Kids, husbands and people who eat spaghetti and sometimes spill can all be put in the category of “slobs”. Given today’s economy, who had funds to buy a new chair when wine spills on your neutral chair? Debbie Wiener offer tips on how to minimize the havoc “slobs” can without breaking the bank:
Flooring: Area rugs with patterns and color are your best ally for hiding stains and protecting floors. Afterall it is cheaper to replace a carpet than restain your entire floor. A flat weave, reversible rug is great for families with children. You can flip the rug over once your kids destroy it, doubling your rug’s life span.
Paint: White or cream walls scream for fingerprints! Try a color that brings both warmth or drama, yet creates finger print camouflage. A scrubbable finish, like Benjamin Moore’s Aura, provides one-coat coverage with very low odor. Paint your typical builder-grade banister a dark color, like navy, so it won’t show fingerprints.
Wite it out: Keep the correction fluid “Wite Out” on hand for quick corrections to white cabinetry, doors, wood trim and even white tile grout! It quickly covers flaws, dings and damage until you have the time to re-paint. Got scratches on painted furniture and walls? Sharpie permanent ink markers come in dozens of colors and can be used to hide marks on furniture legs, walls, picture frames…just about anything in color.
Fabrics that work: When thinking about fabrics to reupholster chairs avoid polished cotton, light weight fabrics and solid colors. Patterns provide camouflage, are sturdier for daily use and can stand the use of cleaning products. If you have pets, try choosing fabrics that mask pet hair, like light brown patterns for your sandy haired retriever.
Toss It: If you can’t afford to change the sofa and chairs, change your toss pillows! Soft, down-filled pillows in unexpected patterns and colors will make the seating look new and feel luxurious.
Do the Flip: Rotate sofa cushions to hide wear and tear and to extend the life of your seating. Got a spot on that seat cushion? Turn it over and keep the clean side up when company comes. Rotate your area rug to extend its life span and even out the wear and tear. You may even be able to hide spots and stains under furniture with this simple move.
Debbie Wiener is a DC-based interior designer and author of the top-selling book, “Slob Proof! Real Life Design Solutions.” She has also recently partnered with Crypton to develop the Slobproof! Collection – a colorful line of Crypton-covered furniture designed with busy households in mind.
We are giving away 5 copies of Debbie’s book. Just leave a comment here letting us know your best slob proofing solution or problem. If you tweet the contest, we’ll give you an extra entry. (max 1 tweet per day) Giveaway ends April 24, 2010. Please leave a valid email address.
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I wish I had a great slob-proof idea. I am a slob, so I’m trying to find new ideas as much as possible. One thing that I do often is clean a little, tiny area so I’m not overwhelmed. I do this every day so that hopefully everything gets done… eventually.
Magic Erasers have been a godsend. Simple Green takes care of the rest, even stuff I can’t get to when it’s fresh. For prevention, one solution that’s worked for messy situations like kid crafting time is that I store all of the paint and other kid craft supplies next to out kitchen table. It’s a surface I can clean easily (including the floor) help minimize not only the mess but also the chaos of “Where’s the paper? Where’s the brushes? I need paint! I want foamies!” I also put their paint on small paper plates or plastic plates I keep just for use with paint. We’re all painting in a minute or two and cleanup is quick as well.
I bought a metal slotted “box” (for lack of better description) to keep on the counter for all the paperwork clutter. It’s slots are labeled “school”, “business”, “read”, and so on. It’s an eye sore at the moment, but once I redecorate it, it won’t be too bad. Better than massive amounts of paper everywhere!
Keep a “pretty” basket near the front door to dump recyclable junk mail, newspapers, etc so they don’t pile elsewhere (and convenient). On recycle day, it goes right out from there.
Cheap vinyl tablecloths. We spread one out on the laminate floor in the family room to do craft projects on, and when we’re done, we can just pick it up (carefully) and shake all the paper scraps and stuff into the trash. I have a Halloween one I bought after Halloween for a dollar or so, and a better flannel-backed one that I got on clearance at Target for about $3. And of course, they work when we’re doing messy stuff on the table, too.
OK Sheila–I’m actually entering this for my eldest–He doesn’t have a house or an apartment but as you know he’s back home. Maybe there are tips how to slob-proof the room he’s living in–Not sure but I am desperate.
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I have a coffe table with a deep drawer in it. In the drawer we keep throws that we can put under the boys when we allow them to eat or drink in the family room. They’re easily stowed out of sight when not in use and can double as a blanket on chilly days.
Not many ideas, I try to simplify, but I’m not very good at it! My best solution is to hire a maid! I used to joke to my family that I was going to go to school so I could afford one, but I was only half joking! I only have two years to go!!
Well certainly a dog helps, for cleaning up the messes, although she creates messes of her own. We’re thinking of re-upholstering our furniture since we can’t afford new. I had a friend/organizer come over, and she suggested decorating our old wooden messy coffee table by giving the kids sharpies and just letting them have at it. Unfortunately art is not their specialty (not big fans
so now we’re planning a sharpie party. Oh man, I should totally get sharpie to sponser that 
I think my biggest tip for slob proofing would be to not have kids or get married. But since it’s too late for me for that I’m just going to say I really have no idea. It doesn’t help things that I’m not exactly the neatest person either.
I could REALLY use this book!
I really don’t have many slob proof ideas, thats why I need this book. The only thing that I can recommend is to try to have floors, walls and fabrics that are least likely to show dirt or stains.
The best way to slob proof your house is to live alone. Barring that convert to all hardwood floors. The maintenance is 200 time easier–regardless of animals or people slobs living there.
When eating, I still make my 4 1/2 year old wear a bib or – when in a restaurant – a tied on napkin. It saves on so many stains from laundry!