12 Easy, Daily Chores to Keep a Tidy Minimalist Home

Good habits are more than the actions your mama nagged you about (wash your hands, turn off the lights, say please and thank you).  They're a foundation for the actions we need to do that let us take care of business without having to plan or decide each and every step.  For example:

• If you develop the habit of taking vitamins with a big glass of water each morning, you get all the benefits without having to debate the action.

• If you deal with mail efficiently each evening, you streamline your to-do list without burying a few important items in a mountain of junk.

These useful habits benefit us, unlike bad habits such as smoking or oversleeping.  So why not develop some good habits to help us keep our homes tidy and clutter-free?  Reduce decision fatigue by making small, daily actions a routine for you and your family.

Huge decluttering projects or deep cleaning sessions have their place, but for daily ease, try these quick and simple chores to make a profound difference in your home.

12 targets for daily tidying

1.  Your bed

The bed is the focal point of your room.  When it's made, the entire space looks serene and welcoming.  When it's a wadded jumble that's half on the floor, the area looks cramped and maybe even dirty.  You get to choose!  This is an easy fix that only takes a few minutes, and doing it can actually start a chain of other productive habits.

If you want to change the world, start off by making your bed....  It will give you a small sense of pride, and it will encourage you to do another task, and another, and another.  And by the end of the day that one task completed will have turned into many tasks completed.

Adm. William H. McCraven, USN (Ret.)

2.  The mail

Sort through your mail as soon as you bring it into the house.  It literally takes a minute or two to recycle the junk and place the important stuff in a designated spot for further action.  A daily habit keeps piles from growing and saves time in the long run, since you won't have to hunt for that invitation to respond to or bill to pay.

3.  Purchases

Maybe you already put the groceries away when you carry them into the house (you do, don't you?), but this is an important habit for everything you buy, whether you carry in bags from a shopping trip or receive a delivery of an online purchase.  Put new things where they belong to prevent a pileup in the entryway or on a counter.

4.  Coats, shoes, backpacks, purses

Another way to reduce entryway clutter or that bedraggled trail of stuff on the floor is to designate a spot in a closet for coats and shoes, adding hooks for backpacks and other bags.  Include scarves, gloves, umbrellas, and anything else you wear or carry out of the house.  (This is a great habit to teach your children, too.)

5.  Clothing

Resist the temptation to leave clothes on the floor or a chair.  If they're clean enough to be re-worn, hang them up (you could have a special hook* for this; they don't have to go in the closet with completely clean clothes).  Otherwise, put them in the laundry.  This habit not only keeps your bedroom neater, but it saves sorting time later.

* This blog is reader-supported.  If you buy through my links, I may earn a small commission.

6.  Dishes and cookware

Wouldn't you rather start the day with a clean kitchen instead of being greeted by a chaotic mess even before you've had your morning coffee?  Taking the time to clean up after dinner lets you start fresh, which sets a positive tone for everything that follows.  It only takes a few minutes (especially if the whole family helps), and makes meal prep so much easier and more enjoyable.

7.  Remotes

Tidy the living room before bed each evening for a more welcoming space the next day.  It takes literally seconds to put remotes where they belong in a drawer or basket, and saves frustrating hunts for them later.  Tidy pillows and blankets too, and take any dishes back to the kitchen.

8.  Children's toys

Encourage and expect your kids to put away their toys each evening.  (Hint:  The fewer toys you own, the easier this is.)  You can make this fun with music, a race, sorting, or whatever creative idea you have, but your children will benefit greatly from this habit.  (Plus, you'll save stepping on sharp little pieces all the time.)

While you're at it, put away any pet toys that are lying around.  

9.  Reading material

This one's easy.  When you finish relaxing with a book or magazine, return it to the shelf or basket where it lives.  Create a spot for temporary items, such as library books, or for items you return to over and over, such as spiritual texts.

10.  Hobby supplies

I like to keep supplies for each of my hobbies in their own container, which makes them easy to store and retrieve.  It takes just a minute or two to replace my tools and projects, and then the basket or bin can be returned to the closet or look neat and attractive beside my chair.

11.  Beverage containers and snack wrappers

Did you know that clutter and obesity are linked?  A 2023 study published in the British Journal of Psychology reported that test subjects consumed more cookies in a cluttered room than in a tidy one.  (Yikes!)  After all, a cluttered, messy environment affects our abilities to focus, make good decisions, and follow through with our plans – including those for a healthy diet.

So dispose of or recycle those empty wrappers, bottles, and cans immediately after you use them.  Better yet, if you're going to snack, put a small amount in a small bowl and don't even bring the package to the living room.  This helps you snack mindfully and keep portion sizes under control.

12.  Bathroom toiletries

After your morning and evening routines, take a minute to put away your toiletries.  A clear bathroom counter is soothing, spa-like, and so easy to clean.

Clutter-free mornings

Mornings can be rushed and busy, with a lot to do in a small amount of time.  Wouldn't you like to start with more energy and better spirits?  These 12 simple chores can make all the difference.  Start with one habit and practice until it's second nature, then add another.  I promise you'll see a significant improvement in the function and feel of your home.

Want more about habits that keep your home clean, tidy, and clutter-free?

• 8 Simple Steps to a More Relaxed Morning
• Simple Clutter-Free Habits to Do in Just a Minute