How to Keep Small Spaces Clean

Living in a small space has its advantages. For instance, smaller spaces are typically cheaper to rent or own and maintain. However, there are also some disadvantages, such as how difficult it can be to keep tidy. If you live in a small zone and are looking for ways to keep it looking better, these eight tips can help. It is hard enough living in a small apartment, condo, or one-bedroom home with another person let alone a pet. Then there are other things to remember like food, treats, and pet air purifiers (to keep the air quality healthy for you and your pet), and toys.

How to Keep Your Small Space Clean

Here are some helpful tips to get you organized and feeling good about living in a small space. All you really need is to set time aside to be creative and follow this easy advice:

Declutter

Stuff accumulates over time and can eventually fill up even the largest of homes. It happens even more quickly when your space is small. That’s why your first step should be to get rid of as much as possible.

This can be a difficult thing for many people, but it’s essential. There are many methods for decluttering all over the internet. Since no one is the exact same, no one method works for every person. So choose whichever inspires you and helps you get through the process. The goal is to purge your space of anything you can live without – how you accomplish it is up to you.

Utilize Hidden Spaces

Once you have pared down, it’s time to store and organize what’s left. A great way to do this is to take advantage of “hiding” spots. The more that is in your visual field, the messier a place looks. So putting it away makes a big difference.

Using cabinets with doors instead of open shelves is one way to do this. Another way is to be strategic when you purchase furniture. For example, you can choose a coffee table with drawers or even a lid that lifts. Some beds come with drawers or shelves in the frame. Even kitchen islands and desks come with some handy storage areas. With a little research, you can find many pieces of furniture to help tuck items out of view.

Hang What You Can

Keep stuff off of your floor and surfaces by using wall space. Floating shelves are a great idea for many things, including books and even smaller toys. Stuffed animal nets can be placed in the corners of your wall to hold stuffed animals, of course, but also throw blankets, extra pillows, and more. You can also hang cabinets instead of letting them take up floor space.

Set Up A Go Zone

Every day when you come in and go out of your home, there are things you take out and bring back. For example, purses, backpacks, mail, keys, wallets, and jackets are making constant trips with you. Most people come in and drop these items at random places, leading to not only a mess but running late trying to find them all.

Instead, set up an area located close to the door you typically enter and exit. Make sure it has places for keys, jackets, purses, bags, shoes, and any other items you regularly take with you. Consider setting up a mail basket, too. And if you have kids, a corkboard to hang any announcements, permission slips, and other paperwork can be helpful for keeping it all tidy.

Have a Cleaning Routine

Even if you work for weeks to get your home decluttered, organized, and clean, it will go right back to the way it was if you don’t work on it consistently. And setting up a routine is a good way to not only work on it but to build good habits.

It doesn’t have to be complicated – just a simple plan. For example, wash dishes every night after dinner. Wipe your sink with a washcloth after brushing your teeth in the mornings. Wash one load of laundry each day.

Some people find it easier to use one day each week for a different room. Others like to batch tasks, such as mopping the whole home on Tuesdays and cleaning all surfaces on Thursdays. Whatever works for your schedule is fine – as long as you can stick to it.

Think Convenience

Convenience is the name of the game for tidy spaces. Keeping trash cans close to where you normally work or cook makes it easier to throw items away. Having a basket of cleaning supplies near or in each room means you don’t have to hunt them down. And keeping a box or bag available for donations can help you stay decluttered.

Keep Your Air Clean

Dust is all around us and tends to compound quickly in small spaces. Dusting regularly can help keep this at bay. An air purifier can also reduce dust, as well as help with any bacteria, allergens, or pollutants in your home.

Work On Your Habits

After you’ve worked on your house as much as possible, it’s time to address any habits you have that might contribute to your mess. For example, if you eat in your living room, do you take your plate to the kitchen right away? Do you put away books and magazines when you’re not reading them? Take note of anything you’re doing – or not doing – that keeps your home from being tidy and work on each habit one at a time. This could be the most difficult tip to follow, but you can reap the benefits for a lifetime.

Commit to Stay Tidy in Small Spaces

Living in a small space can be challenging, especially when you have a lot of stuff or several people in the home. Fortunately, challenging doesn’t mean impossible. With some time, effort, and commitment, you can not only get your space tidy but keep it that way. Another problem that tends to occur in smaller spaces than in larger ones is the number of bacteria and dust build-up. Consider getting CritterZone to keep your home free of floating debris, allergens, and sickness by plugging it into any outlet. It takes up minimal space as an air purifier and odor eliminator, plus it has the added benefit of ensuring your pets stay happy and healthy as well.