Great. I'm in!

I LOVe Apartment Therapy :)
Making my list

I have so much to do, I had to start early. I need to take advantage of this motivation train!

Let the fun begin! Thank you for your inspiration and suggestions throughout the project.

I'm thinkin' that my Wunderlist is going to get a workout this month. Woot \o/

My husband & I are looking forward to doing this together in our new rental. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

Much-needed! I work from home and I can't wait to whip this place into shape.

looking forward to this...the best advice so far has been to 'stay calm'!!! got it!

OK, not sure I will really be able to keep up, but I'm going to try. I "just" moved into this space 5 months ago and have done almost no decorating and haven't finished unpacking; new job is all-consuming! It's a rental apartment with all the challenges that come with that, along with being a very odd shape / size, and having a really strange extra-long hallway that is a product of it being in a large old home that has been chopped up into apartments.

Here's my edited list:

Side Entry:
- Er, move the filing cabinet that ended up in the middle of the hallway to a new spot (but where?!)
- Make a landing spot for keys and small items
- Pretty up the wall facing the door so I have something cheerful to come home to

Bedroom:
- Paint the walls
- Install a light in the closet
- Hang artwork
- Ebay / Donate old / underused clothes, shoes & accessories
- Figure out better storage for t-shirts and sweaters

Den:
- Install Elfa bookshelves stat!
- Reconfigure furniture - something about it isn't working
- Get a sofa table or coffee table

Extra Long Hallway:
- Paint?
- Hang artwork

Bathroom:
- install towel rack
- hang wire utility basket
- replace Venetian blind with a pretty curtain or shade
- Hang artwork

Nook in Extra Long Hallway:
- make better use of corner bookshelf there
- Hang artwork

Kitchen:
- Get a full sized garbage can!
- Donate / recycle stuff left behind by previous occupant / stuff I don't use
- Phase out old litter box / use new litter box
- Get and install magnetic knife rack

Pantry:
- install long curtain so I don't have to see its contents all the time / or one of those European long fringe things (where can I get one of those?)
- buy wine rack
- Recycle / throw out / control packing materials that got crammed in there.

I have a birthday in early February, so I'd love to make some progress and be able to invite people over! Just this week I *finally* took down the hideous Venetian blinds in the bedroom and put up curtain rods & curtains, and moved all the unpacked boxes into one corner behind the door, opening up an exercise / meditation space in the bedroom. But somehow my filing cabinet ended up in the middle of the hallway as part of that, so yeah.

Oh, we're not doing that here? Oops! Sorry folks!

Oddly, I started working on one of the piles in my room when I woke up this morning. Have stopped, and will go and make my list shortly.

honeybun, YES, sure, we're doing that here - thanks for sharing!

getting my notebook now...

Honeybun, there's a website called "shop wild things" or something like that --- they have a great selection of beaded curtains and I think they have string curtains too. Good luck!

you have no idea how BADLY i *need* this! my house is SO messy that i can't find my copy of The Home Cure Book... :-(

Thank you, Griffin!

This is just what I need. Overal my flat needs to be kept tidy, de-cluttered, decorated/finshed, some minor repairs and a definite style sort out.

Thanks for the link. Wunderlist looks a lot better than those paper scraps I lose so easily...

Step number two - declutter the list!! Yikes! I think I need more than a year to get all the stuff I need to do done, but some of the things will go on the "long term list" or I can do them as alternates on days the Cure isn't applicable. Woohoo! Cure calendar and list are hung where I can't ignore them and I'm ready to go.

This is great and I'm totally in, but I need a bit of guidance. Are we supposed to both make our own list AND complete assignments from the AT emails? The only reason I ask is that if we are supposed to do both, it definitely will inform how much I put on my own to do list, in particular as it's difficult to get stuff done during the week. Any thoughts? Or, did I miss this in the instructions somewhere? Thanks!

I'm all in!! Let me get my pad, paper and highlighter.. I will love this house project.

I need to know where the lamp on that desk is from!!! Anyone know?

schaminmn - Your first assignment is to make the list, so you get familiar with the overall state of your home and what you would like to work on, but we'll only ask you to complete ONE project from the list this month, and have time for that built in. We'll ask you to choose which one you want to do and commit to it, next week.

The rest of the Cure daily assignments are general, and for everyone to do, in addition to the single project you choose from your list.

So, don't skimp on your list - make it complete and think of it as a roadmap of projects you can tackle throughout the year, but know that you'll only be responsible for doing one this January.

Hope that makes sense - if not, let me know!

Like Hooneybun, I'm a bit confused. While I like the "live blogging" idea, I don't know under which article I should comment and write my list for the world to see (put this way, maybe should hide it in a drawer).

I am ready. Just like @honeybun, I am not sure if I can complete everything but I going to try. My house needs it.
Two days ago, I was browsing AT (all the reruns of posts) and out of desperation (there was nothing new) I got up and did a major clean up in my bedroom. I moved all the piles of magazines and books from unused side of the bed, put laundry away (fresh stuff into drawers, dirty stuff into the hamper) and I swept, vacuumed and wet-swiffered the floor. There is still stuff to do but going to bed was much nicer that night.

What @schaminmn said.

I love the desk in the picture! I know this is a little bit off topic but.. I couldn't help myself!!! I have a few plans myself for this year. The big one is moving multiple states!!!! from MS to NC!

List isn't as bad as I thought it would be! Only 15 items ... a couple of them will take several days to complete.

We just bought our house last March and have been working every weekend on serious cosmetic updates (stripping wall paper, plaster repair, etc) and improvements throughout 2012. We are at a good place with 1-2 rooms almost completely done, however, each room still has a list of things that need to be done, some that are major. What do you suggest? Should my list still be all the big messy projects that need to be done on the weekends, or more of the daily, clean-up and organize type projects?

Maybe you can include tips for those that have recently moved or are in a renovation situation like me... as we go through The Cure... Thanks!

Our home needs a major overhaul (and lots of decluttering). Thank god my vacation starts next tuesday. I already planned to get stuff done, I hope The Cure keeps me on track!

Nanou @ Du Sel au Plafond

Good question! While I think it's fine to do either (I hope we'll all be looking at both comment threads) it seems best to try and keep the majority of the direct responses to the Assignments (like sharing your own list or asking questions) on the main daily (Day 1, Day 2, etc) post - just seems a little clearer and will likely reach more of the group at large.

Well that was an easy enough task... now to get what's on the list done. It might get scary. I shared my list here: http://turningithome.blogspot.com/2013/01/apartment-therapys-cure.html

-Kimberly

@happylegs - I would love a resource like that as well. My husband and I bought a serious "fixer-upper" in September and we've been working through the same type of things - fixing plaster, dry-walling, refinishing floors, painting, etc. Some projects (tiling the bathroom) were put on hold for projects that took more time and resources than what we had thought (plumbing repairs). We took a little break for the holidays but we are ready to get back in action! Thanks for the January kickstart, AT!

OMG, I'm feeling excited and overwhelmed already!

where can I find the DYI plans for that desk?

I have to admit I am seriously behind the power curve... due to illness, school functions, the holidays, and being out of town, this morning was the first I had even heard about the January cure. I definitely signed up! Now to get back to the laundry and the piles of mail which accumulated in our absence... how can three teenage boys go through so many clothes?!? how many more colleges will contact us between now and when the youngest one graduates??? our once cozy, tidy home seems to suddenly be overflowing at the seams due to an abundance of winter gear and musical instruments (i guess that is what comes when one "child" plays an instrument that is larger than a twin bed! ha ha!)

Have a wonderful day! (lunch over, back to work!)

I know right! It's an awesome desk !!!!!!!!

Day 1
Got my edited list!
Livingroom - Put away xmas stuff, work on cable management, get rid of broken chairs.
Bedroom: Get items ready to be donated (they are sitting on the desk already)
Entry way: Get a shoe rack and rugs that work with the space (the ones I have get caught with doors. Hang a mirror and hooks.

First on my list:
sneak a kitty cat into the house while my husband is gone for a business trip next week!

Ridiculously excited for this project!

Garage: Clear all clutter stowed where a 2nd car should go
Entryway: Paint interiors of both doors & hang new light fixtue
Living Room: Rearrange furniture & hang floating shelves
Dining Room: Clean carpet
Kitchen: Find/make new curtains and chair covers
Hallway: Replace light bulbs & declutter linen closet
Bedroom: Paint & hang new curtains, add art work
Office: Clean out closet

Aaaaand now I'm both overwhelmed and itching to get going.

Car repairs - done
Plumbing issues - done
Install new door due to me breaking into my own home - done
Added screen door - done

I'm a bit superstitious ...I like getting all repairs done by end of year so I start anew. Leave all the old junk behind.
Now, for a new list.....

Hello. Here is my list.

LIving room:
fold and put away laundry
take down Christmas tree, ornaments, and Christmas decor and put away
dust furniture
shred, follow up on, and/or file papers
organize stack of magazines on love seat

Dining room:
break down and store boxes
dust table
sweep and mop

Kitchen:
reorganize cabinets
organize magazines under the microwave

Laundry room:
dust, sweep, and mop
declutter items on shelves

Bedroom:
dust, sweep, mop

Bathroom:
clean tub (routine cleaning)
declutter cabinets
go through old bottles
replace batteries in clock

If I wrote down everything it would be pretty overwhelming.

I'll start with the entryway and hall closet, which in my tiny place is within arms reach of a few things including a kitchen island that is getting removed (centre for clutter) and the laundry room.

I just picked up the apartment therapy book and so have begun some bone fixes. The painters are here now in fact!

The remainder of my list (which I've still to write) is mostly to do with clearing the clutter. My goal is to donate, sell or recycled 20% of our stuff that isn't attached to a wall. I've already started and so I think I'm about 5% of the way there!

My list is getting looong and I had to stop myself from including all that needs to be done out in the yard as well.

If your area has a Freecycle network (freecycle.org) it's a great way of getting rid of unwanted items and maybe picking up some needed ones as well.

Totally overwhelmed from just doing the list. Mainly need to declutter, which, as so many on this website can relate to, requires so much more than just tossing stuff out. I'm finding it hard to just focus on the small fixes because I need to do so much to make it feel sweet and welcoming.

I already had a list made! And I had started it a day or two before Christmas with a project that has taken several sessions, small and large. I now have two large recycling bins filled plus a large box of papers to recycle. My financial papers are in order, and I better understand my situation and goals. And I have a maintenance plan that includes quarterly filing. Then as I was nearly done, I got bronchitis. I still hope to finish before I return to work next Monday. And today I am going to my list and figure out the projects I.can do over the next month.

Day 1: Estefanía's List

Definitely not ready to start the January Cure but feeling that I should anyway. We rented this house two years ago: two adults and tree kids. The biggest problem: this house is not functional for us, mostly me: the caretaker of other-people stuff. To get from point A to point B there are all this things, I call it obstacles, in the way. Lack of storage or the amount of things we have laying around is the culprit.
There are lots of things that can be done and the fact that we are renting for who-knows-how-long does not inspire me to make many changes. I try do do things that I can take with me: painting furniture, framing pictures, making curtains, multiplying plants, buying lamps. I try to have no duplicates of things: one set of sheets and towels for each person of the house plus an extra when family is visiting, for example. I avoided including in the list the cleaning and organizing because I do it constantly without good results, this way I can focus on the rest. Here is my little list of short term and just for the record: I observed, made the list but did not stayed calm but I feel better now. For the last two rooms of the house, please note that after several attempts to fix it up, what I wrote seems to be the only available solution.

Entry: Change overhead light. Grow plants in containers, with flowers preferred. Bathroom
Make curtain for little window. Make frame for mirror. Make shelving above door to store only necessary bathroom stuff.

Living Room. Paint "director chair" in white. Make sheer curtains for the front window.
Remove table.

Kitchen. Fix cabinet door. Paint in and out cabinets. Organize inside cabinets to make things accessible.

Kids bedroom. Donate the two pieces of furniture, the table and the drawer. Organize, with the kids, their toys, books and art supplies. Paint shelves and desk on white.
Create a place for them to hung their backup from school. Make their art work into art and hung it in the wall.

Our bedroom. Make sheer curtains for two windows. Change light bulb.Fix lamp for reading.

Laundry Room. Eliminate.

Carpot. Eradicate.

Seems that I have more things to do now. The January Cure starts now. Estefanía

3-5 things/ space? Ha ha! I have a full page dedicated to each space. Maybe tonight my hubby & I can pare down the list to something more manageable. Or maybe I'll really just focus on the Kitchen cause that's what needs the most work (tile the backsplash, add cabinets to nook & re-org all the cabs, purge unused items, fix dishwasher handle, add light fixtures above sink & nook, oil wood counters & wood utensils). We got free tiles from my sister last week (she had 9 boxes leftover from her big reno), so I don't feel so bad needing to buy more cabinets.

Happy cure everyone!

I will be getting my list together tonight! So excited - we hope to buy a home this year and this will go a long way to making our move easier!

Tallsarah, I'm glad I'm not the only one to have a huge 'to do' list and feel a little overwhelmed!

We've been renovating a house for 18 months and while all the major work inside has been done (we now have heating and the 1930s scary electrical wiring has been replaced), there are so many little things left to do I feel like it will never end.

I am hoping that the January Cure will give me the inspiration and motivation to make a realistic plan to finish it so that we can enjoy the house.

Good luck!

I love working on my home and am forever tweaking, rearranging, tidying, adding thkngs and eliminating others, planning and cleaning. I gave myself the past three months to tackle my list and gave finally finished 90% of it. I am taking a break from it and plan on actually ENJOYING my home this year.

I have a few tips:
1) Highlight all the things that are free and tackle those first.
2) Don't be afraid to sell things on eBay. I started a few months ago and have made about $1200 selling things that I just no longer used. My new rule is that if I want something I have to sell something else to raise the funds for it.
3) Focus on one room at a time. Work on the room you spend the most time in first. When one room is finished move onto the next.

Good luck everyone!!

Every year I do a similar list for work-life plans and love it, but I've never done it for my house. When I do it for my life, if feels optimistic and exciting, (all those wonderful things we're going to accomplish) but as I rounded the corner of page 4 on my house issues, I could feel the anxiety creeping in.

Last year we had to have our house raised 10 inches to straighten it out (it had sunk) and now every room has cracks/misalignments/etc on every wall & ceiling from the move. As I walked through, I was reminded that I'm basically at the beginning of another full scale reno, (something I've been in denial about) which immediately resulted in what my staff calls "the yellow angry bird look". It's 2 days into 2013 and I'm officially terrified.

I'm going to be a good girl though, complete the list, and highlight it down to 2 pages, but please promise me you'll talk me off the ledge with tomorrow's post?
I'm going to need it.

Now, if you'll excuse me, it's Pims-o-clock.

I am desperate. Anyone know where I can get the green base for this desk?

Wow. That was depressing. Now just shopping for a new house...

Started reading from the bottom up (not sure why?!) and this is what caught my eye right away: "Stay calm, just observe and make your list. We'll have plenty of time to focus on the 'doing' later..." Stay calm! That, coincidentally, is what I wrote as one of my New Years Resolutions! So, it certainly applies to THIS list as well!!! LOL!
At the moment we are renting an 800 sq ft house, 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, laundry room, plus huge yard & garage. I've lived in smaller & I've lived in much bigger. This house is really all about the location! But, unfortunately the house layout is awkward. We have a lot of storage space, unfortunately some of it is inconvenient to use. Like, hugely large pantry/cold storage room for the kitchen, but very few cabinets above the counter in the galley-style cooking kitchen I'm starting to hate bending down to retrieve my often used heavier appliances (electric griddle for daily tortilla making, rice cooker, blender), but there's hardly any counter space at all to keep them out. So my kitchen is my biggest challenge. But, I gotta LOVE the 6 x 8 foot south west facing window in the 18 x 20 foot eating area! Trade off! (Living in the southwest United States & having a southwest facing window... heaven! The sunsets on the mesas & Petroglyphs! Wow! Anyone who has ever lived in the southwest knows what I'm talking about!) This will be a good project to keep me busy during the winter months since I'm a bit home bound at this time because I am dealing with some health issues.

I am making my list after my 4 year old is tucked and fluffed for the night.... but I also would love to know where the green base for the desk came from. Mine is currently propped on 2 old bookshelves- I like this one lots better.

The desk looks like the CB2 Go Cart in chartreuse.
http://www.cb2.com/go-cart-bright-orange-desk/s406395

I just finished my list. 26 items for a 500sq studio loft. It seems like a huge task.

I just moved into my place 2 days ago and will be sharing with the previous tenant until the 9th so it's going to be a challenge but I can't wait. Also, does "remove the awful wallpaper from EVERY room" apply to this challenge? lol

Is there an original article from which this main pic was taken from? Love this look and would like some details! Thanks!

i just finished my list (4 pages long...), and nearly every room involves fixing/changing/adding lighting. here's to a well-lit 2013!

Took a deep calming breath and made my list. I'll be moving in August, so my list is primarily made up of what to donate, toss, recycle while making my 650 sq ft apt clean and comfy in the meantime. Less stuff to move when I go.
So I shop on-line quite a bit (no car, physical limitations). Amazon had beaded, bamboo, cloth, etc. closet "doors" and many are fun and funky. I just bought a couple of scarf organizers from them as well. The Container Store has neat stuff too. Both sites have reasonably priced items.
@mandz2, been there, so I am sympathetic. May I suggest decluttering a manageable, small area of each of your rooms daily. Perhaps you can stretch the January to February, March or beyond so that within a few months you have followed the January plan. DON'T STRESS. That will be your biggest deterrent to not accomplishing your goals. When the clutter is gone, you can really clean and decorate as you want. YOU CAN DO IT! Your place will look amazing, and you will be proud of what you did.
Wishing everyone well, and remember Janel's words,
"So, don't skimp on your list - make it complete and think of it as a roadmap of projects you can tackle throughout the year, but know that you'll only be responsible for doing one this January."

ladymiz- Yes! We always link to the original source of photos on all posts and in this case, it's from an Apartment Therapy tour. Scroll down to the end of posts for the credits section, where you'll find the link/s.

Wow...so thankful that we all seem to be in the same boat!

Made my list...not as harsh as I thought it would be, but still lots to go on...what I'm dreading the most is our bedroom....SO.MANY.CLOTHES to sort/donate/chuck...we have sort of ignored that space since we moved in back in August.

Good luck everyone...this truly is apartment therapy.

We are renting a 1957 ranch home. Over the years it's had 3 rooms added to the back side for a total of 2,066 sq ft. The old charm wore off quickly after we moved in and the annoying little problems with the house have stopped us from truly living and enjoying one of the largest homes we've inhabited. I'm hopeful the January Cure will remedy our rental blues, even if the project happens to spill into February! Here's my list:
ENTRY
~Clear off entry table & find storage baskets for underneath
~Hang mirror/art above table
~Repair & place bench seat next to front door (landing zone)
~Hang a new wreath on front door

OFFICE
~Sort & file paperwork on floor
~Hang curtain rod & sheers in window
~Find a home for the printer (not on top of desk)

KITCHEN
~Move small appliances rarely used to garage
~Wipe clean cabinet fronts
~Wipe clean SS appliances
~Dust open shelves on island

DINING RM
~Dust/Mop floor
~Wash wine glasses (that haven't seen the light of day since we were married 10 years ago)
~Clean glass on china hutch

DEN
~Stow floor fan in garage
~Stow dehumidifier in garage
~Donate old video games
~Hang one piece of art

SUNROOM
~Wipe windows and sills
~Dust/Mop floor
~Stow wooden plates & bowls sitting on floor
~Bring in two chairs and small side table...sit, drink coffee, enjoy the water view!

HALLWAY BATH
~Declutter/Organize linen closet
~Wipe all fixtures/dust lights
~Wash rugs and mop floor
~Re-caulk tub (owner was challenged in this area..yikes!)

NURSERY (baby in April!)
~Organize closet
~Line dresser drawers
~Take down TV
~Mop floor

MASTER Bedroom
~Hang clothes (get them out of the baskets they've been in for the last two months!)
~Dust furniture/lamp shades/tops of curtain rods
~Organize top of dresser
~Hang one piece of art

MASTER Bath (world's smallest!)
~Wash bathmat
~Sweep/mop floor
~Wipe mirror
~Re-caulk tub (same problem as hallway bath, sloppy, heavy handed with caulk gun!)

GUEST BEDROOM
~Hang pictures
~Put TV from Nursery on stand
~Organize cedar chest & stow blankets

GUEST BATH
~Frame & hang picture
~Find small bins to organize shelves
~Scrub bottom of shower door (gunk left over from owner..eeww!)
~Replace battery in scale (certainly don't weigh 99.8 lbs)

GUEST CLOSET
~Sort/Organize seasonal clothes...donate items that were not worn last year
~Find room for uniforms in this closet

Sorry for the long list! Good Luck Everyone!!!

Cannot wait to read lists posted above ( for inspiration). We have an 1800 sf condo that was subject to gut rehab in 1999. first major reprint of 2/3 of space let year.

My list for 2013 below; items with asterisk are those that I think are do-able in one month:

APARTMENT THERAPY JANUARY CURE

Bathrooms ( both)

Re-grout floor tiles*
New Window treatment*
Clean or replace shower curtain*
Repaint wood trim*

Kitchen

Clean / purge cabinets/ drawers  of outdated items and re-org*
Re-  hang cabinet doors
Repaint chalkboard wall behind stove*
Re-grout Granite countertop*
Clean behind fridge*
Clean out fridge*

Master bedroom

Clean baseboards*
Touch up paint*
Flip mattress*
Clean linens( bedspread, mattress pad)*
Repaint closet*
Clean out/ organize closet
New  throw rugs for winter*

Livingroom

Clean oriental carpet/ runner in front hallway*
Plants!*

Guest Bedroom

Paint walls, ceiling, woodwork

Misc:

Place Rug in front lobby*
Polish table in front lobby*
Door stop for downstairs hallway*
replace front door hardware*
Replace light in cat room*
Christmas ornaments / decks away***
Install storm window inserts for winter*
Clean out/ organize storage closet
Replace water heater and drip pan
Replace filter in furnace*
Paint pocket Doors*

this is so awesome, I was planning to do this on my own but it's nice to have support!

That was truly the most miserable experience. My man and I fought through the whole thing (we took a legit 1.5 hour break in the middle of the list-making where we were "not speaking to each other" before we pseudo-apologized and continued.) There are over 40 items on this horrible list and most of them are really big things i.e, guest bedroom: clean everything or kitchen: purge and reorganize every single cabinet/drawer. I guess all this pain and suffering really just showcases how much we really need to do this.

Shame is, we hope to be leaving our rental in about a year...so it seems a little pointless - but we've definitely reached the point where it's not harmonious and even a little embarrassing, so it needs to be done.

I know, I know "DON'T STRESS!" should be my mantra right now, but I'm straight up stressed :(

Chin up Chicken Parmesan, if it makes you feel any better, I just moved into a barely 500 sq foot Hong Kong apartment and in an effort to shove everything out of sight, I've just hidden everything in shelves.. piles in shelves 8 feet high. I have to purge and rearrange everything and I already did that BEFORE the move! At least you have help, I have to tackle this monster alone :)

First, I have to find my apartment! So my list, for every room, is going to start with actually, finally getting rid of stuff I don't need. Although I'm sure this will be covered later, I'm thinking of all the places I can donate things. Let's see, those used margarine tubs? My church needs them to put leftovers in after a covered dish, for folks to take home. Used books? Our public library needs them for their annual book sale - hey, they got a new computer & printer for the Children's Room last year with the proceeds! Those bath and shower gels I got just way too much of on that home shopping channel? The local women's shelter is always needing toiletries.

Found out about The Cure last night after cleaning out the kitchen cupboard... so that's one thing off the list. Very excited about this, but my partner may take some convincing.

Here's my edited list for our 1 bedroom apartment. My "main project" will be to find a way to make use of a odd shaped nook in our kitchen / dining area next to a window. I'm thinking an armchair and lamp, to create a nice reading or meditation zone.

Entrance: 1. Hang artwork on wall facing door 2. Take pile of stuff hiding behind door to thrift store / move to storage cage

Bedroom: 1. Clean out closet and donate old clothes. 1b. Convince / force fiance to do same. 2. Find better storage solution for shoes 2. Serious clean and dust. 4. Consider curtains.

TV room: 1. Clean out closet 2. Convince fiance to "consolidate" sports gear 3. Find better storage solution for sports gear 4. Tidy cables and cords 5. Mood lighting

Kitchen / Dining: 1. clean oven 2. find alternative place for old bookshelf 3. establish 'landing area' for keys and small items 4. set up a quiet reading / meditation space in 'deadspace' area (including finding and purchasing a nice armchair and rug to demarcate area). 5. rearrange open shelving above benchspace 6. Source new vase/s

Study nook: 1. throw out unused items. 2. sort out storage for chargers, cables, stationery etc. 3. tidy cables. 4. Source a stool that can tuck under desk, and get rid of old chair

I'm really keen to hear from other renter's regarding hanging artwork... something that in Australia we are not allowed to do... and with white as white walls painted with cheap paint, most 'removable' hooks leave terrible marks. Any other ways to dress up blank walls?

@ Chicken Parmesan - regarding your comment "we hope to be leaving our rental in about a year...so it seems a little pointless"

Trust me, it is not pointless. I have rented for 8 years and the longest I have lived in any one place is 12 months. As a result, I'm pretty good at purging, and it makes moving so much easier... Plus, you'll be less stressed without so much clutter in your life.

However, my fiance is a hoarder. So I will be facing the same challenges as you... our apartment is definitely not harmonious at the moment and i'm looking forward to a tider, clutter free, less stressed home environment.

good luck!

We can do it, guys! This is going to be so fun and rewarding. Courage!

I'm planning to move in a few months, so the better part of my list is "Deep clean, purge, organize and donate" for every room (or uh, area, actually, I live in a tiny studio.) But here are my top three projects:
- Re-hang the shelf in my bathroom (and deal with the beauty product situation that is multiplying in there)
- Finish the headboard that I have been putting off making for - eep!! - eleven months! Is that possible? That stupid board has been leaning against my wall for eleven months. Just need a trip to the garment district and some power-drilling time
- My desk/shelves purge needs to include getting rid of a very old laptop, which is so intimidating to me. I just have no idea what to do with it, but it can't be that hard.

Good luck! Happy New Year!

Well, we moved only a couple of months ago, AND we're going overseas from the 17th, so I won't be able to do the whole cure. But maybe an abridged version...?

Just walked around the house with son. His list basically says more lego for each room. Mine says rip out kitchen and start over, rip out bathroom and start over, rip out ensuite and start over. Yikes! Got my work cut out.

This is going to be so much fun :) I'm excited to start organizing my home!

My husband and I moved into our rental apartment just about 1.5 months ago. We're still buying basic furniture (yup...we don't have our dining table yet!) so our list is really long....but the most important points are here:

Entrance:
-Make a nice doorplate/ door hanging/ welcome wreath
-Fix outside light and clean lamp shade
-Get a shoe-rack

Living Room/ Hall :
-Find a seating arrangement that works
-Create a 'landing area' for keys and small items
-Hang photo frame on wall facing door - take photos and print. Frame my brother's seascape painting and hang it up

Hall Balcony:
-Get some green plants - flowering cacti/ money plants?
-Re-tie the clothesline
-Get a small shelf to hold clothespins and plants

Dining Room:
-Hang up the curtains
-Buy a dining table and chairs

Kitchen:
-Fix leaky tap of water dispenser
-Get and install magnetic knife rack
-Get a spoon stand
-Add some framed art
-Get a clock for the kitchen
-Get a kitchen timer
-Find a shelf for my cookbooks

Kitchen Balcony:
-Fix the drippy sink and create a proper washing area
-Tie a clothes line to use in monsoon seasons

Common Bathroom:
-Fix the broken tap in the washbasin
-Fix the leaky flush tank
-Fix the unusable commode

Guest Bedroom:
-Organize household linens into the closet
-Put away holiday decorations into overhead storage
-Organize laundry and cleaning supplies elsewhere (not in dressing area )
-Find a place for the laundry basket

Guest Bathroom:
-Permanently unclog drains
-Fix tubelight
-Make the flush tank stop dripping

Master Bedroom:
-Organize top of dresser
-Hang one piece of art
-Reorganize my Closet

Master Bathroom:
- Hang artwork
-Vacuum doormat

Office Room:
-Fix leaky window pane that drips onto our floor
-Move plastic table in and set up workstation
-Hang one piece of art - Get my brother's jeep painting framed.
-Get curtains for window
-Fix the internet connection (Wi-Fi)
-Organize our important documents and papers
-Hang a blackboard/ bulletin board

Mid-area:
-Hang artwork

---------Sorry for the really long list!!

Belinda, 3M make these great removable "velcro" tabs you stick to the picture, and the wall. Provided you remove them veeeeerrryyyy sllllooooowwwwlllllyyyy they don't mark at all - we moved from our last rental in January last year. The trick is definitely to be slow and steady though. Band-aid like ripping results in paint chipping.

My sister in law put me onto them, and they can usually be found in Woolies or Bunnings.

I haven't edited my list down yet. I suspect with a four year old and a slob of a husband, I may be expecting too much. :/

I'm a little late to the game, but happy to join! I have a Herculean task ahead of me-we just moved and in addition, we are still working on a project list for the condo we are trying to sell! (Anyone looking in Rogers Park? :))

Put my list together last night! Hopefully this will be the kick in the pants I need to finally get our new house in order.

We live in a one-room cottage so instead of a list of rooms, I listed areas to tackle.
I'm really happy that the task is just to list a maximum of five things for each area. It's so easy to write a lengthy and detailed list and get overwhelmed. The most glaring projects are what made my list and I'm sure all the other little issues will be tackled in time (and better solutions will reveal themselves too!).
Thank you Apartment Therapy folks!

I have already started a mental list of getting my little home into better shape this year, but this really broke it down into little steps that will make it far more manageable and quite possibly throw some fun projects into the mix.

Thanks!!

thanks!

Oh my goodness. This is so exciting guys. I have been reading this blog for about four years but just registered so I can comment here. I am one day behind but it's progress not perfection.
inspired by others, I am pasting my list. I found it easier to not care about wording and just right straight from the heart.
January decluttering
• Bedroom

o new sheets
o better hamper
o fix closet
o get rid of dresser or find a better use for it
o get rid if plastic containers
o go through shoes
o paint walls
o more art
o pretty rug
o change bulb in salt lamp
o fix ceieling light
• Living Room

o get rid of desk/drawers
o new bookshelves
o go through books
o asian cabinet for electronics
o move keyboard
o make my files easily accessible and easier to use
o better way to diplay rocks
o move closet door back into bedroom
o put up art/mirrors
o paint room
o new rug
o go through closet
o clean coffee table properly (find out how)
o new couch
o clean under couch
• Kitchen

o more art
o go through kitchen supplies (get new stuff)
o get rid of clutter
o create art/desk workspace here or in living room
o make cupboards less ugly
o better silverware storage
o use space on top of fridge

• Bathroom

o new shower curtain
o better makeup storage or just more
o properly clean tiles?
• Hallway

o more art
o a little table for keys and stuff
o less clutter
o mirrors

I want to see @Haironfire1026's cat room.

I love the taking the Cures; the results are surprisingly long-lived. Our last Kitchen Cure was absolutely transformative and I hardly bought a thing.

As I write my list for 2013, I've found more than a few projects I've been needing to tackle for years. I also have a tendency to stop halfway. For eg. I finally installed a ceiling-mounted curtain track above our front door six months ago but I have'nt made the winterizing curtain yet. I hung a floating cabinet in the entry way a year ago but I'm still using painter's tape for "knobs."

This year I'm wring my list in Cozi so that I can look at it anytime, anywhere. Good luck everyone!

this is so timely...I feel like I function so much better when my surrounding are organized...I have been slowly working towards a "home" for everything-this will streamline the process and I'm so ready!!!

I am in a profession where January is the busiest month of the year for me. I've always loved January home project sites but can never participate and keep my sanity at the same time.

It would be great if something like this could be repeated mid year for those of us that just can do it in January.

Chicken Parmesan, I spent the past few days clearing out our office and I swear my husband was like a petulant child the entire 2 days (not his normal personality). After we were done, sitting down having a beer his entire mood changed and he was really happy we had completed the cleaning/clearing/organizing. I don't know why he was so dead set against doing it in the first place but it has made a huge difference in our space.

I guess what I'm trying to say is it can suck in a big way, but is worth it in the end.

This is going to be super long!

Front Porch
• Paint cat bench
• Set out planters/flowers
• Get a new entry mat
Entryway
• Paint baseboards on left side of wall (white)
• Paint walls in Gray? Or White
• Paint closet door white
• Hang my favorite picture
• Add hooks for purse and pack storage
• Potentially install laminate flooring
• Deal with dingy light – either by DIYing a new fixture or cleaning old fixture
Entryway closet
• Paint inside of closet (left over gray or green paint)
• Figure out better shoe storage
• Caulk seam on left side of closet (prior to painting)
• Hang bunny hooks
Kitchen
• Paint dingy cabinets
• Finish painting insides/bottoms of cabinets
• Find a more wipeable surface for cabinet bottoms
• Hang broom and mop on fridge wall
• Sell KitchenAid Mixer
• Purchase colorful rug for sink area
• DIY curtain for window
Dining Room
• Paint room – robin’s- egg blue or gray
• Paint baseboards
• Install laminate flooring (if enough left over from bedroom/hallway)
• Find a suitable rug for under table
• Move one bike into office
• Hang artwork
• DIY drapes
• Change light bulbs in ceiling fan
• Clean fan blades
• Remover chair cushions
• Potentially paint table…maybe just the legs
Living Room
• Clean brick fireplace (front)
• Find sofa table and move bunny litter box underneath
• Add additional lighting (get rid of older light!)
• Paint TV stand
• Hang gallery art
• Find a coffee table to fit our space
• Paint furnace door
• Paint baseboards
• Paint room in white or light gray
Bathroom
• Paint walls dark blue
• Paint baseboards
• DIY new shower curtain
• Order and hang “shower girl” art
• Purchase new “fast drying” towels
• Hang hook for hand towel
• Purchase new bath mat
• Recaulk tub
• Fix the grouting situation in tub and floor
• Paint light fixture?
Hallway
• Paint in white
• Paint baseboards
• Install laminate flooring
• Fix lighting situation
• Find a runner for the entire length of hall
• Build/install new bunny gate

Office
• Recover cushion of leather chair
• Paint?
• Find an office chair
Bedroom
• Install laminate flooring
• Paint bed wall dark gray
• Paint rest of room white
• Paint baseboards
• Find a new white duvet and shams
• Find a real wood dresser
• Address jewelry storage
• DIY a light for bedside
• Paint closet door
• Hang curtains
Back patio
• Build planter boxes and plant climbing vines to hide ugly wood
• Deal with spiders…eek!
• Brick muddy parts of garden and plant creeping herbs
• Find a patio table
• Paint chairs
• Find a new outdoor mat/mud scraper for doorway
• Plant flowers

Acting like a drill sergeant I gave my place a thorough going over - omg, there's still some Christmas decorations hanging around! Some items can go on long-term list but not this one :)

Super long list here too: ready??
(items with * will be tackled between now and March (when I go back to school part time)

Entry:
- Hall closet * -includes purging shoes, organizing hubby's hat collection (>.< any thoughts?), general organization and clean
- Install push thingy on Ikea cabinet *
- Deep clean dog cupboard *
- re-think artwork *
- vignette
- fix baseboard *

Bedroom:
- Closets! * give-away, throw-away, organize
- new light fixture
- artwork * - rearrange/hang lower (first mistake - we used the holes from previous owners, they must've been tall!)
- hang cube boxes in corner for jewelry storage *

Office (major work ahead!):
- sell dresser & move dog crate into it's spot * (actually have someone coming to look at dresser tomorrow morning, so hope that will be checked off asap!)
- sell/donate more books *
- declutter *
- find an organized logical home for whatever's left *
- find a home for my studio presentation boards & larger drafting/modelling materials *
- get rid of old computer *
- get rid of old vacuum (in outbox!) *
- bulletin board
- put some artwork up on large bare wall *
- put new carpet down once there's room, ha! *

Living Room (in pretty good shape, my favourite room actually):
- purge sideboard!! *
- rearrange artwork *
- find spot for new gorgeous etsy print *
- decide on what to put on floating shelves *
- unpot dead plant * yep
- wrangle tv cables
- find a home for Grandma's jewelry box *
- think about something low cost for over fireplace
- put felt feet on wine crate storage bin *

Kitchen:
- deep clean appliances, fridge, freezer *
- spice drawer re-organization *
- picture collage *
- find low cost, nicer looking alternative to plastic bin for raised dog feeder *
- install new kitchen handles (already purchased) *
- scrub sink *
- dog toy/treat storage
- par down dishes, glasses, cookware or better organize

Bathrooms:
Long term:
- replace broken mirror, backsplash and awful concrete countertops
- change awful plastic towel hangers
- install baseboard - still unfinished from when we moved in and retiled the bathroom floor
Short term:
- major purge of linens and toiletries *
- install new knobs (already purchased) *
- shower curtain *
- put new photos in frames *

Holy crap, sorry! That felt cleansing to type it all out...and a little panicky!
As you can tell, my major problem is finishing projects, even if they're simple...and stashing my clutter behind closed doors. Now all storage places are bursting...not cool.

I'll need all the help I can get, and good luck to all you fellow Curers :)

@Liminality and @BelindaH

I've been using the 3M Command stick-on hanging hooks for years - fantastic. Always rearranging my artwall. Following the instructions, don't skip the part about preparing the wall, and definitely remove slowly. They are cheaper at Bunnings and you can reuse the hooks - just need to get new tape.

Cheers from Wollongong

Okay, this is good. Excited to get started.

@Belinda H

Thank you! I definitely didn't look at it like that and I actually feel a lot better!

Thanks Jess L and Drops of Jupiter also! I really was having a tantrum over this last night...and today's Outbox project didn't go much better! In order to put what I wanted to in the Outbox (and old set of dishes) I had to clean all of the new dishes, clean out the cabinet they are to live in, and then wrap every single one of the old dishes up in paper! Why did I choose this as my one outbox item?!

But I'm starting to see the motivation taking shape. And like you said, it's clearly going to suck because for some reason I/We are just terrible at this. No wonder the place so overwhelming in the first place! But then it will be so good!

My house is fairly well under control. Even my closets and pantry are tidy. But the garage is a DIFFERENT STORY! So I broke down the garage into four corners. Got a whole list just from there.

Here is my list...I am really going to need the motivation to keep this going...
http://www.coffeeandbluejeans.com/2013/the-january-cure-day-1/

Here's my list. I have a serious clutter problem, and the January Cure comes at the perfect time--1. I am sick of my mess and really ready to do something about it, 2. I've been reading "self-improvement" books about clutter and preparing to deal with mine, and 3. I have the month off of work (unpaid, no need to be jealous). For anyone else whose list is a list of piles to clear, I really recommend Clear Your Clutter With Feng Shui by Karen Kingston, The Hoarder in You by Robin Zasio, and of course, The Eight Step Home Cure by Maxwell Gillingham-Ryan. I don't think I would be ready for the January Cure without having read these three books.

The January Cure comes at a perfect time for me. I am a part time Realtor, part time art graduate student and have owned my three unit home for three years. Over the past few years I've have five different people move in and out each rental season. Also I live close to my parents how so there has been an amazing amount of clutter amassed from these two sources not to mention my own thrift store addiction (which I've sworn off for a while). I hit a wall this fall where I couldn't even think in my own home. I have a huge amount of projects to do but this is a helpful way to move forward.

Just flew back across the country to a very unorganized messy 2 bedroom apartment with much to do! Excited to get to work. So many of these projects I have laid the groundwork for but I haven't followed through all the way. Happy to have a forum to organize this list and embrace the full potential of our apartment. Here is my edited list:

ENTRY
-Extend wall hook (find another identical one or buy 2 new)
-Better system for junk mail (trash can that goes under table?)
-Fix art (reaffix falling pieces inside frame, earthquake proof buddhas)

LIVING ROOM
-Finish Chair Reupholstery
-New curtains
-New Coffee Table
-Super Clean Couch (wash covers, vacuum out insides, fix bottom?)
-Figure out mantle/tv wall art
-Hem/Rehang Studio Curtains

BUNNY ROOM
-Wall Decal
- Go through all pet stuff, give some away
- Make a new play box structure

PAINTING STUDIO
-Curtains for window/door
-Research better storage solutions
-Better places to hang in process paintings
-Refine art

KITCHEN
-Hang owl plates
-Make curtain
-Organize top of fridge
-Clean Oven
-Cabinet knobs

HALLWAY
-Organize nook
-Make nook curtains
-Remove carpets, refinish hardwood
-Organize linen closet so bottom area can be a dog zone

BEDROOM
-Laundry solution
-Nail down color scheme
-Wall pockets
-Curtains
-Better Bedside storage

BATHROOM
-Declutter toilet back
-Clean shower curtain
-Refine colors

CRAFT ROOM
-Finish organizational system sort through (interior organization, labels)
- Go through documents, sort and shred
-Clarify desktop area
-Get rid of LACK shelf (move to garage) and move K's desk

GARAGE
-Clean out cobwebs
-Set up storage bins (repurposed) and organize

OUTSIDE
-Talk to Landlord about container gardening/outside area usage
-Do container gardening research

Best of luck to you all -- now on to Day 2 (playing a little catch up here...)

Hi everyone ,

I'm in a rental, so I don't want to invest too much, but at the same time I want it to look nice, so I'll do my best.

My list is similar to what most of you have posted. I do have some stuff that I would like to do to help me carry out some tasks. e.g.: learning and daring to use the cordless drill I bought a year ago.

I would also like to find an easy way to clean the radiators (the vacuum and swiffers don't seem to reach well), and I'd love to paint them (I guess that will have to wait until the heating is turned off in the building).

Good luck everyone!

I'm renting an apartment and my lease is up in six months, so I was starting to lose motivation to do the last couple of projects I had planned. This is getting me motivated to finally hang those prints that have been sitting around for months and invest time in some projects I can bring to my next apartment.

Also, I'm using the Wunderlist app to keep track of my list - it's great because I have a list for each room and then sub-tasks within each list.

List written! I've always wanted to do a cure since reading a second-hand copy of Maxwell's book and am so glad there's one happening now.

Geez, I'd love to participate in this, but I've got this huge construction project going on. I hope you'll be doing a spring cure this year!

I wish I hadn't clicked on this, as the examples given (launder shower curtain, change lightbulb) make my own list seem insurmountable. It includes a full cloakroom renovation, recarpeting, several rooms to paint, a ton of furniture to dispose of (antique, but not to my taste - what to do?) And that's just for starters.

My list is a little different as my living room has been my bedroom for the last year and my bedroom...well, it's a mess. I want to make it a bedroom again.

Get board fitted for whiteboard.
Paint the whiteboard.
Get glass for whiteboard (dull)
Paint frame for white board
Fit white board together
Get markers for white board
Get a professional organizer to help sort out bedroom

I like the old-fashioned version of the home cure, you know, the "eight step" one... I have loved the "spring cleaned" effect on our apartment every single time I've taken the cure . So what I'im doing is going through it all but with everyone in the new schedule, focussing on the rooms most in need of the cure, and if my motivation is still up, will do the other rooms in february.
Ok, here goes :
Kitchen : declutter and deep clean from top to bottom
Entrance, hallway and bathroom: declutter and clean
Office and living room: major declutter and clean
Bedrooms : declutter and clean
Rooms left over for february : cellar, balcony

My List:

Coat Closet:
Organize season decor by holiday

Entry Way:
New Mirror
Paint entry way table
Style

Kitchen:
Minimize number of things on island

Dining Room:
Figure out center piece

Living Room:
New daybed cover
Style bookshelf
Better DVD organization

Linen Closet:
Refold and organize

My Closet:
Label
Reconsider shoe organization

Bedroom:
Wire control
Consider new chair
Purge makeup and sort vanity
Hang art

I'm a little late! Been reading the posts, great inspiration all around! But, just finally took the time to register and participate.

I'm on a pretty limited post-grad budget so hopefully I can accomplish a good chunk of these projects:

Bedroom:
- Buy new bed frame
- Find/Make prints for frames
- Spray paint table lamps and replace shades
- Clean walls and windows
- Make DIY headboard
- Rearrange art
- Replace bedding
- Place air purifier filter
- Organize closet: seasonal storage, shoes and misc storage

Kitchen:
- Organize cabinets
- News knife set + wooden spatulas
- Organize pantry - buy Lazy Susan/spice-rack
- Polish copper pots
- Clean inside of oven
- Clean underneath fridge

Dining Room:
- Repaint dining table with ultra-smooth roller and high gloss poly
- Buy new tea lights for candelabra
- Replace dining chairs
- Move buffet to corner
- Dust AC doors

Living Room:
- Replace couch!!!! (biggest want)
- Thrift a new TV stand
- Find mirror set or sconce for television wall
- Buy floor lamp to complete the pair
- Buy container/tray for controllers + misc stuff

Entryway:
- Hang key rack
- Buy outdoor mat
- Find bowl for entry table
- Dust/polish entry table
- Replace entry runner

Patio:
- Take out extra dirt
- Clean grill + walls
- Repot coleus
- Organize tools

Laundry Room:
- DUST DUST DUST
- Organize crafts
- Vacuum behind dryer
- Clean walls

Office:
- Find loveseat/chair
- Buy floor lamp
- Buy (inherit?!) larger bookcase
- Buy universal remote for television
- consolidate boxes/storage
- Find art or mirror for long wall

There are so many things my fiance and I would love to do to our house but we're planning on buying a new house within the next 4-5 months and we're going to rent this one to college students, so making any sorts of changes are just going to be wasted.... I think I'll work on keeping the house clean and wait patiently for next years' January Cure!!!

Being the subpar housekeeper that I am - my list consists of lots of deep cleaning! http://www.revamphomegoods.com/2013/01/the-list-of-all-lists-january-cure-day-1.html

My list is too huge to post here, having just moved into a new place and because I'm still downsizing from a house I sold in 2008.

I could boil the whole list down to this....

Unpack boxes
Decide what to keep
Decide where to put all this stuff

posting after the fact, but...projects...that is a good one, wake me up when it's all over! about 10 years ago, i literally completely designed, did the construction drawings for, supervised construction of, and did much of the construction of our house (i am a designer and my husband is in construction). needless to say, there is still some construction yet undone (: so i have more than i care to admit of that yet to do. AND we are also in the middle of finishing our basement. AND of course i also have all kinds of more specific/small projects like everyone does - hang art, window coverings, closet hardware, pulls on cabinet doors, etc etc ETC. so i made a list of the latter, which are things at this point i think would be easier to accomplish and would actually make a more noticeable difference anyway, while at the same time getting rid of some clutter that is sitting around, like window coverings that are waiting to go up. then at some other time i can get back to grouting the fireplace and staining the basement floor when i am feeling like tackling a big dog. (:

I'm late I'm late for a very important date... Thanks to a nasty cold that may or may not have been the flu (I was ahead of the trend, LOL), I'll have to do an apartmenttherapy hack.... "January+15" cure, here I come!

We moved in to our rented flat 6 months ago and everything feels so half done. We got so busy after that initial burst of energy that it sometimes feels like this is just what our home looks like now. Thank you AT for getting me back on track, and making us realise we both hate the same things on our project list!

Oh...it's a long, long list but making it was somehow liberating. We've just settled in and now have a big new influx of our things coming into a new apartment, so I'm sure that will make things both easier (my shelves and storage tools are in there) and more difficult (there is exponentially more "stuff") but I am so done with having too much!

Yay for this external motivation.

I'm starting the Cure on January 23 and have a long list of goals for the 1BR apartment I share with my husband and our cat. However, the greatest challenge I listed is an organizational one -- in which I want to find places to sew, keep knitting supplies, and do general crafty tasks. Our living space is pretty much filled-in with stuff or appropriated to foot traffic, so carving out new niches through purging, organizing, and re-arranging is my ultimate goal.

Am i late!? :/