5 Benefits of Using the ‘Container Rule’ to Declutter and Organize Your Space

Inside: Learn what the ‘container rule’ is and how to implement it to declutter and organize your space.

Picture this:

You’re trying to declutter a space in your home. You’re going through your stuff and sorting it into piles – stuff to keep, stuff to donate, and stuff to throw away.

You step back and look at your hard work… only to realize that virtually everything has landed in the “keep” pile.

When it’s time to put it back where it belongs, you can’t find enough space to properly store it all. And at the end of your decluttering journey, you’re frustrated to see that you really haven’t made as much progress as you’d hoped. 

If this sounds familiar, you certainly aren’t alone.

While the goal of decluttering is to get rid of stuff, it’s often easier said than done. That’s why so many people benefit from following structured decluttering plans or rules to make meaningful changes to their space.

A surprisingly effective rule to help you declutter and limit the amount of stuff you keep is the ‘container rule‘.

Not sure what the container rule is, or how it can help you declutter and organize your space? Keep reading to learn all about this clever technique and see how you can benefit from it. 

What is the ‘container rule’ – or, as it’s also called, the boundary method? 

The idea behind the container rule is pretty straightforward. Everything you own should be contained in a particular space or container.

You can keep what you want – as long as it fits neatly within its space, which acts as a boundary.

A few examples:

• You can keep as many books as you want – as long as they fit neatly on your bookshelf.
• You can keep as many shoes as you want – but they have to fit on the shoe rack. 
• You can keep as many coffee mugs as you want – on a designated shelf in the pantry. 

Setting self-imposed limits helps prevent your stuff from overflowing which keeps your space from looking cluttered.

Designating spatial boundaries before decluttering provides clear guidelines on how much you can hold onto. Using the container rule helps kids declutter as well as adults.

Here’s how it’s beneficial…

What are the benefits of using the container rule to declutter and organize your space?

It might sound too simple to add much value, but the container rule is hugely beneficial when it comes to keeping an orderly home and eliminating clutter.

Here are just a few ways you’ll benefit from implementing the container rule in your own home:

1. The container rule encourages you to prioritize.

If you struggle to set boundaries and limits on how much stuff you can keep when you’re decluttering, the container rule is a great resource.

Since each container can only hold so much stuff, this rule challenges you to think about what you truly need to keep as opposed to just what you want to hold onto. 

How you prioritize is totally up to you – maybe it’s functionality, maybe it’s sentimental value, or maybe it’s something else. But you’ll be forced to define those priorities as you determine which items go in the alloted space.

2. The container rule prevents overwhelm and reduces decision fatigue. 

Did you know that researchers have found that on average we make 35,000 decisions per day? No wonder people often experience decision fatigue.

It’s easy to get overwhelmed when you’re trying to declutter – that’s no secret. By minimizing the number of choices you’ll have to make and giving you clearly defined limits to work within, the container concept keeps overwhelm at bay.

Since you’re working with a defined space, you’ll have a limited number of decisions to make, which helps reduce decision fatigue. 

And once you’re done, you will cut back on the options you have to choose from each day.

3. The container rule gives you a sense of flexibility and control. 

Unlike some decluttering rules, the container method gives you a little more flexibility and control than others.

Many decluttering rules focus on specific numbers, like the 12-12-12 rule or the one-in, one-out rule. You don’t get to choose how many things you keep and how many you get rid of if you embrace one of those methodologies. You’ve got to stick to the rules.

With the container rule, it’s all about what you can fit into your container. You can weigh your options – do you want to keep that one thick, bulky sweater or reclaim that space for four smaller ones?

Do larger, more space-consuming items justify taking up so much of your limited space? Or can you sacrifice them to keep more? 

And, worst case scenario, you can always buy a bigger container – a bigger bookshelf for your books, or a bigger bin to hold your baking supplies in your pantry.

That being said, buying a bigger container comes with its own challenges, not to mention a tangible cost. In most cases, it’s best to work with what you have if you’re able. However, you get to decide what adjustments need to be made.

4. The container rule ensures everything you own has a designated spot where it belongs. 

Clutter happens when we bring things into our homes that don’t have a designated place where they belong.

That’s how countertops, tables, and other surfaces accumulate stuff – and how certain spaces, like linen closets and garages, become dumping grounds for anything and everything.

An easy way to ensure your home stays organized and clutter-free is to make sure everything has a place where it belongs. The mail, your stash of reusable grocery bags, the extra rolls of toilet paper, your jewelry collection – all of it should have a designated container or area where it goes. 

Since this is the guiding principle of the container rule, it’s easy to ensure every item has a home – and maintain that sense of order over time. 

5. The container rule encourages more mindful spending habits.

If you struggle with impulse shopping, the container rule can help you keep those urges at bay. Every item you buy needs a dedicated place in its specific container.

If you have room in that container, great – but if you don’t? You’ll have to get rid of something in order to make space. 

By forcing yourself to weigh those options each time you prepare to make a purchase, you’ll naturally embrace more mindful, intentional shopping habits. 

How could you benefit from using the container rule to declutter and organize your space? Leave a comment and let me know!

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