I’ve come a long way from my messy-teen days. I wasn’t always tidy, but these days clutter sends my nervous system into overdrive, so I’m always on the lookout for new ways to keep my space organized, like the two-minute rule or the “rule of three” trick. So when I learned about the 5/7 rule, a method that helps decide which items deserve a permanent spot on your counters, I knew it was worth testing.
What Is the 5/7 Rule?
The 5/7 rule, which I first spotted on Madeline Hegedus’ Instagram, is simple: You can only keep an item out if you use it five days out of seven. I’ll embrace any reason to remove excess items off of surfaces so this rule immediately clicked for me. Minimizing clutter not only keeps visual noise in check, but also makes surfaces much easier to clean.
What Happened When I Tried the 5/7 Rule
My kitchen counters are already pretty clear, but I decided to test the rule there first. I like having a few decorative items there that make me happy — a couple of plants, candles, and a small lamp — but everything else out on my counters gets used multiple times a day. That includes an air fryer, coffee maker, spoon rest, Google Nest Hub, and dish and hand soap.
There are two exceptions. My KitchenAid mixer lives on the counter even though I don’t use it every day, because I know if I put it in a cabinet, I’d use it even less. On the flip side, the Vitamix blender (which my family uses daily) is stored behind a cabinet door. The cabinet sits right under the spot where we use it, so taking it out and putting it away is effortless.
Then, I made my way to the bathroom. Recently, I swapped the tray of personal care items on my bathroom counter for a bread box that hides my lotions and potions but keeps them close at hand. When I applied the 5/7 rule, though, I realized I had more in that box than I needed.
I went through each item and asked myself how often I actually use it. Anything that didn’t make the cut was stored elsewhere. The result? A calmer, less cluttered space that feels more intentional. Plus, it is even easier to wipe down.
The 5/7 rule turned out to be a game-changer for me. I can’t wait to apply it to more areas in my home!
This post originally appeared on Apartment Therapy. See it there: The “5/7” Decluttering Trick Is So Smart, I Can’t Wait to Use It Again