Lean at Home Project Ideas

In our FREE “Lean at Home” course called “Home Efficiency Using Japanese Lean Productivity Techniques,” we provided a list of potential projects you can do at home to implement Lean methods.

We wanted to provide this list on the site, as a reminder for those who have taken the course, or for those who have Lean experience but need help picking a project.

Once you’ve decided what is most important to you and your family or household, then you can pick one of the following processes. Next, study and evaluate ways to better organize, reduce time, improve quality or remove waste and frustration from that process.

Bathroom

  • Brushing teeth
  • Flossing
  • Taking shower/bath
  • Styling hair
  • Cleaning sink/toilet/shower
  • Cleaning floors
  • Shaving
  • Washing hands

Outdoors

  • Mowing or caring for lawn
  • Trimming/edging driveway or sidewalks
  • Gardening
  • Washing vehicle
  • Pet cleanup
  • Taking out recycling/trash bins
  • Washing exterior walls
  • Cleaning gutters
  • Walking pets
  • Shoveling snow
  • Cleaning pool or hot tub
  • Changing tires on car/bike
  • Vehicle maintenance

Bedroom

  • Picking out clothes and getting dressed
  • Washing clothes (laundry)
  • Folding/putting away clothes
  • Making bed or changing sheets
  • Cleaning floors
  • Going to sleep
  • Waking up in the morning
  • Ironing clothes

Kitchen

  • Making a popular meal
  • Making coffee/tea/smoothie
  • Washing/putting away dishes
  • Cleaning floors
  • Cleaning stove/microwave/counters
  • Making grocery list
  • Putting away groceries
  • Feeding pets
  • Cleaning litter box

Other Ideas

  • Managing physical mail
  • Managing email inbox
  • Finding files/photos on computer
  • Opening/closing of blinds/curtains
  • Paying bills
  • Monthly budgeting
  • Planning a trip
  • Planning a party
  • Changing air filters
  • Watering plants
  • Mending/sewing clothes
  • Doing arts and crafts
  • Turning on/off lights or electronics
  • Charging phones
  • Donating unneeded items
  • Washing windows
  • Completing workouts/exercise
  • Replacing dead batteries
  • Commuting to work
  • Grocery shopping

If you’re looking for ideas to make your home more sustainable or eco-friendly, consider these project goals:

  • Reduce and conserve water
  • Reduce energy usage
  • Green energy sources
  • Reduce usage of harsh chemicals and pesticides
  • Reduce fuel consumption for vehicle
  • Increase recycling and composting
  • Reduce trash to the landfill
  • Compost or reduce food scraps

You can also search through the articles on this site by category, to see specific examples of projects implemented.

If you need help selecting a project, feel free to contact us!