We often think of habits as something we do, but the environment we live in plays a huge role in shaping them.
As James Clear, author of the multi-million selling book Atomic Habits, puts it: “Environment is the invisible hand that shapes human behaviour.”
So, if you want to build better routines, start by setting up your home to make good habits easy and bad ones hard.
And where better to start than at home, sweet home.
Here are five ways to do it.
1. Make good habits obvious.
If you want to read more, place a book on your pillow. Trying to eat healthier? Keep fruit in a visible bowl on the kitchen counter. The more obvious the cue, the more likely you’ll act on it.
2. Make bad habits invisible.
Hide the biscuit tin, mute your phone notifications, or put the TV remote in another room. Out of sight really can mean out of mind.
3. Design for convenience.
Set up your home so that the things you want to do are easy to do. Store gym gear by the door, keep your reusable bags in the car, and make the path of least resistance the one that leads to progress.
4. Use small visual reminders.
A checklist on the fridge or a sticky note on the mirror can gently prompt you to follow through.
5. Celebrate progress, not perfection.
Don’t wait until everything’s flawless. Acknowledge every small win — because consistency, not intensity, creates lasting change.
Creating a home where good habits come easily isn’t about discipline; it’s about design. Start small, tweak your environment, and watch the results grow.
If you’re thinking of creating new habits in a new home, talk to us.
We help homeowners find places that support the life they want to live.