Tag decluttering

Transform your Home: Simple Ways to Make Every Space Functional and Beautiful

CHRISTINA DITZEL Leave a comment

Are your spaces designed with both function and style in mind? Or do they simply… exist? Many homeowners unintentionally live in rooms that look nice but don’t actually work for their daily lives — or worse, they’ve stopped noticing the clutter altogether.

As a cleaning professional in Southwest Florida, I’ve walked through hundreds of homes — from tiny houses and RVs to million-dollar beachfront properties. Every home is unique, but one thing is always true:

Every space has a purpose.
Kitchens are meant for preparing meals. Dining rooms are for gathering. Bedrooms, playrooms, and pet areas each serve specific roles.

Yet I’ve noticed a repeated pattern over the years: many homes don’t function the way their owners need them to. Pinterest inspiration is great, but let’s be honest…

“Pinterest has ideas — but it can’t fix the challenges inside your home.”

That realization inspired me to create a professional cleaning and organization checklist to help homeowners build spaces that are functional, beautiful, and easy to maintain. Before we get into the tips, let’s talk about why purpose matters and how a clear vision can transform your home into a space you’re proud to come back to.

Keep Living with Intention

Cleaning, organizing, and maintaining your home isn’t a once-a-year project — it’s an ongoing system. Pinterest may spark inspiration, but your home needs more than pretty ideas. It needs structure, purpose, and a plan that fits your lifestyle, your family, and your current season of life.

Spring cleaning feels motivating because it symbolizes a fresh start. But with the right approach, you can create that same reset any time of year.

Here’s the real question:
What is the intention for each room, closet, drawer, and cabinet in your home?

Most people don’t know. They tidy, they shuffle things around, they declutter “when they have time,” but there’s no true system — and that’s why the home never stays organized.

If you’re unsure how to start deep cleaning, how to stay organized, or how to create function in every space, I’ve already done the hard part for you.

👉 Download my Free Deep Cleaning Checklist — the exact framework I use in client homes and in my own.

Once you have a plan, everything gets easier.
If you’d rather keep going right now, here are the cleaning and organizing principles you can start applying immediately…

Home Makeovers That Are Functional, Organized, and Sensory-Friendly

During busy seasons or holidays, maintaining a home that’s both organized and sensory-friendly can feel impossible — but it isn’t. The key is simple:

Begin with a clean slate.

A functional home doesn’t start with décor or storage bins. It starts with clarity. Spend a weekend reassessing and resetting the spaces you use every day. And yes — get the entire family involved. Your spouse, your kids, even the teenagers who “don’t care.”
They live there too, and their input matters.

When each person helps design or reorganize their space, something automatic happens:

People take better care of what they help create.

This is true for bedrooms, playrooms, home offices, pet areas — every space in your home.

To make it easier, I created a complete cleaning and organizing plan you can download.
This isn’t just a checklist; it’s the exact year-round system I use in my own home with kids, dogs, and cats, and the same system I bring into client homes.

It helps you:

  • declutter intentionally
  • organize in a way that actually lasts
  • maintain cleanliness without constant deep cleaning
  • create spaces every family member feels comfortable in

Your home should serve everyone, not just look good in photos.

Here are a few quick tips you can start using right now:

Home Makeovers That Are Functional, Organized, and Sensory-Friendly

During busy seasons or holidays, maintaining a home that’s both organized and sensory-friendly can feel impossible — but it isn’t. The key is simple:

Begin with a clean slate.

A functional home doesn’t start with décor or storage bins. It starts with clarity. Spend a weekend reassessing and resetting the spaces you use every day. And yes — get the entire family involved. Your spouse, your kids, even the teenagers who “don’t care.”
They live there too, and their input matters.

When each person helps design or reorganize their space, something automatic happens:

People take better care of what they help create.

This is true for bedrooms, playrooms, home offices, pet areas — every space in your home.

To make it easier, I created a complete cleaning and organizing plan you can download.
This isn’t just a checklist; it’s the exact year-round system I use in my own home with kids, dogs, and cats, and the same system I bring into client homes.

It helps you:

  • declutter intentionally
  • organize in a way that actually lasts
  • maintain cleanliness without constant deep cleaning
  • create spaces every family member feels comfortable in

Your home should serve everyone, not just look good in photos.

Here are a few quick tips you can start using right now:

Ready to Transform Your Home?

Take the first step toward a cleaner, healthier, and more organized home in SW Florida today. With my free cleaning checklist, you can begin creating a home that functions beautifully for every family member. Look for my full Cleaning Checklist and custom Planner that will be coming soon. In the meantime, you can contact me to ask me any questions about home organizing or home design ideas that are more functional.

At Christina’s Aromatherapy Cleaning and Home Watch Services, I help homeowners in Lee & Hendry County maintain homes that are not only spotless but purposeful, organized, and inviting. My approach goes beyond surface cleaning — it ensures that each space serves your family’s lifestyle and brings joy, calm, and efficiency into your daily life.

Imagine a home where:

  • Every room has a clear function
  • Cleaning is simpler and faster
  • Spaces are enjoyable for everyone, including kids and pets
  • The air smells fresh and welcoming, all year long

By using my cleaning checklist and schedule, you’ll have a system that keeps your home in shape without constant deep cleans. That means more time for the things you love — family, hobbies, and peace of mind — while your home stays functional, beautiful, and stress-free.

“Stop wasting time deep cleaning. Focus on what you love, while keeping your home fresh and organized with Christina’s Aromatherapy Cleaning and Home Watch Services.”

The Heart Behind a Clean, Organized Home

CHRISTINA DITZEL Leave a comment

A guide to creating a home that feels peaceful, purposeful, and beautifully lived in.

Does Your Home Truly Serve Its Purpose?

I’ve spent years caring for some of Southwest Florida’s most beautiful homes, and if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that every home tells a story — but not all of them are being lived in with purpose.

Each home I step into is unique. Some are modern and minimal, others coastal and cozy — yet every space inside holds a distinct purpose.
The kitchen should make it easy to prepare meals. The dining room should invite connection. Bedrooms should restore your energy and peace.

But far too often, I find homes where that sense of purpose has been lost — buried under clutter, stress, and daily chaos.
And that’s where so many families feel stuck.

When Clutter Takes Over, Peace Slips Away

It doesn’t matter whether it’s a single person in a small condo or a large family in a mansion — I’ve seen the same story repeat. Clutter accumulates, rooms lose intention, and people forget what it feels like to actually enjoy being home. Clutter prevents us from enjoying the people we love.

And while Pinterest might be full of gorgeous organizing ideas, it’s not helping you live better in your home. And it doesn’t take away the chaos that might be lingering in one room or another.

That’s why I created a Professional Cleaning & Organizing Checklist — a practical, holistic guide designed to help you maintain a clean, functional home that truly works for your family’s rhythm.

Before you download it, though, I want you to understand something important:
Creating a calm, organized home isn’t about perfection. It’s about living with purpose.

Why Spring Cleaning Shouldn’t Be Seasonal

We often wait until spring to “start fresh,” as if that’s the only time we’re allowed to reset. But the truth is, you can refresh your home — and your energy — at any time of the year.

Spring simply reminds us what’s possible. It’s a season of renewal. But your home — and your family — deserve that sense of renewal year-round.

True order isn’t about a single, massive overhaul; it’s cultivated through small, intentional systems that maintain balance, harmony, and peace. Ask yourself: what truly brings you peace? And what brings it to your family?

Learning to “read the room” — understanding the energy of each space and the needs of those who inhabit it — is the key to lasting calm. Because even the most meticulously organized home can feel chaotic if it doesn’t reflect intention and care.

Remember: luxury isn’t defined by expensive taste alone. It’s the seamless combination of elegance, comfort, and functionality at its finest.

Home Makeovers That Work for Real Families

So how do you create spaces that feel luxurious yet livable — functional yet full of life?

Start with a clean canvas. Spend one weekend walking through your home, room by room, and reimagine how each space could better serve you and your family. Make it fun. Let everyone participate.

I know what you’re thinking: “My husband won’t care,” or “The kids won’t want to help.”
But you might be surprised. When people are invited to be part of the process, they naturally take pride in the result. When you give others a voice, you give them a little control of their own world that feel a little chaotic to them. So “read the room and give everyone voice”.

And once your family feels that sense of ownership, maintaining your home becomes effortless — no constant deep cleaning required.

Give Everyone a Voice, and Watch the Energy Shift

Here’s what I’ve learned over the years: when people feel a sense of ownership over their environment, they naturally value it more.

Children, in particular, become more engaged when they have a voice in organizing their own rooms. You can guide them, but let them make the decisions. When they feel responsible for their spaces, they develop respect, pride, and care — essential skills for life.

This approach works in my own home as well. My children maintain their rooms and our shared spaces with care, creating a home that feels balanced, harmonious, and beautifully maintained throughout the year. Establishing consistent boundaries around how your home is cared for is key — without them, even the most beautiful space can lose its sense of calm and order.

When your family feels connected to the home, they naturally take pride in keeping it beautiful. Guests may admire your living room, but every corner of the home should reflect the same level of care and attention. Every space tells a story — and your home should communicate beauty, comfort, and serenity from one room to the next.

A Home That Smells Like Peace

From the products you use to the way each space is arranged, your home should reflect comfort and well-being. That’s why I incorporate aromatherapy-based cleaning methods into my professional and personal routines.

The power of scent is incredible — it can transform how a space feels.
Lavender calms the mind, citrus energizes the morning, and eucalyptus refreshes the air after a long day. Choose aromas that infuse your senses with energy you want to feel. In your home, your office, or even in your car – every space should be intentionally created to elevate your moods back to a place of calm and centered peace of mind.

When all your spaces smell pure and natural, it instantly becomes a sanctuary — not just for you, but for everyone who enters into your life.

Time Is Precious — Spend It Living, Not Cleaning

Let’s be honest — life is busy. The last thing any of us want is to spend our free time deep cleaning week after week.

That’s why systems matter. A consistent rhythm keeps your home clean without consuming your schedule.
When your home is organized and maintained with care, you gain more time to live — to laugh, rest, create, and enjoy what truly matters.

I’ve watched clients experience complete lifestyle shifts from something as simple as an organized closet turned into a functional and beautiful dressing room. When your surroundings support you, your energy changes — and so does your outlook on life.

Because a clean, intentional home doesn’t just look beautiful. It helps you feel balanced, focused, and free.

Creating Calm and Security for Every Family Member

Every person in your home deserves a small corner of calm — even your kids.
Your version of peace may look different from theirs, and that’s okay. Just be mindful that we are all human, and each of us receives and gives energy in our own way.

When you allow individuality to shape how your home functions, you create a sense of safety and self-expression for everyone under your roof. That feeling — of peace, comfort, and security — is what truly makes a home.

So as you walk through your space, ask yourself:

  • Does my home reflect who I am and how I want to live?
  • Does it serve my family’s needs and rhythms?
  • Does it make me feel calm when I walk through the door?

Do this for all the places and spaces you spend a lot of time in. Your office, your car, your kitchen, your bedroom, etc. If the answer isn’t yes to all those questions yet, that’s your invitation to start.

Your Home, Your Sanctuary

You don’t have to wait for the perfect time or the next big cleaning day. You can begin now — one room, one surface, one scent at a time.

Download my FREE Professional Cleaning & Organizing Checklist to get started. It’s the same system I use in client homes and my own — designed to help you create order, peace, and beauty that lasts all year long.

And if you’d rather have a more personal and professional touch, explore my Aromatherapy Cleaning and Luxury Home Watch Services, available throughout Southwest Florida. Together, we can protect your home and refresh your life.

Because when your home feels calm, clean, and cared for — everything else begins to fall into place.

The Luxury Home Difference

Peace isn’t found in perfection. It’s created in the quiet details — a fresh scent, an organized drawer, a space that feels alive again.
That’s the heart behind what I do.

SPRING CLEANING TIPS FOR 2023

CHRISTINA DITZEL Leave a comment

THIS IS WHY IT’S DIFFICULT TO KEEP YOUR HOUSE CLEAN

WELCOME TO MY PROFESSINAL CLEANING TIPS

With Easter just around the corner, I ask myself, “Why do so many people do ‘SPRING CLEANING’?” Like really, once a year we do a deep cleaning just before Easter? That’s right, Easter is just around the corner, and you’re going to deep clean your home, just to make a mess with Easter eggs, DECORATIONS, and entertainment. Year after year, we find ourselves in the same cycle of “spring cleaning”.

Oh wait! That’s not all! Mothers’ day follows right behind in May, then 4th of July, then we get about 3 months to relax (unless you have birthday celebrations between July and October). Because, in OCTOBER we have Halloween (or hollows eves). Then thanksgiving comes just around the corner and then the largest holiday of the year comes! That’s right, Christmas! And you know what else is coming? All the ornaments, trees, gifts, wrapping paper, bows, ribbons, and all the things we pile up, year after year! But wait it doesn’t end there! WE STILL HAVE New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day! LET’S BRING IN THE CONFFETTI!!! Then we do it all over again! And you wait until April to clean, and you never really have a clean and organized home. It’s a constant cycle that is now our yearly routine.

But may I ask you a question? “Why in the world do so many of you wait until March & April to clean up the mess from all those holidays”? You Had all of January and February to get some “much needed” organizing done. Or, you could have organized before Christmas came around. You know the saying, “OUT WITH THE OLD AND IN WITH THE NEW”! It is always best to let go of things before you bring new things in the home.

So, “Why do we wait until Spring to clean up the mess that the holiday traffic brings in”? And furthermore, how can we avoid the unorganized chaos from occurring year after year? Well, I am about to give you some easy tips and tricks to keep your home organized and clean year-round, so you have less clutter and even less dust.

Stop Wasting Time Doing Mondain Chores!

We don’t realize it, but year after year we are wasting time spring cleaning. There is a much easier way to keep our homes clean, without having to deep clean every year. Just to bring in all those holiday decorations with dusty storage boxes that hold all our ornaments. You know those places are dusty and have bugs, spiders, lizard poop, and whatever else we don’t even pay attention to! So now that I just brought it to your attention, why do you think you only clean your house once a year? Aren’t you exhausted from the deep cleaning trends that keep us doing the same thing year after year? Well, I know I am! But then again, every time I begin cleaning anything in my home, I end up moving future and rearranging things! So, who am I to judge you on when you clean or how often you organize?

Well, I am not here to judge you at all! I honestly don’t care what you do. In fact, I am here to help you get your home organization and clean, so you don’t have to keep spending your spring break cleaning up, just to prepare for your Easter Holiday that is just a couple weeks away.

However, I have been cleaning homes since I was a little girl when I went with my mom to work, who was a cleaning lady. Then when I started my first cleaning company in 2004, I cleaned for apartment complexes, realtors, I did vacation rentals (which were very strict on the cleanliness of their rentals.) then I got into residential, and then RV’s. and boats. The only thing I haven’t gotten into was Private jets. Trust me I tried, but the insurance required to clean a private jet was insanely expensive, and I just didn’t see the value in that.

SO, I have been cleaning for years. So, LET’S GET INTO MY TIPS

These might seem like common sense to some of you, but most of you won’t do this. But I have done this, and my daughters do too, (for the most part) and my home always looks pretty put together.

DAILY ROUTINES THAT MAKE YOUR LIFE EASIER! YOU’LL NEVER HAVE TO DEEP CLEAN AGAIN!

“THE LORD SAYS Proverbs 22:6 – Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. Listen, as parents, we must bring up our children to clean up after themselves, so it’s routine for them as adults. And parents, you must be the example. So, The following are some tips that will help you maintain your home year round!

HOW TO KEEP YOUR HOME CLEAN & ORGANIZED ALL YEAR

So, you never have to deep clean again, unless you’re redecorating! Here is my quick tips. I have also included links to products that I use to keep my life simplified.

  1. PICK UP AFTER YOURSELVES – WE KNOW THIS BUT IM GONNA SAY IT ANYWAY… Rule #1 in my house is: “PICK UP AFTER YOURSELF”! PICK UP YOUR SHIT OR YOUR SHIT WILL GET PUT IN THE DUMPSTER!Bottom line, no if’s, and’s, or but’s! It really is that simple! Pick up after yourself!
  2. EVERY MORNING MAKE YOUR BED – DON’T SLACK HERE! What you start you should finish. When your done sleeping, complete the task by making the bed. Love your bedding and you will be more likely to take of it! I love my Calvin Klien Pillows and blankets and so do my daughters. We just love CK bedding. I always get the best deals here
  3. BATHROOM – HANG WET TOWELS TO DRY OR FOLD IT AND PLACE IT ON BATHTUB. You can also throw them in the dryer for 10 minutes. (You can reuse towels 2 or 3 times for less laundry). USE STORAGE FOR HAIR STUFF, AND SKIN CARE PRODUCTS. KEEP ORANIZED (EVERYTHING SHOUD HAVE A PLACE)
  4. DROP ZONE – JUNK DRAWERS /BASKETS/STORAGE BOXES ECT. Have drop zones that have easy access for kids, dog toys, blankets, pillows, ect. Make new habits this year by keeping your kitchen clean and tidy using these great pantry stackable to keep kids snacks and drinks organized.
  5. CLUTTER – GET RID OF WHAT YOU HAVE NO USE FOR. Spring cleaning consists of getting rid of junk. So get rid of it, and stop purchasing more crap you don’t really need. Get rid of stuff before you make any new purchases. (“out with the old first, then in with the new”)
  6. FLOORS = Swiffer/vacuum every night IF YOU HAVE PETS! At least every other day with kids and heavy traffic. Floor dust blows around and is the main contributor to all your dust consumption. I LOVE my Bissel vacuum because I don’t have to worry about bags, and I can clean the canister, and the filter is washable! So, I never get that “dog smell” when I vacuum.
  7. DISHES = ALL DISHES BELONG IN THE DISHWASHER OR PUT AWAY. Again, put your shit away! (It helps to limit only one glass a day per person. 1 glass, 1 mug, one plate, etc. (Rinse and put aside for later) My youngest daughter will use the same cup of water all day. We only drink water in our house unless we have hot tea or coffee. But for the most part we use the same glass, or cup for the day.
  8. LAUNDRY– A LOAD A DAY WILL KEEP THE LOADS AWAY. If you can do one load in the morning or in the evening, you won’t have so many piles of laundry weekly. The kids are more likely to put 3 to 5 pieces of laundry away rather than a pile from the whole week or a few weeks. Manage the clothes daily, and you won’t have clothes piling up or laying all over the place.

EVERYTHING TAKES PRACTICE

So, everything takes practice and new routines require accountability and consistency. Everyone needs to be held accountable for their own mess and cleaning up after themselves. Here are some tips to manage your daily chores each week. I promise, this will help you maintain a cleaner home and your family will thank you later, because they will never have to deep clean again!

  1. MAKE YOURSELF and EVERYONE IN THE HOUSE A SCHEDULE and stick to it! IF YOU KEEP UP WITH IT, IT’LL NEVER GET OUT OF HAND. I made an easy WEEKLY CHORE PLANNER HERE that includes for following

    1. MORNING CHORES –     
      1. BEDROOM – DETAILS INCLUDE MAKE BED AND MORE
      1. KITCHEN – UNLOAD DISHWASHER
      1. LIVING AREA – FOLD BLANKETS, PICK UP SNACKS, CUPS, ETC.
      1. LAUNDRY – DO A LOAD OF LAUNDRY
    1. EVENING CHORES –
      1. Load dishwasher & Vacuum (if you have pets. If you don’t have pets, it depend if you wear HOW TO KEEP FLOORS CLEAN don’t wear shoes in the house video, vacuum, Swiffer, moping, keeping dogs groomed etc.)
      1. Fold the clothes from morning and throw a load in from the day.
        1. If you keep up with the laundry your kids are more likely to put away a few things vs a ton of loads you do once a week, ones every few weeks or once a month. “A load a day, keeps the heavy loads aways” (for everyone)

KEEP UP WITH LAUNDRY- THAT IS SOOO IMPORTANT FOR KEEPING A HOME TIDY. I THINK CLOTHES CAUSES THE MOST MESS. I CREATED A CLEANING checklist and planner with a complete schedule so that you and your family can maintain your entire home year-round. Get this planner and stop wasting time deep cleaning year after year. Get more peace of mind, clarity, and create a home life that is organized, clean, happy and healthy all year long.

GET MORE DETAILS HERE