Decluttering methods are a godsend when you’re struggling to part with things but want to clear some space, without feeling guilty. For many of us, deciding what to keep isn’t a simple yes-or-no question. We might worry we need to keep something ‘just in case’ it comes in handy, or hold onto it out of guilt because it was a gift or reminds us of someone. And when those decisions feel difficult, clutter can start to build up.
That’s where the 3 homes decluttering method comes in. Its promise is simple: give every item a clear destination. That way, the deciding an items fate feels like less pressure, the things you keep are easier to find, and the things you’re letting go of are less likely to drift back into the clutter. Here’s what the method involves, how to try it and whether it’s right for you.
What is the 3 homes decluttering method?
The 3 homes decluttering method follows three simple steps, or rather three simple questions to ask yourself when trying to decide the fate of an item. It gives every item one of three destinations: an everyday home, a seasonal home or an exit home. It’s a simple way to sort through belongings without getting stuck in the familiar cycle of moving things from one pile to another and promising to deal with them later. And for those who struggle with the commitment of keep or get rid, it offers slightly more nuance.
Everyday homes are for the things you use regularly, so they should be easy to reach and easy to put back. Seasonal homes are for things you still need but don’t use all year round, such as camping kit or winter bedding. And an exit home is for anything you’ve decided to let go of, with a plan for donating, selling or recycling it.
The idea is that not everything has to go. Some things simply need to be stored somewhere more sensible, while others may no longer deserve space in your home. By giving each item a clear destination, the method can make those decisions feel more manageable and help stop clutter from being shuffled around indefinitely.
How to know if the 3 homes decluttering method is right for you
This method is definitely going to have a bigger impact for some rather than others. It might be the method for you if your clutter tends to get moved from one surface or cupboard to another, rather than actually being tidied away ina useful or organised manner. Or if useful things are hard to find because they’re mixed in with items you only need occasionally (or never at all). It can also help if you know what you want to let go of but get stuck deciding what to do with it next, decision fatigue can be a huge obstacle for many of us when it comes to decluttering.
Because the method gives belongings three clear destinations, it can make sorting feel less like one big keep-or-bin decision. It’s especially handy for a small, contained area, such as an overcrowded hallway cupboard or a drawer that’s become a jumble of everyday and seasonal bits.
It won’t magically create more storage space, though. If a cupboard is already full, you may need to be selective about what earns a place in it. And if you’re feeling overwhelmed, start with one small area rather than trying to sort the whole home in a day.
How to do the 3 homes decluttering method
The easiest way to make this method work is to keep it small and finish what you start. There’s little point creating three neat piles if they then sit in your hallway for the next fortnight, quietly becoming part of the furniture. Choose one manageable spot, decide where each item belongs and make sure it gets there before you move on.
1. Pick one small area to sort. Choose a spot that’s annoying you or making everyday life harder, such as the hallway chair that’s wearing three coats, a kitchen drawer that won’t quite shut or one shelf in a cupboard that's starting to resemble a Jenga tower.
2. Give each item one of the three homes. Take things one at a time and decide whether they belong in an everyday home, a seasonal home or an exit home.
Everyday items should live somewhere easy to reach and easy to put back; if putting the hairdryer away involves unravelling a nest of cables, it’s no wonder it keeps landing on the dressing table. Seasonal things, such as camping kit or winter bedding, can go somewhere less accessible, but keep related items together so you’re not hunting through three cupboards when you need them. And when it comes to exit home items, use a system you’ll actually execute. Whether that's a box with a deadline by the door or a bag in the car boot.
3. Make sure everything reaches its destination. Put away the items you’re keeping, choosing a spot that suits how often you use them. For anything you’re letting go of, decide whether it’s being donated, sold or recycled, and set a date to deal with it. A charity bag by the front door is only an exit home if it actually exits the home.