5 Daily Habits That Reset Any Room in Just 10 Minutes

A persons hand cleaning a kitchen countertop with a cloth surrounded by potted plants and a sink — Credit:
Elena Zaretskaya / Getty Images

Spending just 10 minutes a day resetting your space reduces stress and helps you come home to calm, organized rooms.
Clearing flat surfaces and putting items where they will be used next quickly makes any room look cleaner and easier to maintain.
Simple systems, like an "elsewhere" basket and enjoyable routines, help you stay focused and consistent with daily tidying habits.

Everyone occasionally struggles with maintaining daily home upkeep. However, with a proper routine, you can overcome this challenge. Spending just 10 minutes each day on simple tidying habits can transform your living space, making it feel fresh and less overwhelming. These daily resets help you focus on important tasks and return to a clean, relaxing home every evening.

We spoke to organizing expert Darla DeMorrow to find out which quick, manageable habits are essential for a daily reset. She shares practical tips for completing these tasks consistently and staying committed to your routine.

Darla DeMorrow, CPO, owner of HeartWork Organizing, and author of Organizing Your Home with SORT and Succeed

1. Plan for the Entire Process

When it comes to resetting spaces daily, the first step is to set yourself up to follow through on the entire process, ensuring success every time. Taking steps that naturally lead you to the next action is essential to keep the momentum going.

DeMorrow suggests keeping a bin in your closet to collect clothes that you want to donate, rather than spending an entire day sorting through each piece. This saves time and ensures you're not donating items in a panic, but instead making thoughtful, intentional decisions.

This method also applies to kitchen cleanup. "Run your dishwasher every night and empty it every morning so you can always put dirty dishes in the dishwasher instead of the sink," she adds.

2. Clear Flat Surfaces

Clearing flat surfaces in a room instantly makes it feel more organized, says DeMorrow. "That's tables, counters, the nightstand, the ottoman, etc," she notes. "But clear out by putting things away, not by stashing them in a 'doom bag.' Yes, that means handling things one at a time, making a decision, and moving items to where they will be needed next."

Creating a routine that includes clearing off flat surfaces for a fresh start to the day encourages putting items back where they belong, rather than leaving them out and about.

3. Put Things Where They'll Be Used Next

Sometimes you don't have time to put all the clothes you tried on back on hangers before heading to work or meeting friends, but making the effort is a good habit. Routinely putting clothes, shoes, and personal care items back where they belong after use can make a world of difference in the spaces you spend the most time in.

A messy bedroom or bathroom can feel overwhelming, so taking a few minutes each day to put things away after use is a simple way to maintain a sense of calm.

This rule of thumb applies to other areas of your home as well, including filing drawers, linen closets, and the pantry. Giving every item a designated place helps create order throughout your home.

4. Use an 'Elsewhere' Basket

While organizing a space, if you find items that don't belong there, add them to an "elsewhere" basket. Once you're done organizing, return the items in the basket to where they belong. "That way you stay focused for longer on your project area and won't wander through the house before you are done organizing that particular space," says DeMorrow.

5. Make Tidying a Satisfying Experience

Since no fairy dust will magically get the job done, DeMorrow suggests creating an enjoyable experience as part of your daily reset habits. You can turn tasks like folding, hanging, stowing, and cleaning into a meditation practice of its own, she says.

Playing music or listening to a podcast while you complete your daily reset is another way to use this time as personal space to mentally reset as well. While not everyone enjoys cleaning and organizing at their core, there are small things you can do to make this daily habit more enjoyable.

How to Build Consistency in Your Reset Routine

The key to incorporating these daily reset habits is consistency. At first, you might forget a step or two, but once you get into a routine and find the habits that work best for you, it'll feel like a walk in the park.

Since some days are busier than others, DeMorrow recommends turning your desire for order into a game. "Build a reward for short bursts of organizing (10 minutes on your phone's timer) or getting to a certain goal (clearing the bathroom counter)," she says.

The rewards for completing small tasks can be simple. Consider adding a dollop of whipped cream to your morning coffee or a sprinkle of cinnamon and sugar to your toast for a sweet start to the day.

For accountability, phone a friend and let them know you've completed your reset. "Since organizing is contagious, your social reward just might be someone else's inspiration," DeMorrow says.