On this week’s podcast we count down our five favorite tricks for creating flow in any room so it feels larger and less cramped. We also reveal a surprising financial upside to buying a beach house that’s in rough shape (it’s saving us thousands). Plus, we discuss storage items that professional organizers dislike and what they recommend instead. A listener shared smart tips for finally conquering a giant laundry pile, and John admitted to some mild Facebook-stalking that ended up making him feel like a bit of a hero.
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What’s New
- We wanted to share a quick construction update from the beach house since we found a money-saving program that we’ll explain more about soon. The rotted side of the house—already hiding worse foundation issues than our initial inspection showed—had to be completely removed and rebuilt. We’ll post a full update with details and photos in the coming days.
Updates
- Following up on the themed gift exchange we mentioned in Episode 29, here are some of the “What’s That Smell?” gift ideas we’re considering this year. It’s a quirky moodboard, but also kind of fun:
- Collapsible popcorn popper for people who love that fresh-popped aroma
- A small cheese platter paired with a stinky cheese for dramatic effect
- Novelty breath mints with funny packaging
- A themed book that actually sounds interesting
- Sweet-smelling soap or lotion
- Sleek reed diffusers in frosted glass
- A mimosa-scented candle for a cheerful touch
- Nostalgic markers that bring back childhood memories
- Fragrant spices for the home cook
- An eco-friendly air purifier—now I want one for the car
- Additional ideas not pictured:
- A scented storybook for kids
- A guessing game centered on different smells
- A gag gift that’s silly and kid-approved
- Also, the book John and Megan recommended during our laundry update is The Power of Habit, which inspired some useful routines for tackling recurring chores.
What’s Not
- Pro organizers often call out certain gadgets as unnecessary. Instead of trendy tools, many pros recommend simple, reliable items: felt or velvet hangers to protect clothing, under-bed containers for seasonal storage (not for everyday items), and clear plastic shoe boxes for easy visibility and stackable organization.
Take Five
- If you want ideas for making a space feel bigger and more cohesive, here are related posts worth reading:
- How to create a cohesive look with consistent flooring
- Choosing a whole-house color palette to tie spaces together
- Why a large mirror can instantly open up a room
- Built-ins that draw the eye upward and add architectural interest
- Tips for selecting and hanging curtains to make windows feel larger
- The impact of crown molding on perceived ceiling height
- Choosing larger rugs to anchor a room and make it feel unified
We’re Digging
- We recently binge-watched an Australian supernatural drama that we loved for its thoughtful pacing and emotional depth—a surprising, engrossing watch.
- Sherry recommended two calm, reflective books about slowing down and being present: Chasing Slow and Hands Free Mama. Both are excellent for anyone trying to create better daily habits and more breathing room in life.
Psst — Looking for something we highlighted in a past episode but can’t recall which show notes to open? There’s a master list of everything we’ve been digging across past episodes that you can check if you want to revisit recommendations.
We’re also sharing a recommendation for a line of handy paint accessories, including magnetic paint pails that make painting projects neater and easier. Look for these products from reliable paint suppliers or where you normally buy paint.
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