How to Unbachelor Your Pad
You had a good run. You successfully lived like a slob for the entire duration of your early adult life and well into your professional career. You’ve built a comfortable nest for yourself surrounded by all sorts of random electronics and knick-knacks, unnecessary paperwork and junk mail, and clothing that date back to the college days. But it’s time to move on. You’re finally willing to admit that the bachelor days are over and pave the way for a long-term roommate. A woman. And all of the flowery, colorful, and what-in-the-world-is-that possessions that she comes along with.
There are simple ways to make this happen. Let’s consider this your rite of passage into the married life.
1) Declutter and purge. It’s unarguably time to go through your belongings and get rid of old clothing, out-of-date books and unnecessary tchotchkes. Choose one target area at a time, set up a trashcan and proceed with a ruthless attack. Say goodbye to clothing that you haven’t worn in years (or didn’t even know existed), mementos that don’t feeling meaningful anymore and electronics that no longer work or are obsolete. Keep asking yourself: does this represent the bachelor or future husband in me? You’ll know what feels right.
2) Optimize your bathroom storage capacities. Whether you know what they’re used for or not, an assortment of toiletries and beauty products are about to come into your life. So make sure there are plenty of storage areas available to house them all. Install shelves on empty walls, clear room in your medicine cabinet and think about investing in a cabinet or shelving unit over your toilet. And adding hooks to the back of your bathroom door is an easy way to gain more towel and robe storage.
3) Replace old sponges, dishtowels and drying racks. Since these kitchen items have a tendency to get extra gross, moldy and worn out, replacing them is a simple way to give your kitchen a pick-me-up. Add a splash of color or a pattern to your new towels if you want to get extra creative.
4) Set aside room in your closet. It’s really time to maximize your storage space and exploit every nook and cranny. (Think about all of those bags and accessories coming your way!) Take advantage of vertical space in your closet by installing shelves up high and a shoe rack down low. Sticking to thin hangers will save a lot of hanging space so make that investment immediately. And keep in mind that hooks serve as additional storage for bags, belts or ties and can be added to smaller, unused walls or the backs of doors.
5) Clean out the fridge. If this feels like a novel idea, unplug the fridge and do a full emptying, throwing away any old, crusty or expired food. Give the inside a thorough spray down with a multi-purpose cleaner and let it sit for a few minutes. Then scrub the inside with a scour pad to really bring things back to a clean baseline. Bonus points if you reload with essentials like eggs, milk, fruits and veggies.
6) Get your cleaning products right. There are so many products out there but you really only need a few essentials to maintain a clean home. Head out and buy a multi-purpose cleaner, glass spray, wood cleaner (if you have wooden surfaces), sponges, rubber gloves, mop and broom. The space under your kitchen sink is best for storing these items and making sure they’re accessible.
7) Add some décor and fresh scents. You don’t have to invest much to give your place some flare. Colored or patterned pillows are a great way to jazz up the couch and bed. And scented candles will get rid of any dank odors and keep things smelling crisp and new.
Congratulations! Now that you’ve reviewed this list you’re one step closer to entering the upcoming phase of your life. Execution comes next so keep in mind that your abode’s transformation doesn’t have to happen overnight. And if need-be, you’ve got a partner that you can trick into helping you along.