Two areas to organize before the holidays.

Area to Organize – Family Room
 Since the Family Room is much like the Living Room, consult the notes from that week as well, to be sure we haven't missed anything! Here goes!

 Start by washing the outside of your windows.

 Take everything down off the walls; take down curtains etc. Wash, Vacuum or dry-clean as needed.

 Sweep ceiling corners and other nooks in the room - tops of doorways, windows, arches, bookcases, etc.

 Wash inside of windows and sills. Polish and touch-up stain on wood.

 Re-hang window coverings.

 Take cushions off furniture, vacuum thoroughly. Vacuum cushions, checking for wear and turning as needed. Spot treat any stains or shampoo furniture as needed.

 Wooden furniture and anything with drawers: Empty, sort, and throw away what you don't really need. Put the rest where it really belongs. Dust/Polish the piece you're finished with, repeat as necessary. Do shelves the same way.

 Baseboards - dust or wash as needed touch up scuffs on wood or touch up paint on painted surfaces.

 Clean the TV screen. Dig out and sort all the accumulated electronic equipment--games, tapes, camera parts, wires, connectors, etc.

 Vacuum the entire room. Use a whiskbroom to get into those hard to reach areas and around the baseboards if your vacuum doesn't clean close enough.

 Other items needing attention if you have them are: Fireplace/mantel/chimney/glass doors Lamps - cleaning and/or replacing shade/bulb/wiring Light switches (clean)

 Mirrors and anything framed under glass clean it

 Now is a good time to reorganize the videotapes and CDs, Cassettes etc. If you have not viewed or listened to them in a while, donate or take to a consignment shop or a second hand music store and swap

Area to Organize – Dining Room Using the basic plan, take everything off the windows and clean them.

 Take everything off the walls and clean items and wall.

 Empty all drawers, shelves, ledges, etc. Clean items, but don't replace -- YET.

 Decide what you want to use this area for; eating, entertaining, playing games, etc.; then place only those items back. Declutter! Use the 4-box method.
 Streamline down to what you will actually use in this room.

 Remove all furniture, and clean the floors and baseboards.

 As furniture is replaced, clean each piece with appropriate cleaner/wax. Check legs to see if they need new protective caps.

 Put half the pictures back on the wall. Add more only if you can't stand the empty look.

 Add a new arrangement or fresh flowers and plan to invite company for dinner.