We live in a world of constant juggling, trying to balance work, finances, family and a social life. The last thing you want to do is spend hours of your time at home cleaning and decluttering when you could be out living your best life.
The reality is that you do have to keep your space tidy, otherwise you could spend hours hunting down the pack of batteries you’re sure you bought last week, or eating out of mixing bowls because you haven’t washed the dishes for a week. Especially if you’re in a smaller living space, keeping your cleaning routine simple is high-priority.
But don’t fret, we’re going to share our practical tips on how to decorate and look after your house with low-maintenance living in mind. Read below to discover how you can turn the chaos of your home into a calm retreat.
Curtains and blinds
Window hangings can transform a space, they’re easy to swap out or install, and come in many styles and fabrics. If you’re looking for low-maintenance, consider these features when choosing your curtains. Machine washable sheer fabrics and pencil pleat curtains will be easier to maintain than a dry clean only damask, and most kinds of wooden shutters and blinds, which are tricky to wipe down whatever material they’re in due to their complicated shapes and angles.
Curtains and blinds each have their aesthetic pros and cons, but in terms of maintenance it really depends on the specific fabric and design. If low-maintenance is your priority, make your decision based on the ease of cleaning and repairs.
Floor coverings
The most common floor coverings are carpet, tiles and floorboards. The question is, which is easier to maintain? Carpet collects more dust and is quickly stained, but is more straight-forward to clean as it doesn’t require mopping like hard floors do. However, it, and provides refuge to insects and allergens, and if marks are left, they can get trodden into the threads of the fabric.
A simple trick is to cover spill-prone areas with a floor rug to protect the fixed flooring underneath. Floor rugs can be easily surface cleaned and removed periodically for deep cleaning. If damaged or badly stained, rugs are much cheaper and easier to replace than a roomful of carpet. Plus, if you’re renting, you’ll avoid losing your bond due to floor damage. In rooms like kitchens and bathrooms where lots of liquids are being handled, you’re better off sticking to tiles and wooden paneling to ensure you can quickly treat anything that falls on the floor.
Upgrade your lighting
Whether you live in a rental or own your own home, if you haven’t made the switch to LED lightbulbs yet then now is the time to do it. These lights can last up to 30 times longer than incandescent or halogen globes, saving money and time. Plus, the nearly 15-year lifespan means you won’t need to take up space storing spares, or spend time changing them every 6 – 8 months.
Make boxes your best friends
Like a throw draped over a pile of rubbish, a magic box can hide all manner of mess and create loads of storage, facilitating an organized space rather than a mound of clutter. Storage boxes can be utilized to suit your needs, habits and living space. Here are two particularly handy methods of using boxes to easily maintain order in your life.
The dumping box
During the weekday rush, maintaining a tidy home can seem almost impossible. Give each person in the household a ‘dumping box’ in an area that accumulates the most mess. Put these items in the box instead of discarded on the floor, and at the end of the week sort the contents without feeling overwhelmed and letting the pile keep growing.
This strategy also works for keeping surfaces clear. Perhaps a box for clearing clutter off the dining table before dinner, or a box for keeping the kitchen bench clean. The dumping boxes can then be stored neatly in a nearby cupboard or drawer. This method works great for cooking too – put all your vegetable peelings and product packaging in the box as you go and save on clean-up time after you’ve finished preparing the meal.
Two in one
If you’re short of room but need more storage space, find yourself a box that doubles as furniture. If you need a coffee table or a flat surface to place a lamp, a storage trunk underneath it can fulfil the function whilst also housing blankets or dog toys. Want a privacy screen in the kids room without wasting precious space? Use bookcases or cube shelving to create a storage wall. ‘Boxes’ don’t need to be cardboard cartoon style, think creatively about where you can double up practicality with design for ultra low-maintenance living.
Tables that fold out from a bookcase or from under a bench provide more room when packed away and provide a flat surface for working or eating when they’re needed. This is particularly useful for cleaning small areas; less furniture equals easy vacuuming.
Whether you’re looking to move into a low-maintenance apartment, or are making the change in your existing home, living a low-maintenance life does not mean you have to go full Marie Kondo. You can still create an organized and clean home that requires little effort or time to maintain without getting rid of all your belongings or personality.
