Giving the Gift of Organizing

You may or may not know that we offer gift cards for people who like to give the gift of organizing for holidays and special occasions. We have been gifted to a number of people over the years from broker gifts for the sale of a new apartment to wedding and housewarming gifts. So read on for some feedback from those happy recipients and maybe even find some inspiration for the next time you find yourself shopping for a gift. 

Happy Organizing!

Broker Gift

"Our broker gave us a gift card for our closing and it made all the difference. My husband and I have crazy work schedules so it was a relief to have Michelle and Annie come in and handle all of the move logistics for us. From decluttering before the move to coordinating with the movers through the pack and moving days and unpacking us in our new home, they handled the whole process. And, I can't tell you what a joy it was to walk into a fully set up home instead of wading through boxes for what would likely have been weeks on end."

Wedding Gift

"We received so many presents for our wedding (some even off the registry!) and had no idea how to fit them all in our apartment given the seemingly limited storage options. Henry & Higby found space we did not even know existed! They worked wonders in our small space and made everything so accessible that we don't have an excuse not to use them." 

Birthday Gift

"My husband gave me a Henry & Higby gift card for my birthday. My home office had become a dumping ground and I was overwhelmed with the thought of trying to tackle all of the clutter that had accumulated over the years. It was not a total disaster but it was definitely not my favorite spot in my home. When Michelle and Annie showed up, I quickly became relaxed as they talked me through the steps to getting my space cleaned out and usable again. As an added bonus, they even helped me accessorize the room a bit to help my turn my office chaos into a calming sanctuary." 

Housewarming Gift

"A good friend gave us a Henry & Higby gift card when we moved to the burbs because she knew that we were struggling a bit. Coming from the city, we thought that we had it figured out but with all of the space that our house had we got a little overwhelmed and everything seemed to end up in our basement -- a pile of unmade decisions. Once Annie and Michelle came in, we came up with a space plan for the closets and rooms that really made sense and got all of our remaining boxes unpacked and in place . We owe them so much for their quick and smart suggestions -- and now we have an empty basement!"

If you want to give the gift of organizing, reach out to us at hello@henryandhigby.com for more information. 

Creating a Welcoming Entry Way

A warm and welcoming entry way is as important as a firm handshake. It ensures a good first impression which is why we are excited to help a client find ways to make her entry welcoming and functional because form without function is just a waste of time and space. 

For this project, we need some smart solutions since the front door opens into a hallway that connects the living and sleeping areas of the home. With limited space, practicality is the name of the game so we are looking for items that don’t take up too much room and still provide some storage for the family. 

Our initial thoughts include a bench for next to the door, a boot tray for storing shoes under the bench and some catchall baskets for seasonal and dog-related accessories.

What are you favorite ways to create a welcoming entryway? 

Kitchen Organizing Tips

Our kitchen day dreams are filled with visions of see-through refrigerators filled with beautiful produce (We’re looking at you, Yolanda Hadid!) and huge, bright pantries. However, the realities of New York living (think small apartments and cramped kitchens) dash many of those dreams and frankly a see-through fridge really isn’t practical. I mean I don’t think we want half-eaten pizza and last week’s Chinese takeout boxes on display for all to see - right?

Even if smaller space living is your reality, don’t despair! There are many ways to make the most of it and below are some of our favorite product picks for a beautifully organized kitchen regardless of size. 

Lazy Susan: Make the most of every nook and cranny of your kitchen by using a Lazy Susan. They can be placed in hard to reach corner cabinets or on deep shelves to make items more accessible. 

Sources: One | Two | Three

Shelf Liners: Make cleaning inside cabinets easy with plastic shelf liners like this one. Liners are particularly helpful in food storage areas in case of spills or drips.

Shelf Pullouts: Accessibility is an important part of organization. Add roll-out cabinet organizers to your lower cabinets so that you can easily reach items without straining your back and to maximize the space.

Source: One | Two | Three

Small Appliances: If space is really at a premium, try purchasing reduced size appliances to save room in your cabinets and/or on counters. The products function the same but the bowls are typically smaller - 3.5 quarts versus 5 quarts. 

Clear Storage Bins: Not everything needs a bin but they are helpful for keeping smaller “like” items together in your cabinets and drawers.  Use them in drawers to organize your kitchen tools and cutlery and in cabinets and pantries to make organizing food stuffs easier. 

Source: One | Two | Three

Canisters: One way to make your space look cleaner and more organized is by using the same style organizing containers. If you are looking for new options, we are big fans of using clear canisters for cooking and baking supplies like flour, sugar and mixes. Not only do they look nice but clear containers show you when you need to restock. 

Source: One | Two | Three

Step Stools: Make good use of your upper cabinets and even the space between the cabinets and the ceiling with labeled storage bins. This will keep supplies out of sight but not out of mind. And, keep a step stool in the kitchen to making accessing those high up spaces a little easier. Folding step stools are good for saving space but we also love a rolling option as it is much easier to move around and it can stand in for an extra seat in a pinch. 

Source: One | Two | Three

Labels: The level to which you use labels to organize in your home is a personal decision but we do recommend them as an organizing tool. Clearly labels are great for containers holding specific items whether it is food or supplies but labels can also be helpful for creating designated areas in your home. For example, create sections in your pantry for breakfast foods, snacks or drinks. By sticking to categories on your labels, it is more likely that your family can and will help out and maintain it.

What are your favorite ways to keep your kitchen organized?

Fireplace Fixings

We have always loved a fire in the fireplace and the smell of burning logs. To us, it is a signal of the seasonal shift from fall to winter and absolutely one of our favorite times of year as nothing is cozier than snuggling near a fire to read with a cup of tea. 

Second only to our love of fireplaces is the process of selecting fireplace accessories which we have had the pleasure of doing recently for a client. Andirons, screens and baskets, oh my!

Screens: One | Two | Three | Four || Andirons: One | Two | Three | Four || Tools: One | Two | Three | Four  Firewood Baskets: One | Two | Three | Four  ||  Accessories: One | Two | Three | Four

What are your favorite fireside activities? 

Prepping Your New Home for Moving Day

One of our clients is moving into their new apartment this week and we all know that moving makes for stressful times. However, even after all of your bags are packed, there are a few things you should consider doing in your new home before the big move. Check out this list of items that may not be at the top of the list but should be! 

Pantry Prep: Clean your cabinets and pantry space and consider lining the shelves - particularly in pantry areas - to make cleaning up messes easy. You can use either paper or plastic liners - we like non-adhesive liners such as Plast-O-Mat Ribbed Shelf Liner and Con-Tact Premier Non-adhesive Shelf Liner.

Deep Cleaning: Consider doing a deep clean in your new home before the move. Unadorned and unfurnished rooms are a luxury that you only get once so take advantage of it either by cleaning yourself or hiring professionals. Additionally, this deep clean process should include any of the household appliances that aren’t being replaced.

• Dishwasher: Here (via ApartmentTherapy) is information on how to deep clean your dishwasher.
• Washer & Dryer: Click here (via ApartmentTherapy) for tips on how to maintain both machines.
• Oven: Follow these directions (via ApartmentTherapy) to clean your oven without harsh chemicals.

Clearing the Air: Literally clear the air in your new home by getting the ducts cleaned and changing out all of the filters in the house including the vent filter above the stove and the air filters in the heating/air conditioning. It is even worth it to check out the dryer vent to ensure it isn’t clogged. Lastly, if you have fireplaces, get the chimney cleaned so you are free and clear to enjoy fires in the upcoming fall/winter season. 

Privacy Please: By no means do you need to buy curtains for every room of your home before you move but it is important to remember that you may want some privacy for your first night in your new home. To that end, it is a good idea to source window treatments for some key rooms - even a tension rod and some fabric will do - to help guarantee that you can function in your home and get a good nights sleep without the feeling of being on display. 

Keep it Handy: Set up an appointment a week or so after move-in with a local handyman (consider finding someone via Thumbtack or TaskRabbit if they operate in your local area) to hang pictures, shelves or make small repairs. This will help inspire you to unpack a little faster and will ensure that small tasks that pop up get taken care of sooner rather than later. 

Do you have any other tips to share regarding prepping your home for move-in day? 

Tips to De-stress Your Moving Day

Moving is one of the stressful times in our lives. It is actually right up there on the stressor list with losing a job and even a loved one. But there are things that we can do to make the process easier. Mitigate the stress by taking your moving preparations seriously and considering the tips below to help prepare for the big day. 

Purging & Packing: Start the purging and packing process at least a few weeks before the big day so you avoid a last minute rush. Don’t avoid the purging part of the process as there is no need to bring everything to your new home -- try to be thoughtful about what items you do and don’t need so that you are only bringing the essentials. When it comes to packing, create an inventory of all items being moved and pack those items in carefully labeled boxes. Labeling is key to an organized move as you will want the kitchen boxes placed in the kitchen and living room boxes in the living room with minimal effort on your part. 

Moving Day Box: To save time and patience, pack a box with items that will help with last minute move-related issues. Ideally this box should include: a hammer, screwdrivers, scissors, box cutters, tape, duct tape, dust cloths, basic cleaning products (for touch ups), paper towels, glue, sticky notes and pens, snacks and trash bags. Having these items readily available will make the day go a little smoother and hopefully faster — with less trips to a local store for supplies. 

Just the Essentials: You will likely not be able to unpack everything the first day so pack your overnight essentials in one box so that everyone has what they need for a comfortable evening. The kit contents should include: sheets, towels, cups and plates and essential overnight toiletries including soap and shampoo. Basically anything to make the nighttime and morning rituals as normal as possible.

Setting up Service: It may seem obvious but setting up your services - gas, electric, phone, TV and internet - before you move will make the transition easier. If live close-by, try to set them up the day or two before the move for a seamless transition. Otherwise, see if they can come the day of the move so that you can wired from day one. 

Animals and Children First: Make childcare and pet care arrangements ahead of time so that you can focus on the move in day. Nobody needs little ones or our favorite furry friends getting underfoot in the chaos of moving day. 

Have a Spare: Outside of replacing all of the locks, invest in extra spare keys now so that you have plenty to share with family and any friends who live nearby the day you move in. You will likely be out of sorts being in a new space so it is best to have extras should one set be misplaced for a bit - there is nothing worse than being locked out on your first day!

Ensuring Your Insured: Make sure that your home insurance covers your move days both out of your old place and into the new. This will give you a little extra peace of mind as you go through the process. 

Who Knows: Informing friends and family with a cute “We Moved” card is only one part of the change of address process. Prior to the move, be sure to inform the following of your new address: post office, credit card companies, banks, doctors, schools and subscription services for magazines or newspapers.

Focus on Furniture: Take time before you move into your new home to think about where your furniture is going to be placed. The movers will likely only have time to place it once so really think about how you want to room set up so that they place it right the first (and perhaps only!) time. There are plenty of websites that can help with this such as RoomStyler.com or PlanYourRoom.com.