5 Systems to Help You Maintain an Uncluttered Home

The other day, while doing dishes, I unexpectedly whacked a small glass spice bowl against the edge of our gray granite countertop.

Glass shards rained everywhere, jolting my mind fully present. I surveyed the damage—my hand and the countertop were fine, the bowl was not.

I had been mid-way through my morning routine of unloading the dishwasher, but my mind, I realized as I swept up the glistening debris, had been far from it.

I’d been brainstorming blog ideas, lost in creative thought—all thanks to my kitchen maintenance system.

The goal of home maintenance systems is to keep your home and mind uncluttered by removing guesswork from how and when to do a household chore.

Sounds like a win-win. But from what I’ve read recently in the minimalist community, the debate over systems’ importance is ongoing.

One minimalist blogger writes that systems are vital—no matter how few things you own, if you don’t have systems in place to maintain them, your home will still feel cluttered. Another writes that systems aren’t the important piece of maintaining a decluttered home—if your home is cluttered, you simply still own too much stuff.

So what’s the answer to maintaining an uncluttered home (and mind)? Seamless systems or even less stuff?

I’d say, a balance of both.

When the amount of things in your home reaches the level of “enough,” that’s when you’re able to implement systems that actually work. When your laundry load is manageable, you can systemize folding and putting it away. When the number of dishes you’re required to wash isn’t overwhelming, your system will flow.

With an amount of stuff that feels “right” (which is different for everyone), caring for that stuff no longer becomes a burden. Home maintenance systems in a minimalist home guard your time, energy, and attention by allowing you to focus less on your stuff and more on what truly matters.

Here are 5 important areas of your home to systemize (and how to do it):

1. Dishes

Keeping our sink and countertops free of dirty dishes was a real struggle—until we let go of half of our kitchen-related belongings and implemented a system. 

Here is the kitchen routine that works for us: Unload the dishwasher first thing in the morning (I usually do this while my tea is brewing). Throughout the day, every dirty dish, pan, or utensil goes straight into the dishwasher. At the end of the day, I wash a load of dishes. Tomorrow, repeat. 

Sure, there are times I have to hand wash a pan or a couple plates before dinner, but that doesn’t require much time or energy. This system keeps our sinks and countertops clutter-free throughout the day. And I no longer lose decision-making power trying to decide when to do the dishes.

2. Laundry

Cutting our laundry load in half was the first thing I did when we jumped into minimalism. This helped keep laundry in check significantly, but I still needed a system. Here’s what we currently do:

Instead of owning hampers, we throw all dirty clothes straight into the washing machine. When it’s full, we wash a load in the morning and, as soon as possible, dry it. This usually means 5-6 loads of laundry a week for our family of five. 

Our standards for putting away laundry are: it won’t take more than 10 minutes and everyone must help (yes even our 1 ½ year old puts away his own clothes). We put clothes away after dinner, but before either more outside playtime or dessert (this works as a natural incentive for our kids). Myself or our oldest daughter quickly sorts piles, everyone grabs what’s theirs, and puts it away. 

When the amount of clothes kids are required to care for is manageable, they become much more willing to help. No one wants to put away an overwhelming amount of clothes. Declutter first, then implement a system.

3. Countertops

Our rule of thumb for countertops is, “Don’t put it down, put it back.” Items within our home all have a place they “live,” and once they come out, they are returned. 

Bathroom items go back into drawers after use. Kitchen appliances (think coffee maker and toaster) go back into cabinets once used. These tiny habits take seconds, but make a big difference in maintaining an uncluttered home. 

Sure, there are days—or even seasons—I choose to leave things out a bit more. A minimalist home isn’t about perfection, it’s about knowing your home is extremely manageable and supports your best life. You get to choose what this looks like.

4. Floors

If something falls on our kitchen or living room floor, it gets picked up immediately (we have a new puppy and anything left in these areas is instantly chewed). 

Our girls know their bedroom floor must be clear before going to bed (so no one trips at night), and they usually choose to pick up their floor at bedtime.

5. Random stuff 

Any home, especially one with kids, has random stuff that will enter. Like those glow sticks from the St. Patrick’s Day parade. Or that forgotten plastic cow from a Chick-fil-A kid’s meal that you retrieved from the car. In our home, we have a utility drawer (where things like tape, scissors, pens, etc intentionally live) instead of a junk drawer. Random stuff does not go in it. 

We use a small basket in a kitchen cupboard to collect random stuff as needed. Each weekend we go through it and let go of what doesn’t add value to our lives/need to stay in our home. 

Author Peter Walsh said, “Your home should be the antidote to stress, not the cause of it.”

If your home environment is a source of stress, take heart, I’ve been there. Know that you have the power to change that. 

Getting rid of clutter eliminates 40% of housework in the average home. Start there. Then experiment with one of the maintenance systems above. Soon, your home will become an uncluttered space to unwind—not a cause of stress. 

By owning just “enough” and implementing home systems that work for you, you’ll spend less time, energy, and attention on your stuff, leaving you free to live your life more focused on the things that truly matter.

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Julia Ubbenga is a freelance journalist whose teachings on minimalism, simplicity, and intentional living have reached thousands of people worldwide through her blog. Julia practices what she preaches in her Kansas City home with her husband, two extremely lively young daughters, and one-year-old son. You can also find her on Instagram.

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I want to help you design a simple, intentional life! I’ve created a 30-day course that will guide and inspire you to make actual change in your life by decluttering your home, heart and schedule. It’s time to live focused on what matters! Learn more HERE.