Better Homes and Gardens
We all have different tolerances for clutter and different organizing styles. Some people prefer to display belongings openly; others like everything tucked away. Some keep meticulous file systems for paperwork, while others stash items in boxes, add a label, and move on. These differences are fine. If your home doesn’t feel under control, try this simple guideline:
Organized = Being able to find most anything you need in five minutes or less.
My friend Brandie taught me a useful definition of being organized: you should be able to find most anything you need in five minutes or less. That idea is liberating.
Being organized doesn’t require a perfect, color-coded life with elaborate systems—unless you want that. It simply means you can locate what you need within a short amount of time. Organization will look different for every person and family, and that’s okay. Embracing the “five-minute rule” makes even large organizing projects feel manageable.
When I was a younger parent I once kept a file box of 3 x 5 cards listing every item in my twenty Christmas boxes and the box number it was in. It worked, but I realized it was overkill—I’d only ever needed to look up one item, and if I lost the card box the whole system would be useless.
Most often, the simplest organizational plan is best.
A simple system gives you the best chance of keeping it up.
Now I group like items together—tree decorations, outdoor lights, serving pieces—and label the boxes accordingly. If I need a platter, I look for the box labeled “Christmas Serving Dishes” and I can find it quickly. I didn’t need a complex filing system, just one clear label on one box.
Simple, common-sense grouping—like with like—is often all you need to be able to find what you need within five minutes.
I love the five-minute-or-less rule. No more guilt or complicated charts—just practical organization that works.
Can you find what you need in your home in five minutes or less?
Did you miss the previous two posts in this series?
Start with Step One, move on to Step Two, and you’ll be caught up with this series.
all photos: BH&G