15 simple ways to make  life  easier around the home

There’s no doubt about it – recent times have been weird ones, and what’s been especially weird is how much more time many of us have found ourselves spending at home. And if that’s the case for you, it’s understandable that you might have realised certain things about your home or your life in your humble abode aren’t quite ideal.  

The good news, though, is that there are plenty of small things you can do to make life that little bit easier throughout the house, without even necessarily spending much time or money.  

Here are just some such steps you might take.  

1. If you’re still working from home, have a dedicated space for it. As the NHS explains, it’ll help you to keep a distance from those homely distractions like the fridge, TV and other members of the family.   

1. Immediately wipe up spills. It might seem like obvious advice, but it’s almost too obvious for many of us – we end up just forgetting. Clear up those messes before they soak in or stain the given surface.  

1. Introduce a ‘no shoes in the house’ rule. The dirt and debris dragged into your property by mucky boots can really accumulate, being a particular peril to carpets.  

1. Quickly put things away, instead of putting them down in random places. Don’t risk finding yourself panicking about where you put your wallet, phone or keys. Have dedicated places for them.  

1. Do something else while waiting for the kettle to boil. Maybe you constantly forget to empty the bin, brush the floor or wipe down kitchen surfaces? Now’s the time to do it.  

1. Combine mundane tasks with fun. Cleaning might not seem very enjoyable, but doing so while enjoying your favourite music or chatting to a friend on the phone… that’s different.  

1. Always try to fill your washing machine. This will reduce the number of washes you need to do – and as outlined on the Bulb website, save on your energy and water bills.  

1. Dedicate 10 minutes to tidying up each evening. Assigning different tidying-up jobs to different members of the family could even help you all to bond.  

1. Make the bed as soon as you wake up. Your whole bedroom will look tidier once you have made the bed, and it’s one less dull task to worry about in the evening or at the weekend.  

1. Place ‘fit anywhere’ night lights around the house. This convenient motion and darkness sensored light from the That’s Clever online store really can go almost anywhere.  

1. Create a ‘central command centre’. All of those bills and other important letters and documents can really add up… and be misplaced. So, have just one part of the house where you keep and look at them.  

1. Store items near where you might actually need them. Cleaning products are a good example – you’ll want to be able to instinctively reach for them if you spot a stain or spill.  

1. Open your mail every day… over a shredder. Only so many of the letters you get through the door will probably need to be kept for long. Having a shredder close by will help to focus the mind on what you should keep hold of, and what you can immediately get rid of.  

1. Give your kitchen cabinets a once-a-day once-over. The doors of your kitchen cabinets can attract more grime over time than you think – so have a cloth and soapy water handy.  

1. Load the dishwasher as soon as you’ve finished eating. This gets the dirty stuff out of the way quickly, so that it doesn’t simply accumulate in piles near or in the sink.  

The above tips aren’t just about ‘doing the right thing’ – they’re also about greatly helping to minimise the stress you feel in your day-to-day life around the house. Repeat enough of them often enough, and you’ll pick up some very useful habits!