We all know the feeling of getting home from work and wanting to collapse onto the couch, but feeling unable to settle. Did you know that streamlining your space will also help declutter your mind after a long day?
A quick tidy is something I've found truly helps to calm my busy mind after a day spent in the office, and the best part is that the things I do are easy and seamless to integrate into your routine.
Professional organizers also believe the benefits of a tidy home go beyond the visual.
3 housekeeping tasks I do to help declutter my brain after a long day
1. Put clothes away or straight into the washing basket
I'm sure I can't be the only one who's previously been guilty of neglecting to avoid a 'chairdrobe', but I've found the best way to swerve having to declutter the bedroom clothes chair is simply to never let it occur in the first place.
It's far simpler than you think, and has seriously beneficial effects on both your home and mental health.
'Clothes on the floor or the back of a chair? So many of us have been there,' reassures Di Ter Avest, professional organizer and founder of Diisorganized. 'But every time you see them, it's a quiet reminder from your brain that you still need to deal with that. Putting them away right away shuts that loop down so your room feels calmer and your brain can rest.'
I've certainly found it does, and putting my clothes directly into my laundry hamper keeps my room looking far tidier, too. Mine is similar to this Handwoven Rectangle Laundry Hamper available at Wayfair, and I love the small and stylish design, and the way it doesn't take up too much space.
Additionally, says Tracy McCubbin, professional organizer and CEO and founder at dClutterfly, 'By putting your clothes away or tossing them immediately into the clothes hamper at the end of the day, you are cutting down on the clutter buildup.
'After a long day at work, it’s so easy to just toss your clothes on the chair in your bedroom, to be “dealt with later”, but that just adds to the clutter and creates more noise in your head.
'Putting your daily clothes away is a simple task that only takes a few seconds, and once it’s done, it’s done. So adding this step to your daily routine will help create a quiet space to unwind after a long day.'
2. Straighten up the living room
My television is in the living room, but the last thing I want to do is nestle down to watch my favorite show surrounded by mess. That's why I take the time to reduce visual clutter in the living room before settling in for the evening.
Di agrees with me, 'If I try to watch TV surrounded by toys, mail, and random socks, my mind is not relaxing – it’s mentally making a to-do list,' she says. 'A quick tidy of the pillows, blanket, and coffee table gives me that “ahhh” feeling the moment I sit down. It’s like clearing the stage before the main act: Relaxation.'
And, according to Tracy, taking the time to straighten up the living room before relaxing accomplishes four things, which go beyond making a living room feel more peaceful.
She says it:
- Rests the mind: 'When your living room is tidy, you’re not subconsciously reminded of tasks you haven’t done.'
- Invites calmness: 'The cleared space helps your brain interpret that it's safe to relax.'
- Clears visual noise: 'Reduced distractions make it easier to be present and enjoy downtime.'
- Creates intentionality: 'You’re making a deliberate choice to pause and unplug – both mentally and physically.'
Therefore, this quick daily blitz is one of my non-negotiable golden rules for a clutter-free living room, and it's clear to see why.
3. Declutter my work bag
Finally, I always, or at least try to, clear out my work bag to allow for a smooth morning the next day.
This is especially important for me as my huge work bag tends to become a dumping ground for wires, makeup, books, and receipts, meaning I can never find what I need when I need it, making it impossible to organize my purse.
As Tracy says, taking the time to do this is a 'great way to signal that today is done' while setting yourself up for success the next day.
'Instead of scrambling in the morning to find what you need for that day, you’ve taken a five-minute task off your plate for the next morning,' she says, 'giving you five more minutes to enjoy your coffee, meditate, or do Wordle without being stressed.'
In my case, this simple step makes organizing my hectic morning routine 10 times easier, while speeding up my morning shift routine with ease.
What to shop
All prices were correct at the time of publication.
Stash dirty laundry away in style with one of the indoor laundry accessories our home editors love here at Homes & Gardens for its removable bags and dual compartments for simple separation.
Make messy purses a thing of the past with this genius 13-section bag organizer, which simply slots in to maximize space and keep things neat.
A storage ottoman is a brilliant way to hide visual clutter in your living room. I love this one, hand-curated by Kelly Clarkson, as the burnt orange will add a pop of fun and functional color to any space.
Hangers are a real hero when it comes to avoiding the dreaded 'chairdrobe'. These have a slim design to fit more items into even the smallest of closets, and are available in a pack of 50.
Never lose your television remote again by corralling smaller living room items on a stylish tray like this one, which is crafted from polished stainless steel.
Make your mornings even easier by popping your work bag on a bench by the front door, along with your shoes for the following day, and anything else you might need, like an umbrella or raincoat.
Meet our experts
'Clutter creates a constant to-do list that runs through your brain: I need to put that away. Where should it live? Do I even want that thing?' warns Tracy. 'This is the kind of internal dialogue that is constantly chattering when you look at your clutter.'
Did you know you can use the traits of your birth month to declutter even more efficiently and effectively?
