7 Daily Habits for a Clutter-Free Home
Living a simple life all centers around the home, but simplifying where you live is a project in itself. Instead, you can use this list of 7 daily habits for a clutter-free home and jump-start your home transformation from chaotic to simplified.
Living a simple life with a home that is streamlined, less cluttered, and easy to keep that way.
Simple living and a cluttered home are two descriptions that do not belong together. Clutter brings with it chaos, and if you are looking to simplify your day-to-day, then chaos definitely needs to go. With each item you remove, you free up space, let go of stress, and invite a sense of peace that will make this life you are living one you love rather than one you go through on auto-pilot.
Let that clutter go!
Clutter can be overwhelming and can create unnecessary stress and anxiety. It can lead to feeling overwhelmed, especially when we look at our messy rooms, as well as feeling frustrated whenever we are unable to find the things we need.
Luckily, you can turn the tides with a few simple daily habits- seven of them, to be exact. You will also begin to shift how you see your things and, in turn, set up rooms to hold less stuff and more space.
7 Daily Habits for a Clutter-Free Home
By incorporating these habits every day, you can reduce the amount of time and energy spent on cleaning, searching, and organizing, allowing for more time to focus on what truly matters.
Almost Amish: One Woman’s Quest for a Slower, Simpler, More Sustainable Life
The Amish Cook’s Family Favorite Recipes by Lovina Eicher (2013-01-01)Amish Baking: Traditional Recipes for Bread, Cookies, Cakes, and PiesThe Encyclopedia of Country Living, 50th Anniversary Edition: The Original Manual for Living off the Land & Doing It Yourself
Habit 1: Make your Bed
This simple task takes just minutes to complete and will greatly impact your living space. Not only does it neaten up your bedroom, but it also sets the tone for the rest of your day because you have already completed a daily habit. Plus, there’s nothing better than coming home to a neatly made bed at night.
Action Steps:
- When you wake up, pull down all the covers, shake them lightly, and lay them at the foot of your bed.
- Let things air out and freshen up while you brush your teeth and grab your robe.
- Pull each sheet and blanket into place, fold down the top, tucking them in at the sides.
- Fluff up each pillow and put them into place.
- Finally, replace the top comforter and any top blankets or pillows you normally have out.
Habit 2: Gradually Declutter
Decluttering items as you come across them is called gradual decluttering and it will be a game changer with the stuff in your home. Always be aware of your things so that when you find excess items, you can quickly get them out of the way without second-guessing your decisions.
Action Steps:
- Place bags or boxes in any of the rooms in your home that need a bit of decluttering.
- Be sure to have the words DONATION written on each container.
- As you find items that you no longer need or use, put them into the donation bin.
- Once full, take it out to your car.
- Next time you are out running errands, drop any boxes or bags you have with you at the donation center.
- Don’t forget to put a new DONATION container in that area.
By gradually decluttering things as you go about your day, you will create a habit that will help you simplify the things you have in your home.
Habit 3: Clean-Up After Meals
One of the most challenging areas to keep clean in a home is the kitchen, especially after meals. To avoid this room from getting cluttered and messy, make a habit of cleaning up after each meal.
Action Steps:
- After every meal, immediately scrape off any leftover food into the trash or compost bin.
- Place all dishes and utensils in the dishwasher or wash them by hand.
- Wipe down countertops and stovetop with a damp cloth or disinfectant.
- Sweep or vacuum any crumbs on the floor.
- Take out the trash if it’s full, or make sure to add it to your list of chores for later.
- Put away any leftover food and ingredients back in the fridge or pantry.
By cleaning up after each meal, you are preventing buildup and making it easier to maintain a clean kitchen. This will also save you time and effort in the long run.
Habit 4: Put Things Away After Each Use
One of the main culprits of a messy and cluttered home is simply not putting things away after using them. This leads to piles and piles of items that need to be put away, causing unnecessary stress and chaos.
Action Steps:
- Make a conscious effort to put things back in their designated spots after using them.
- Create designated spots for commonly used items, such as keys, wallets, and bags.
- Set a rule for yourself and your family members to put things away immediately after use.
- Regularly declutter and reorganize your designated spots to ensure they are still working effectively.
By practicing this habit, you will eliminate clutter and save time in the long run by not having to continuously clean up after yourself. Additionally, it will create a sense of calm and order in your home.
Habit 5: Keep Flat Surfaces Clear
Flat surfaces like countertops and tables tend to accumulate clutter quickly. To prevent this from happening, put baskets in hot spot areas to put those random items inside instantly, giving a neater look to a cluttered space.
Action Steps:
- Before leaving a room, take a quick scan of any flat surfaces and remove any items that don’t belong.
- Create designated spots for important papers and mail so they don’t pile up on flat surfaces.
- Invest in storage solutions such as trays or baskets to corral smaller items and keep them organized.
- Set a timer for 5-10 minutes each day to quickly declutter any flat surfaces that have accumulated clutter.
By consistently keeping these areas clear, you will create a more visually appealing and organized space. Plus, you’ll never have to spend hours decluttering before guests come over!
Habit 6: Do a Room Reset Each Day
I love room resets; they are an easy way to keep active rooms neater. A room reset basically means taking a room back to neat before you go to bed each day. Just a few minutes of time can make a world of difference in a simplified home.
Action Steps:
- 20 minutes before heading to bed, go into the family room and put away any items that belong there. Pillows on couches and remotes in the container, for example.
- Pick up any trash and toss.
- Gather up anything that belongs in another room such as dishes, food, or kid’s things.
- Turn off the lights and put anything you collected in step 3 away.
- Repeat the same steps in the kitchen.
- Repeat the same steps in any other rooms you wish.
By spending a few minutes in each room before heading off to bed, you will be greeted with a neater space each morning, giving you a more positive start to your days.
TIMEYARD Extra Large Woven Basket, 21.7” x 13.8” Wicker Blanket Basket Living Room Dog Toy Bin, Laundry Basket for Dirty Clothes, Shoe Basket for Entryway, 90L Black & JuteSAM AND MABEL Stair Basket for Stairs – Foldable Staircase Basket with Thick Cotton Rope Handles, Stair Baskets for Carpeted and Wooden Stairs (Lite Cream and Gray with Side Pocket)Classroom Turn in Tray, 6 Pack of Baskets for Paper, Desk Organizer Tray for Work, File Organizer for Desk at Home, as Cute Storage Bins for BathroomCasaphoria XXXLarge Cotton Rope Basket 21.7
Habit 7: One Load of Laundry Every Day
Laundry can easily pile up and become overwhelming if not kept under control. By doing one load of laundry each day, you will prevent this from happening and make laundry day much more manageable.
Action Steps:
- Designate a specific day or time each day to do one load of laundry.
- Sort your laundry into designated baskets for whites, darks, and delicates.
- Use the washing machine’s delay start feature to have it automatically start at a convenient time.
- Fold or hang clothes immediately after they are done drying to prevent wrinkles and save time later.
In addition to preventing a laundry mountain, this habit will help you always have clean clothes ready for everyone in your family, eliminating some of the morning chaos.
Creating a simplified home will be much easier with these 7 daily habits. Use them to create and maintain a clutter-free home that is neater, cleaner, and easier to keep put away. From your bedroom to your kitchen, these habits will help you to remove some of the stuff and free up space for you and your family to enjoy.
More Simple Living Resources:
