How to use the ‘organisational triangle’ for an autumn refresh
While we may strive for a tidy and organised home, it’s all too easy for clutter to spiral out of control. Decluttering methods like the 'organisational triangle' and other frameworks —such as the KonMari method, the ‘no-contact’ decluttering method, or the 90/90 rule — help homeowners take a more strategic approach.
Autumn offers the opportunity for a seasonal refresh by storing away summer clothes and ditching clutter that’s accumulated over the summer. With cosy nights indoors ahead, it’s a great time to reinvigorate living spaces so they feel spacious, welcoming, and organised.
The 'organisational triangle' is a strategy for a neater space used by professionals and homeowners. The idea is that tidying will take care of itself by following a few simple rules.
We asked decluttering experts about the basics of the 'organisational triangle' method and how to implement it in our homes this season and beyond.
What is the 'organisational triangle'?
The organisational triangle is a three-fold approach to decluttering designed to help you maintain an organised home. It’s a technique applauded by professional declutterers for its simplicity and effectiveness in maintaining order.
"One of the major advantages is that it is a tried and tested method of keeping a home clutter-free which should — if the rules are followed — avoid the need for having a time-consuming major clear-out every year," professional home organiser Kate Conrad, interior designer and founder of Madison and Mayfair, told Country Living. "By adopting the method as part of everyday life, keeping a space neat becomes less tiresome overall and easy to maintain."
The organisational triangle was conceptualised by American professional organiser Andrew Mellen, who authored the 2010 bestseller Unstuff Your Life!: Kick the Clutter Habit and Completely Organize Your Life for Good. Mellen based his theory around three fundamental principles when it comes to organisation:
One home for everything
Like with like
Something in, something out
Mellen has an impressive portfolio of home improvement books and regularly shares his methods through public speaking. He describes the organisation triangle as "the foundation" of his work, claiming the three-step process can work for anybody striving for a clutter-free and organised home.
How to try the organisational triangle method in your home
While the organisational triangle method is meant to be maintained daily, there’s a little theory to learn beforehand. We asked home organisation and decluttering experts to share their tips on implementing the method at home.
Step one: One home for everything
"Every item in your property needs a home; otherwise, quite simply, it becomes clutter," Mansell tells us. "Having only one home for every item stops ambiguity about where things live between whomever you may share a living space. Importantly, this then allows the home to remain organised."
Having a specific place for each item also means you’ll avoid doubling up on household items such as cleaning products or toiletries and, as professional declutterer Susie Boutal, founder of A Space For Living, explains: "This rule makes it easy to put things away with no thinking required." If you need to clear out some clutter to make space, the ‘one-a-day’ decluttering method is a great tactic for downsizing gradually.
Step two: Like with like
Mellen’s next step refers to grouping items — such as stationary, cleaning products, toiletries or medicine — together so it’s easier to find them when needed. "Like with like is a classic common sense approach, and I couldn’t recommend it enough," Mansell tells us. "No one expects trainers to share the same drawer as underwear or the teacups to be on a shelf next to the pans."
If your belongings could be more organised, a good tactic is to work room by room and put items into sections; tackling everything in one go can be overwhelming. Once this system is in place, it will save you time and energy in the long run. No job will mean scrabbling around for the necessary tools, whether wrapping a present, hosting a dinner party, or planning an occasion outfit.
Step three: Something in, something out
"Once you have decluttered, as part of the maintaining strategy, you need to make sure you don’t build up piles of clutter again," Helen Sanderson, MSc, author of The Secret Life of Clutter, tells us. "A ‘one in/one out’ mentality is a great way to keep the quantity manageable if done along with regular mini declutters."
The professional declutterer also suggests keeping a "donate box" in the home, where you can drop in items marked "out" and then take everything to the charity shop once it’s full.
Does the organisational triangle method really work?
Experts have praised the organisational triangle, though they have some caveats for its success, "I have seen this method work miracles for hundreds of people," Sanderson tells us. But, for some people, deeper personal issues or mental barriers make it hard to implement it. "Sometimes, psychologically speaking, people must uncover what lies beneath their clutter before they are ready to let go and move on."
While the organisation triangle is a three-step process, it’s worth examining each step in isolation, as home organiser Liz Mansell explains, referencing Mellen’s third rule. She says: "I do not necessarily believe that something must automatically go ‘out' just because something has come ‘in’."
"In my view, home organisation is not about clamping down on the joy of innocent shopping by insisting an existing possession must be sacrificed, but more about having clear systems and sensible practices to maintain your domestic order," she tells us.
"I would be more inclined to carefully consider the incoming item’s necessity and potential joyfulness (looking to the KonMari Method). This mindset helps ensure new purchases are really needed or wanted rather than destined to become tomorrow’s clutter."
How to make the organisational triangle work for you
Remember why you’re doing it
Decluttering can be arduous, so it’s important to stay motivated. "We don’t declutter because we love to throw things away; we do it because we want to repurpose a space, feel lighter, know what we have, feel calmer and sleep better," Boutal tells us. "So be clear on this before you get cracking to keep you motivated and give you a tangible goal to aim for and look forward to."
Be consistent
Like with any strategy, consistency is key. It’s no good having one huge session and then letting things build up again, which is why the "something in, something out" method, or adapting principles from the KonMari method before buying anything new, works well.
Don’t be too prescriptive
Busy schedules and hectic households can mean staying on top of tidying isn’t always easy. Conrad suggests taking a fluid approach to any decluttering strategy. "It can cause issues if the method is applied in an overly prescriptive manner," she concludes. "While it’s nice to bask in the glow of a clean and tidy environment, it is unlikely to answer all life challenges." It’s important to maintain perspective and let yourself off if clutter does accumulate. There’s always tomorrow to redress the balance.
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