Why the “Target Trick” Could Help Eliminate Junk Drawers from Your Life Entirely

updated May 24, 2019
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(Image credit: Minette Hand)

No one can become a devout minimalist — or purge their entire life and home of all unnecessary belongings — in just 15 minutes. But everyone can take a few minutes out of their day to do a few small tasks that could you get you traveling down the road toward living a more minimal life.

If you have been interested in minimalism, or are just sick and tired of always being disorganized, consider this advice. You won’t be crowned an official minimalist when you’re through. But you will be a little closer to living a more streamlined life … and your home will be a little more organized.

(Image credit: Minette Hand)

Your 15-minute minimalism advice below comes from organizing expert Kristen Ziegler, founder and owner of Minima — a company that helps others declutter and organize.

“Living a more organized, minimalist life can feel like a big undertaking. I promise it gets much easier with time and practice, so don’t fret! (I have personally been at it for 15 years now.) As with any change or new habit, the hardest part is often getting started. The key with all of these projects is to establish clear homes for the things you own. Everyone’s space is different, so use this as a guide, not a rulebook.”

(Image credit: Minette Hand)

Use the “Target trick.”

Junk piles and junk drawers happen because we don’t know what to do with these items, so we procrastinate. Thinking of your home in terms of categories makes it easier to decide.

Imagine yourself in Target (or your favorite all-purpose store). Then think of the big overhead signs defining the different sections of the store like “office,” “personal care,” “home improvement,” etc. Our homes should have a lot of the same categories.

Don’t call it a “junk drawer.”

I advise against calling something a “junk drawer,” as it gives it permission to be cluttered. Instead, create some definition — office supplies belong in your home office or at your desk, personal care items in your bathroom, and home improvement items in a mudroom, garage, or shed.

(Image credit: Minette Hand)

Get organized — no matter how small your space is.

If you live in a smaller space, you might not have defined rooms, but you can still carve out a designated area for each category and keep like items consolidated.

Start by emptying out the junk drawer or sorting the junk pile, assess what categories are there, and re-home them appropriately or create a new home if one doesn’t exist.

Remember to be flexible.

As life changes, your categories will evolve. Make this process part of your routine to keep clutter from piling up.

(Image credit: Minette Hand)

Kristen doesn’t just talk the talk — she also walks the walk. Her home is a minimalist wonderland of monochrome hues and impeccably organized drawers. See it all (plus her bunny!) in her full tour: A Pro Organizer’s Exceptionally Serene, Minimal Rowhouse.

Read more about Kristen’s business on her website, check her out on Instagram, or get more organizing tips by signing up for her newsletter.

This post originally ran on Apartment Therapy. See it there: Why the “Target Trick” Could Help Eliminate Junk Drawers from Your Life Entirely