For both the strictest minimalists and the most avid collectors, keeping a home tidy is a difficult task, especially during the holidays. Decorations accumulate around the clutter and the job of deep-cleaning becomes so daunting that it’s often ignored or pushed ahead into the distant future.
Tackling the mess doesn’t have to be stressful, however. With the right attitude and techniques at your disposal, you can keep your home tidy this holiday season without constantly picking up after everyone.
Here are a few simple tips to help you keep your home clean and tidy this holiday season.
Reduce Clutter
This is easier said than done, but once you have this step out of the way than keeping your house tidy will be quicker and much less of a chore in the future. Many people have accumulated possessions throughout their lives that no longer serve a purpose or bring them enjoyment. Sometimes the only reason these possessions are kept is because the effort of getting rid of them seems like too much work.
Useful techniques include:
- Concentrating on one room at a time, for example, the office or playroom;
- Giving yourself an allotted period of time within which to do as much as possible with the reassurance that you can end the task at a defined point;
- Collect everything you are unsure about keeping and bring it all into one space where you can evaluate it clearly.
- Get rid of the decorations you aren’t using. After you’ve decorated your house the way you want, donate whatever is leftover.
Tackle One Room at a Time
Depending on how much you own, tidying up is either a breeze or a nightmare. The best way to approach the problem of simply having too many items is to go room by room. Set aside some time to sort through what you have in your bedroom, for example, and give yourself at least a day of rest before moving onto the next part of the house. This way you’ll have a clear mind and a better idea of what you do and don’t want to keep. This step is easier to do before you decorate for the holiday season, so start with the room you will likely decorate first like your dining room or living room.
Delegate Responsibility
If you have family or anyone else sharing your living space, ask for help and notice how much easier tidying up can be with more hands on deck. Divide responsibilities between each person and make sure everyone pitches in, including the kids! Yes, your two year old can, in fact, pick up toys and put them away.
Part of keeping your home tidy is making sure your house is clean and tidy enough to remain clean, which is a task that can be just as challenging. Cleaning the carpets, getting your leather couch clean, removing stains from the dining room rug so your mother in law doesn’t make a derogatory comment. So much to remember! Recruit the assistance of professional cleaners like Cleaner Cleaner to make your life that little bit easier during this busy season.
Smarten Up Your Storage
Make sure to have a good balance of storage space available for items that don’t need to be out on display. This is a critical step in keeping your home tidy but takes a little bit of an investment at first. Head to the store for some plastic storage containers to help you keep your decorations safe and the items you don’t need out organized and dust-free.
Rearrange
Perhaps there’s a drawer in your house that somehow collects all the miscellany. Or maybe there’s a gap between furniture that attracts bags, toys, and shoes. Keep an eye out for these places and rearrange the layout of your home so as to make keeping your home tidy in the future feel more intuitive. If you want a cozier home that doesn’t feel cluttered, follow these tips this holiday season.
