What is the best way to keep area around litter box tidy?

Like danewillow, I have one of those black rubber welcome mats just outside the box. I also have a ramp (auto litter) and stuck the box in a corner with the large litter holder next to it to force them to use one exit/entrance, as they don't like the hoods.

I still have one that likes to 'pan for gold' so he is always tossing litter out. With that, I just use a small hand broom, pull off the ramp or mat, and sweep it back into the box.

I use those disposable underpads you can get at any discount store. I put one under the front of the litter pan and it collects spilled litter that can then be put back into the litter box. The pads are plastic on one side so it also protects the floor from those occasional urine spills and the absorbent side wicks up any urine.

My cats dont like the hood but i went to a carpet remnant place got a few pieces of carpet and use them under it to protect my carpet change them frequently it helps quite a bit.

I use the black welcome matts, the ones that are kind of bristly so it wipes off their feet as they exit (use a hood so they can only exit in one spot). It's easy to clean because it's rubber. You just tap out all the litter it catches and spray it with water.

I also use a puppy training pad under my 2 litter boxes, it soaks up any urine that runs over in the back and I also use covered boxes and the urine still runs over in the back. Under the pads I have huge rugs or towels that I change often, that helps catch some of the litter when they come out - I trimmed some of the longer hair from one of my cats paws to keep the litter from sticking to her paws as bad. Even with all this they still seem to get litter scattered out farther in front of the box when they come out in a run..