Rather than diving into a full deep clean, we more often than not like to do small little cleaning spurts that freshen up our space without taking too much time or effort. It always seems the case that we have so much to do and so little time. There are so many distractions in our daily lives that can leave us in a vicious cycle that sometimes needs a change. Here are just a few easy ways we can freshen up our homes. Whether your living room, kitchen, bedroom, dining room, or laundry room is driving you absolutely nuts, here are some suggestions to freshen up the space;
Discover Storage Solution
No house can have too much storage. It’s much nicer to know that everything has its place and can easily be put away. But sometimes, we can struggle with finding sufficient storage in our homes. There are, however many tricks and tips to increase your storage and not waste any valuable space, including:
- Always choose beds with storage. Whether it’s empty space under the bed or built-in storage, the bed is a great place to store your spare bedding, Christmas decorations, out-of-season clothes, or pretty much anything you would rather be out of sight.
- Keep your baking trays in the oven. This saves valuable cupboard space for other kitchen appliances and food.
- Use the inside of kitchen cupboards. Add hooks to attach cleaning clothes or attach a metal magazine rack to the inside of the door which is perfect for storing tin foil and cling film.
- Use thin shelves to maximize your pantry storage – go for thinner shelves rather than thicker so that you can use the space more efficiently. You can also buy platforms to put inside kitchen cupboards which act as an extra shelf so that you are using all the space available.
- Insert a slimline cabinet into unused bathroom spaces – there are loads of these that easily fit in bathrooms or ensuites. They are the perfect place to store your toiletries and cleaning supplies.
- Buy multifunctional furniture – full-length mirrors can act as jewelry cabinets as well, keeping all of your accessories neat, tidy, and out of the way. Coffee tables can also become display cabinets, magazine racks, or extra storage.
Do Regular Clean Up Around The House
Focus on one room at a time. By using your to-do list, you can break up the jobs into manageable chunks which means you can do a little bit each day in between deeper cleans, rather than one massive clean of the whole home which you end up dreading. Here are some quick ideas on how to clean efficiently and quickly when you are in a rush but need an instant freshen-up. Remember, each room should take about 10- 20 minutes.
KITCHEN
- Do the dishes (by hand or load the dishwasher)
- Declutter
- Clean the counters
- Wipe down appliances (fridge, microwave and oven)
- Clean the floor (start in the corner furthest from the door and work your way out)
LIVING ROOM
- Declutter
- Dust and clean any glass and mirrors
- Vacuum
BEDROOMS
- Declutter (and make the bed)
- Dust
- Vacuum
BATHROOM
- Spray services with cleaner and leave to soak
- Clean the toilet
- Clean the mirror
- Finish wiping down the surfaces
- Clean the floor
Add Colour to your Home
Whenever you think a home needs an uplift, add some brightly colored cushions and a matching throw for an instant makeover. It’s really quick and easy to do, making such a visual impact, whilst saving you time and money on decorating the entire room. Once you get bored of that color, you can simply change it again! Keeping the walls a neutral color means that you can change the color schemes easily.
Declutter
It’s always good to do a regular decluttering, but usually, it’s something we avoid at all costs. The trick is to be brutal. In terms of clothes, if you haven’t worn something in over a year, you obviously don’t love it that much. Wedding dresses and formal attire are exceptions, but anything else you think you need to keep “just in case” you probably don’t. These things are taking up precious space in your wardrobe and could be used by someone else. Once it’s gone, you are more than likely going to forget you ever owned it. When decluttering your room, think about whether or not you really need it or if it’s just collecting dust. Once you’ve decided, do one of the following:
- Tidy it away. It sounds simple but just putting everything away can make a room look fresher and make you feel better. Instead of folding things in piles in drawers, fold them in rectangles and place them next to each other. This means when you open wardrobes and drawers, you can see all your items at once making things easy to find.
- Donate – There are many charities out there that will take your unwanted clothes, which can really help others. Also, ask around to see if you have friends that want anything.
- Sell – If stuff is just sat that, why not try and make some money from it?
- Throw Away – If none of the other options are suitable, then it’s time to say goodbye and move on.
Add Some Green Plant
Adding plants to your home is a great way to freshen up a room. Whether it’s a large potted plant, a tree, a small succulent, or a cactus, the options are endless. Not only do they add a burst of color, but they also look great and they emit oxygen which can filter and improve the air quality in the room.