4 min readThe easiest clutter to manage is clutter that never has a chance to form. And in small spaces like galley kitchens and studio apartments, mess piles up naturally on any flat surface. Keeping it under control is less about “magic bullet” tips and more about systems you can actually keep up over time. So when we asked the professional organizers about how to declutter small spaces, the answer was in mindset and habits. If you can limit what comes into your space in the first place, you can better control its organization.
“I could say, ‘Grab a garbage bag and pick up all of the detritus left in the wake of a busy life and then put everything else where it belongs.’ That’s obvious,” Gayle M. Gruenberg of Let’s Get Organized says. “The hard part is actually DOING it. It requires motivation, presence of mind, initiative, and the necessary tools.”
Below, find the pro-approved habits that make a difference when you have more stuff than your space can hold. You can start these routines in just one weekend, and it’s far more attainable than tackling the massive pile in the garage.
Drop Zones and Collection Baskets
Everything needs a home in your house. That’s the power of a well-placed “drop zone.” Even in small spaces, a catchall tray, bowl, or mini basket belongs at entryways or places of transition. A hook for your keys and bags when you come through the door, a bin for loose throw blankets, or a basket for remote controls on the mantel.
Throughout the day, it can take quite a bit of mental load to always put everything back when you use it. That’s where Cathy Orr, cofounder of The Uncluttered Life, recommends having a “collection basket.” It’s just one catchall container, where you can drop miscellaneous misplaced items that you pick up throughout the day. At the end of the night, take about 10 minutes to go through the collection basket and return everything to where it belongs. It’s just one small habit, rather than something to keep up with all day.
“One-In, One-Out” Rule
Impulse shopping lends itself to clutter very easily. The “One In, One Out” rule can curb this. It works like this: for every new thing you want to bring into your home, one thing has to go. Greenhalgh suggests checking your closet, fridge, and pantry before you shop—going through your back stock will save you both space and money.
“In small spaces, items accumulate very quickly,” Macie Kreutzer, founder of For the Love of Simple, says. “Before shopping for new items (home goods, clothing) clear out at least one item from this category. Don't bring in more than your space can physically contain.”
Once you have everything you’re ready to get rid of, make the donation process as seamless as possible. Fill your donation bags and boxes in the hallway or in the car. This encourages you to actually finish getting rid of the clutter, rather than letting them collect dust in the garage.
“Nothing gets to wander back inside just because it once lived there,” Carroll Cartwright, professional organizer and owner of Neatly & Co., says. “And this is why I love moving everything out of the space and into the hall or a separate area first. The things you decide not to keep are already halfway out the door. Keep them moving.”
Refuse the Freebies
It is so tempting to take advantage of the freebies in life. But this is how linen closets and kitchen drawers get quickly overrun. Unless there’s a specific and immediate need for them, you’re better off getting rid of them.
“They are usually cheap and break easily anyway,” Diane Greenhalgh, owner of Tiny to the Max, says. “That includes airplane and hotel freebies, special event or conference swag, and extra takeout plastic utensils and condiments. Your junk drawer will thank you.”
If you already have a drawer overflowing with freebies, it’s time to start culling and evaluating. You might part with two or 10 things, or you might choose to keep it all. “The point is that you’ve looked at every single item and made a decision about it, instead of continuing to store things simply because they were already there,” Cartwright says. “More likely than not, you’ll find something that makes you say, ‘Why on earth do I still have this?’”
Closing Your Circles
The advice your grandma gave you was spot-on: It’s easier if you wash the dishes as you cook. That same principle applies to keeping your small space tidy. Mess feels larger with less square footage to work with, so once you’re finished with something, put it away.
“Put away your makeup after you've applied it in the morning, stack dishes in the dishwasher and wipe down surfaces after each meal, and tuck away work or homework into a drawer once you're done for the evening,” Greenhalgh says.
For the days you can’t clean as you go, Cartwright suggests spending 10 to 15 minutes a day “closing your circles.” It’s what helps your home stay clean over time, instead of just for a few weeks. This period is when you put the scissors back in the drawer or hang up your jacket.
“Most clutter is just a collection of unfinished tasks,” Cartwright says. “This small commitment allows you to wake up to order instead of yesterday’s chaos, and that is a much better way to start the day!”
