1. Start with the smallest space that is still meaningful

A lot of clutter-clearing professionals suggest that you begin with a space that won’t cause you any stress at all…like a junk drawer. That’s a fine idea, but an even better one is to pick a space that you can actually see—like a cabinet that you open often, or a small shelf or table that you notice every time you walk into a room. If you take the twenty minutes tops necessary to clear a small but visible space, you may be inspired to continue, and either way, you’ll feel better every time you see the results of your effort!

2. Set a timer

This one is critical. If you’ve never spent meaningful time clearing clutter, it can feel like a monumental task. But it doesn’t have to be! In the same amount of time that it takes you to heat up a frozen pizza, you can clear a drawer, a cabinet shelf, or the top of your refrigerator. Ten- to 20-minutes is the preferred amount of time for clutter-clearing mastery.

Added bonus: When you make the process a game, you’re much more likely to return to it. So in addition to setting a timer, consider keeping track of how many bags of trash or donatable items you clear out in a given week. Or put a star on the calendar for every day you fill up a full bag of clutter AND remove it from of your space (whether via donation or putting it in your outside trash bins).

3. Choose the process that works best for you

There are two general approaches to clutter clearing: slow and sustainable, or clean sweep. Which one is right for you?

Slow and sustainable starts with that junk drawer or shelf you cleared, and makes that place sacred. You will *not* put anything in that space that doesn’t belong there, and you slowly, deliberately expand from that space or add other spaces that are also officially “cleared.” Make sure each of these spaces have a chance at staying cleared…if you have roommates, pets, kids or other clutter-collectors, this isn’t always easy! So start with areas you can control, and continue from there.

Clean sweep is for those who have an uninterrupted weekend or week to tackle your entire living space…without the input of others. It also works best if you have a hard deadline—like guests coming to visit. This fast and complete decluttering approach is a full-on “out with the old/worn-out/unused/unloved” clearing. It can be invigorating, but also incredibly emotional, so it’s usually not the preferred approach…but you know best what will work for you!

4. Save the sentimental items for last

We all have them. Those stuffed animals from your youth, the boxes of letters you haven’t read through in decades, the shirt you wore when you met your spouse or won that tournament. Don’t start there. In fact, save all these items for after you’ve cleared everything else out. You may find you don’t need to part with your treasures…or you may find that your definition of “treasure” has changed, now that you are enjoying the sense of lightness that living in an uncluttered home brings. You be the judge!

5. Create a strategy for long-term success

Once you have opened up some space in your home, how do you maintain it? There are several strategies:

1. Assign a specific spot for commonly used items. In other words, all vitamins go on a certain shelf, medications on another, cleaning supplies in their own little nooks—even scissors, tape, rubber bands, etc. can have their own home. Then, when you find one of these items out in the wild of your apartment, you’ll know exactly where to put it!
2. Adopt a “one in, one out” rule…If you bring something new into your home, another item has to go. This is an especially good rule for your clothes closet!
3. Go on a purchasing diet. Make a game out of limiting your incidental “stuff” purchases to only a few times a month, or add possible purchases to a list and wait a period of time before buying them if they’re not groceries or necessary personal care items. You may be surprised at how much money you save when you cut back on impulse spending.
4. Cut down on temptation! Toss those catalogs immediately as they come in the door, ignore the coupons to stores full of stuff you don’t need, unfollow social media influencers peddling products of the type that already fill your medicine cabinets.
5. Celebrate! Set a date for when you want your apartment (or garage, or basement, or spare room) officially clutter free, and take the time to show it off and really enjoy that newly cleared space. You’ve earned it!

The post Five pro tips for clutter busting appeared first on BRG Apartments Blog.

Kitchen

When in doubt, start with your kitchen—it’s the room you arguably spend the most time in, and it can be absolutely transformed by a solid cleaning. Before you do anything, clear as much off your counters as possible, and try to figure out how to keep your counters clear—even if you end up storing some items in other rooms! A clean, open kitchen can make a huge difference in your mood.

Then, get to work on your appliances, cleaning them inside and out—taking out shelves and wiping down the interior surfaces as well. Empty out your fridge (and your freezer too!) of all those food items you never quite got around to eating and discard anything that has expired or seems unappealing. Get a pro-level degreaser to clean off your cabinet doors and backsplash, and dust every surface—the tops of your cabinets, the front and top of your refrigerator, your microwave, even your shelves! Then it’s a matter of wiping down your walls and baseboards, mopping the floors, and you’re done!

Living Room/Hallways

Some apartments open directly into a living area, some have a foyer or short hallway—either way, these areas receive some of the heaviest traffic of anywhere in your apartment. Start by picking up anything washable and throwing it into the laundry—slip covers, blankets, pillows, throw rugs, even curtains—or giving these items a thorough cleaning. Next, tackle the dust. Dust and polish your furniture, blinds, window sills, curtain rods, ceiling fans, lamp shades, electronics, artwork…you will be amazed at how much dust has accumulated on every surface in this area. Wipe down walls and baseboards too if you notice cobwebs and gathered grime. After you’ve eliminated the dust, vacuum your sofa, chairs, floors, carpets and anything that isn’t washable.

Pro Level Tip #1: Wash those windows! Whether yours open to the outdoors or not, deep clean any surface you can reach to let the sun shine in.

Bedrooms

For your bedroom, in addition to dusting, vacuuming, and wiping down walls, side tables, ceiling fans and electronics—consider washing all your linens, including your curtains, bed skirt, and mattress pad. These items collect a lot of dust over the months, and are rarely cleaned. Vacuum under your bed and nightstands too, and don’t forget to wipe down those baseboards!

Bathroom

Chances are, your bathrooms are in pretty good shape—this is not an area that generally needs a seasonal cleaning! Still, you can take this opportunity to deep clean your cabinets, discarding items you haven’t used in the last several months (and likely won’t use), and deciding what you truly need to keep in this room on a regular basis. Deep clean every surface (tile grout, fixtures, mirrors, vanity, sinks, toilets, tub) and wipe down the walls and baseboards as well. It’s a small room, so spend some time on it!

Pro Level Tip #2: If you keep containers on your countertop, consider emptying them out and tossing them into the dishwasher for a thorough clean…those makeup, toiletry and brush holders probably need it.

Safety First

In addition to all the dusting and cleaning, Spring is an excellent time to make sure your apartment’s safety features are up to date. Use this time to test and replace smoke alarm batteries, replace air filters for your furnace, update light bulbs throughout your home as needed, clean air vents/registers and your laundry filter, and update your batteries in any security systems that aren’t hard wired.

Here’s to a healthy (and sparkling clean!) Spring!

The post Ready to Spring clean your apartment? We’ve got you covered appeared first on BRG Apartments Blog.

Clean, organize and clear out your space!

If you know in advance that guests will be coming, use their visit as an excuse to clean your apartment thoroughly and get rid of anything you know you don’t need. The less you have in the apartment, the more space you’ll have to move around when guests arrive. Go all out: toss the junk mail, wipe down all surfaces, vacuum the floor and shake out the curtains. Merely having a little less “stuff” in your space will make you feel lighter and better prepared to take on a guest—and you’ll be able to introduce your home to others in the best condition possible.

Also, take a moment to clear space for the guest. A drawer in a chest near their bed, an extra chair for them to use as a makeshift luggage rack, empty hangers in a closet, and even designated space in the bathroom can really create a homey touch.

Invest in an air mattress

If you don’t already have a sleeper sofa or futon, invest in an air mattress that quickly inflates and deflates to provide your guest with a comfortable night’s rest that doesn’t require much space. Today’s air mattresses can be set up and taken down in no time, allowing you to whisk away the bedding into your room or a closet until it’s needed again. You’ll also want to set up the air mattress in an ideal location. If it’s in your main living space, consider snugging it up against a wall, near a light and electrical outlet. Nearly everyone has electronic devices to charge overnight, so having a charging station near the bed will be very much appreciated!

Stock up on bathroom necessities

One of the more whimsical but fun aspects of staying at a hotel is the little tray of sample-sized bath products waiting for you in the bathroom. Why not replicate this idea for your guests? For just a few dollars, this welcoming gesture is long on charm and short on cost—and will save you a last-minute run to the drug store for toothpaste or shampoo.

Stock up on easy-to-eat snacks, drinks and breakfast foods

While you’ll likely be eating most of your shared meals out, especially if your guest is only on hand for a few days or if you have a whole apartment full of guests, it’s a great idea to stock up on energy bars, snack chips, bagels and cream cheese, six-packs of soda or juice and bottled water to have some easy-access food on hand for your guest, particularly something that won’t spoil right away or take up too much space.

Hosting overnight guests can be a fantastic way for you to shake up your routine, reconnect with friends, and share your favorite neighborhood haunts with new people—and it gives you an excuse to deep clean your apartment! With just a little planning, you can make sure it’s an easy and fun experience for all.

The post Come on over! How to host guests in a small apartment appeared first on BRG Apartments Blog.