20 Tiny Changes to Instantly Simplify Your Home (and Life)
As a single, work-from-home mom, life can get a little chaotic. Between managing my bookkeeping business, keeping up with my blog, and raising my daughter, my home often feels like a whirlwind. I’ve found that when things feel overwhelming, the best way to regain control is through simplicity—starting with my home.
Over the past year, I’ve made it my mission to simplify not just my space, but my life as a whole. And let me tell you, the tiniest changes can make the biggest impact. Today, I’m sharing 20 simple shifts I’ve made in my home to help reduce clutter, save time, and make daily life feel a whole lot easier. These tiny changes will help you feel more in control and give you the mental space you need to thrive in motherhood and business.
1. The 5/5 Rule
If you’re overwhelmed by the clutter, try this simple rule: Go around your home and remove five items from five different rooms. It doesn’t sound like much, but trust me—this small step can make a huge difference in how you feel when you walk into a room. Even the littlest changes add up, and over time, you’ll see your space become more manageable.
2. Use a Family Calendar
After my daughter was born, keeping track of everyone’s appointments, deadlines, and events became a challenge. That’s when I started using a shared Google Calendar with my family. This simple tool has saved me so much time, and now everyone is on the same page. We can see upcoming events, appointments, and reminders all in one place. It’s an absolute game-changer for making sure nothing slips through the cracks.
3. Minimize Your Wardrobe
I’ve made it a goal to only keep clothing that I truly love to wear—pieces that make me feel confident and comfortable. This has been a huge time-saver. When I open my closet, I don’t feel overwhelmed with choices. Instead, I can quickly grab something that fits well, looks great, and is easy to throw on for a busy day. Plus, it makes laundry day a breeze! If you want to do the same, try slowly going through your wardrobe and removing anything you haven’t worn in months.
4. Find Your Uniform
Having a uniform doesn’t mean you need to wear the same outfit every day, but it does mean finding a go-to style that makes you feel good and is easy to put together. For me, it’s wide-leg trousers and a simple top in the summer, and leggings with a cozy sweater in the fall. The best part? I don’t have to think too hard about my outfit every morning.
5. Fold the Marie Kondo Way
Marie Kondo’s folding method has been a lifesaver. When I fold clothes, I fold them upright so I can see everything in the drawer. It’s so simple, but it makes a huge difference in how organized my drawers feel. I can quickly grab what I need without digging through piles of clothes.
6. Say No
One of the hardest lessons I’ve learned in simplifying my life is the power of saying “no.” When you say “yes” to keeping an item, you’re saying “no” to creating more space in your home or saving your time and energy. The same goes for purchases—I’ve become more intentional with my shopping, making sure I’m only buying things that truly add value to my life.
7. Give Everything a Home
One of my top tips for keeping a tidy home is to give everything a place to go. From batteries to school papers, if something doesn’t have a designated home, it’ll end up on the floor or random surfaces. Having a clear spot for each item keeps things organized and minimizes clutter.
8. Don’t Put It Down—Put It Away
A habit I’ve been working on is putting things away as soon as I’m done using them, instead of just setting them down on the nearest surface. It might take a few seconds, but over time, it really adds up. It’s amazing how quickly this simple habit can help prevent clutter from accumulating.
9. All That Stuff Used to Be Money
Looking at the things I’ve purged from my home over the years, I often remind myself that all that clutter used to cost me money. It’s a powerful way to shift your mindset about shopping and consumption. I’ve become much more intentional with my purchases, making sure I’m only buying things I truly need or will use regularly.
10. Whenever You Go North, Take Something North
I’ve started adopting this simple rule: Whenever I’m going upstairs or into another room, I take something with me that belongs there. Whether it’s a book that belongs in the bedroom or a jacket that belongs in the closet, this tiny habit makes a big difference in keeping things in order.
11. Have an Outbox or Donation Box
Instead of letting clutter pile up, I’ve set up an “outbox” where I toss things I no longer need. Whether it’s toys my daughter has outgrown or clothes I no longer wear, I throw it in the box and take it to the donation center as soon as I can. Making decluttering easy and accessible has helped me stay on top of things.
12. Set Up an Inbox for Paperwork
I’ve found that keeping an organized inbox for all incoming mail, papers, and forms is essential. We keep a folder for important documents, and anything else that needs attention goes in the inbox. This system keeps papers from scattering around the house and ensures nothing gets lost.
13. Recycle Junk Mail Immediately
Junk mail used to pile up on my counters, creating unnecessary clutter. Now, I make it a habit to shred or recycle anything I don’t need as soon as it comes through the door. It’s a small step, but it’s made a huge difference in maintaining a clutter-free space.
14. Go Paperless
I try to go paperless whenever possible. Most of our bills are digital now, and I’ve started scanning documents that I want to keep for record-keeping. This has cut down on the physical paperwork I have to deal with, leaving me with less clutter to manage.
15. Eye-Level Coat Pegs for Kids
If you’ve got young children, this one is a game-changer. I’ve set up coat hooks at my daughter’s eye level so she can hang up her own jacket. It’s a small change, but it makes a huge difference in helping her develop responsibility for her own space.
16. The Basket for School Papers
School papers used to get lost in the shuffle of daily life, but now we have a basket where all school-related papers go. Whether it’s homework, permission slips, or art projects, everything has a designated spot, and it makes it so much easier to stay organized.
17. Tackle Visual Clutter
Even after decluttering, visual clutter can still weigh on you. I’ve learned that simplifying your décor and reducing unnecessary items in plain sight can help create a more calming, peaceful environment. It doesn’t mean stripping your home bare, but simplifying just enough to feel less overwhelmed.
18. Use a Charging Station
Charging cables used to be everywhere in my house—on the kitchen counter, in the living room, even in the bathroom! Now, I have a designated charging station where everything is kept neat and tidy. It keeps cords organized and reduces visual clutter.
19. Tidy While You Cook
I’ve started cleaning up while I’m cooking, and it’s made a huge difference. I’ll put ingredients away as I’m done with them, wipe down counters between tasks, and keep things tidy throughout the cooking process. This small habit makes post-dinner cleanup so much quicker and less stressful.
20. Keep Less on Kitchen Counters
Finally, I use a simple rule for my kitchen: If I don’t use it every day, it doesn’t stay on the counter. Appliances I use frequently, like the coffee maker, toaster, and kettle, stay out, but everything else goes in cabinets or drawers. This gives me more counter space to work with and makes cleaning up much easier.
By implementing these tiny changes, I’ve found that my home feels lighter, my days are less stressful, and I’ve gained more mental space to focus on the things that truly matter. Simplifying my space has been one of the best decisions I’ve made as a mom and business owner, and I hope these tips inspire you to do the same.
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If you're ready to make your life easier and more organized, start with just one of these tips today. You might be surprised by how much of an impact a small change can make.
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