With work deadlines, social events and family commitments, we often don’t have time to refresh our homes day to day. While a daily reset is ideal, sometimes we need a more realistic approach. If you don’t have time for deep-dive chores, such as scrubbing your skirting boards or reorganising your pantry, you can adopt a few easy strategies to make your space look cleaner and less cluttered.
Instead of homing in on tiny details, focus on high-impact areas that define a room’s cleanliness, such as countertops, floors and mirrors. By removing visual clutter, you can transform your home from chaotic to calm in a matter of minutes. To find the most efficient strategies, we talked to two home experts: Tricia Holderman, author of Germinator: The Germ Girl’s Guide To Simple Solutions In A Germ-Filled World, and North Carolina-based home organisation expert Sidney Ayers Young. They shared tips with us on how to make your home look instantly cleaner.
Clear floor space
For maximum impact, Sidney says to pick up anything from the floor, such as toys, shoes and clothing, especially in the main living area and hallways. ‘Floors carry more visual weight than almost anything else in a room and they’re also the biggest surface in the entire space,’ she explains.
Store decluttered items in a basket
While you’re decluttering, Sidney says to use what she calls ‘a quick reset basket’: a laundry or storage bin to place items in. ‘The key is remembering this basket is temporary, not storage,’ she explains. ‘It gives you breathing room so you can restore visual calm first, then sort through everything once the space feels manageable again.’
Clear kitchen surfaces
The kitchen is a high-traffic area and clearing your countertops is one of the most impactful ways to make your home look cleaner, according to Tricia. ‘Clear everything off the kitchen counters and the dining table, leaving out only a few intentional items,’ she says.
Tidy up bedroom surfaces
As with kitchen counters, items on our bedroom surfaces, such as dressers and nightstands, can make a room appear messy. ‘You always want to handle visual clutter first, especially when you need to get things in order quickly,’ Sidney explains. ‘Clearing what you can see gives you an endorphin rush and can make the whole bedroom feel lighter.’
Make beds
There’s a reason why our parents always told us to make our beds as soon as we got up: a made bed acts as a visual anchor for the entire room. ‘Smooth bedding and, if you have time, make the bed, which will instantly make the whole bedroom feel tidier,’ says Tricia.
Straighten up the sofa
Another way to restore visual harmony is to straighten up your sofa. ‘Fluff sofa cushions, style throw pillows and neatly fold blankets over the back or arm of the sofa,’ Tricia says. These small adjustments act as a ‘reset button’ for your living room, making the entire space look crisp and tidy.
Wipe down mirrors and glass surfaces
A cloudy or fingerprinted mirror can make a whole bathroom seem dirty and just wiping down mirrors and glass surfaces will instantly improve the space. ‘Shiny, streak‑free glass makes rooms look brighter and cleaner, so wipe mirrors and glass tables,’ says Tricia. ‘Be sure to give the bathroom counters a quick wipe, too.’
Use warm lighting
Soft, ambient lighting makes a room feel more inviting, so consider swapping out white bulbs for yellow ones. ‘Turning on warm lamps instead of harsh overhead lights can hide minor dust and soften the whole space,’ Tricia advises.
Handy storage solutions
