting to clear out the real surplus. If you follow the Marie Kondo approach to clutter, the decision of whether or not to keep a particular item is simple. Does it bring you joy? If the answer is no, then that item goes straight to the throw-out or recycle pile.
Another popular clutter-conquering strategy is to go through your home room by room and decide what you still need. Try to avoid being overly sentimental about toys that your children will no longer use, trinkets and souvenirs stored at the back of a cupboard and bric-a-brac cluttering up your shelves. Other ideas include using lists to decide what you do and don't need and giving yourself a maximum number of items allowed to be in each room.
If you're having a hard time deciding whether a particular item is clutter or not, ask yourself these questions:
- If this item had to get lost or stolen, would I be genuinely sad?
- If I lost this item, would I replace it?
- Have I used it in the past year?
- Does it bring me joy?
If the answer to any of these questions is no, the item should arguably be on the discard pile.
Springtime is time for cleaning and rejuvenating your home. For some, it's also time for a new home. If you're looking to buy or rent a property in Gauteng, Limpopo or Mpumalanga, contact us today.
Author: CSi EUF