Before I leave in the morning all the machines are on. Dishwasher, washer, tumble dryer. When I get home all are emptied and everything is put away and I then deal with any post for that day. Then before I start dinner, I do one more job - be it wiping a bannister, dusting a light fitting, or cleaning a bit of silver or three. Often I have tomorrow's dinner ready in the fridge and do that job whilst dinner's in the oven.
Everything used to have to be ready for the following morning the night before. Not so much now with older teenagers but all uniform/work clothes are laundered and hanging ready and when they were little book bags were packed, permission slips sorted, lunches made, etc., the night before.
When the children were small they didn't have a playroom and their toys were kept in their bedrooms. They could have two toys out each at any one time but if another came down one had to be put away.
Having a good cleaner is the biggest help imo. Always had one, even when I was a SAHM - now I work full time she does the laundry too. Like LaQueen I also have a spring clean once a year done by a company. One year it'll be painwork that wouldn't usually be reached, another all inside windows, another carpet cleaning, etc.. My children however are hopeless and beyond redemption and it is all my fault. But I did nothing growing up but because I was used to a clean and tidy house when I left home that's what I wanted too because that's how I expected to live.