Keeping a tidy home often means incorporating smart organizing systems and using little mental tricks that offer clarity on what to keep and toss. The “3 homes” method takes that concept one step further with a practical, realistic approach that acknowledges how we actually use (and live with) the things we own.
Keep reading to see if this buzzy organizing approach is right for you, whether your goal is to get your closet or kitchen in order.
What Is the “3-Homes” Organizing Method?
The “3 homes” method asks us to assign every item a designated place based on how often they’re used or whether it’s time to bid adieu. With this approach, every single item in your home falls into one of three categories that ultimately impacts where everything’s stored:
- Everyday Home: The things you use day in and day out. These items should be kept somewhere accessible.
- Seasonal Home: Belongings that only come out during certain times of year. Store them out of sight, like on a high shelf or garage bin.
- Exit Home: Items that are ready to donate or discard. Keep them grouped together, contained, and easy to transport.
While organizing—be it a drawer or an entire room—divide everything into these three categories.
Why It’s Worth Considering
This approach allows you to give all your possessions a home, even if they’re on their way out, explains Cathy Orr, professional organizer and co-founder of The Uncluttered Life.
“The idea is to give everything you own a clear place to land rather than letting clutter accumulate,” she says. “This method also reduces decision fatigue because you can put things where they belong and not have to revisit your organization and decisions.”
She says the best way to implement this method is to do repeatable 15- to 30-minute decluttering sessions so that you can sort your items. Start small—like with a single drawer—and set up your “3 Home” piles. “The last thing to remember is to make one decision per item, and to keep moving,” Orr advises.
For donations, set a designated amount for when it’s time to take things out of the house. Maybe it’s a single trashbag full, or a large bin. Once you reach the max, take it out of the house.
And pro tip from Orr: Always put your donations in an opaque bag or bin so you’re not tempted by them while they sit.
Wendy Rose Gould is a lifestyle journalist who routinely contributes to Real Simple, Martha Stewart, Women’s Health, and House Beautiful, among others. She covers home and garden, wellness, and travel, focusing on thoughtful storytelling and detailed reporting. When not writing, you can catch her perusing thrift stores, singing, hitting the gym, and petting any cat or dog that'll allow it.
