Photography: Simon Whitbread | Styling: Corina Koch
An important time for family, rest and relaxation, a long weekend is also a great chance to roll up your sleeves for a job you may put off at other times.
Rather than be bogged down by larger tasks or a deep clean, enjoy the process of caring for your home and its contents by taking your time. Here are some suggestions for household chores that may be waiting in the wings.
1. Rearrange your vignettes
Give things a good dusting and change your arrangements of objects for a fresh new seasonal look. A change is as good as a holiday!
Treasures on display include a ceramic horse from Bed Bath N’ Table. (Photographer: Brigid Arnott | Styling: Lisa Hilton)
2. Mop the floor
If this is something you don’t routinely do, take the extra days to give your timber, tile or concrete floor a good mop. Vacuum or sweep first and make sure you get into those corners. Lift furniture you usually skirt around and go deep underneath heavy pieces to chase away cobwebs.
If you have the luxury of owning a robotic vacuum and mop, get them to do the job while you put up your feet!
3. Clean out the linen cupboard
Pull out everything and do a cull if needs be. Refold and tidy in neat piles for a fresh and functional storage space.
4. Clean out under your kitchen sink
So often a dumping ground for old rags and half-used cleaning products, the space under your sink is a goldmine for kitchen storage. Be ruthless and throw away products you’ll never use to create more space. Get inspired to style it up for efficiency.
5. Declutter the toy box
Throw away old and broken toys, sort back into sets and tidy into boxes and buckets for easy access. Rotate toys for rediscovery and to engage your children anew.
Colour-coordinated bookshelves next to a day bed by Berkeley Interiors in a vibrant Brisbane home.
(Credit: Photo: John Downs / Styling: Kylie Jackes)6. Vacuum the sofa
This may usually slow down a quick weekly vacuum so get out the vacuum cleaner just for this task. Take your time and use the upholstery head to get into nooks and crannies. Plump up your sofa cushions and wipe over framework. Scotchgard the upholstery for added protection.
7. Wash the outside of your house
A big job but a great opportunity to get outside and enjoy the sun with the aid of plenty of water spray! Hose down first and use a soft brush to clear away cobwebs or dirt build up on window sills and steps. Squeegee windows and brush down flyscreens. Give your screen- or security door a wipe with a damp rag for a glowing welcome as you come and go.
8. Dust and wipe open shelving
If you’ve embraced the trend for open shelving in your kitchen, it may be timely to give everything a wipe over. Rotate what you’re not using regularly for something you’d appreciate within easy reach.
9. Feed and soak your indoor plants
Indoor plants love a good shower now and then. Take them into the bathroom for a good wash down or outside for a hosing. Give them a boost with a dose of slow release fertiliser to encourage healthy growth.
10. Clear out your attic (or garage)
Admit it, there are boxes in there you haven’t opened for years! Take stock, declutter, make piles and give this prime storage space an overhaul.
