How To Maintain an Organized Home with a Busy Schedule
How Do I Maintain an Organized Home with a Busy Schedule?
If you’re anything like me, life can get pretty hectic. Between work, social commitments, and everything else in between, it feels like there’s barely any time left for keeping your house organized, right? I get it—life is busy, and sometimes keeping up with household chores can feel like one more thing on your never-ending to-do list. But here’s the thing: You can maintain an organized home even when your schedule is packed. You just need the right tools, strategies, and a little bit of planning.
I’m about to share with you some super simple (and realistic) hacks to help you keep your home organized, even when you feel like you’re constantly on the go. Trust me, it’s not as hard as it sounds—and you’re going to love how much easier life can be with just a few simple tweaks. Ready? Let’s jump in!
Why Maintaining an Organized Home is Important (Even with a Busy Schedule)
Before we dive into the hacks, let’s talk about why maintaining an organized home is so important, especially when you have a packed schedule. You might be thinking, "Ugh, I don’t have time for this!" but hear me out. When your home is organized, it’s a game-changer for your mental health and productivity.
Imagine coming home after a long day at work and walking into a clutter-free space where everything is in its place. No more hunting for your keys or digging through piles of laundry just to find something to wear. Instead, you can relax and unwind in a space that feels peaceful and calm.
Plus, getting organized helps you save time and energy. The more efficient your home is, the less mental energy you waste on finding things, cleaning, or dealing with clutter.
Now, let’s get into how you can maintain that sense of order even when your schedule’s packed.
Hack #1: Break Tasks Into Bite-Sized Pieces
First thing’s first: You don’t have to do everything in one go. When your schedule is packed, trying to clean and organize your whole house can feel impossible. So instead, break tasks down into smaller, more manageable chunks. This way, you can fit organizing into your day without it feeling like a huge time commitment.
Here’s how to do it:
Pick 1 or 2 tasks a day: Every day, focus on just one or two things. For example, Monday could be "clean the kitchen counters," Tuesday might be "organize the entryway," and so on. You don’t need to dedicate hours of your day—just 10-20 minutes.
Set a timer: If you have trouble staying on task, set a timer for 20 minutes. Focus solely on that task for that period. When the timer goes off, you’re done! It's incredible how much you can accomplish in a short amount of time.
Helpful Tool:
Try using a productivity app like Todoist to create a list of these bite-sized tasks. You can check them off daily, and it’ll feel so satisfying!
Hack #2: Keep Things Where They Belong
This one might sound simple, but it’s a total game-changer. The key to keeping your home organized is ensuring that everything has its place. The more you store things where they belong, the less likely they are to create clutter around your home.
Here's how to do it:
Use baskets or bins: Having designated baskets or bins for specific items (like mail, keys, shoes, etc.) can help keep things from piling up. Even something as simple as a "daily use" basket in the entryway can make a huge difference.
Store things in a way that makes sense: Make sure that frequently used items are easily accessible. For example, keep your most-used kitchen tools on the counter or in an easy-to-reach drawer.
Helpful Tool:
If you want to get super organized, try these stylish yet functional storage baskets from The Container Store. They’re perfect for creating a “home” for everything.
Hack #3: Create Daily Routines
Routines are your best friend when it comes to maintaining an organized home. Setting up small daily routines will help keep things neat with minimal effort. The best part? Once your routine is set, it’s like second nature.
Here’s a simple daily routine to follow:
Morning: Before you leave for work, spend 5-10 minutes making the bed, picking up stray items, and quickly wiping down any bathroom surfaces.
Evening: Before bed, tidy up any clutter in the living room or kitchen. Doing this will ensure you wake up to a clean space, and it won’t feel overwhelming to do in the evening.
Helpful Tool:
If you need some help getting into a good routine, the Tody app is amazing for creating cleaning schedules that work for you. It lets you prioritize tasks and sends reminders, so you’ll never forget!
Hack #4: Delegate (Or Ask for Help!)
I know, asking for help can feel hard, but it’s an essential part of maintaining an organized home when you have a busy schedule. If you live with other people (a partner, roommates, or kids), don’t be afraid to delegate tasks.
Here’s how to make it work:
Assign specific tasks: If you live with others, divide up the chores so no one is left doing everything. A quick weekly family meeting to divvy up tasks works wonders.
Outsource cleaning: If your budget allows, consider hiring a cleaning service to help with deep cleaning once a month. This can free up your time for more important things.
Helpful Tool:
Use Trello to create a simple chore chart for your household. It’s a great way to stay organized and make sure everyone knows what they’re responsible for!
Hack #5: Use the 10-Minute Rule
When in doubt, just spend 10 minutes a day tidying up. I’m serious—just 10 minutes. That’s it. It sounds like a small amount of time, but when you do this daily, it makes a huge difference. It keeps things from piling up and turning into bigger, more overwhelming tasks.
Here’s how to implement it:
Pick a room: Every day, dedicate 10 minutes to one room. It could be as simple as tidying the living room, sorting through the mail, or wiping down the kitchen counters.
Set a timer: Don’t go over 10 minutes! The timer will help you stay focused and efficient. Plus, knowing that it’s only for 10 minutes makes it feel way more manageable.
Helpful Tool:
I love using the Forest app to stay focused. You set a timer (like for your 10-minute cleanup), and it helps you stay on task while also growing a virtual tree. It’s super motivating and fun!
Step-by-Step Guide for Maintaining an Organized Home (Even With a Busy Schedule)
Now that we’ve gone over some practical hacks, here’s a step-by-step guide to help you maintain an organized home without feeling like you’re working around the clock. I’ve broken it down into easy-to-follow tasks that will help you stay organized while keeping your schedule intact.
Maintaining an organized home when you have a busy schedule doesn’t have to be a huge challenge. With the right strategies, it can feel effortless! The key is to break things down into smaller tasks, create routines that work for you, and use helpful tools to stay on top of everything. Remember, it’s all about consistency and making small, manageable changes.
You’ve got this! With a little planning, staying organized will become second nature—and you’ll feel so much more at ease in your home.
