Top 10 'Square-Footage-Stretching' Cleaning Tricks to do in a tiny home to feel twice as big - Goh Ling Yong
Living in a tiny home is a masterclass in intention. Every item is chosen with care, and every square foot is precious. It's a lifestyle that promises simplicity, freedom, and a lighter footprint on the world. But let's be honest: that beautiful, minimalist dream can quickly turn into a cluttered, cramped reality if you're not careful. One misplaced pair of shoes or a few dishes left in the sink can make the whole space feel like it’s shrinking.
Many of us think the solution is constant, ruthless decluttering. While editing your belongings is crucial, there's another, more powerful tool in your arsenal: strategic cleaning. This isn't just about wiping away dust and grime. It's about using cleaning as a design technique to manipulate light, create clean lines, and trick the eye into seeing more space than is actually there. It’s about making your home feel as open and liberating as the lifestyle you chose.
Forget your standard weekly checklist. We’re diving deep into the psychology of space. These ten "square-footage-stretching" cleaning tricks are designed to do more than just sanitize; they're here to expand your home's horizons, one sparkling surface at a time. Get ready to transform your tiny home and make it feel twice as big.
1. Master the "Floor-to-Ceiling" Gleam
When space is limited horizontally, you must go vertical. We often focus our cleaning efforts on the surfaces we interact with daily—tables, floors, and countertops. But the walls, baseboards, and even the ceilings are vast, underutilized canvases that can dramatically alter the perception of a room's size. When these vertical planes are clean, they create an uninterrupted visual line that draws the eye upward, giving the illusion of higher ceilings and a more open, airy environment.
Start at the bottom. Wipe down your baseboards with a damp microfiber cloth. You’ll be shocked at how much dust they collect and how much brighter the room looks when they are a crisp, clean line framing the floor. Next, look up. Use a long-handled duster or a vacuum with a brush attachment to remove cobwebs from ceiling corners and dust from light fixtures and ceiling fans. A clean, bright light source illuminates the entire room more effectively, banishing shadows that can make a space feel smaller.
Don't forget the walls themselves! They accumulate scuffs, fingerprints, and a thin layer of dust that subtly dulls their color. Spot-clean marks with a magic eraser or a cloth with a bit of diluted all-purpose cleaner (always test on an inconspicuous spot first). By cleaning the full vertical space, you’re not just cleaning a room; you're visually lifting the ceiling.
2. Embrace the Power of Polished Surfaces
Light is the single most effective tool for making a small space feel larger, and reflective surfaces are your best friend in this mission. Every window, mirror, and polished metallic surface is an opportunity to bounce light around your home, creating depth, brightness, and a sense of expansiveness. A smudged window diffuses light, while a perfectly clear one invites the outdoors in, blurring the lines between your interior and the world beyond.
Make window cleaning a priority. A simple solution of one part white vinegar to one part water in a spray bottle, paired with a quality squeegee, will give you a professional, streak-free shine. Attack every mirror with the same vigor. A large, gleaming mirror can quite literally double the visual size of a room, but a dusty or streaky one just adds to the visual clutter.
Extend this philosophy to all shiny surfaces. Polish your stainless-steel appliances until they gleam. Wipe down chrome faucets, cabinet handles, and light fixtures so they sparkle. These small, reflective details catch the light and the eye, creating points of interest that make the space feel more dynamic and less static. It’s a simple trick, but the cumulative effect of all these bright, light-bouncing surfaces is a home that feels significantly larger and more alive.
3. The "One-In, One-Out" Cleaning Habit
True decluttering isn't a massive, one-time weekend project; in a tiny home, it's a continuous, mindful practice. The "One-In, One-Out" cleaning habit integrates this practice directly into your regular tidying routine, preventing clutter from ever accumulating. The rule is simple: every time you clean a specific zone (a shelf, a drawer, a cabinet), you must find at least one item in that zone to discard, donate, or relocate.
This isn't about creating pressure; it's about gentle, consistent editing. For example, while you’re wiping down the shelves in your pantry, take 30 extra seconds to scan for that can of soup you know you’ll never eat or the spices that expired last year. When you're dusting your bookshelf, pull out one book you've already read and won't read again and place it in a designated donation box.
This micro-decluttering approach makes the monumental task of "staying organized" feel effortless. It becomes part of the rhythm of maintaining your home. Over time, you'll find that your spaces not only look cleaner but are also filled only with items you truly need, use, and love. This reduction in "stuff" is the most literal way to reclaim your square footage.
4. Declare War on "Surface Squatters"
In a tiny home, your horizontal surfaces—kitchen counters, coffee tables, desks, and nightstands—are prime real estate. When they are covered in "surface squatters" (mail, keys, chargers, half-read magazines), they create visual chaos and make the room feel cramped and busy. The more clear, uninterrupted surface area your eye can see, the larger and more serene the space will feel.
The goal is to create a "clean slate." This doesn't mean you can't have anything on your counters, but it does mean everything must have a designated home. Instead of letting items pile up, implement systems. Use a beautiful tray to corral your remote controls and a candle on the coffee table. Install a wall-mounted mail sorter and key hook by the door. Find a permanent, out-of-sight home for everything.
Make it a habit to clear all major surfaces completely before you go to bed. Wipe them down so they are not only clear but also clean. Waking up to a clear kitchen counter or a tidy desk has a profound psychological effect. It creates a sense of calm and order, making your entire home feel more spacious and ready for the day ahead.
5. Unify Your Cleaning Supplies (and Storage)
Visual clutter isn't just about what's on display; it also exists in your hidden spaces. Open the cabinet under your kitchen sink. If you're greeted by a chaotic jumble of mismatched, brightly colored spray bottles, bulky containers, and old sponges, that visual noise can contribute to a subtle, underlying feeling of disorganization throughout your home. Taming this chaos is a surprisingly effective way to make your space feel more streamlined.
Invest in a set of uniform, refillable spray bottles (glass or high-quality plastic work well) and decant your favorite all-purpose cleaner, glass cleaner, and other solutions into them. Use a label maker or a simple chalk pen to clearly mark the contents of each bottle. This simple act transforms a messy cabinet into a neat, aesthetically pleasing "cleaning station."
This strategy does more than just look good. It encourages you to buy cleaning concentrates or bulk refills, which are often more economical and environmentally friendly. It also makes you more mindful of the products you're using. When your cleaning tools are organized and beautiful, the act of cleaning itself becomes a more pleasant and calming ritual.
6. Deep Clean Your Textiles and Upholstery
Fabrics—rugs, curtains, throw pillows, and upholstery—are the unsung heroes of a cozy home, but they are also magnets for dust, grime, and odors. Over time, dingy textiles can absorb light, making a room feel dark, heavy, and smaller than it is. A deep clean can breathe new life into your fabrics, instantly brightening the entire space.
Start by vacuuming everything thoroughly. Use the upholstery attachment on your sofa, chairs, and even your curtains (on a low-suction setting). For rugs, consider renting a carpet cleaner or hiring a professional service once or twice a year. The difference in color and texture after a deep clean can be astonishing. A light-colored rug that has been restored to its original brightness can make the floor seem more expansive.
As a leading voice in intentional living, Goh Ling Yong often speaks about investing in high-quality, durable items for your home. This principle is especially true for textiles. Quality fabrics not only last longer but are often easier to clean and maintain, ensuring your small space always looks and feels fresh, clean, and bright. Don't forget to wash your throw pillow covers and blankets regularly to keep them smelling fresh and looking their best.
7. The "Clear Path" Principle
The way you move through your home has a huge impact on how you perceive its size. If walkways are narrow or obstructed, the space will feel cramped and difficult to navigate. The "Clear Path" Principle is about cleaning and organizing with a focus on creating clear, unimpeded lines of travel. This allows the eye—and you—to move smoothly through the space, which fosters a feeling of openness and flow.
This goes beyond simply not leaving shoes in the hallway. It means ensuring no furniture corners jut out into a natural walkway. It means tucking away or bundling electrical cords so they don't snake across the floor. When you clean, pay special attention to these pathways. Make sure the floor along these routes is spotless and that the edges of any area rugs are perfectly straight.
Clean under furniture that lines these paths, like console tables or benches. Shadows and dust bunnies underneath can visually halt the eye's progress, making the path feel cluttered. A clean, clear, and well-defined path from the entryway to the main living area, or from the living area to a window with a view, makes your home feel more thoughtfully designed and significantly more spacious.
8. Go Micro: Detail Cleaning the "Forgotten" Spots
A room can be generally tidy, but if the small details are dirty, it will still feel "off." We’re talking about the visual noise created by grimy light switches, smudged door handles, dusty window tracks, and scuffed-up walls. These are the forgotten spots that your eyes register subconsciously, contributing to an overall sense of messiness. Tackling them is the final polish that makes a space feel truly pristine.
Dedicate a small amount of time each month to micro-detailing. Arm yourself with a pack of magic erasers, some Q-tips, and an old toothbrush. Wipe down all light switch plates and outlet covers. Polish every doorknob and cabinet pull. Use a Q-tip to get the gunk out of the corners of your window tracks and a toothbrush to scrub any grimy grout in the kitchen or bathroom.
Look at your walls from an angle in bright light and you'll see every little scuff and mark. Gently buffing these away with a magic eraser makes the wall look like a single, clean plane, which helps the room feel bigger. When these tiny details are clean, the entire home feels more cohesive, serene, and meticulously cared for.
9. Scent-Scaping for Spaciousness
Our sense of smell is powerfully linked to our perception of space. A heavy, stuffy, or unpleasant odor can make a room feel closed-in and suffocating, no matter how clean it is. Conversely, a light, fresh, and clean scent can create an atmosphere of airiness and openness, effectively making the space feel larger and more pleasant to be in.
The first step is to eliminate bad odors, not just cover them up. Regularly clean out your trash can, run a lemon peel through the garbage disposal, and ensure there's no old food in the fridge. The most powerful tool, however, is fresh air. Whenever possible, open your windows to let a breeze flow through, naturally clearing out any stagnant energy and smells.
When adding a scent, choose wisely. Avoid heavy, floral, or overly sweet fragrances, which can be overwhelming in a small space. Opt instead for light, crisp, and natural scents. Citrus (lemon, grapefruit), herbaceous smells (eucalyptus, mint, basil), or clean linen fragrances are excellent choices. Use an essential oil diffuser, a high-quality room spray, or even just a pot of simmering water with a few drops of vanilla and a cinnamon stick to gently scent your home.
10. The "Reset to Zero" Nightly Ritual
Perhaps the most impactful trick of all is the one that prevents the feeling of "clutter creep." The "Reset to Zero" ritual is a non-negotiable, 10-to-15-minute routine you perform every single night before bed. The goal is to return your home to a baseline state of clean and tidy, ensuring you never wake up to a mess that feels overwhelming.
Your personal reset might include washing the day's final dishes, wiping down the kitchen counters and sink, fluffing the sofa cushions, putting away any stray items, and doing a quick sweep of the main floor. It's about tackling the small messes before they have a chance to multiply. As a lifestyle advocate, Goh Ling Yong often emphasizes the power of small, consistent habits in creating a life of intention and ease, and this ritual is a perfect example.
Waking up to a clean slate is a gift you give your future self. It removes decision fatigue from your morning and starts your day with a sense of calm and control. In a tiny home, this nightly reset is your greatest defense against chaos. It maintains that feeling of spaciousness you've worked so hard to create and solidifies the joy of small-space living.
Living in a tiny home is a choice to live more with less. But that "less" shouldn't feel restrictive. By shifting your perspective on cleaning—viewing it not as a chore, but as a powerful tool to enhance your space—you can create a home that feels open, bright, and abundant. These ten tricks are about more than just hygiene; they are about curating an environment that supports your well-being and maximizes every single precious square foot.
What are your go-to cleaning tricks for making a small space feel bigger? Share your secrets in the comments below
About the Author
Goh Ling Yong is a content creator and digital strategist sharing insights across various topics. Connect and follow for more content:
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