The living room might be the most important room in your home. It’s where guests will first enter, and it’s where you can relax with your friends or family after a long day at work. It’s important to keep your living room clean and organized so that it inspires relaxation rather than anxiety when you walk through the door. Here are 7 simple ways to keep your living room clean and organized.
1) Have designated space for items
The best way to keep your living room clean is to have designated space for items. For instance, keep all of your electronics in one place, books on a shelf, or house plants in a corner. Set up a table for remote controls and snacks and make sure you put them back when you’re done using them. Designate one container or shelf for DVD cases and video games so they don’t get lost around the room.
You can even create different sections with furniture: One area could be devoted to reading material, whereas another could be reserved for watching television or listening to music.
Having designated space for items can make a big difference. It’s easy to lose things when they’re scattered around a room, and if you need something specific but can’t find it, chances are it won’t get used. Before long, your living room will be overrun with clutter that you don’t have time or patience to deal with. Designating areas for items gives them an obvious place to go, making them easier to store and access.
2) Adopt the one in, one out rule
Some people have a hard time letting go of an item that they’ve grown attached to. But rather than keeping sentimental attachments instead of discarding items to keep your living room clean, remember why and how they came into your life in the first place. If they’re not bringing joy into your life or you don’t need them anymore, then discard them.
In most cases, you’ll find your living room feeling a lot less cluttered if you approach it with a philosophy of one in, one out. That is, for every new item you bring into your living room (whether it be a decoration or furniture), an old item should likely be removed from that space.
This rule can be applied to all sorts of things—books, clothing, decor, etc.—and will help keep your home from getting too cluttered. You might not feel the need to apply this rule quite yet; however, once you do, it can hold you accountable in your efforts of organizing the living room.
3) Use baskets or bins
Baskets and bins are great for keeping things in their place. Rather than leaving books, magazines, and newspapers lying around, tuck them into baskets you can then store on shelves or in corners of your living room. It’s a simple trick that makes a big difference over time.
Also, don’t forget to put anything you tend to pick up while watching TV—remote controls, coasters and so on—into one basket at night. This way, you won’t have to go searching for these items when it comes time to turn off the television.
Additionally, you could invest in an attractive basket for your keys or another similar item you tend to drop or misplace on a regular basis. Then, put it somewhere where you won’t forget about it—for example, near your purse or coat when you come in from work every day. Using baskets or bins to organize your items allows for greater accessibility and will save you time in the long run.
4) Set aside time each day to clear the clutter
Schedule time for you to clean and organize your living room each day. This can be as little as 5 minutes or as much as 30, depending on your lifestyle and how often your space gets cluttered. But by setting aside some time each day to clear clutter, you’ll prevent it from piling up and making a bigger mess than necessary.
You might find that having an empty and organized space makes it easier to stay organized throughout the rest of your home. And if you do end up with extra time at one point during your cleaning session, perhaps see if there are any other areas in need of attention. Consider setting an alert on your phone to remind you when it’s time to clean.
You can also make cleaning part of your bedtime routine, so you don’t feel tempted to spend time doing other things while your living room is messy. Moreover, if you don’t have the time to clean your home, then it might be a good idea to contact a professional cleaning service and get an estimate (see more information below).
5) Donate what you don’t use/need/want
There’s a good chance that you have at least one item in your home that hasn’t been used in quite some time. Maybe it was something you purchased on a whim and never used, or maybe you received it as a gift and simply don’t like it.
Take an inventory of your items, find those things you don’t use anymore, and get rid of them. Not only will donating them benefit someone else, but it will make room for things that are actually necessary for you. It might be hard to part with certain items but remember: If you haven’t touched it in months, chances are you won’t miss it.
It’s easy to hold onto things out of a fear that you may need them someday, but let go of these possessions and clear some room for newer items. Having fewer possessions allows you to maintain your home more easily. If you have too many belongings, they can make it harder for you to keep your living room clean and organized. Aim for simplicity by donating those unused items.
6) Get rid of anything that stinks
Oftentimes, people find that there are a few things around their living room that can smell pretty bad. Garbage cans, dirty clothes, food remains—all of these can start smelling pretty badly after a while.
If you have more than one garbage can in your home, make sure they’re all cleaned out at least once a week. This will keep foul odors from collecting in one location and will keep your home looking nicer overall. It’s also important to clean up spills immediately; when liquids sit for too long, they can seep into carpets or cause permanent damage to floors. It may be worth investing in some odor-removing products as well, such as air fresheners or deodorizers.
7) Schedule regular cleanings with your partner/roommates
Having a set schedule and making cleaning an expected, regular occurrence will keep your living room from piling up with clutter. Plus, sharing cleaning duties with your significant other is a great way to stay connected without too much extra effort! If you often find yourself busy, then it might be beneficial to hire a professional cleaning service. Residential cleaners know exactly how to treat your home, as these services specialize in their cleaning roles.
Hire a Professional Cleaning Service Today
If your living room and/or your home is in need of some thorough cleaning, then it’s a good idea to hire professional cleaners to get the job done properly.
Plan: B Cleaning offers residential cleaning services to help you keep your residential space clean and free from allergens. If your schedule is too hectic to clean your home, investing in a professional cleaning service is the way to go. Call today to schedule your residential cleaning service at (317) 572-8515 or visit https://www.planbcleaning.com/ to learn more!
Plan: B Cleaning serves the Fishers, Indiana area, including Carmel, Noblesville, Fortville, and Noblesville for all of your residential cleaning needs.