A Simple Start to Running your House Like a Business

It’s clear that Lord and Lady Grantham ran their household like a local business. So, the idea of running your house as a business isn’t a new one. Today, it may seem like a grandiose concept from a bygone era, but translating Downton Abbey from a staffed mansion to a house with six “volunteers” (most of them children) is far from grandiose. It may seem preposterous, but that’s exactly what I’m doing. I am going to start running my house as a business.

My husband has been asking me to do this for some time, and it’s taken me a while to accept the role. Why? Well, between vernacular, personalities, and the demands of modern life, we were managing. Mostly fine. Chores were done regularly, finances were manageable, family dinners happened around the table, and we even have a household emergency binder with important information. Most seasonal chores got done annually—although, if I’m being honest, cutting back the five groupings of six-foot-tall ornamental grass is dreadful and often missed in the fall. All in all, we’re your average family. What more could we need?

To Run our House Like a Business!

When I typed “how to run your house like a business” into Google, most results were about running a business from your home, not running your home as a business. Only one interesting hit appeared: an article by Marcus Lemonis titled, “Why Running a Home is like Running a Business.”

Maybe this idea isn’t so crazy after all.

I’m not advocating working all day only to come home to a second, unpaid job. Except… that’s exactly what we all do. Every functioning adult, no matter their situation—kids, single, married, in their 20s or retired—has to manage household systems. Trash needs to be taken out. Toilets clog. Bills need to be paid. We’re all managing, in some form, our own household systems.

We call that living.

Running a household is complex.

Think about your household systems:

In reality, this is a business.

Treating your house like a business can streamline day-to-day operations, optimize what’s already in place, and ultimately make life easier. So, I challenge you to join me—or at least consider viewing your house as a system.

Where to start?

You need a plan! But don’t stress over a glossy ten-point business plan.

Step one is simple: What’s already working in your household system?

For me, it was a chore chart. This summer, I caved and created one for myself after years of using them for the kids. We already had a functioning cleaning routine, but it wasn’t optimized. Chores were done weekly, and every quarter we did a deep clean—usually before birthday parties. However, I was still doing laundry and managing chores without a clear structure. If I missed a day, it meant more work tomorrow.

So, I turned my weekly checklist into a hybrid chore chart. Three daily tasks—laundry, vacuuming, and dusting—and the rest spread out over the week. It was magic! The structure gave me flexibility while reducing my laundry time tenfold, and my house was consistently vacuumed and dusted.

In the end, this simple plan saved me time.

This isn’t rocket science. It’s basic planning. But when you’re overwhelmed with work, parenting, and meal prep, adding one more thing can feel daunting.

So, I ask you: What’s already working in your household system? Start there.

Step Two: Improve on what’s working.

The chore chart created visibility and accountability. Before, my checklist was hidden away, so missing a week of dusting didn’t matter. But now, having my list next to the kids’ chore charts showed we were all in this together. Even “the boss” wasn’t above the rules.

This fall, I plan to update the chart and schedule individual room cleanings. For example, the kids’ bathroom will be cleaned on Mondays. Why? It’s also our guest bathroom, and having it cleaned at the start of the week saves me from last-minute scrambles when friends stop by. It’s a simple change, but one that benefits me.

Step Three: Give the process time to work.

Once you’ve improved a system, let it run for a few weeks to see how it affects your household. Adjustments may be needed, but don’t rush the process. Allow enough time for you and your family to adapt and for the system to become routine. Change takes time, and consistent effort is key to reaping the benefits.

After giving your new system time to settle, you’ll start to see the impact. When a process works efficiently, you’ll free up more time and reduce the stress of managing your household. The reward comes in the form of smoother operations, fewer last-minute scrambles, and a sense of control over your daily life. This sense of accomplishment makes the initial effort worth it.

Step Four: Repeat steps 1, 2 & 3.

Once you’re seeing the benefits, it’s time to move on to another area of your home business. Repeat steps one, two, with something new—whether it’s scheduling, managing finances, or optimizing meal planning. By improving one system at a time, you’ll steadily transform your household into a well-run operation, freeing up more time for the things that matter most.

Is it worth it?

As I take on the task of running our house like a business, I’m reminded that it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. It’s about making small improvements that streamline the chaos and optimize what’s already working. The chore chart was a simple start, but the visibility and accountability it created had a big impact.

I encourage you to think about your own household. What’s working, and how can you build on it? What systems can you improve to make your daily life easier? Running a house like a business isn’t about adding stress—it’s about reclaiming time, reducing frustration, and creating a more efficient household.

Remember, your home is already a system. Now, let’s make it a well-oiled one.