How The 1-3-5 Rule Can Automatically Declutter And Organize Every Room

It seems that no matter how much we clean and organize, stuff will inevitably accumulate, leaving cleaning tasks and decluttering projects to pile up for even the tidiest homeowners. It is no wonder organizing enthusiasts keep trying to refine strategies that work best for decluttering the home, especially when it feels like every room needs attention. That's where the 1-3-5 rule can come in to save the day. A simple yet powerful technique, this decluttering rule brings structure, focus, and momentum to any organizing project. Originally used as a productivity tool to help reach daily personal or professional goals, the 1-3-5 rule helps individuals prioritize organizing and cleaning tasks based on their overall size and effort. When you apply it to tidying around the house, it may just be the no-fuss way to organize your home that you've always needed, making your tasks more manageable, satisfying, and efficient.

So, what exactly is the 1-3-5 rule? It simply requires prioritizing your organizing needs and breaking your to-do list into three categories: large tasks, medium tasks, and small tasks. With that list, your goal is to complete one large task that takes the main focus for the day, three medium tasks that take less time and effort to complete, and five small jobs that are necessary but also quick and easy. Instead of trying to tackle your entire house in one weekend, you create small, bite-sized chunks that fit naturally into your day and can be addressed over time while still making noticeable progress. If struggling to find the right decluttering method for your home, this might just be the one you have been waiting for.

Now that you've decided you want to try and use the 1-3-5 rule to organize your home, what might this method look like in a day? For the average homeowner, a large weekend task might be to organize and declutter your bedroom closet, removing unused clothes, or doing some rearranging to make seasonal clothes more accessible. Your large task should be something that may require a couple hours of dedication and a bit more focus and energy to complete. That is why the 1-3-5 rule only asks you to focus on one of these tasks a day — strictly to avoid burnout. Once you've crossed that item off your list, you can move onto your other tasks.

Your three medium tasks for the day might be to sort and tidy your kitchen junk drawer, organize a bathroom cabinet or under-sink storage, donate three items you no longer use, or run household errands. These are all tasks that won't take a ton of time and will make a notable difference in your home. Once you've checked those items off the list, you can move onto the small tasks, which should only take 5-10 minutes to complete but still deliver tangible gains. These tasks could include wiping down kitchen counters, putting away stray items in your living room, tossing junk mail, emptying the dishwasher, watering your plants, or scooping the litter box. While these tasks may not feel as important, small wins add up quickly and can sometimes help your space more than you expect.

Decluttering looks different for everyone, and what one person considers a large task, might be another person's medium task — or on a bad day, maybe even their small task. The 1-3-5 rule works so well because it not only balances ambition with achievability, allowing you to make visible progress without burning out, but it is also completely customizable. You decide what constitutes a large, medium, and small task, letting your lifestyle and schedule determine what it looks like for you. So, you won't have to worry about overloading yourself with too many projects, yet you'll still be able to make meaningful progress every single day. It creates a rhythm that helps build the long-term muscle memory required to maintain a tidy home.

Plus, you get the satisfaction of checking off nine tasks a day — big and small — and who doesn't love that feeling? Each item you complete brings a sense of accomplishment and builds motivation to keep going. By adjusting the tasks based on your schedule and energy level, the method stays flexible and forgiving. One of the biggest things you have to stop doing when decluttering is assuming it's going to be time-consuming and overwhelming. If you're tired of clutter creeping into every corner of your home, try using the 1-3-5 rule as your tool to bring order back to your home without stressing. Once it becomes a habit, staying organized becomes almost automatic.