6 Minimalist Hacks to Curate an Uncluttered Home

Last week, in my Google feed, multiple articles emerged that outlined minimalist hacks. The hacks, while helpful, all held an unusual similarity.

Each hack hinged on numbers.

Six, in total, graced my screen in seven days. Some of these number-based, minimalist hacks were novel, others better-known. Nevertheless, they left me thinking.

Why, I wondered, is “decluttering by number” trending? 

Do tools involving numbers make the declutterer feel more equipped, more ready to create the clutter-free home that, until now, they’ve only dreamed of? 

While there’s a place for deciding what “sparks joy” or decluttering based on intuition, numbers involve reason and create clear, measurable guidelines. For some, numerical guidelines speed up the decision making-process. And facilitate finally letting go.

Here are six number-based, minimalist hacks.

As to whether or not they are the missing piece to your decluttering journey, that’s for you to decide…

1. The 20/20 Rule 

The first minimalist hack comes from Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus of The Minimalists. When on the fence about decluttering an item, this rule suggests letting it go if…

• You can replace it for less than $20. 
• And you can replace it in less than 20 minutes.

I’ve found this hack especially useful for decluttering smaller items or just-in-case items. Should I let go of that fuchsia lipstick I wore once to my brother’s wedding? What about those multiple spatulas? Or those rarely used coffee mugs? Run the question through the 20/20 Rule and the answer is… a unanimous yes.

Millburn writes, “This theory likely works 99% of the time for 99% of all items and 99% of all people—including you.”

In my experience, you rarely need to replace the things you decide to relinquish. Once you let go, you realize that you need much less than you thought you did to be happy. And, you see you’ve outgrown most of those items anyway. 

Run it through the 20/20 Rule, and if it passes, then let it go. You won’t miss what you didn’t actually need.

2. The 90/90 Rule

The next minimalist hack is also created by The Minimalists. Have an object you’re unsure about? Ask yourself these two simple questions:

• Have I used this in the past 90 days?
• Will I use it in the next 90 days?

If you answered “no” to both questions, then the item is no longer serving you—it’s time to let it go. The 90/90 hack is black and white, it leaves no space for wallowing in your feelings about an item. It nixes aspirational clutter (holding onto something you hope to use in the future… like those knitting needles or that juicer). 

An exception to this rule would be holiday decor, seasonal clothes, or anything used during a certain time of the year. 

If you haven’t used an item and won’t use it, then it’s time to say adios. Rehome the item so someone else can actually use it.

3. The 12-12-12 Method

The 12:12:12 minimalist hack comes from Joshua Becker of Becoming Minimalist.

The rules are simple: 

• Locate 12 items to throw away.
• Find 12 to donate.
• Then, return 12 items to their proper home. 

Becker writes, “That’s it. Repeat if desired.” This simple hack is useful if you’re not sure where to start decluttering. The 12:12:12 rule says it’s not where you start decluttering that matters most, but that you start. It mitigates decluttering-based overwhelm because you know your guidelines (12:12:12) and that you can make real change in a reasonable amount of time. 

You can apply this to a room (do things tend to pile up in your bedroom? This hack will quickly revamp it). Or to your entire home (do a walk through and collect your 12 items from each category). 

I’ve found that once I start looking for 12 items to trash, donate, and relocate, my momentum builds. And the end results often surpass 12. 

You can think about decluttering your home, or you can take action and create real change. This hack will help you do the latter. 

4. The 365 Less Things Method

This minimalist hack is can be intuited from reading the title:

• Find one item to part with every day of the year.

The premise of this hack is that by making incremental progress each day, after one year, you will have a transformed home. Plus, you will have forged a solid habit of letting go of what no longer serves you. 

As you’re developing this habit—and shifting your mindset from accumulating to letting go—consider setting a recurring reminder in your phone. Or, consider habit stacking: pairing a new habit with something you already do. Take the trash out every evening? Let that be your cue to look for something to sell or donate as well.

You don’t have to wait until January 1st to take advantage of this minimalist hack; start anytime! Randomly remove things from your home or focus on one space at a time (closets, then the bedroom, etc). Choosing the latter will help you see results more quickly, which can boost motivation.

Truth is, one year from now you will likely still be in your home—why not make it a decluttered one?

5. The 10-10-100 Method 

The 10-10-100 minimalist hack comes from Courtney Carver. Here’s how it works:

• Choose 10 spaces.
• Set a timer for 10 minutes in each space.
• During those 10 minutes, put 10 items in a box or bag.

Carver says, “Procrastination will fight our intention to spend a full day decluttering, but 10 minutes? We can do anything for 10 minutes.” Use the momentum you create by removing 10 items from the first space to tackle 10 in the next space. 

You can also modify this hack to fit your lifestyle—set the timer and remove 10 things from 10 spaces over the course of a week if that’s a better fit. Carver suggests starting with your handbag for a quick decluttering win.

Ten spaces, 10 minutes, 100 things. It’s an effective and fun way to let go of the clutter that’s weighing you down.

6. The Take-Away 10 Method 

This final minimalist hack is a mix of intuition and number-based guidelines. To use it:

• Recognize the feeling that it’s time to declutter.
• Go through your home room-by-room and remove 10 items from each room. (Involve your family if the room is not yours or is a shared living space).

When you feel the need to declutter, the Take-Away 10 Method provides an actionable step to counter any uncertainty.

Feeling like your possessions have the upper hand? Then ten from each room must go. Ask your children and spouse to find 10 items in their rooms to donate. Have your 12-year-old help you find 10 items to remove from a shared bathroom.

If your goal is to thin out your belongings, this minimalist hack shows you how to act as soon as the need to declutter arises.

In conclusion 

Decluttering paralysis is real: 54% of Americans are overwhelmed by the amount of clutter they have, but 78% have no idea how to let go of it. 

These number-based, minimalist hacks provide actionable steps to help you finally relinquish the unloved stuff you’ve been holding on to for far too long. Just follow the outlined steps and you’re decluttering!

While some people (myself included) can move through their home and intuitively know what needs to go, others benefit from firm, measurable decluttering guidelines.

If that’s you, then choose one of the six minimalist hacks above and get started. 

You’ve only got clutter to lose and a more meaningful, intentional life to gain.

***

Julia Ubbenga is a freelance journalist. Her teachings on minimalism, simplicity, and intentional living have reached over 1M people worldwide through her blog. Julia also practices what she preaches in her Kansas City home. She resides with her husband, two extremely lively young daughters, three-year-old son, and baby girl. You can also find her on Facebook.

Do you want to get serious about decluttering your life? My signature course will show you how to declutter your inner and outer environment for good. Now is the time to choose change. Now is the time to live lighter. Learn more here.