I recently cracked open The Art of Homemaking by Daryl V. Hoole, and while I don’t long for a total time-travel back to the 1950s, I do try to adapt wisdom and advice from the past to my life. The book describes that an ideal homemaker should be “lovely to look at and lovely to be around; she has a wholesome attitude and a pleasing appearance.”
Now, pause — I rolled my eyes too at first. But here’s the thing: you don’t have to adopt vintage rules at face value. You adjust them to work for you.
While I don’t vibe with vintage homemaking advice coming from a place of pushing a message of “you have to be ____.” I still try to take vintage advice and adjust it to my life.
‼️My rule of thumb is: I should never do anything in my homemaking to try to “earn” love or approval from my family or society.
Instead I’m trying to use my homemaking to nurture and heal myself, and find joy in the day to day.
And if you’d like to do that too, here’s my hacks for this “rule”
Hack #1: The Overnight Curlers
What it is
This is my version of a vintage trick: you curl your hair overnight, secure it gently, and wake up to waves or volume without heat. When you pull your hair up during the day, it still looks salon-fresh. I use this one at night, and then I use this one during the day if I want a retro look.
Why I love it
- Saves time in the mornings
- It makes me feel absolutely beautiful
- It keeps my hair out of my face while I’m cleaning, chasing my toddler, or sleeping!
Tips to try it yourself
- Use a soft head wrap (silk scarf, satin bonnet) over the top to protect your hair.
- Work with damp hair not wet hair!
- When you release it, spritz a bit of light texturizing spray or dry shampoo at the roots.
Hack #2: The “Mom Uniform”
One of my favorite modern adaptations is having a go-to mom uniform. 1950s housewives used what htey called a “house dress” simple cotten dressed that were comfortable. For a modern mom uniform, I’ve tested many, but right now, my combo is:
- Jean dress + apron (yes, there’s an apron revival happening 😉 )
- In winter: I add fleece-lined tights undernight, fuzzy socks, and a cozy sweater
- A light daily makeup ritual — for me, that’s just tinted moisturizer and red lipstick.
Why this works for me
- It cuts the decision fatigue of deciding “What do I wear today?”
- It feels casual but I still feel pretty!
- It honors the idea of “pleasing appearance” in a kind, self-loving way — not perfection
- It gives me confidence as I go about my day, and I don’t feel scrubby.
How to adapt
- Maybe your uniform is active dresses in the summer, or sweaters and jeans.
- Maybe it’s a capsule wardrobe of neutrals
- The point: a consistent base you feel “you” in, especially on the messy days
Hack #3: Vintage 1950s Radio + Cleaning Routines = cleaning on autopilot.
One of my absolute favorite hacks: podcast cleaning routines built around Old Time Radio Shows from the 1950s, like Dragnet, Fibber McGee and Molly, and Father Knows Best. Press play, and you’ll be guided through a cleaning routine while listening to the radio show! (You can try some free episodes here!)
Why this routine helps
- It actually makes cleaning fun
- It helps me stay on task by using timed increments
- It tells me exactly what to clean, so I don’t even have to think!
What’s in each episode
- 4 Daily tasks (15 minutes) covering airing the beds, laundry, dishes, picking up clutter.
- 1 Weekly task (15 minutes) these are things like cleaning the bathrooms, cleaning out the fridge, mopping floors, zone cleaning, etc.
Click here to try some free episodes! OR click here to join my membership where I publish new episodes 6 days a week!
Reframing Homemaking as Self-Care
One thing I always tell myself is to never let homemaking become a way to earn someone’s approval. As a people pleaser, I try so hard not to fall into this trap. And that was a trap vintage advice sometimes leaned into — the “ideal homemaker” must always look perfect or be ever-pleasing. No thanks.
Instead:
- Use homemaking to nurture yourself, not to prove yourself.
- Find joy in the journey of creating a haven for yourself and your family.
- Build routines that support your mental, emotional, and physical health and that of your family.
This is more than a trend: researchers and thinkers are reframing homemaking not as drudge work, but a wellness practice in itself. One recent article put it beautifully: “Every chore … can become an act of self-care when approached with intention.” (Evie Magazine)
🛠️ Putting It All Together: Sample Daily Rhythm
Here’s a day-in-the-life outline you can adapt to your seasons:
| Time of Day | Activity | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 7:00-7:05 am | Wake, start your coffee/tea. | As a mom, I put mine in a thermos when it’s done or it’ll get cold before I can drink it! |
| 7:05-7:15 am | Release overnight curls (or put them on), get dressed in your “uniform” | Starting with a little self care, and getting ready for the day makes such a difference! |
| 7:15–7:45 am | Morning Radio Show Cleaning Routine (Click here to try) | Just press play, and I’ll guide you through daily cleaning! |
| 7:45–11:30 am | Get some breakfast, and go about your day! | |
| Lunchtime | Take a moment at lunch to enjoy and rest! | I like to take the baby on a walk to the park and eat lunch there! I listen to a podcast through open ear headphones and it feels like “me-time” |
| 12:30pm | Put dinner in the crockpot. | (Or just prep what you can!) |
| Late afternoon | Go about your day, remember to celebrate your wins. | |
| After Dinner | Evening Radio Show Cleaning Routine (Click here to try) | This will help you clean up the house after dinner! |
| Bedtime | Skin Care + Curls | Put your hair in curlers if you like, and do some skin care! |
💡 Extra Tips & Considerations
- Start small — pick one hack (e.g. “mom uniform” or one radio routine) before layering more.
- Be flexible — kids, illness, mood swings happen. Let your routines bend (not break).
- Invite family in — invite your family to listen and clean along with you to the routines!
- Track progress, not perfection — at the end of the day write down everything you DID get done.
Want to Go Deeper? Watch the Video!
If you’re loving these homemaking ideas and want all the tips on homemaking like a 1950s housewife, check out this video from my YouTube channel!