14 Micro Habits for a More Efficient Home

In honor of National Get Organized Day coming up on April 26th, I wanted to share with you my best tips for keeping an organized home. I’m a huge proponent of doing the big reset, buying the right products, and I absolutely believe that functional homes can also be beautiful. However, I also believe that it’s the small, daily habits that will continue to have the biggest impact on our spaces… and it’s a lot easier than you may think.

Keeping a household running smoothly can feel like a monumental task, but sometimes, it’s the smallest habits that make the biggest difference. At Reset Your Nest, we believe that implementing a few intentional micro habits can transform the way your home functions, making your space feel more organized and your life less chaotic. In this blog, I’ll go over some simple and effective micro habits that you can adopt to create systems of your own to create a more efficient household.

Micro Habits at Home that Make a Big Impact

Morning Momentum

1. Clear Your Nightstand Each Morning

Start the day with a fresh and clear space by tidying your nightstand as soon as you wake up. It sets the tone for an uncluttered day. I love having an organized nightstand, don’t let your nightstand become a junk drawer!

2. Make Your Bed Immediately

It takes less than two minutes but gives an instant sense of accomplishment. Plus, a made bed has a magical way of making the entire room feel put together. I love my bedroom… and I did it on a budget!

Conquer Clutter in Real-Time

3. Open, Toss, or File Mail Right Away

Don’t let paper pile up. When the mail arrives, take a moment to toss junk mail, file important documents, and handle anything that needs attention. I like to take care of this in our family command center.

4. Clean Out the Fridge When You Grocery Shop

As you unload groceries, quickly scan the fridge for expired or unused items. This keeps your fridge organized and makes meal prep a breeze. If you want to organize your fridge but don’t know where to start, check out my Fridge Organization 101 blog post.

Family Collaboration

5. Full Kitchen Clean-Up After Meals

Make kitchen cleanup a team effort. Assign everyone a task, from loading the dishwasher to wiping down counters. A clean kitchen sets the stage for the next meal.

6. Take Something with You Every Time You Leave a Room

This simple habit saves countless trips later. Teach your family to grab stray items and put them back where they belong.

Evening Reset

7. Do a Quick Tidy Before Bed

Spend 5-10 minutes each evening tidying common spaces. Waking up to a tidy home is a gift to your future self.

8. Keep the Dining Room Table Clear

Make the dining table a no-clutter zone. Keeping it clear invites family connection and keeps visual clutter at bay.

Declutter and Simplify

9. One In, One Out Rule

For every new item that enters your home, let go of something old. This simple rule prevents accumulation and keeps your belongings manageable.

10. Always Have a Donation Bin

Keep a dedicated bin or bag for items to donate. Once it’s full, take it to a donation center. This encourages ongoing decluttering. If you live in the Salt Lake Area, check out my Recycling and Donation Guide.

11. Seasonal and Size-Specific Bins in Kids’ Closets

Keep bins for off-season clothing and items your kids have outgrown in their closets. This makes it easy to rotate wardrobes and stay ahead of clutter. Check out my kids’ closets blog post for more tips on organizing their closets.

Practical Time-Savers

12. Plan Kid Outfits Weekly

Use a hanging shoe organizer to plan and store a week’s worth of outfits for each child when you put away laundry. This streamlines mornings and prevents last-minute wardrobe struggles.

13. Use a Stair Basket

Place a basket at the bottom (or top) of your stairs for items that need to be moved. Make it a habit to take items up or down whenever you pass by.

14. Follow the “Touch It Once” Rule

Don’t set things down “just for now.” Backpacks, shoes, purses, and coats should go directly to their designated spots. This reduces clutter and saves time later.

Micro Habits Build Momentum

These small actions and micro habits may seem insignificant, but they build momentum and create a sense of order that impacts your entire home. By integrating these habits into your daily routines, you’ll spend less time managing clutter and more time enjoying your space and the people in it.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed and don’t know where to start, Reset Your Nest can help. From personalized systems to hands-on organizing, we’re here to create a home that works for your unique lifestyle.

Ready to reset your nest? Let’s make your home a place of calm, efficiency, and joy—one habit at a time.

Jen is the founder of Reset Your Nest, a Professional Home Organizing Business in Utah (servicing Salt Lake City, Park City, Ogden, Alpine, Highland, Mapleton, and St. George). She loves creating order and systems out of chaos and is known for bringing a beautiful aesthetic as well as easy to maintain function to any space. She shares her tips and tricks on Instagram @reset_your_nest.