Why the “Target Trick” Could Help Eliminate Junk Drawers from Your Life Entirely
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 the advice in our bite-sized, 15 minute minimalism series. 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.
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.”
Why you have junk drawers
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.
The “Target Trick”
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.
Actually, about calling 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.
Small space dwellers don’t have an excuse
If you live in a smaller space, you may not have defined rooms, but you can still carve out a designated area for each category and keep like items consolidated.
Start here
Start by emptying out the junk drawer or sorting the junk pile, assess what categories are there, and rehome them appropriately…or create a new home if one doesn’t exist.
And remember to be flexible
As life changes, your categories will evolve. Make this process part of your routine to keep clutter from piling up.
Kristen doesn’t just talk the talk—she walks the walk; her home is a minimalist wonderland of monochrome hues and impeccbly 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.