From Messy House to Cosy Home: Transform Your Living Space

Key Points

• A messy home may add to stress levels.
• Clean and tidy: the two requirements of a cosy home.
• The difference between mess and clutter.

Home should be your soft place to land. But what if your home resembles a disaster zone rather than a relaxing haven? A constant onslaught of dirty dishes, piles of laundry and bedrooms that won’t stay clean can create significant stress. It’s time to tackle the dust, dirt and clutter without sacrificing an entire weekend. 

Reclaim your sacred space and turn your messy house into a warm, inviting home that communicates relaxation and comfort with a little effort and some practical tips.

What is mess?

A messy house can often translate into how busy we are, from items on the floor to clothes slung over chairs and blankets in piles on the lounge. Although things are out of place (or never had a place), mess isn’t the same as clutter. You could be a minimalist and still leave your few possessions lying around. 

Remember: Mess is different from clutter, where disused or never used clothing, knick-knacks and impulse buys build up in various areas, from general rooms to corners like wardrobes. 

Clearing mess may be as simple as picking a few things up and returning them to where they belong, and voila – you have a tidy room. Decluttering is often a more time-consuming task that takes forethought and planning, especially when clutter has been left to build up over many years.

Your mess could be impacting your mental wellbeing. Studies show chaotic home environments can increase stress levels, so it’s best to keep mess and clutter at bay if possible.

There’s a difference between a clean house and a tidy house, but they work together to create a cosy house

Clean vs. tidy: why both are important

When it comes to maintaining a home, some people use the terms ‘clean’ and ‘tidy’ interchangeably. However, they are different concepts.

Cleanliness refers to the absence of dirt, dust and grime. When a room is clean, it is free of germs, bacteria and other harmful microorganisms that can lead to ill health. While tidiness refers to how orderly and organised your spaces are – everything has a designated place. 

While cleanliness and tidiness are separate concepts, they work together to create a harmonious living space.

When your house is messy, do this first

If your house is messy, put down the cleaning products and start with a quick visual assessment of the terrain. Once you’ve eye-balled each room and noted the areas that need the most attention, grab a large clothes basket and pick up stray items from the floor, beds, benchtops, dining table, sofas and coffee tables, tossing these errant belongings in the basket as you go. Quickly return each item to where it belongs.

Once you’ve reduced the visual chaos, create a plan to transform your living space from a messy house to a tidy house. Then, you can focus on making it comfortable and cosy.

5-step action plan to quickly create a tidy house

1. Put on a load of washing. It only takes a minute, and it’s easy to get it started while you move on to other tasks.
2. Tackle the kitchen. The kitchen is the hub of the house and is often the room that needs the most attention. Do the dishes, and wipe down benchtops, cupboards and appliances. You may want to organise the pantry and clean out the fridge (or save those jobs for a decluttering day).
3. Wipe down surfaces. Once surfaces are clear of clutter, walk around the house and wipe them down with a damp cloth. This will quickly freshen up each room and make it look more organised.
4. Make the beds. Your bedroom will feel neater and more put-together with a made-up bed. If you have kids, try and get them involved by creating a chore chart.
5. Vacuum the floors. You can save a deep floor clean for another day, but quickly going over the floors with the vacuum cleaner will instantly make your home feel much tidier.

If you have a large family, try doing at least one load of laundry every day to keep on top of it

10 tips for a tidy home – now and forever

1. Make cleaning a daily habit. Spend a few minutes each morning doing a quick tidy-up so you can begin the day with a clean slate.
2. Clean as you go. When you notice dishes beginning to pile up or the kids tossing random items on the floor, get straight onto it.
3. Make your bed each morning. It’s a simple act that helps you feel organised and ready for the day.
4. Keep cleaning supplies handy. Have a broom, dustpan, surface spray, paper towels and wipes within easy reach to clean up spills.
5. Create a cleaning routine. Put a chore chart on the wall specifying all the chores that need to be done each week.
6. Organise. Remember the old adage: ‘a place for everything, everything in its place’.
7. Declutter. Set yourself a reminder to declutter your home once or twice a year.
8. Use storage solutions. Boxes with lids, baskets, shelves and bins are invaluable for keeping things tidy.
9. Do laundry regularly. If you have a large family, you’ll probably need to do at least one load of washing every day to keep on top of it. Make sure you fold it while taking it off the washing line and put it away as soon as it’s dry to avoid mountainous baskets of laundry building up.
10. Get the whole family involved. Encourage everyone in the household to help keep the home tidy. Assign tasks to each person, and make it a team effort.

Soft lighting, plants, timber and soft furnishings can help create a cosy home

Now it’s clean and tidy, let’s make it cosy

Once your home is tidy, you can focus on making it feel cosy.

1. Lighting greatly impacts how cosy interior spaces feel, so use soft lighting with warm-toned light bulbs and candles to create a warm glow. Soft textures can also make a room feel more comfortable, so add plush cushions, a faux-fur throw for the couch and a soft rug.
2. Incorporate natural elements like plants, flowers and wood to create a calming environment. If you like to read, create a cosy reading nook with a comfortable armchair, a side table for your cuppa and a book.
3. Finally, good smells are essential and can powerfully affect our mood. You may want to use scented candles, essential oils or fresh flowers to create your desired ambience.

The benefits of a cosy home

Transforming your living space from a messy house to a cosy home is all about creating an inviting space that’s both comfortable and functional. It may allow you to decompress from the stresses of the outside world, be creative and productive and socialise with friends and family by inviting them over to your cosy space.

By following these tips and tricks, you can transform your home into a peaceful haven that you can easily keep neat and organised. Remember, the key is to find a balance between functionality and comfort. So take the time to tidy and decorate as needed, and enjoy the rejuvenating power of a well-considered home.

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