Top monsoon hacks for small apartment living

Living in a small apartment during the rainy season can be challenging, but there are straightforward tricks to improve your space. These tips help maximise space and maintain a comfortable, dry environment. Discover these practical hacks—from efficient storage solutions to effective moisture control—that will turn your small apartment into a peaceful retreat during rainy days.

See also: How to prepare your home for the monsoon?

Importance of preparing a small apartment

During the monsoon season, small apartments face specific challenges that need preparation:

• Moisture issues: Small spaces with few windows can get damp in rainy weather. This can cause mould, which can make breathing harder.
• Drying clothes: It’s hard to dry clothes inside during the rain. This can make your place feel messy and wet.
• Bugs: Wet places attract bugs like mosquitoes and cockroaches. These bugs are not just annoying—they can also make you sick.
• Leaks: Small apartments, especially on lower floors, can get leaks from rain. This can ruin your stuff and make your place weaker.

Moisture management

Embrace ventilation

• Open windows and doors to let fresh air in and keep your apartment from feeling damp.
• Use a ceiling fan or portable fan to move air around, especially after showers or cooking.

Invest in dehumidification

• Small dehumidifiers are great for removing extra moisture in the air, which stops mould and makes your home more comfortable.
• Put moisture absorbers like silica gel or reusable pouches in places that get damp, like cabinets and closets.

Drying clothes strategically

• Use a folding drying rack near an open window or balcony door for faster drying indoors.
• If you have a dryer with a dehumidifier setting, use it to dry clothes quickly without making your home humid.
• Consider a compact portable clothes dryer for small spaces to save room while drying clothes.

Leak and pest prevention

Leak prevention

• Before the monsoon season starts, check windows, doors, and plumbing for cracks or leaks. Use caulk or weather stripping to seal them and keep rainwater out.
• If you live on the top floor, ask for a maintenance check to ensure the roof is in good shape and doesn’t have cracks or loose tiles.

Pest prevention

• Install mesh screens on windows and doors to stop mosquitoes and pests from getting into your apartment. Choose a mesh that lets air in but keeps bugs out.
• Use bowls of vinegar or place cloves and cinnamon sticks strategically around your apartment. These natural repellents help keep insects away without chemicals.

Space-saving solutions

Folding furniture

Invest in furniture that folds up when you’re not using it, like drying racks or small tables. This way, you can save space in your small apartment.

Vertical storage

Use shelves, hooks, and organisers on your walls to store things. This keeps your stuff off the floor and helps air move around, so your home doesn’t get too humid.

Multifunctional furniture 

Find furniture that does more than one thing, like ottomans with storage inside or beds with drawers underneath. This helps you use your space better and keeps your home from getting cluttered.

Wet zone for shoes

Make a spot near your door for wet umbrellas and shoes. Use a boot tray or a shoe rack with a drip tray to stop water from spreading on the floor.

Flooring and footwear

Protect your floors

To keep your floors clean and dry, place washable rugs near your doors or where people walk the most. These rugs can catch mud and water from outside, like when it rains.

Indoor slippers

Ask people to wear slippers indoors to keep dirt and wetness from outside off your floors. This helps your floors stay cleaner and means you don’t have to clean as often. For example, when it rains outside, slippers can stop mud from getting on your clean floors.

Cleaning and maintenance

Increase cleaning frequency

Clean more often during the monsoon to stop mould and mildew from growing. Use disinfectant to wipe down places like counters, bathroom tiles, and showers. For example, wipe your bathroom down more when it’s rainy outside.

Pay attention to doormats

Use doormats inside and outside your door to stop dirt and wetness from getting inside. Shake them out a lot to keep dirt and water from building up. For example, shake your doormats to keep mud out after it rains.

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