If you love having a space that feels put together, you’re likely all too familiar with the struggle of figuring out how to hide your unsightly cleaning products, tools, and other chore-related items. Because let’s face it: There’s nothing glamorous about cleaning the bathroom or weeding the garden. But it has to be done. That’s where chore decor comes in.
Chore decor is all about romanticizing your chore list and turning your related items into aesthetically-pleasing decor to be displayed around your home. This trend bridges the gap between a picture-perfect, stylized space and a real home—where functional items like cleaning supplies and tools are an integral part of everyday life—so why stress about hiding them away? Plus, when your chores look this pretty, you’ll dread doing them a little less.
Here are a few simple ways you can embrace this aesthetic in your home and leave your chore-related items hiding in plain sight.
1. Use Pretty Bottles for Your Cleaning Solutions
Decanting your cleaning solutions into attractive bottles and containers automatically enhances the aesthetic appeal of your cleaning routine. This approach is best suited for your most-commonly used cleaning solutions: all-purpose cleaners, glass cleaners, laundry detergents, and more. It’s also ideal for homemade cleaners or those made from refillable concentrates.
“Take inventory of the products you want easy access to and start by swapping mismatched plastic bottles for sleek glass jars and spray bottles, then add stylish labels for a polished, cohesive look. Group them together on beautiful trays or pedestals to transform utility into a statement,” says Wendy Smit, founder and principal designer of Wendy Smit Interiors.
2. Collect Well-Crafted Tools in Natural Materials
There’s something undeniably aesthetically pleasing and charming about cleaning and garden tools made from natural materials. In the pursuit of an aesthetic chore routine, ditch the unsightly plastic brooms, mops, shovels, and spades in favor of sturdy wooden and metal pieces, suggests Jacqueline Goncalves, founder and principal designer of Moksa Studio.
“Look for well-crafted tools in natural materials—think a walnut dish brush, amber glass spray bottles, or a copper watering can," she says. "Display them on open shelves, hang them on stylish hooks, or tuck them into vintage caddies that double as design moments. When everyday items are this beautiful, you'll actually want to keep them out—and maybe even use them more often."
That said, not all cleaning supplies can be easily replaced with wood alternatives, so pick and choose what makes the most sense here. The less-attractive items then get first priority in the cleaning closet, hidden out of sight until they’re needed.
3. Beautify the Inside of Your Cleaning Closet
Speaking of cleaning closets: Just because it’s hidden behind a door doesn’t mean this essential space needs to be bland. Some fun wallpaper, an unexpected paint color, and pretty organizational supplies will make opening the doors something you look forward to, instead of dread.
“These utilitarian spaces don't need to be organized and labeled to the gills, but it is nice to give them a little something special, like wallpaper or a happy paint color, to make it less stressful when you open that door and know you have to tackle some chores,” says Maren Baker, founder and principal designer of Maren Baker Design.
4. Use Baskets to Hold Chore Supplies
Designers love using baskets to conceal unsightly clutter, and the same principle applies here. Wicker baskets are great for storing cleaning and chore supplies in plain sight—whether you’re organizing your laundry room or storing gardening tools. They’re also great for hiding branded cleaning supplies that just don’t make sense to decant into more attractive containers.
5. Swap Out Your Plastic Laundry Hamper
Plastic laundry hampers are practical and durable, but there’s no denying that they can be a major eyesore in any room. Swapping out your plastic hamper for a more aesthetic wicker or fabric option is an easy switch that instantly makes your space feel more stylish and put together. And hampers with lids are especially sleek, as they completely hide the clothes inside. Just make sure your new hamper has handles and is easy to carry around, so it feels as functional as the plastic one that you’re used to.
6. Romanticize Your Tasks
Above all else, chore decor is about romanticizing your everyday to-do list, which goes beyond simply making things look aesthetic. Along with the pretty decor swaps, try to approach your daily chores with a new mindset and carve out time for mindfulness.
Are there ways to make folding laundry more enjoyable? Maybe your favorite podcast and a steaming cup of tea would help? Or maybe a cold drink, your favorite sun hat, and a calming playlist make weeding the garden more bearable? The pretty chore-related items can help get you motivated, but it’s the other little changes that will make it feel sustainable.
Source: Sears, C. (2025b, June 17). 6 easy ways to use chore decor to brighten your daily routine. Better Homes & Gardens. https://www.bhg.com/chore-decor-11754612