Some organizers might disagree with me on this one, in favor of the classic “Everything has a place, and everything is in its place” or a “A home for every item and every item in its home.” (Both quotes of unclear origins.) But I maintain that the golden rule–at least of maintenance organizing–is in fact, “One In, One Out” (which would be more aptly named if it were “one out, one in” since bringing in new items isn’t imperative to the process, but discarding old ones definitely is). Let me explain.
Once you have decluttered and organized your home, nothing will cause it to fall apart faster than an influx of new items, and yes, this is even if they are destined toward an area zoned to be their “home”. Why? Because an area designed to house five to seven items, will automatically look cluttered and disorganized the second it is stuffed with 10 to 15 items instead. We pros typically leave a little room to grow, but if you see an inch and take a mile, your home organization will take the hit – and hard.
If, on the other hand, when you bring a new or new-to-you item in, you let one like item (of equal or greater size, preferably in the same category) go, then you maintain the flow of your decluttered and organized home. This rule is easy to remember and simple to teach to children, roomies, etc. and, in my professional opinion, always helps the hard work of decluttering and organizing a space, stick well until your next life transition.
