The 80/20 Organizing Method Will Totally Transform Your Home: Here's How to Use It

If you've ever felt like you're always tidying up but never feel fully organized, you're not alone. One of the common root causes is that many of us instinctively fill every available surface, from drawers to shelves, and cabinets to closets. You’re simply maximizing your space, so what could be the problem? Well, what if we told you the key to being more organized lies in intentionally leaving some space empty?

The 80/20 organizing method challenges the tendency to use all available storage space by, instead, suggesting you should only fill 80% of any given space (and, therefore, leaving 20% empty). This approach encourages you to declutter, enforces valuable boundaries, and prevents your storage spaces from bursting at their seams. Below, we’ll explain how to apply the 80/20 organizing method in your home to make it feel more spacious and less stressful.

What Is the 80/20 Organizing Method?

You may have heard of the 80/20 rule in the context of using 20% of your belongings only 80% of the time, a theory rooted in the Pareto Principle. Vilfredo Pareto was an Italian economist who, in the late 19th century, observed that 80% of outcomes come from 20% of inputs. And while this is something to ponder when you’re actively decluttering (as it may help you to pare down more radically), it’s a different principle than the organizing method.

The 80/20 organizing rule relates to the amount of space you allow your things to occupy. When following it, you’ll want to aim to fill only 80% of any shelf, drawer, closet, or cabinet and leave the remaining 20% empty. This buffer serves as a built-in insurance policy against clutter and chaos. Rather than trying to organize everything you own into every available inch, you establish a boundary: use just 80% for storage and keep 20% empty. That 20% gap gives your belongings breathing room, makes cleaning and retrieving items easier, and provides space for life’s inevitable changes, such as new purchases or seasonal shifts.

Why Empty Space Matters

Maximizing your home’s storage to capacity probably seems smart, or even essential, especially if you live in a small space. But in reality, it leads to clutter and frustration. Drawers get jammed, pantries overflow, and closets become impossible to navigate. Without the 20% buffer, you’re already at max capacity - before the added stress of accumulating more stuff, which, as we know, is a natural part of life.

By leaving 20% of your space empty, you not only reduce visual clutter but also make finding and putting things away much easier, as you’re not working to shove items into cramped areas. It also motivates you to be intentional about what you keep, let go, and bring in. And, again, if you need or want to purchase something, you’ll have some wiggle room to store it.

One of this rule's main benefits is its flexibility. Whether the holidays just passed, you recently picked up a new hobby, or have changed your routine, you’ll inevitably need to adjust your storage. The reserved 20% allows you to adapt without starting an entirely new organizing project right away.

How to Apply the 80/20 Method in Your Home

Declutter the kitchen: If kitchen drawers and cabinets are jammed with spatulas, casserole dishes, and reusable water bottles, it’s time to let go of the things you no longer (or never!) use. Aim to keep enough utensils, dishes, and cooking or baking tools to fill only 80% of your available space. For example, if a shelf can hold 20 coffee mugs, keep only 16 and donate the rest. (Alternatively, you can store some elsewhere if they’re sentimental and you can’t part with them, but also never drink out of them.) The extra space makes grabbing and returning items easier, creating a smoother mealtime experience.

Don't overstuff your closets: The same rule can apply to your clothing, shoes, and accessories. If the section where you hang your jeans can fit 20 comfortably, pare down your pairs to 16 and donate the ones that didn’t make the cut. Or, if you have 30 shoe boxes, try to leave six of them empty. Another way to open up 20% of your closet space is by rotating out seasonal items. Whether through donation or seasonal storage, giving your wardrobe enough room to breathe helps prevent wrinkles, keeps items in top condition, and makes it easier to see everything you own. In turn, getting dressed each day is a breeze.

Tackle your bathroom cabinets: Skincare, hair products, makeup, and medicine can quickly clutter bathroom cabinets, drawers, and countertops. Go through your things, discarding anything expired or that you’ll never use again, and then, return only enough items to fill 80% of each space. Doing this will make morning and evening routines much more streamlined and stress-free.

Tips for Using the Method Successfully

Use visual cues: One helpful tip when using this method is to visualize physical boundaries. You can do this mentally or physically by utilizing tools like containers and drawer dividers to indicate where the 80% ends and the 20% starts. As you put items back on a shelf or in a drawer, stop once you reach the mark. This provides a tangible way to avoid overfilling and helps create a sense of accountability.

Check in regularly: Choose one area each month, such as the junk drawer, your nightstand, or a section in your closet, and take a few minutes to evaluate if you’ve gone over the 80% mark. If it has, it’s time for a quick reevaluation and decluttering session to reopen that 20%. Consider setting a calendar reminder to ensure consistency. Over time, these small but regular resets will help to keep clutter from piling up again, turning the 80/20 method into a lifestyle change rather than just a one-time fix.

Embrace less space: Do not feel the pressure to fill every inch of your home, but instead, welcome the blank space. After all, a bookshelf with room to breathe looks more intentional and aesthetic than one crammed full. Embracing emptiness can also change how you view things. In a world that encourages materialism and consumerism, choosing to leave space—even if only 20%—sends a powerful message to yourself and, possibly, inspires others to do the same.