Less Stress, More Happy: The Transformative Power of Automating Household Chores

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 86.2% of women and 70.7% of men engage in household chores daily. That translates into hours lost each week to repetitive tasks like cleaning, cooking, and laundry. These obligations don’t just eat away at personal time—they also take a toll on mental well-being.

Automating tasks offers a solution that blends convenience with emotional relief. By shifting the load from human hands to smart devices, families can enjoy more time together and less stress. For those looking to reclaim their schedules, automation tools and smart home solutions make this possible without a steep learning curve. Plus, many of today’s options are user-friendly, affordable, and surprisingly easy to install.

Why now? The rise of smart home automation

The smart home industry is booming. In 2024, it hit $84.5 billion and is on track to reach $116.4 billion by 2029. Adoption is widespread, with over 133 million homes in North America expected to be smart-enabled by the end of 2025.

This trend reflects more than a surge in gadget popularity—it's a cultural shift toward valuing time, mental clarity, and seamless functionality.

Some of those top workflow automation technologies include:

• Voice control (50%)
• Smart appliances (41%)
• Smart lighting (36%)

These tools aren’t just about modern convenience. Smart home solutions are also making homes more efficient, lowering energy bills by up to 30% and even reducing emergency response times by up to 60%, all thanks to built-in artificial intelligence.

For many, the decision to automate everyday tasks is no longer a luxury but a practical upgrade with tangible returns. This movement is especially significant for families juggling child care, elder care, remote work, and schooling from home.

6 household tasks that are easy to automate today

Many time-consuming tasks around the house can now be handled by affordable, user-friendly tech. Below are six key areas where using automation tools and smart home features can improve daily routines by cutting down on manual work.

Cleaning

Smart vacuums like the Roomba or Abbee can save up to 70% of cleaning time. Abbee models even collect 50% more debris than standard options, making hands-free cleaning truly effective. This eliminates one of the most tedious repetitive tasks with minimal effort.

Some models have an onboarding phase where they map out your home’s layout to avoid obstacles in real-time and clean on a schedule, even while you’re out running errands. Integrating these devices with voice assistants like Alexa or Google Home adds convenience: Simply say “Start cleaning” and it’s done.

Laundry (smart washers and dryers)

Laundry is a manual task that most people dread, but modern appliances sync with voice controls and let you schedule cycles remotely. Set it, forget it, and never worry about damp clothes getting musty again.

Some machines use artificial intelligence to detect load size and soil level to adjust water and detergent usage automatically, making them not just smarter but also more eco-friendly. Notifications alert you when cycles finish, helping you stay on top of laundry without constantly checking in.

Additionally, some smart washers connect to leak detection systems, cutting the risk of flooding or water damage. If a leak is detected, the system can shut off the water valve and alert you through an app, potentially saving you thousands in repairs.

Meal prep (smart kitchen tools)

App-controlled ovens, automatic coffee makers, and recipe-guided cooktops make cooking easier and add precision to meal timing and preparation.

Some smart ovens even allow remote preheating and cooking monitoring, while meal-planning apps can sync with your fridge to reduce waste. With connected apps and sensors, you can cut down on manual work and still enjoy freshly made meals, even when you’re busy.

Grocery shopping (auto-restocking subscriptions, online ordering)

Automated grocery apps can restock staples, sync with your pantry inventory, and reduce store trips. Some even work with voice assistants for the simple task of list-building.

Services like Walmart+ let you schedule regular deliveries, and some grocery platforms integrate with smart fridges to notify you when you’re low on essentials. This reduces last-minute store runs and streamlines managing the pantry.

Climate control (smart thermostats for comfort)

Smart thermostats can adjust to your habits, reducing stress by keeping your environment at the perfect temperature with minimal effort.

These systems learn your preferences over time and optimize heating or cooling schedules to reduce energy use. No need for the manual work of fiddling with dials: You can also adjust settings remotely through an app, ensuring a comfortable home awaits you no matter when you arrive.

Some advanced models offer zone-specific heating and cooling, allowing for personalized comfort throughout the house. If your family members have different temperature preferences, these tools can keep everyone happy without ongoing thermostat wars.

Lighting (mood lighting automation for stress reduction)

Smart lighting adapts brightness and color throughout the day to support natural rhythms, helping you wind down at night and wake up comfortably in the morning.

Many systems offer pre-set scenes like “Relax,” “Focus,” or “Nightlight,” and some can be synced with music or TV for immersive experiences. You can also control lights via motion sensors, voice commands, or app scheduling to minimize energy waste, making one more everyday task effortless.

Studies have shown that consistent lighting routines support better sleep and reduce anxiety. A well-lit home feels more welcoming and helps transition your body and mind through the day’s different phases, from morning motivation to an evening wind-down.

The time and stress reduction payoff

Smart home devices aren’t just about novelty. They offer real returns in time and peace of mind. Let’s look at what the data says about the impact of automated processes.

Time savings backed by data

The convenience of automating tasks is backed by compelling data. Cleaning robots alone can cut cleaning time by as much as 70%. Smart dishwashers, washers, and vacuums take care of repetitive tasks with set-it-and-forget-it functionality, letting you reclaim hours each week that would otherwise be lost to manual chores.

Studies from Hubitat and DSR Technologies highlight that smart home setups allow for improved scheduling and energy optimization, which translates to fewer daily disruptions and more predictable routines. The overall time savings add up to not only more leisure, but more capacity for quality family time, creative hobbies, or rest.

Psychological benefits of automation

Technology doesn't just save time—it can improve well-being. According to a Nationwide survey, 44% of homeowners say that smart home technology reduces their anxiety. These systems reduce decision-making fatigue by completing tasks you’d otherwise have to remember without ever needing to follow-up.

Smart lighting, climate control, and voice assistants work in concert to create a calming environment, which may improve mood, support better sleep, and make the home feel more like a retreat than a never-ending to-do list of manual work.

For caregivers, seniors, or individuals managing chronic stress, these small tech shifts can have an outsized impact on day-to-day mental health.

Getting started: How to automate your home in 5 steps

Home automation doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Start small, build gradually, and focus on changes that make daily life and task management easier and more efficient.

Step 1: Identify time-draining chores

Begin by auditing your current routine. Which chores take the longest? Which are the most frustrating? Create a checklist to identify tasks that can be easily offloaded to technology. Prioritize chores that are repetitive and have a clear automation path.

A simple time log over one week can provide surprising insights, like how often you vacuum or reset the thermostat. These less complex tasks can really add up over time.

Step 2: Choose entry-level devices

For those new to automation, start simple. Entry-level devices like voice assistants, robot vacuums, and plug-and-play smart plugs offer instant benefits with minimal setup. These tools introduce convenience and build confidence in home tech usage.

Look for kits that include a hub and two or three compatible devices. Some brands also offer mobile apps that walk you through setup to complete tasks with step-by-step tutorials.

Step 3: Set schedules and integrate with apps

Once devices are in place, link them to control hubs like Google Home, Alexa, or SmartThings. Use scheduling features to automate routines, like lights dimming at bedtime, coffee brewing at sunrise, or thermostats adjusting based on your work schedule.

Many platforms offer routines and if-this-then-that (IFTTT) recipes to combine actions. For example, a motion sensor at the front door could trigger hallway lights and start a calming music playlist.

Step 4: Expand based on ROI and comfort

As you grow more comfortable, expand your system gradually. Focus on upgrades that provide the most time saved or emotional relief. Smart kitchen tools or automated security systems often offer high returns on investment.

Smart irrigation, pet feeders, or even garage door sensors may be good next steps, depending on your lifestyle.

Step 5: Monitor, maintain, and upgrade smartly

Keep your system running smoothly by checking for firmware updates, cleaning device sensors, and exploring new features. Regular maintenance ensures devices continue to perform well and adapt to evolving household needs.

Use manufacturer apps to receive maintenance reminders and performance reports. And don’t forget to revisit your routines every few months to make sure they’re still working for your household’s current schedule. Smart home task automation software has tons of potential for scalability, so be sure to stay on the lookout for new tools that can take those tedious tasks off your hands.

Real-life success stories: Everyday automation wins

In practice, smart home tech is transforming how people live day to day. These real-life use cases show how automation can save time, increase comfort, decrease the need for human resources (and decrease human error), and even improve quality of life.

Smart blinds and nighttime cleaning for a fresh morning start

A Reddit user shared their experience of setting up motion-activated lights, smart blinds, and a robot vacuum. The vacuum is programmed to clean the kitchen and living room during the night, while the smart blinds open automatically, allowing natural light to wake them up peacefully.

This setup has made their mornings more pleasant and stress-free without needing to focus on mundane tasks: “What I really love is how automation takes care of the little stuff. It feels like the house just does things for me now, and I get to feel more in control without actually doing more work.”

Automating the sunshade awning based on weather conditions

Another Reddit user automated their sunshade awning to deploy every summer morning when it's sunny, based on the sun's azimuth and elevation. The system also retracts the awning when it starts raining or when high wind speeds are detected, using data from radar tracking.

Not only does this task automation tool help keep a comfortable indoor temperature, but it also protects the awning from weather damage. These types of tasks can easily be overlooked without automation.

Enhancing accessibility for individuals with disabilities

A smart home in Shirley, Long Island, operated by Family Residences and Essential Enterprises (FREE), aims to foster independence for individuals with disabilities. The fully accessible home is equipped with voice-controlled and Bluetooth-enabled appliances, including adjustable sinks, stovetops, and side-opening ovens.

Residents like AJ Duran, who has cerebral palsy, can now handle daily tasks without assistance, such as cooking meals using Alexa-guided recipes.

A smarter, happier home is within reach

Automating recurring tasks doesn’t require a complete overhaul of your lifestyle. Just one change—like a robot vacuum or smart light—can provide a sense of relief and reclaim valuable time.

Smart home solutions offer practical ways to simplify daily life, reduce stress, and create a more joyful living space. Start small, stay consistent, and watch your home evolve into a hub of comfort and convenience.

Try automating one tedious task this week and experience the difference. Explore Vivint's complete home automation solutions to get started.