My observation is that this used to be much easier because someone was usually home, typically a wife who did not work. Now everything is planned to the last minute because everyone is focused first on working, with family and friends getting the leftover time.
I wonder if another aspect of both partners working is that it pushes chores into the weekend and after work. When I was a kid my mom would go shopping during weekday mornings. I go shopping during a weekday evening or on the weekend. Same for other house chores. If someone showed up suddenly, chances are we aren't home or furniture is up because the Roomba is running.
