MINIMALIST Home Hacks | Simplify EVERY ROOM in your house!

[@ArrowHillCottage]

What are YOUR best home hacks?

[@lormor460]

I love having a “home” for everything. I watch my young grandchildren and I have a place for all their toys. I’ve noticed that since the toys have been kept to just a certain amount (mainly what fits perfectly in their tiny room) that they not only play with all of them but they are easy to put away! Yesterday, I had a taste of having all 3 granddaughters (2, 6, and 7). This is going to come in handy when the 2 oldest are out of school! 😮😮

[@kamloopscruiser874]

I let go the table pad and tablecloth when I realized I prefer to wipe the table after meals rather than washing them. Our plates and dishes are Corelle white so they don’t scratch the wood surface.

[@Ripplesinthewaters]

I also have glass containers instead of tupperware. Mine are from Amazon and they have wooden lids with silicone seals around them. I got rid of all plastics due to my endocrine disorder. They are fantastic! Question about your house: since you are in snow country, did you build a basement? I don’t think I’ve ever seen one in your videos. Have a great week!

[@ArrowHillCottage]

Oh wow, you are a busy lady!! I agree that keeping those toys organized and having a home for everything is so important! ❤️

[@ArrowHillCottage]

That’s awesome! ❤️

[@cantocant2346]

Not only did I get rid of the dining room rug, I got rid of every rug in my house! Then, I got rid of the carpet shampooer and all the various carpet cleaners, My allergies are better, my floors are actually cleaner now, Then, I replaced my upholstered furniture with leather furniture and I got rid of my spot-shampooer and upholstery cleaners. My house has less clutter, less allergens, feels fresher and I'm happy about it!

[@ArrowHillCottage]

That’s incredible!!! So happy for you! ❤️

[@OldWorldHome]

I’ve often thought a rug would look lovely under my dining table but then 3x a day I’m reminded why I don’t have one 😂 So many good tips here, thanks Angela! 💛

[@ArrowHillCottage]

Oh my goodness, yes! So many crumbs! Thanks for watching! ❤️

[@ArrowHillCottage]

True…maybe someday…but then (God willing) there will be grandchildren! ❤️

[@carolentringer8836]

Haha! Me too.

[@lucy_180]

Wow, this video was straight up clever, useful hacks with no filler - thank you! I've never seen your channel before, but I guess the algorithm knew I would love it. 😁 That's a great idea to have the baskets in the bathroom for clothes to re-wear, and I've never heard of the couch pillow hack - smart! You have a lovely house. 🏡

[@ArrowHillCottage]

Yay for the YT algorithm! Ha ha! Happy you were directed this way. Glad you liked the video. ❤️

[@melissataylor8910]

Wow!! Great video!! Love the throw pillow idea , the white dishes, keeping all season clothes out. But my favorite is the shower curtain instead of glass!!!! Amen and amen!!!❤

[@ArrowHillCottage]

We’ve had glass shower doors before and I dreaded cleaning them! Thanks for watching! ❤️

[@TraceyBergum]

@@ArrowHillCottage me too!

[@ellenh278]

Folded pillow and case hack for throw pillows.....fantastic!

[@ArrowHillCottage]

Thanks! ❤️

[@hannahgrinder4486]

I absolutely loved this video! So practical and I loved seeing each room in your home. Best home hack(hubbys idea!): Hide large open shelving/closet with a long curtain that goes from top to bottom. We used a swivel rod and hooks.

[@hannahgrinder4486]

And I think i might try that sofa pillow hack!

[@ArrowHillCottage]

Great idea! Thanks for watching! ❤️

[@jennyjenkins877]

That throw pillow hack is genius! 🤯

[@ArrowHillCottage]

Thanks! It’s so useful! And you can find cute patterned cases at thrift stores for cheap if you want to change things up more often. ❤️

[@rondasmyth635]

I never thought about storing games and puzzles vertically! What a great idea. I'm going to incorporate that in my home. Also loved the idea of one color dishes.

[@ArrowHillCottage]

He will have the most unique wallpaper around! ❤️

[@ArrowHillCottage]

Storing them that way has helped so much! ❤️

[@caroleweston7563]

Totally agree about storing games and puzzles - off to my puzzle cupboard right now!

[@motherof1132]

I found a fantastic shower shelf from Amazon. It’s strong and minimal. I have a family of 13. My boys have bunk beds.

[@ArrowHillCottage]

13! Wow! I’m sure that keeping things simple and minimal is very helpful to you! ❤️

[@LorreneRomanic]

I love the folded pillow hack! brilliant!

[@ArrowHillCottage]

Thanks! ❤️

[@diannamallow5195]

I love the throw pillow idea. I had to try it right after i watched the video. It does work! Also keeping the games vertical. It always seems like we want to play the game thst is on the bottom of the stack. The kids room are decorated so cute and I love your new bedroom.

[@ArrowHillCottage]

Thanks so much! ❤️

[@lifemyway200]

The pillow hack is awesome!!

[@ArrowHillCottage]

Thank you! It has saved me so much money over the years! ❤️

[@kamloopscruiser874]

Great video. Brilliant pillow hack!❤👍 and the vertical storage - as well as the rest.

[@ArrowHillCottage]

Thank you! ❤️

[@kimberleebrooks-trakis9563]

For draw dividers I use shoe boxes or pieces of thick hard cardboard that comes with some appliances.

[@ArrowHillCottage]

Good idea! ❤️

[@gwenj5419]

Never understood putting a rug under the dining table. So hard to keep clean.

[@ArrowHillCottage]

Right?!? When we did it we thought it would add some coziness, but it was awful to move the chairs in and out and to keep clean! ❤️

[@amychen2504]

I love the look but assumed it was only when you have all adults.. our kitchen table is the messiest !

[@sct4040]

Rugs in general is a dust and dirt magnet. The only rug I like are the ones at the front door to wipe your feet before entering.

[@julierahn6932]

Two of your vids came into my feed for the first time today. Practical, useful ideas - like a breath of fresh air instead of recycled ideas! Thank-you Keep going with your efforts and thinking outside the box.

[@ArrowHillCottage]

Thanks so much! I appreciate your encouraging words! ❤️

[@renarobinson3946]

I absolutely LOVE the HACK of putting the laundry basket in the DRYER when not in use!!!

[@ArrowHillCottage]

Thanks! Those baskets can take up so much space! ❤️

[@nunya257]

Keeping the basket in the dryer! Brilliant!

[@ArrowHillCottage]

Ha ha! It’s so convenient! ❤️

[@izza.truroothealing]

Love the custom vanity and love the basket idea for lightly used cloths

[@ArrowHillCottage]

Thank you! ❤️

[@izza.truroothealing]

Oh I love this pillow folded hack

[@ArrowHillCottage]

It works so well! ❤️

[@bobbiefarrar3036]

I keep all seasons of clothing in my closet - it's worked for me for years! I use wool balls too and they work pretty good. Thanks for your hacks! God bless you and yours!

[@ArrowHillCottage]

Thanks for watching! ❤️

[@corinneparker2519]

So many great ideas. I started using all white dishes a few years ago. Thank you Angela.

[@ArrowHillCottage]

Thanks for watching! ❤️

[@clairevinet3557]

This was so good! Thank you beautiful!! Have a wonderful week🧚🏽‍♀️

[@ArrowHillCottage]

I’m glad you enjoyed it! Hope your week is great as well! ❤️

[@RebeccaAnnette]

My caution against storing instruments on the wall… humidity control is important. If you keep them in their cases, you can store them with humidity control packs. If your house has major humidity changes through the year, it can be detrimental to your wooden instruments if they aren’t in a controlled environment. Lots of great tips, though! I am enjoying your channel. ☺️

[@ArrowHillCottage]

Yes, good point! Because we have a newer home we do have good humidity control and these are on an interior wall that doesn’t get sunlight. We are mindful of what you are referring to though! Thanks! ❤️

[@Nanda_Verbrugge]

Where we live, hanging your instrument on the wall, or putting it on a stand in the open, is not a good idea; it would be bad for the wood, or e.g. for a (partly or completely) silver flute you would find it turns black, due to the same reason, the humidity. The keypads also deteriorate.

[@Kimmy-rh1ry]

Ty. Removed my rug under my dining table today. Your right, its cleaner, easier and looks fresher

[@ArrowHillCottage]

I’m sure you will love it! ❤️

[@avir2us1]

Thanks for sharing such creative hacks. Grace and Peace.

[@ArrowHillCottage]

Thanks for watching! ❤️

[@charlenebrissette3348]

That was a great list. I grew up before the trend of carpets under the table, si i never did that. I can’t imagine the pain in the **** it would be when you have spills.

[@ArrowHillCottage]

Yes! So annoying! ❤️

[@skillhunterffv4058]

I know this isn’t for everyone, but I have my laundry in the basement, so I made a “family closet” with cube storage and two small wardrobes. The cube storage units are up on a metal shelf from a rack unit. This keeps everything dry if the basement gets flooded when we have heavy rain. My kids have all their clothes there. My husband keeps most of his clothes there, but changes heavy winter shirts and lighter t-shirts out. We just leave them on hangers and put out of season clothes in our closet. I found that my kids didn’t care for folding clothes vertically bcs it was a little more work. (They wanted to play 😁). They would often loose clothes in their drawers bcs they would pull out clothes and shove everything back in. Having the cubes helps them see what they have. They neatly take the clothes out of the pile. So wonderful!!! Love the game idea!!!! We will be trying it!

[@ArrowHillCottage]

I have often thought that a family closet would work well for my family. I can’t figure where I would put it though. ❤️

[@thepioneerhomestead]

These were great ideas! Thank you so much!

[@ArrowHillCottage]

Thanks for watching! ❤️

[@andeebee2530]

Great tips, thanks. Love your kids rooms. My kids got on so much better when they shared rooms.

[@ArrowHillCottage]

Thank you! ❤️

[@cynthiacrumlish4683]

Great Pillow hack!

[@ArrowHillCottage]

Thanks! It’s so simple and works great! ❤️

[@cynthiacrumlish4683]

Can’t wait to try it!

[@goodenoughgirl8102]

Great ones about the throw pillows and basket in dryer. Lol. I sometimes just use throw pillow washable zipper covers. I do a lot of the same for the others myself. My one main thing is over the door hooks and hooks in general. I get a little weird about clean vs half clean vs dirty clothes (like pajamas often hang there). Plus cats will make a bed out of any clothes laying around and then they are dirty. 😅😅 They keep me tidy in many ways lol. I have hooks all over the place for many things. Like cleaning tool stations and so on. Some are the ones with wood/other backing you nail in and others are just over the door ones. I use one right on the shower rod to hold rags, scrubbies, etc. I also use similar types of things (some have baskets) inside some of the kitchen cabinet doors for small and frequent use items. Frequent bending over low and squatting is a wee bit harder for me since I’ve gotten a little older and I have to watch out for my trick knee. 😅😅

[@ArrowHillCottage]

I’ve totally witnessed cats using any fabric they can find as a bed! Ha! We have a neighbor cat that comes over to our porch and the hair that he leaves is insane sometimes! But he’s a good mouser, so we are ok with it ;)

[@goodenoughgirl8102]

@@ArrowHillCottage Lolol. Aww tho. It’s funny to me now but it was a bit more aggravating when they were “teaching” me. 😂😂 I have a few younger ones who have excellent hunting skills. I try to “save” some of the “non rodents” when I can but cats will just do what they do tho. I say to them don’t bring that in here or don’t make me have to watch that (they have soooo much deck and porch space tho and a nice back yard “jungle” on a corner lot and I’m just like really???? And you must bring this carnage INSIDE?? 😅😅 of course I don’t “punish” them tho and I also tell them thank you bcuz I know to them they’re bringing me what they think is a prize/gift/treasure. I guess it’s more like redirecting them while making cheeky jokes about it. Lol. And while being low key impressed with their prowess and skills. Lol. It’s a bit of a conundrum for me Bcuz they are both predator and prey. Depending. These city raccoons also just think they are stray cats. They don’t really fight with the cats or anything tho. They all just kind of coexist. I kinda had to play “let’s make a deal” with them Bcuz this house and the one across the street were uninhabited for about 8 years prior and this area was pretty much their lair. It was all over tho when the one came with her babies. I am such a sucker sometimes. About the cutest thing I’ve ever seen. 😂😂 So basically we share some of the kibble with them on the “night shift.” Lol. It was a tricky catch 22 for me tho bcuz they are smart and agile and figured out the cat door before my cats did. 😳😳 So right? How do my cats get their in and out freedom (and me get some relief from “door duty”) and also keep the coons from invading us? The current system is working fairly well tho after much experimenting. Lol. It’s so strange to me tho to be in the middle of town and have such a wild kingdom over here. Lol. Bcuz we also have plenty of birds and squirrels and chipmunks, etc. The back yard tho is like an anomaly. Front yard is the usual city/burb fare, but step on the back deck and it’s a whole diff world back there. lol. There’s also a little creek further down back there with a whole section of trees etc. I guess I’m just a big fan of respecting animal habitats as much as I can. Like after all, they were here first eh? Who is really the “invader” here? Although I don’t feel the same about some bugs and rats tho. 😂😂 But yah cats. I ran across these “magic pads” (that’s what I call them lol-Bcuz as the story goes, they won’t ever lay on a “cat bed” lol) and I laid some around and they really like them. Esp with a little cheap DT fleece blanket. Really nice for the strays outside tho as it keeps them warmer when it’s cold. We have a pretty “swanky” porch setup for them tho. (Like wind and rain blocking canvas tarp “curtains” lol) Where they can come and get out of the bad weather but the feral ones just don’t wanna be around humans so much. I prob should stop Bcuz I know I have a thousand and one “animal tales” not everyone is all that interested in. Lol. But I DO have to kind of “toddler proof” my whole space Bcuz some things would get broken and other things would not be safe for them or me and them. Other things its more like you just learn how to avoid unnecessary messes. And learn how to more efficiently clean unavoidable messes. Lol (And just their independent ways). The way to “teach” them is pretty much to concede that they will require compromise and perks before they will “work with you.” Or something like they insist on a bit of respect. They are nobody’s fool. Lol. I kinda like that about them tho. They ain’t no dummies. They teach me all the time about boundaries, self respect, gratitude, belonging, community, loyalty, discernment, appropriate affection, the importance of calm, quiet and rest, getting enough privacy and alone time for myself, trust needing to be earned, survival and self defense skills. 😂😂 (And I thought I was “saving” them lol). I guess much like kids Bcuz they go on instinct mostly without it being clouded by all these human adult things like rationalizations and letting our clouded minds get in the way of our true natural way of being. And many times just the accumulation of all the incorrect things we’ve mentally learned in life. Sort of parting ways with our own guts so to speak. Or becoming so dull to our own good instincts. Even doubting them at times or dismissing them or rationalizing them away. I really have no idea how I got into all that when I was just supposed to be chatting a bit about animals and door hooks. 😂😂 Although I DO think that the practical things about minimalism are prob just the tip of the iceberg. There is just so much more down there. And it’s some really good stuff. Lol. True to my form tho. I like to get the most out of anything I embark upon and what you get out of it correlates with how much you put into it. Lol. And if I’m going to be kind of obsessive anyways, (very likely lol) better that it be a good thing rather than a bad thing. Lol.

[@ArrowHillCottage]

Oh my goodness! Raccoons figuring out the cat door! Bahahahaaaa that’s crazy! Glad you are able to get the cats and coons to coexist on some level. We’ve had a baby skunk poking around here. Any experience with those?!? 😐

[@goodenoughgirl8102]

@@ArrowHillCottage Lol. IKR. I wasn’t lying about the crazy “farm.” 😂😂 idk “metro farm”? They’re so clever. You don’t know whether to throw stuff at them or go “awww look at that. How cute!” I think with all the strays we had running around here for ages, they just know that the cats are kind of dominant somehow. And they’ve kind of been living in the same area with them for awhile yet also. I guess they’re just all used to each other. So they don’t mess with them much. Kinda like sneaky gypsies. They slink up and kind of shimmy to see if the cats will walk away from a bowl of food. Sometimes a few of the cats will swat them away but other times they don’t want to go to the trouble. Lol. And they’re a little scared of me if I move but once I go in they’re back at the food bowls anyways. Lol. Almost like fake meow. Can I have some of that too? Pretty please? Please don’t hit me. Lol. It truly would be a lot harder Imo to get them relocated or try to keep swatting them away. The other issue is me trying to get feral strays fed enough too. (Bcuz they’re always running away or hiding as well). So it’s the same sort of catch 22 at night with that. I’ve tried many things (like no food out at night etc. Gather my cats in and lock cat door. Put out garlic. Etc etc. Being “mean” etc. but it was just easier to share the food when it was all said and done. There are some perks tho such as them being like the nightly “clean up crew” and staying out of the garbage bins etc. Bcuz if there was any “old” food the cats prob won’t eat it anyways. Plus I’ve gotten some cool pics and videos of them. And the younger ones sometimes seem like they are not as afraid and listen to me (like when one got in and I was like what are you doing? Let me show you where you need to eat. Come on. Etc. just really cute how it followed me out etc). Most times tho I’d hear the cat door and loud food crunching so I’d get up and they’d run out the cat door in terror lickety split. Lol. Plus the cat door is in the “cat room” so it’s not so bad (it’s kind of like a little space I don’t try to keep as squeaky clean anyways like a porch or garage etc). Still ya know. I know they’re wild so I don’t dare try to touch them etc. lol. But they don’t scare me either. Oh wow. I’ve never had a skunk issue. Grateful for that. (Bcuz on a road trip once I think we hit one or something (not sure lol) and boy did it stink. Now that would be some kind of challenge. Most stuff I’ve heard is just how to get the scent off of you or a dog if anyone gets sprayed. Lol. There might be some kind of scent deterrent/repellant thing you could do tho. Or something with sounds or something visual. Prob someone on YT sure enough knows something I’d bet. Lol. Not sure but I just know that when it comes to animals it’s so often to do with innate physical senses. I think even us “animal whisperers” would have trouble with something like that. Some animals are just too wild and aggressive. They said that about raccoons and garlic as a deterrent, but the cat food smell trumps everything for them. Lol. (And they could smell it even when it was inside. Very keen sense of smell they have. Plus residual cat food smell is just all around the porches as well).

[@kennethbailey9853]

Thank You Forever !🙂

[@The_Joy_Finder]

I also do white table ware and then add colour through table linen. Much easier to manage.

[@ArrowHillCottage]

I love adding color and interest to a table scape with things such as linens too! ❤️

[@charmingintrovert3240]

Food on white plates looks so much more appetizing as well...less 'clutter' on the plate.😊

[@denisekirshenbaum7798]

This list is very helpful. Thank you!

[@ArrowHillCottage]

Thanks for watching! ❤️

[@munirasultana2313]

Great tips 👍

[@ArrowHillCottage]

Thanks! ❤️

[@littleflower23]

Very helpful video, thanks.

[@ArrowHillCottage]

Thanks for watching! ❤️

[@CoftheIsland370]

My hack: have only chests for coffee tables and put them on caster. I have all the paint cans and paint supposed store in ours. It is temperature and humidity controlled (better than garage, attic, shed, basement) so your cans are less likely to rust. The casters allow for easy moving for cleaning. I also up heavy dressers and heavy nightstands on casters. This is a bit of a woodworking project because you have to add blocking to them but so worth it to make cleaning easy.

[@ArrowHillCottage]

Wheels are so useful! Ha! I love being able to easily move things around. Great hack! ❤️

[@annarters2617]

Always love your tips n’ tricks! Love the color you have painted your home walls. What color is it? Thank you very much 😊

[@ArrowHillCottage]

Thanks! Paint color is Sherwin Williams ‘extra white’ throughout ❤️

[@annarters2617]

Thank you - love it … so relaxing to me 🤗

[@Jennifer-1724]

I have my off season clothes in my coat closet just outside my bedroom. I have anxiety from trauma i have to keep visual simple and chooses simple. Btw new subscriber❤

[@ArrowHillCottage]

Thanks for joining us here! ❤️

[@funnygirl3444]

I love your videos!! Great tips too.

[@ArrowHillCottage]

Thank you! ❤️

[@magomago7819]

I got so many ideas from your video, thanks.

[@ArrowHillCottage]

Wonderful! Thanks for watching! ❤️

[@annettemarie353]

Really Great.

[@ArrowHillCottage]

Thanks for watching! ❤️

[@anneblenkhorn5258]

So e great ideas! Thank you.

[@ArrowHillCottage]

Thanks for watching! ❤️

[@gillianandre6260]

I use a spoon to spread my peanut butter on bread when making a sandwich, I also cut the sandwich in half using the spoon. One utensil only, saves on washing several items.

[@ArrowHillCottage]

Nice! I’ve actually never scooped peanut butter out with a spoon…only a knife! I guess it’s all a matter of what you get used to! ❤️

[@shoppingislifeuk]

thank you

[@The_Joy_Finder]

I have 4 laundry baskets. Each the size of a load. Black. Lights. Orange, pink, red. Blue,green. When the basket is full, in the washing machine it goes. Easy peasy. It self manages. But I am phasing out colour so eventually aiming for a single black basket. But don't feel the need to force it. Replacing with a black item when something wears out.

[@ArrowHillCottage]

Oh! That sounds like a really good system! ❤️

[@ArrowHillCottage]

I’ve heard about those! ❤️

[@sallycroft2191]

Totally agree on your comments of children sharing rooms and no toys in bedroom until ages 5 or 6.

[@ArrowHillCottage]

Having them share has been so simplifying in so many ways. I ask my teen boys often if they are still ok with the arrangement - and they are. ❤️

[@sallycroft2191]

@@ArrowHillCottage We had four girls and a boy. So there were times we had to switch it up with our girls.

[@simply.k3573]

I like the idea of a stainless steel basket in the corner of the shower, but I do find my shampoo/conditioner/soap bottles tend to collect water due to water splashing over it. Somehow those pump bottles are not totally waterproof, so water can still get in. I also like the idea of the laundry basket in the dryer when not in use, but I also like a pretty laundry basket on display 😁

[@ArrowHillCottage]

Yes, the pump bottles do take on a bit of water depending on where they are located in the shower. We try to get sealed top ones when possible - but if we have the pumps we are ok with a little extra water because it extends the usefulness of the product! Ha ha! ❤️

[@simply.k3573]

@@ArrowHillCottage Unfortunately, I'm not a fan of diluted cleaning products 😂

[@ArrowHillCottage]

I can respect that! 😁

[@mrs.brayman4840]

What brand of wool dryer balls do you recommend? I have no idea what is best.

[@ArrowHillCottage]

Honestly, we have two different types - I don’t remember what brands- and both of them work well

[@524FrmGrl]

I love clean lines. No rugs for me except the bathroom.

[@ArrowHillCottage]

I feel like hard surface floors are so much easier to keep clean! ❤️

[@kellyjones4942]

Cleaning hack take a bunch of rags. Put a tiny amount of water and cleaner just enough so rags are pre wrung out. When it’s dirty just grab another

[@ArrowHillCottage]

Good one! ❤️

[@anneard1674]

thanks I just need it simply restated... I'm struggling

[@jessicahalvorsen9315]

OMG THE FOLDED PILLOWS WHAT 😱

[@ArrowHillCottage]

Right?!? So easy and helpful! ❤️

[@lisaschmoker7104]

🌞

[@kennethbailey9853]

😊😊😊

[@motherof1132]

I wear everything in my closet. So if I don’t wear it, it’s gone.

[@ArrowHillCottage]

Smart! ❤️

[@xxali_animalsxx7558]

Never understood putting worn clothes in a certain area. Either wash it or put it away