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8 ADHD friendly additions to my home that just make sense - The Gibbons House

Hey! TJ here from The Gibbons House. Thanks for being here! If you’re new to the blog, welcome! If you’ve been here before, it’s great to see you again.


How are you doing? I can’t believe we’re only two weeks away from Halloween already!


I’m in the process of being diagnosed with ADHD, though I’ve self-diagnosed because, well, I fit the criteria. When I mentioned getting diagnosed to friends and family, I was met with responses like, “About time!” or “You’ve only just realised?”


In April 2023, I moved into my own home for the first time. It’s been a steep learning curve, and over the past year and a half, I’ve acquired a few ‘tools’ that make my life so much easier. I’m going to share them with you!

This isn’t a “you must go and buy all of this stuff now!” post; it’s more of a few suggestions that might help you in your home setting. Some of the ‘tools’ listed aren’t purchasable items but rather systems that help, too.

If you have ADHD, you know that procrastination is the worst thing ever. So is getting sidetracked by something else you spot while in the middle of a job. That job never gets finished, but about ten others get started—and also not finished. These items and systems work for me because they simplify tasks, making it more likely for me to keep on top of everything. They’re not magical solutions that mean everything gets done for you (how awesome would that be, though?), but they do make life easier and more manageable.

These ideas might not work for you, and that’s okay! Everyone works differently, but these are the ADHD friendly additions I have made to my home that have made a difference.



1) Dishwasher

I was always against dishwashers growing up because it was just my mum and me in the house, and we never had one. They seemed like things that only 'rich' people had, and we were not rich, and at the time seemed like a waste of electric and water.

However, when I moved out, I quickly discovered my hatred for washing up. I can’t stand the process, the feel of dirty water on my hands, or the sound of the sponge against the plates and pans. It takes so much time and energy to procrastinate that by the time I get around to it, I’ve got no spoons left (Spoon theory—check it out if you haven’t!) and it often doesn’t get done.

My grandma kindly gave me some money for my last birthday, saying she wanted me to use it to improve the house. With that money, I bought some curtains (yay, go me!) and a tabletop dishwasher.

I don’t have space for a large one, and since it’s just me most of the time, I didn’t need a bigger model. This tabletop dishwasher from Amazon claims to fit four place settings. It doesn’t, but it’s still large enough for me!

Now, I have a great routine: every morning before breakfast and coffee, I set the dishwasher going, and it’s done before I leave for work. When I get back, I can unload it and, if needed, load it again.

I’ve placed it on a work surface above my washing machine, so the waste and water collection pipes connect to those of the washing machine, keeping wires to a minimum and eliminating the need to fill it manually each time.

A woman with ADHD shares tips on how to make life easier in the home, including having a tabletop dishwasher
Tabletop Dishwasher = game changer!

I clean it once every two weeks by running it with white vinegar and washing all the compartments. Other than that, it requires super easy maintenance! Yes, it was a bit of an investment, but it’s been so worth it for me. I now have a constant rotation of clean plates, bowls, utensils, and mugs, all thoroughly cleaned and disinfected by the heat from the dishwasher.

I don't mind using it so often because on Eco mode it uses less heat and water, and after some research, I figured that actually they don't use much more water than washing up by hand does. And as for the electricity, I have solar panels on the roof, so much of my power is sustainable and free!

This is the model I have, you can check it out on Amazon here.



2) A Cordless vacuum

When I moved out, I knew I couldn’t buy a cheap vacuum, especially with a German Shepherd/Siberian Husky cross coming with me. I had also been introduced to the cordless vacuum at my stepdad’s house, and it was a game changer. The old corded vacuum my mum had was heavy and a pain to lug around, especially up and down the stairs. Not to mention the hassle of plugging and unplugging it constantly.

To simplify my life and ensure I actually vacuumed without avoiding the task or getting sidetracked, I opted for a cordless vacuum. Now, I can just grab it, do a quick wiz around the house, and put it back. In under 20 minutes, I can vacuum the whole place (for a quick clean!). If I’m in a cleaning mood, I might sprinkle some bicarbonate of soda on the carpets an hour before vacuuming to help eliminate dog odors. The ease of just grabbing the vacuum allows me to clean the house at least once a week, which is essential with a fluffy double-coated dog!

What type of vacuum you choose is entirely up to you and your budget, but I knew a good one was crucial for me. I was lucky that Dyson had a sale at my local Currys store, so I got one, and it has served me well in the 18 months I've had it.



3) Two separate bins in the kitchen, and mini bins around the house.

One of my partner's pet peeves when he stays over is the rubbish I leave everywhere, especially in the kitchen. I used to keep the bins outside because I hated the flies and smells they attracted. However, collecting all the rubbish and throwing it out became a chore I made bigger than it needed to be, so it rarely happened.

After some discussion, I realized he was right and bought a big bin for the kitchen. It seals well, is easy to open, and has a handy clip to keep the bag from falling in. Now, my kitchen is cleaner because I can toss things directly into the bin, which is just a short distance away.

A woman with ADHD shares tips on how to make life easier in the home, including having bins dotted around the house to limit rubbish
Kitchen bins - one for trash and one for recycling

I got so bin-happy that I forgot about the recycling bin outside and ended up filling the black bin instead. That’s when I decided I needed a dedicated recycling bin in the kitchen to keep on top of the junk build-up while still doing my part for the planet. Now my green bin is filling up again!

I also want a third bin for compostable items since I have a compost bin in the garden. However, because it’s further away, I tend to throw food waste in the rubbish bin. A smaller bin for compost is on my shopping list!

I bought some fly chains for the back door and a fly zapper to eliminate that issue, too.

I’ve always had small bins scattered around the house, a habit my mum started when I lived with her. I have one in my room for tissues and sanitary items, and another in my craft space. These small bins help keep the house tidy because I can easily toss rubbish nearby instead of letting it pile up. It’s not that I’m lazy; if I have to walk to a bin elsewhere, I often get distracted by other tasks and never return to what I was doing. I am all for saving spoons and making life as easy as possible. Work smarter, not harder, and when it comes to us with ADHD, making things easier and faster is in our best interests, because it means we have more time to focus on the things that give us the dopamine hits we need.



4) A food pantry

You don’t need a big cupboard just for food; any shelf in your kitchen will work. My new place has a built-in pantry, and it’s super handy!

It took some time to get it organized, and even with a system, it can still get messy. The great part? I can close the door and hide the chaos, making my home feel tidier.

I know where all my non-fridge food is, and I can roughly guess which shelf it’s on. I love cooking (most of the time), but I hate the hassle of finding everything. With my pantry, I know exactly where everything is, which saves me time and energy for cooking healthy meals.

I keep a list of pantry items on the door. When I meal prep for the week, I check this list to ensure I have everything, so I don’t have to dig around and create a mess. It also helps me avoid buying duplicates and wasting food.

A woman with ADHD shares tips on how to make life easier in the home, including having a pantry for all non fridge and freezer food items
My food pantry helps keeps the kitchen organised

Here’s how I organize my pantry:

  • Top shelf: Extras (squash, coffee, salt, meds), pasta, and cereals in clear containers.

  • Higher shelf: Jams, spreads, oils, noodle and rice packs, hot drinks (coffee, tea, hot chocolate), and hooks for mugs.

  • Middle shelf: Cooking sauces, canned veggies, soups, an open squash bottle, and a wall magnet for knives and scissors.

  • Bottom shelf: Baking ingredients, biscuits, sweets, and snacks.

  • Floor space: Lap trays, a basket of non-fridge veggies, and bags of crisps.

  • Door: A rack for herbs and spices.

This setup makes cooking a breeze!






5) White board and pin board in the kitchen

This setup was all thanks to my genius mother. Before, I had sticky notes, large bits of paper, and random letters taped to the wall as reminders, which kept falling off and making a mess.

A woman with ADHD shares tips on how to make life easier in the home, including a white board and pin board in the kitchen to keep all important info in one place
A whiteboard and pin-board help keep all useful info in one place

Now, I have a whiteboard and a cork notice board on the wall. I bought some super cute magnets and pins, so the wall looks tidier, and all the important stuff is in one place! On the whiteboard, I have a magnetic weekly planner for meal planning and shopping lists. I can move it around, take it down when I need it, and keep it out of the way when I don’t. I also keep lists of tasks that need to be done and regular household chores, dating them each time I complete them. This helps me track which areas of the house have been cleaned and which haven’t.

Additionally, I have a list of things for Luke to fix when he visits. That one was his idea, not mine!

On the pinboard, I can pin letters with appointments, reminders, and useful information about the garden. I also have a calendar on the wall to keep track of all appointments, gardening dates, and other important reminders, like birthdays.



6) A room dedicated to creative hobbies.

I have so many hobbies, and many of them are creative. I love being able to work on projects whenever I feel inspired. Before I turned this little 'spare room' into my craft space, my supplies were scattered all over the house—coloring books in the dining room, scrapbooking materials in the living room, and random projects hidden in wardrobes.

Now, everything is in one place! The best part about having a craft room is that I can leave a project open on the desk. This way, I’m more likely to pop in and add to it when I’m in the mood, instead of having to set everything up and pack it away each time.

Sure, my craft room is always a bit messy, but at least the chaos is contained to one space and doesn’t spill into the rest of the house.

I’ve added candles, incense sticks, plants, and decor to make the room feel warm and inviting—a perfect space for my imagination and creativity to flow.

I know many people don’t have a whole room for this, but you can always use a corner or a wall of a room! Where there’s a will, there’s a way!

A woman with ADHD shares tips on how to make life easier in the home, including having a set room or space for hobbies to keep all of that mess in one place
My craft room is messy, but at least the mess is contained to a single room

7) Storage boxes in the garden

With pet rabbits, a dog, and designated spaces for growing food, I have plenty of supplies that I can't fit in the house. So, I use storage boxes in the garden to keep everything organized.

These boxes aren’t the tidiest, but each one has a specific 'theme,' making it easier to find what I need. In the front garden, I have one for soil, plastic plant pots, canes, and string. In the back garden, there are four: one for dog and rabbit food, one for the rabbit pen and carriers, one for more gardening tools and pots, and the last one for hay storage.

While these boxes take up some space, they’re quite handy! I can sit on the tops or use them to brush my dog without bending down. I also use them as potting benches when moving plants or sowing seeds.

These storage solutions are great if you have a lot of stuff lying around and need a place to keep it. If you have valuable items or live in a high-crime area, you can find boxes with padlock spaces for added security. All the mess that would be scattered around the house or garden is neatly contained, hiding the clutter!

When my space is messy, my mind feels cluttered too. But if my space is tidy (or at least tidy-ish), it helps clear my head!


8) Designated Cupboards

We all have a junk drawer, right? Do you know what's in yours? What about the cupboard next to it?

When I moved in, I aimed to have a home for everything so I’d know where things lived and be more likely to put them away. To some extent, that’s worked.

The cupboard under the stairs holds the toolbox, vacuum, broom, shoes, coats, and a clothes horse. The back kitchen cupboard is for dog toys, infrequently used appliances (toaster, blender, stand mixer), drinks, my climbing bag, and camping gear.

Each kitchen cupboard has its own theme too. One is for pots and pans, another for plates and glasses, one for chopping boards and baking supplies, and the under-sink cupboard holds cleaning products and cloths. There's also a cupboard for Anayah’s wet food, medical supplies, and grooming tools, plus one for containers and bottles. I have a drawer for utensils and a 'junk' drawer, but at least everything is in little containers or bags, keeping it somewhat tidy.

The airing cupboard is for spare bedding, pajamas, toilet paper, and the fan when not in use.

Having a theme for each storage space helps me know where to look for things. None of these areas are perfectly organized, but it definitely makes the house look and feel tidier!



There you have it! My 8 ADHD-friendly tips and tools to make life a little easier at home. I hope you found some inspiration here, and even if just one of these ideas helps you, then I’ve made a difference—and that’s the whole point of sharing!

Living with ADHD can sometimes feel like the world is against you, but by working with your brain instead of against it, you can tackle life with confidence. Remember, it’s all about finding what works for you. Embrace your differences and allow yourself to succeed! Sure, there are challenges that come with having a brain that operates a bit differently, and it’s definitely not always sunshine and rainbows. But hey, without the rain, we wouldn’t get to see any rainbows!

Do you have any other tools or tips that help you and your ADHD brain? I’d love to hear them! Feel free to share in the comments below or connect with me on social media. I enjoy chatting with new people and discovering cool ideas!




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