Cozy Quarters: Tips for Sharing a Small Place with Kids in Alaska

Here in the wild and wonderful world of Alaska adventure awaits around every corner. It doesn’t matter if you’re nestled in a cabin in the woods or enjoying the urban bustle of Anchorage, one thing is certain: space can be a premium commodity, especially when you’re sharing it with little adventurers. Fear not, though, because with a few tricks up your sleeve, you can turn your compact abode into a haven for both you and your kids.

Maximize Vertical Space: In Alaska, we’re used to thinking big, but sometimes we need to readjust and think up instead of out. Invest in tall bookshelves, wall-mounted storage bins, and hanging organizers to make the most of your vertical space. Not only does this free up valuable floor space for playtime, but it also keeps clutter at bay.

Dual-Purpose Furniture: When every square foot counts, dual-purpose furniture is your best friend. Look for ottomans with hidden storage compartments, bunk beds with built-in desks, or coffee tables that double as play tables. These pieces not only save space but also add functionality to your home.

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7 Things to Declutter After Holiday Season for a Fresh Start

The holiday season is full of joy, happiness, and excesses. We can’t help but collect gifts, decorations, baking supplies, packaging and more that we just don’t know what to do with. Now that the season is over, and we are beginning a brand-new year in our Alaskan homes it’s the best time to sort through these belongings to declutter and donate the excess. One bonus to this project is that you could recover some cash by selling a few of the items. Once you’ve decluttered you can start to organize and capture some calm as we move ahead into the new year. How do you know where to start? We are here to help!

Get rid of those duplicate gifts!
We are grateful for our loved ones, but sometimes those special gifts lead to us having duplicate items around the house. If you have found that you have more than you need of any item considering selling or donating the older item.

Freshen up your bed sheets and towels!
During the holidays we often have guests and pull out our best guest sheets and towels. You may have noticed that some of these items have seen better days and it’s time for them to be swapped out. If you ended up buying new sets, take a minute and declutter the older items. If you still haven’t picked up a new set, January is a great time for bedding sales. You can plan for next season and replace the older sets.

Take a moment to sort through that winter sports gear!
All those winter sports we love here in Alaska require us to maintain items to keep them in good working order. If you’re planning on going ice skating take a moment to make sure the skates still fit and are still sharp. Check skis. snowboards, and their accessories as well. If any item needs replacing now is the time to donate or sell the older items rather than them hanging around unused.

Sort through winter coats and accessories!
Not that you’ve had time a few months to embrace our beautiful Alaskan winter, you are for sure aware of the gloves, coats, hats, and mittens that have seen the most love and use. If you’re noticing that there are certain items that are just stuffed in the back of the closet untouched it might be time to donate or sell any item in good condition.

Check your holiday decorations!
Holiday decorations can easily start to accumulate over the years. We often collect family heirlooms, kids’ creations, or something shiny and new from the store that season. Take a moment to evaluate your decorations for any items that are damaged or never used. If they are a keepsake put them in a safe storage, otherwise take a moment to toss, donate or sell items that have outlived their use in your Alaskan home.

Take inventory of your baking supplies!
Are you finding that your cupboards are overflowing with pie plates, cookie cutters, Bundt pans and more? If you’re starting to realize you must close the cupboard and run, it may be time to donate or sell.

Thin out holiday dresses and outfits!
We love our clothes, and sometimes we have an emotional connection to them, but if you ask yourself if you truly love it and are going to wear it again and the answer is “No” it’s time to let it go! Take an honest look at holiday clothes and shoes and donate or sell anything that is just gathering dust.

These are just a few of the things you can declutter after the holiday season and there are many more that we didn’t get to. This general guideline can help you on your way to having a cleaner, calmer, and clutter free start to your new year in your Alaskan home.

Simple Upgrades to Make a Rental Feel Like Home

Living in a rental has its ups and downs. We all want to make our house feel like a home and personalize it to our tastes and needs. The only problem with renting, is that you must consider your security deposit and keep the home in the condition in which you received it. Changes and upgrades that you make, will most likely need to be reversed when it’s time to move on. How can you create simple reversible changes that won’t break the bank?

Increase storage with freestanding shelves
Freestanding shelves can complement your home, no matter which style you choose to decorate with. These shelves are a good investment since they are easy to move and take with you when you go to your next place. Storage can be a challenge, and installing wall shelves can violate your lease, so freestanding shelves are the way to go.

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Increase Your Alaskan Home Value While Respecting the Earth

Earth day is on everyone’s mind this month. We are always looking for ways to protect the environment and improve the earth for our children and future generations. On Earth Day we all take a moment and reflect on the changes that we can make personally. Costs of owning a home are increasing and we are always looking for ways to cut cost and increase eco-friendly features and home value at the same time.

Eco-Friendly things homebuyers are seeking
Homeowners that are looking for eco-friendly features often focus on sustainable materials and efficient use. Sustainable material often looks as good or better than other materials and require little to no maintenance. Reducing our fossil fuels in a well-known way to help the planet. One way is that homeowners can opt to use induction cooktops in the kitchen. Adding retrofits or including green upgrades in the design of your home are the best way to create a positive return on your investment.

Features that will save you money on utility and maintenance bills

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Mistakes to Avoid When Changing up Your Alaskan Home Design – Part 2

In our last article we started sharing some tips about mistakes to avoid when changing up your Alaskan home design. If you end up having to sell your home making the wrong choices when it comes to renovations could affect potential buyer offers. Removing a bathtub, carpeting the wrong areas, signing a contract for a design move (such as solar), adding a hot tub or pool, or installing built-ins are 5 of the design moves we warned against already. Here are a few more to avoid.

Mistake #6 – Closing up your floor plan
Even though we sometimes would like more privacy, especially when forced to be around people for an extended period, closing a floor plan can deter buyer offers. Families often want to keep an eye on small children while cooking or spending time in another room. It’s also important to allow natural light to spread easily throughout the space.

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Mistakes to Avoid When Changing up Your Alaskan Home Design – Part 1

One of the best things about owning your own home is the ability to change it up whenever you’d like and make it your own. There are many renovations we can make to personalize our space. If it’s your forever home, this isn’t a big deal, but if you think that things could change, it might be a good idea to think carefully about your design updates. Divorce, job relocation, and other factors can force a move that will require a home sale and the wrong choices could affect potential buyers offers. How do you know which changes to avoid?

Mistake #1 – Signing a contract for a design move that your buyers may not want
Adding something such as solar may seem like a money saving choice, but it can lead to complications if you get locked into a long-term contract after installation. Buyers may like the house, but not want to take over a contract that you locked them into. If this is something you still want to do, plan to pay it off prior to the closing table.

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Décor in Your Alaskan Home Can Protect Your Mental Health- Part One

Did you know that your space can evoke emotional responses based upon its color, texture, lighting, and room layout? During the winter months here in Alaska, many of us experience Seasonal Affective Disorder or SAD and we can use all the help we can get to keep our mood and overall mental health in check. Our homes interior design and décor can influence our mood and well-being, so we’ve compiled some tips to help you make your space work for your body and your mind.

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How to Incorporate Pantone’s Color of the Year into your Style

Each year color experts at Pantone select a color of the year that they think reflects a feeling evoked by the world events around us. These past few years have been transformative for many people. This color is inspired by the red hue of cochineal, which is derived from the cochineal bug.

The Pantone Color of the Year is Viva Magenta 18-1750. This bold and exuberant shade of crimson imbues the spirit of our time, reflecting inner strength and courage. You will see this color all around you this year in art exhibits, TikTok videos, fashion shows and more. How can you bring this color into your style and Alaskan home décor and embrace this spirited hue?

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Home Improvement Projects to Do Together as a Family

Families that work and play together stay together! Home improvement projects are a way for the whole family to develop new skills and gain a sense of accomplishment. It’s important to find projects that are age-appropriate and are within their skill level. There are many possibilities for growth and learning. One important thing is that parents remember to be patient and remember that the kids are new at this, and projects will take longer than you expect, so set aside adequate time.

Maintenance tasks to do together around the house

Every house needs basic maintenance, and this is a great opportunity to teach children basic maintenance skills so they can help take of the house and develop skills for their future homes. Tasks should be assigned according to age and can be garnered toward the interests of the child. If you notice that they are interested in mechanical things you can have them help with unclogging drains, tightening hardware, replacing caulk, or oiling hinges.

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The Secret to Decluttering Items That You Love

We have all heard the value of decluttering and clearing our spaces. The term ‘sparks joy’ has become commonplace in many households when deciding what needs to go and when, but when it comes to sentimentality, we can find that many of us struggle to really let go of some items. If you’re looking to tidy your space and keep your home free of clutter, you must find a way to walk the emotional tightrope and let go.

What are some things that we struggle to let go of and what’s the answer? Here are just a few tips we’ve found that can help you on your decluttering journey.

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7 Ways to Make the Best of Fall in Alaska

Many people when they think of Alaska focus on its incredible summers with long days, the bucket list cruises, and its beautiful winters. Fall in Alaska is one of the most beautiful times of the year. The leaves are starting to turn, fall festivals and events are in full swing and the wildlife is busy preparing for the long cold winter. Fall is the perfect time to plan a trip to Alaska or explore our beautiful backyard.

What can you do in the fall in Alaska?

Here are 7 activities:

Appreciate the Northern Lights
Even if you live in Alaska, the beauty of the aurora borealis never truly gets old! These are very active in the fall and captivate both natives and tourist with their natural wonder. Why not plan a family outing to truly enjoy this rare privilege? We must take time to view these in our Alaskan backyard.

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7 decorating mistakes to avoid | Alaskan Winters can make you want to decorate

7 Decorating Mistakes on the Avoid List

During our Alaskan winters you might find yourself spending more time inside and then one thing leads to another and you’re once again redecorating your space. Our first tip is to get outside! Go outside and soak up that sunshine during the day and enjoy the Alaskan wilderness. Once you have spent some time outdoors and trek back indoors take a look at your redecorating skills and see if you’ve by chance made any of these 7 decorating mistakes.

Don’t block the flow

Sometimes we find ourselves arranging seating to face a window or fireplace, but this can be an unwelcoming move when guests enter to see the back of your couch and back of heads. So, what’s the fix? Use a large wall to ground your sofa. If you have accent chairs it’s ok for their less bulky backs to be to guests. If you’re short on space and must expose your sofas back, you can use a console table in front with some decorative items to soften the feel.

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Top Renovation Trends Among Homeowners for 2021 | Alaska Homes for Sale near Anchorage | Alaska Homes by Brooke

Top 2021 Renovation Trends Among Homeowners

The pandemic created a new normal for all of us. Many homeowners spent more time at home than ever before. Spending more time at home made it even more obvious that we needed to make some changes to our spaces. Homeowners needed to find new spaces at home to work, to entertain, to relax, and to have a moment alone. But what were the renovation trends that help accomplish this?

2021 was a seller’s market and many homeowners found that it was a great time to sell their home. The only drawback that they ran into was that it was often hard to find another home to purchase, so some chose to make their current spaces more livable or fix up the homes they ended up buying. What projects topped the lists among 2021 renovation trends?

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Top 5 Alaska Blog posts of 2021 | Alaska Homes by Brooke Stiltner

A Year in Review – The top 5 Alaska Blogs of 2021

Can you believe 2021 is coming to a close? It doesn’t even seem possible. This past year has brought many changes throughout the Anchorage, Eagle River, Wasilla and the Mat-Su Valley, as well as to the housing market in general. Over a year into a global pandemic, we have learned to find ways to show gratitude for the things and people that we have as well as growing and changing as we learn our new normal. These are the top 5 Alaska blogs that we shared as we chartered our course through 2021.

Love your Neighbors – How to Show Alaskan Neighborly Love – LINK

We started off early 2021 with an upbuilding article about showing neighborly love. We all need each other. The need for human connection has been wired into us since birth. This article shows 5 ways that you can show your Alaskan neighbors that you’re there for them during this global pandemic, and really anytime as we are a universal family.

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Simple Design Tricks to Warm up your space | Alaska Homes for sale by Brooke Stiltner

Simple Design Tricks to Warm up your Space

Do you know there are some inexpensive ways to warm up your space without touching the thermostat? It may seem impossible to feel warmer by simply modifying your space, but the mind is a wonderful thing. Have you ever stared at a picture of a snowy landscape and suddenly felt a chill? Have you looked at a warm sunny beach and suddenly had the sensation of the summer sun on your skin and the sand between your toes? Our minds allow us to travel and feel sensations and warmth based on what our senses capture in the spaces around us.

Coziness can be found in personal touches

Personalization is everything when it comes to comfort and coziness. You can instantly warm up a space by adding a little ‘heart’ to it. Some minimalists, while trying to avoid clutter, end up making their spaces feel cold rather than homey. Bare walls and surfaces don’t exactly scream ‘lived in.’ You can still stick to a minimalist design style, but carefully curate your selection of belongings to fit the needs of your space. Incorporating artwork, treasured books and photographs into your home can instantly make it feel full of life and love.

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Evergreen Fog is 2022's Color of the Year | Alaska Homes for Sale by Brooke

“Evergreen Fog” 2022’s Refreshing Color of the Year

Sherwin-Williams has unveiled its pick for the 2022 color of the year, Evergreen Fog. This color will bring tranquil vibes to your space. After the upheaval of the past couple years, we can all use a bit of refreshment. This color is rumored to do just that. As you continue to transform your home into your own personal sanctuary this color of the year will provide you with exactly the calming energy you needed.

Evergreen Fog will remind you of walking through a misty forest on a cool morning. It’s mid-tone gray-green will add depth and interest to any space. If you’re a nature lover, as most of us are, you will appreciate that this hue was borrowed from nature. A soothing, and calming color that can be used in a variety of spaces in your home. Design trends have been leaning toward warm neutrals with a focus on sustainability and organic living. This has lent itself to us utilizing more natural materials and organic textiles.

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Fall Honey Do List to Get your Alaskan Home Ready for Winter | Alaska Homes for Sale By Brooke

Your Fall “Honey Do” list to Get your Alaskan Home Ready for Winter

Fall is here, we don’t even know how it happened, but summer ran out the door and fall quickly took its seat. It seems like the seasons are continuously playing musical chairs and before we know it winter will be here. Is your home ready for our beautiful Alaskan winter? As the leaves begin falling off the trees it is time to start compiling your ‘honey do’ list to get your Alaskan home ready for winter and tackling tasks around your Anchorage, Eagle River, Wasilla and the Mat-Su Valley property.

Prepare a mudroom

It seems that the wetter weather always sneaks up on us. After a summer full of dry feet and clean puppy paws, it can make for a muddy and wet surprise after the first rainfall. If you don’t have a specialized ‘mudroom’ you can create one in your entryway. Take the time to organize and stock your entryway with your winter essentials to keep your home and tidy.

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Fall Decor Ideas to help bring fall inside your Alaskan Home | Best place to live in Alaska

Fall Décor Ideas to Help Bring Fall Inside your Alaskan Home

Well, that happened… Fall is already here! It seems like just yesterday we were talking about ways to enjoy summer here in the Anchorage, Eagle River, Wasilla and the Mat-Su Valley area. Time marches on, and we march with it. As we look forward with positivity and embrace the new season, how can we surround ourselves with the warmth and colors of fall? Do you spend time admiring the leaves begin to turn colors outside, why not bring the feeling of the season inside to enjoy throughout the day? We have put together some Fall decor ideas that we think you will enjoy…

Fall Candles and Essential Oil Diffusers

Nothing says cool crisp evenings and warmth like candles. There are many delicious smelling fall candles out there that you can add to your décor to bring the feeling of fall indoors. Wrap your candle with corn husks and a feather or fall leaf accent for added charm.

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