The 5 essential routines for small home living

Lindsay Whitney Lindsay Whitney
Чудный прованс, Katerina Butenko Katerina Butenko Kitchen
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After you have read all the articles on small home design and after you have designed your small home, then come the time when the daily maintenance of your small home is the main task at hand. All small home owners already know a bit about this from experience, but there are still a few crafty hacks to learn.

While there are many benefits to small homes—less to clean, cheaper and sometimes, cosier—the common drawbacks are that, if you do not keep it tidy, there is little space and uncleanliness becomes amplified. So we at homify have written down our top five, easy-to-do routines for keeping your small home looking in top shape, to maximise its cheerful intimacy, starting with the bed.

1. Make the bed

Perhaps your parents always told you do make your bed. If so, and now you are already in that routine, then good for your parents, because a freshly made bed is one of the most satisfying and simple tasks to get your room feeling lifted and expanded. 

Some people forget that beds are space, surfaces that open up a small area when they are smooth and clean. So even if you think it is a minor change, we recommend trying to make your bed everyday for one week and see if you do not feel the difference.

2. Do a quick declutter sweep

Clutter is the worst enemy especially of a small home because the slightest clutter whatsoever threatens to overtake your whole space visually, so you see clutter instead of the home's beautiful furniture or stylish decor. 

Furthermore, too much clutter can be dangerous in a small home—particularly if there are little ones or animals around: nobody wants to wake up and stub their toe on something that should have been in the closet. So, take five minutes to do a quick de-clutter sweep everyday.

3. Wipe down counters

This is another quick and easy one: another five minutes to wet a rag and wipe down your kitchen and bathroom counters will make a phenomenal difference in the mood of your home. 

Clean counters literally create more space. To kill two birds with one stone, use a countertop cleaner with a fabulous scent so your room smells as good as it looks!

4. Put all your clothes away

For many of us, this might be the most difficult routine to complete on the list--especially for those of us who change outfits more than once a day. But making sure your clothes, one: have a proper place and two: that you regularly put them neatly into that place are essential things to keep your small home feeling put together and liveable instead of constantly on the edge of chaos. 

If maintaining this routine means putting in more storage, then we recommend doing this—whatever makes it easier for you!

5. Do the dishes

We know, it is a chore, particularly after you have eaten a fabulous meal, nobody wants to bother with scrubbing all the dishes and pots. But for small kitchens, it is key. 

In spring and summer, when fruit flies and bugs are more active than ever, not making a daily routine of doing your dishes can just become nasty and smelly, ruining whatever hard work you have put into make your little home nice. So invest in a few pairs of rubber gloves and several top-notch sponges, and scrub away!

If you liked this article, you'll love: 5 steps to a perfect Scandinavian style bathroom.

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