If you think organization means not wasting any space, please change your mind. True organization is about using simple methods to store items while ensuring they're easy to access—that is, “easy to put away and easy to retrieve.”
Many people find their space gets messy again shortly after organizing! Some feel dissatisfied after organizing; others give up halfway through; and many friends buy tons of storage tools ready to tackle the job, only to quit before even starting.
Why?
Because knowing storage methods alone isn't enough—you also need to understand storage principles. Combining both makes organizing twice as effective with half the effort.
Tip 1: Master the 2:5:8 Organization Rule
Generally speaking, storage space is divided into three zones: open, semi-open, and enclosed. Maintaining a storage ratio of 2:5:8 across these three zones facilitates easy organization and access to items.
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2 (20%)
Open areas should only hold decorative items or store no more than 20% of belongings. The purpose of storage in these zones is to achieve a clean and aesthetically pleasing look; leaving blank space is the best choice.
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5 (50%)
For semi-open storage areas such as glass-door cabinets, maintain a storage capacity of no more than 50% full. This area requires consideration not only of storage functionality but also of maintaining neatness and order after items are stored. The 50% full limit serves as the boundary; exceeding it can easily create a cluttered and disorganized appearance.
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8 (80%)
Keep the cabinet with a door that cannot be seen through to 80% full! This zone is the best place in the home for “stashing” things, but while you can store a lot here, it also needs to be easily accessible. When the space is packed to the brim, it becomes difficult to access items conveniently. Therefore, overfilling is a major no-no.
Tip 2: Keep What You Truly Need
People who aren't good at organizing often complain that “the house is too small” or “there aren't enough cabinets.” In reality, most of the time, the issue isn't the size of the home, but rather that the number of belongings exceeds the space available. Take a moment to reflect: how many of the things in your life do you truly need? If possible, make a list of them. If, after writing it down, you still feel like you need more space, then it's not too late to consider new storage areas.
Tip3：Simplify the Action of Retrieving Items
When decorating a house, clearly defining each room's function before decorating or selecting furniture minimizes the need for rework or mistakes. The same principle applies to storage: effective organization requires identifying the purpose of each area, the activities that occur there, and the flow of movement when accessing items within that space.
The activity routes at home can be roughly divided into three types:
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Public movement flow:
These are areas that everyone uses and accesses. When storing items in these areas, ensure that you can walk in a straight line to retrieve them, avoiding unnecessary detours or "L-shaped" paths.
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Private movement flow:
Areas like bedrooms and studies are more private. Storage in these zones prioritizes privacy protection, which is why enclosed cabinet designs are commonly used.
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Household chore movement flow:
Kitchens, balconies, and other high-frequency areas for daily living, cleaning, and cooking constitute the household chores movement flow. Here, convenience takes precedence—ensuring easy access without compromising aesthetics.
Tip 4: Set Up the Temporary Storage Area
I believe many people have experienced this annoyance: you tidy up your home, only for family members to disregard the rules and leave things scattered everywhere, instantly turning the house into a mess.
It is not easy to get every family member to put their items back in place in time. A temporary storage area can be set up at home. Items that cannot be placed back in time due to being too busy can be put in this area. And then find a convenient time to sort and organize them. Setting up a temporary storage area is an effective shortcut to reduce clutter in the house.
In addition, if your house hasn't been decorated yet, you can set up an entrance closet at your front door. Use this temporary storage space to store winter coats worn only a few times and other miscellaneous items.
Summary
In essence, the core of organization lies in easy access. What we truly need to learn is how to streamline this retrieval process. Meanwhile, we purchase storage tools to quickly find what we need while keeping our homes looking neat and orderly.
