The 1% Rule

WHAT IT IS: The 1% rule is all about making small, incremental improvements to your home every day.

HOW TO DO IT: Dedicate just 1% of your day—about 10-15 minutes—to tidying up, whether it's putting away items, wiping down surfaces, or sorting through clutter one drawer at a time. 

WHY IT WORKS: Over time, these tiny actions add up, making a big impact on the overall cleanliness of your home. The beauty of the 1% rule is that it’s easy to maintain, doesn’t feel overwhelming, and helps you stay consistently organized without needing huge chunks of time. Plus, by making tidying a daily habit, your home will stay neat and clutter-free with minimal effort.

EXPERT TIP: Set a timer for you 10-15 minutes of tidying. By setting a timer you're turning a mundane task into a game or challenge. Challenge yourself to seeing how much you can get done in that short period of time. This will help you keep focus and not jump to another task midway through. 

The DPIDPIA Rule

WHAT IT IS: The 'don't put it down, put it away' rule is a simple one. Instead of putting something you down to put away later, you put it away right away. To accomplish this rule everything in your home needs to have a place where it "lives". 

HOW TO DO IT: This rule takes a bit more legwork up front but the payoff is infinite. Take the time (you can use the 1% rule for this) to declutter your home to the point that every item in your home has a place to be stored when not in use. Then, whenever you use an item, be sure to put it back where it lives. Don't put it down, put it away. 

WHY IT WORKS: The DPIDPIA rule works because you won't see as much clutter and mess around your home when things are put away and not just put down. This rule compliments the 1% rule because there will be less items to put away during the 15 minutes of tidying, leaving you more time to organize a drawer, empty out the fridge, or do those little tasks that make a huge impact on the overall look and feel of your home. 

The 'Always Organized' Rule

WHAT IT IS: The "always organized" rule takes your home organization one step further and keeps you organized and together while on-the-go. All of your most essential items are always with you and easily accessible at a moments notice. 

HOW TO DO IT: To accomplish this rule you need to utilize organizers in your handbag, car, suitcase, or in anything else you take with you when outside of the house. For your handbag, use clear pouches, or a bag insert like ToteSavvy to keep all of your daily essentials tidy and easy to access. For the tiny items like medication, hair ties, bandaids, etc., we love using a pill organizer to keep them all safe and within a compact case that can easily switch bags. 

WHY IT WORKS: Having what you need while on the go keeps you feeling confident and together throughout your day. This mood boost carries throughout your day and may even inspire you to continue organizing and tidying while at home.