Organize your garage in 5 steps: empty and clean the space, purge unwanted items, plan zones for storage, install vertical storage systems, and contain and label items. This method transforms a cluttered, unusable garage into a functional space by maximizing storage efficiency, typically by keeping items off the floor and in designated, accessible areas.
The 12-12-12 decluttering method, created by Joshua Becker of Becoming Minimalist, is a simple strategy to tackle clutter by finding 12 items to throw away, 12 items to donate, and 12 items to put back in their proper place, making large organizing tasks feel manageable and less overwhelming, often by completing these three small tasks in a specific area. It works as a great starting point, encourages quick decisions, and can be repeated as often as needed to reset a room or home.
The 1-3-5 decluttering rule is a simple, manageable strategy where you tackle one big task, three medium tasks, and five small tasks in a single session (or day) to avoid feeling overwhelmed and make steady progress in organizing your space. It breaks down daunting projects, like clearing a whole room, into actionable chunks, offering quick wins and sustained motivation for a less chaotic, more streamlined home.
The 20/10 cleaning method, created by professional organizer Rachel Hoffman, is a time-management strategy where you clean or organize for 20 minutes of focused work, followed by a mandatory 10-minute break, repeating the cycle as needed to make tasks feel less overwhelming and prevent burnout. This interval training breaks down large cleaning jobs into manageable chunks, using short, scheduled rest periods as motivation to tackle procrastination and build momentum, allowing you to achieve more without getting exhausted.
The 10-10 decluttering method is pretty simple — choose an area, set a timer for 10 minutes and get rid of 10 items in that space. "If you notice other items you don't need, remove them as well, but make sure to stick to the 10-minute timeframe," says professional organizer Tonia Tomlin of Sorted Out.
home, the 1% rule involves doing just one small thing to make your home better. The habit definitely leads to a more tidy home, but, more importantly, it also creates a more peaceful emotional state.
So when I heard about the 10-10 method, which involves spending 10 minutes getting rid of 10 things from a room or cluttered spot in your home, I decided to focus on decluttering my three problem areas: the bathroom, the pantry, and my sock drawer (random, I know—but it was important!).
There are five basic organizing principles used either individually or in combinations to design functional facilities – Radial, Grid, Axial, Spiral, and Cluster.
1) Radial. Elements radiate out from a central, figural point. ...
Be clear about the sentimental items that should have a place in your home. You only have so much space to store them all. "Family photos, heirlooms, and keepsakes are often decluttered because they feel like clutter, when the real challenge is deciding how to honor the memory," says Hines.
The 5 5 5 decluttering rule refers to a few different methods, but most commonly it's either the 5-Year Rule (if you haven't used it in 5 years, let it go) or a time-based approach like the 5x5 Method (5 areas for 5 minutes each) or the 5-Minute Challenge (5 minutes daily) to make the task less overwhelming and encourage quick decisions, often using timers and focusing on small zones or items to build momentum.
The 333 rule, also known as Project 333, is a minimalist challenge where you select 33 items (clothing, shoes, accessories) to wear for 3 months, packing away the rest to simplify your wardrobe, reduce decision fatigue, and focus on quality over quantity. Exclusions typically include underwear, sleepwear, loungewear (worn only at home), and workout clothes (used only for exercise), plus everyday sentimental jewelry like wedding rings.
The "333 rule" in clothing refers to two popular minimalist fashion concepts: the viral TikTok trend of using 3 tops, 3 bottoms, and 3 shoes to create numerous outfits (9 items total) for styling practice, and the more extensive Project 333, where you select 33 items (including clothes, shoes, and accessories) to wear for three months, excluding essentials like underwear, workout gear, and sleepwear, to simplify your wardrobe and reduce decision fatigue. Both methods focus on versatility, quality over quantity, and creating a functional capsule wardrobe.
The rule, coined by David Allen, productivity guru and author of Getting Things Done, basically says that anything that can be done in 2 minutes or less should be done right then and there. This has countless applications to housework — especially to decluttering.
Developed by Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus of The Minimalists, the 90/90 rule is simple: If you haven't used or loved an item in the past 90 days, and don't see yourself needing it in the next 90 days, it's time to let it go.
Surfaces that contact food (e.g., the prep table, cutting board, slicer, knife, or tongs) must be cleaned between uses; or, at least every 4 hours when in continual use.
Empty the Garbage: Dispose of trash to maintain a fresh environment. Clean Appliances: Wipe down the microwave and crumb tray of the toaster. Rinse the Sink: Rinse the bottom of the sink and run the disposal. Toss Expired Food: Regularly check for and discard expired items.
