25 Simple Things That Make Home Life Better

From simple habits to helpful household essentials, these 25 things make home life better, easier, and more comfortable.

Over the years, I’ve realized that there are a few things that are key to making our home feel more comfortable – for ourselves as well as anyone who visits. Because not only do I want our home to look pretty, I also want it to feel inviting, calm, and organized.

To me, the coziest homes are the ones that feel thoughtfully put together – calm, welcoming, and comfortable in all the little ways that matter. These household essentials are the things I do, use, and keep on hand that make the biggest difference. 

 

1. Entryway Table

Even if you have a small entryway (as I do), some type of table is essential for the literal ins and outs of life. It gives everyone a place to drop keys or sunglasses, set things that need to go out in the morning, and more.

And even if the table is small, a shallow bowl or tray for keys, change, etc, is an absolute must. Bonus points if you have room for a vase or a lamp.

 

2. Bench Near the Door

A lovely extra if you can swing it is a bench or chair near the front door for putting on or taking off shoes. It also gives more space for those things that may not fit on #1 (the going to and fro items).

 

3. Large Baskets for Everything 

Almost no household decor item is as lovely and as practical as a large basket. Large baskets can hold multitudes (literally). I use them to hold everything from magazines, to firewood, to blankets and I consider them the unsung heroes of an organized home. There is no prettier way to declutter in my opinion!

 

4. Make a Household Routine

Evening routine: I have found that going to bed when things are cluttered or the kitchen is dirty makes for a not-so-great start the next day. I feel so much better when I wake up to a tidy home and a clean kitchen, so I developed a nighttime routine to make that happen.

My end-of-day rules that I swear by: tidy up any visible clutter from the living rooms, make sure dishes are done and the sink is clean, hang up any clothing that is on the closet floor and/or might be worn again. This is only three small habits but they make a huge difference in how calm and organized my home feels everyday.

I also have a couple of things that make up my morning routine which also help to make home life better; every morning I make my bed and empty the dishwasher.

 

5. Throw Blankets on Each Sofa

Because even in the summer someone can get chilly or want to get cozy while watching TV. I typically have chunkier, warmer blankets out in the fall/winter season, and then swap them for linen or cotton ones come spring. Just looking at a blanket on a sofa makes any room feel cozier.

 

6. Slipcovered Furniture 

To me, slipcovers are essential to a clean home. Between dogs, and kids, and clumsy me, I’ve had dozens of spills over the years that would have taken out an upholstered sofa. Luckily, I have always had slipcovered sofas, allowing me to be able to wash them. From vomit to red wine, and more, I’ve never had a problem removing a stain.

Now that there are no kids living here there are less spills, however, it gives me such peace of mind to be able to wash something that we sit on literally 365 days a year. 

For the few upholstered chairs we have, I swear by the Bissell Portable Upholstery Cleaner. 

 

7. Hooks

What a practical and helpful little item a simple hook is! We have rows of hooks in both our laundry room and our garage for things like bags and jackets, as well as hooks in each bathroom for robes and towels. I can’t think of a household item that gives you so much bang for your buck. And now with sites like Rejuvenation or Etsy, you can get such gorgeous ones, too! 

 

8. Designated Junk Drawer

This is something I grew up with and have made room for in even my tiniest kitchens. I love having items like scotch tape, scissors, a measuring tape, etc, easily accessible in the kitchen. And of course, where else would you keep the little doohickey that you have no idea what it goes to, or the mystery key that doesn’t seem to fit any lock?

While I don’t let the mystery items get out of control (don’t forget junk drawers do need to be cleaned out periodically!), it’s essential to have one common place for useful items and the little unknowns.

 

9. Fruit Bowl

Adding a fruit bowl to the kitchen is like adding art. It’s adds beauty, as well as color and texture. Also, I find that we eat more fresh fruit if I wash it and keep it stored in the bowl on the counter. I guess the visual is a little reminder!

Funny enough, I didn’t grow up with a fruit bowl on the counter but it’s something that brings me joy every day. Plus, Nancy Meyers wouldn’t be caught dead without a fruit bowl in the kitchen! 😉

 

10. Stool or Chair Beside the Bathtub

Having a stool (or small chair) next to the tub provides a wonderful spot to put towels, pajamas, or a book. And of course, the wood adds lots of texture to an otherwise sterile room.

I recently purchased a vintage wood stool to sit next to the bathtub in our primary bath and I love it.

 

11. Cordless Vacuum

You don’t hear me talk about life-changing appliances often, well ever, actually, and that’s because they rarely are. But our cordless vacuum was truly that amazing of a discovery! The fact that I can vacuum quickly and efficiently without dragging out a heavy upright or an unwieldy canister is a game-changer. Worth every penny.

 

12. Use Cloth Napkins 

We use cloth napkins every single day and always have, even when our children were young. They make any meal feel more elevated, and I much prefer wiping my face with a linen or cotton napkin over scratchy paper any day.

I buy high-quality linen napkins and they wash like a dream, becoming softer over time. Quince is my new favorite source as theirs are very affordable (you can get 12 for the price that other sites charge for 4). I have the solid linen napkins in both white and flax, plus a stripe and a gingham check.

Of course you can also buy inexpensive cotton napkins (which I’ve done as well), but I do find they wrinkle more and I certainly don’t want to iron everyday napkins! Either way, use the good napkins. Life is short.

 

13. Stairwell Basket 

A stairwell basket is a designated basket that sits on the bottom of the stairs where all the family members can put things that need to go upstairs, which in my experience, is many things per day! You can purchase one that is actually shaped to sit on the stairs like this one or this one, which I prefer because they have a handle. Or simply designate a medium sized basket of your choice.

 

14. Comfortable Chair in Every Room

Every living area should have at least one very comfortable chair; perfect for reading, snuggling, or burrowing.

 

15. Beautiful Cleaning Supplies

You might see this as a luxury item, and I get that. But hear me out. For me, using beautiful-to-look-at and lovely smelling cleaning products makes the whole process more civilized and dare I say, enjoyable. I can honestly say I’m happier cleaning with a gorgeous natural brush and products that smell heavenly. If that isn’t elevating the everyday, I don’t know what is!

I’ve tried Murchison-Hume and Public Goods both of which have a cult following and smell divine, but I also love Seventh Generation and Mrs. Meyer’s for their reasonably priced products.

 

16. Mail/paper Catchall

Every household needs a drop zone where mail and paperwork can be contained. Whether you set this up in an office or kitchen doesn’t really matter. What matters is that everyone knows to use it. Any mail, school papers, family info, or the like can go into the catchall bin or basket. That way it’s contained until you’re ready to sort or deal with it and it doesn’t take over the whole house!

 

17. High-quality Sheets

You know I’m a huge fan of using high quality all-cotton sheets. They make such a huge difference in comfort and sleep quality. Cotton breathes better than a blend, making sleep more comfortable and less hot. And a high thread count sheet tends to be softer and feel more luxurious.

In fact, I would argue that it’s an everyday indulgence that is worth every penny! I own and love Brooklinen and Quince – both are fabulous and are priced similarly.

 

18. Table Lamps in Every Room

I’ve shared before how until a few years ago I had very few table lamps, but I’m a big fan now. Every living room needs at least one table lamp for reading, as do the primary bedroom nightstands.

 

And if you don’t have room for a table, choose a floor lamp. They are excellent for lighting a space or filling a blank corner.

 

19. Ongoing Donation Bin

A favorite organizing trick of mine is to keep an on-going donation bin that can be added to as needed. We keep a large basket in the garage, but anywhere in the home is fine as long as everyone knows where it is. It provides a place to keep those items we’re giving away until we have enough for a pick-up or drop-off, rather than having them pile up on a closet floor (my previous method!)

 

20. Trays for Coralling Items 

Trays are a favorite decor item because they serve so many purposes. They’re especially helpful on entry tables or coffee tables because they help to corral all the things, making it feel less messy and more cohesive.

 

And I consider a tray on a bathroom vanity a household essential. Whatever soap, lotions or the like you want to have sitting out, they will look 100x better sitting on a pretty tray.

 

21. An Attractive Laundry Basket That Can Sit Out

Unless you live in a mansion with a huge laundry room, you most likely have times where your laundry basket is left sitting out. I lived for years in a home with no laundry room inside, so bringing laundry in from the garage meant the basket was always somewhere visible. But I learned that if that laundry basket was an attractive wicker basket, not a plastic one from Target, it didn’t bother me nearly as much! 

I have this gorgeous basket and couldn’t love it more – and I’m not embarrassed if it’s out when someone stops by. Also, it’s large enough to be handy for collecting clutter as you go about the house.

 

22. On-going Grocery List

We keep an on-going grocery list in our kitchen junk drawer (see #5) and everyone adds to it as needed. I found this to be so helpful in keeping us from running out of items. The rule is if you’re the one to use the last of something, you simply add it to the list. Ever since I started using this system, I’ve had less last minute runs to the store because things are listed regularly.

Of course you can start a new piece of paper each time, but I prefer a ready-made list and have used this one for over a decade. 

 

23. Tablecloths 

A tablecloth is one of the quickest ways to make a meal feel special (along with #10, of course). I was off of tablecloths for a few years, but I am decidedly back. So many of the trends that are popular now feel old-fashioned in the best way, and tablecloths speak to that sensibility.

They protect the table, muffle noise, and of course, can also hide a less-than-perfect table. I don’t use a tablecloth everyday, but whenever we’re hosting I immediately put one on.

 

And I adore a tablecloth for outside! It brings so much charm and warmth to an outdoor gathering.

 

24. Baskets for Shoes by the Door

We don’t wear our outdoor shoes in the house, so it’s imperative that we have a basket near each door for shoes. If we come in through the garage, we can use the shoe shelves there, but for the front and back doors I have a basket.

At the back door I keep a basket for flip flops/boots outside so we can slip those on and off quickly. Then by the front door, a larger basket sits in the entryway to hold any strays. And if you have a console table that has space underneath, the shoe basket(s) can easily be stored underneath!

Since my husband tends to leave his shoes literally anywhere, I’ve found this to be very helpful. If I didn’t do this, I’d find a dozen or more pairs kicking around in the entryway – which is not only unsightly, but also a trip hazard!

 

25. Buy a Sturdy Step Stool

This might seem like a funny or obvious item, but for many years we didn’t have a step stool! Oh we had ladders of course, but not a small step stool meant for the house. I would constantly be pulling over dining chairs (I know!) to stand on to get what I needed.

This is neither safe nor wise, and I have amended my ways. This foldable stool is small but sturdy and we love it.

 

Whether it’s a basket by the door, a lamp in the right spot, or a simple habit that makes the day feel easier, these are the little details that make the biggest difference. Because in the end, it’s often the simple, everyday things we do and use that make home life better.

Sheila
xo

 

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