I Tried the "Organizational Triangle" and Decluttered My Junk Drawer
I sometimes wish decluttering was a one-time thing. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to do all the work, then have the space stay immaculate and tidy forever? A girl can dream. Unfortunately that’s simply not reality, and staying organized is an ongoing process. Building in systems post-decluttering is just as important as (if not more important than) the decluttering itself. I’ve noticed a few of my once-tidy spots are beginning to become a bit chaotic again, so in an effort to stay on top of my organization, I’m trying out a new method called the “organizational triangle.”
What Is the Organizational Triangle?
The organization triangle is a simple method for keeping your home (and your life!) more organized in the long-term. Coined by professional organizer Andrew Mellen, the triangle consists of three steps for maintaining a decluttered home.
The first step is giving every item in your space a home. You should always know where your belongings are at all times. If you’re not using it, the item should always go back to its designated spot. This would mean that you would never lose or misplace an item as well. If you can’t find a home for an item, you either need to rearrange some things to make space, or get rid of it.
The second step is keeping like with like. Mellen recommends keeping similar items together instead of in separate areas of your home. For example, Mellen would suggest keeping all extra batteries in one specific drawer, instead of having some in the garage, the living room, and a junk drawer in the kitchen. When they’re always in one space, you never have to look elsewhere for what you need.
The third step is the concept of “something in, something out.” Essentially, if you bring something new into your home, you must donate or discard an item to make room for it. Mellen recommends this for after you’ve done an initial decluttering. It’s inevitable that new items will accumulate in your space. Because every item needs a home, applying a “one in, one out” rule will ensure you have space for everything.
How the Organizational Triangle Works for Me
As someone who has a relatively organized home, but with definite room for improvement, I’ve really enjoyed following these principles. The biggest challenge for me is the very first step: finding a home for every single item. Outwardly my home looks pretty organized, but once you start peeking behind closet doors or drawers, you’re sure to find some clutter and lots of items stuffed inside.
Items that don’t have a home usually get thrown behind closed doors so they’re out of sight and out of mind. The trouble comes when it’s time to find an item and I have no idea what closet or drawer it’s in. Small organizing projects, like getting the junk drawers tidy, are a great way to build some momentum, and the satisfaction that comes with an organized drawer is second to none in my opinion.
I have a small entryway table with drawers that have become packed to the gills with … I didn’t even know what. This was the perfect place to start for the first step of the triangle. I wanted to give all of the things in the junk drawer a home, so I emptied it out completely. To my shock, most of it was just junk that was ready to be discarded. There were so many pieces of mail and paper that were once important, but now aren’t. The one thing I knew I always used in this specific drawer are COVID-19 tests. With cold and flu season upon us, it’s nice to have a few tests available. In fact, I tested right after Christmas when I woke up with a sore throat and a runny nose, just in case.
Because I knew this was where I wanted our tests to live, I decided to stick with the second step of the triangle, which is to keep like with like. I turned the drawer into a spot for wellness. I added a few leftover masks, as well as a first aid kit that was tucked away in the pantry. Because the first aid kit isn’t a food item, it didn’t really match the “like with like” rule, so I moved it to home with similar items. The drawer is now streamlined and organized, and I know exactly what’s inside. Perfect!
Because I brought a few new items into our home after the holidays, I’ve already utilized the “one in, one out” rule. A few of my holiday gifts were replacing older versions of what I already owned (I got a new set of kitchen knives, for example), so implementing the rule wasn’t too challenging. It’s harder for other things — namely, items in my closet. I think it will be a fun challenge to let go of clothing anytime I purchase or acquire something new.
Final Thoughts
If I’m being honest, there are still a lot of places I’d like to declutter in my home. I know all of my items don’t have a home, and assigning them one feels a bit daunting because there are so many. At least I think so. After my experience decluttering my entryway drawer, I’ve learned that looks can be deceiving. I’m sure there are items in my home that are currently taking up lots of space that simply don’t need to be. Moving forward, I’m excited to create more space in my home for the things that truly matter. I know it will take time to go through the other areas in my home, but I know I will get there!
Further Reading
I Just Discovered the Smartest Way to Store Paper Towels in Your Kitchen (It’s a Game-Changer!)
Everything You’ve Ever Wanted To Know About Article’s DTC Furniture
We Tested (and Rated!) All the Sofas at Pottery Barn — Here Are the Best for Every Type of Need
