15 Minimalism Rules That Work: Simple Guide to Declutter Fast

Minimalism rules are practical guidelines that help you declutter your space, reduce decision fatigue, and find more mental clarity. Think of them less as strict laws and more as friendly signposts on your journey of how to become a minimalist. These principles range from simple decluttering tricks like the 20/20 rule to broader mindset shifts. Whether you feel like you’re drowning in stuff or just want to simplify your routine, these rules offer straightforward strategies you can start using right now to create a calmer, more intentional life.

What Are Minimalism Rules?

Let’s clear something up first: minimalism rules aren’t about restricting yourself or hitting a certain number of possessions. I see them as helpful frameworks for making decisions. They are simple tools designed to guide you through the process of letting go of what you don’t need, making room for what you truly value.

The goal isn’t to follow every rule perfectly. It’s about finding the ones that resonate with you and your current lifestyle. They help you answer the tough questions, like “Should I keep this?” or “Do I really need to buy that?” In essence, they make the entire process of simplifying your life feel less overwhelming and more achievable.

Why Following Minimalism Rules Actually Matters

Adopting a few of these rules can have a surprisingly big impact. For me, it was about reclaiming my time and mental energy. When your space is cluttered, your mind often feels cluttered, too. Research has shown that a messy environment can increase cortisol, the stress hormone. By creating order, you’re creating calm.

The tangible minimalism lifestyle benefits are real:

• Less Stress and Anxiety: A tidy space means less chaotic visual noise.
• More Time and Energy: You spend less time looking for things, cleaning, and managing stuff.
• Better Financial Health: You become a more mindful consumer, which naturally leads to saving money.
• Improved Mental Clarity: With fewer distractions, you can concentrate on what truly matters — allowing you to stay focused on your goals, nurture your relationships, and support your overall well-being.

Having clear rules also eliminates decision fatigue. Instead of debating over every single item, you have a simple guideline to follow, making the process sustainable in the long run.

The One In, One Out Rule

This is one of the foundational minimalism rules, and it’s incredibly effective for maintaining a decluttered space. The concept is simple: for every new item you bring into your home, a similar item must leave.

Buy a new pair of jeans? An old pair gets donated. Get a new coffee mug? An old one goes. This rule forces you to pause and consider your purchases more carefully. It’s not about restriction; it’s about conscious consumption. For those in a more active downsizing phase, you can even adapt it to a “one in, two out” rule to speed things up.

The 20/20 Rule for Quick Decluttering Decisions

Struggling with “just in case” items? The 20/20 Rule, popularized by The Minimalists, is your best friend. Here’s how it works: if you can replace an item for less than $20 in less than 20 minutes from your current location, you can safely let it go.

This rule is a powerful antidote to the anxiety of needing something someday. Be honest with yourself. That extra vegetable peeler or those obscure cables you’ve been holding onto for years probably fall into this category. It helps you realize that the cost of storing an item is often higher than the small cost of replacing it if you ever actually need it.

The 90+ Minimalist Rule (Keep Only What You Love)

This is a personal favorite. Instead of focusing on what to get rid of, you focus on what’s worth keeping. Go through your items and ask yourself: on a scale of 1 to 100, how much value (usefulness, joy, necessity) does this bring to my life?

Keep only the items that score 90 or above.

This shifts your mindset from one of loss to one of curating a life filled only with things you truly love and use. It makes decisions less painful and more empowering. You’re not just decluttering; you’re elevating your surroundings.

Declutter First, Organize Second

This is a crucial principle from minimalist author Joshua Becker. So many of us make the mistake of buying fancy organizers, bins, and boxes in an attempt to control our clutter. But all we’re really doing is organizing clutter.

The rule is simple: remove all the unnecessary items first. Only after you’ve decluttered should you think about organizing what’s left. You’ll be amazed at how little you need to organize when you have less stuff. This approach saves you money, time, and the headache of trying to find a place for things you shouldn’t have kept in the first place. It’s a key step in learning how to create a minimalist home.

The 15-Minute Daily Decluttering Rule

The thought of decluttering your entire home can be paralyzing. That’s why the 15-minute rule is so effective. Just set a timer for 15 minutes each day and tackle one small area.

• Clear off the kitchen counter.
• Sort through a single drawer.
• Go through a small pile of mail.

These short, consistent bursts build momentum without leading to burnout. It turns a massive, daunting project into a manageable daily habit. Before you know it, those small sessions add up to significant progress.

The 50% Storage Rule

Ever notice how we tend to fill every inch of available storage space? The 50% Storage Rule challenges that habit. The guideline is to keep your storage areas—closets, cabinets, drawers—only about 50% full.

This creates visual “breathing room” and makes it much easier to see and access what you own. It also prevents that feeling of being overwhelmed every time you open a closet door. Plus, it gives you space to accommodate new, necessary items without creating clutter.

The Container Method (Everything Has Its Place)

This method uses containers as a natural boundary for your belongings. Instead of buying more containers to fit your stuff, you keep only what fits comfortably in the containers you already have.

If your coffee mugs are overflowing the cabinet shelf, that’s your cue to downsize your collection. If your books don’t fit on the bookshelf, it’s time to decide which ones to donate. This creates an automatic limit and makes it easy to see when you have too much of something.

Protect the Everyday (Prime Real Estate Rule)

This concept, from Melissa Coleman of The Faux Martha, is about keeping your most accessible spaces reserved for your most frequently used items. Think of your kitchen counters, your nightstand, and the front of your closet as “prime real estate.”

Backup toiletries, seasonal decor, and special-occasion dishes should be stored in less convenient places (like a high shelf or a basement). This keeps your daily living areas functional and free of clutter, reducing the friction in your everyday routines.

Let Go Without Guilt

This is an emotional rule. Many of us hold onto things out of guilt—guilt about the money we spent, or because it was a gift. Minimalism teaches you to acknowledge that an item has served its purpose, even if that purpose was just the joy of receiving it.

Holding onto something you don’t use out of guilt only burdens you. The money is already spent. Giving the item to someone who will actually use it gives it a new life. Your home should be a living space, not a storage unit for past decisions.

No Magical Number of Items

Let’s be clear: minimalism is not a competition. There is no magical number of items you need to own to be a “real” minimalist. Obsessing over a number completely misses the point.

The right amount of stuff is different for everyone. It depends on your hobbies, your family size, your job, and your lifestyle. The goal is intentionality, not deprivation. Focus on what feels right for you, not on an arbitrary target set by someone else.

Build Your Decision Muscle

Decluttering is a skill, and like any skill, it gets stronger with practice. Start small. Begin with the easy, non-sentimental stuff first—expired food in the pantry, old magazines, clothes that don’t fit.

Each small decision you make builds your confidence. This makes it easier to tackle the more emotionally charged items later on. You are essentially training your “decision muscle” to distinguish what adds value from what is simply taking up space. It’s a great first step if you’re considering something like a 30 day minimalism challenge.

The SOS Method: Simplify, Organize, Systematize

For sustainable change, you need a system. The SOS method is a simple three-step framework:

• Simplify: This is the decluttering phase. Pull everything out and get rid of duplicates, broken items, and anything you no longer need or love.
• Organize: Once you’ve simplified, find a logical home for everything that remains.
• Systematize: Create simple routines to maintain order. This could be the 15-minute daily tidy-up or consistently applying the one-in-one-out rule.

A one-time purge isn’t enough. It’s the systems you create that prevent clutter from creeping back in.

Don’t Let Things Get in the Way

This is the core philosophy of minimalism. Your possessions should serve your life, not the other way around. This rule guides your decisions about what to keep and what to acquire.

Before buying something new, ask yourself: Will managing this item get in the way of what truly matters to me? Often, the time, energy, and money spent on stuff could be better invested in experiences, relationships, or personal growth.

Start with Awareness, Not Decluttering

Lasting change starts in your mind, not in your closet. Before you even start decluttering, take some time to build awareness. Pay attention to your shopping habits. Ask yourself why you feel the urge to buy something.

Understanding your motivations is the key to breaking the cycle of accumulation. If you skip this mindset work, you’re likely to declutter your home only to fill it back up again. True minimalism is a shift in perspective that leads to a change in behavior.

How to Choose Which Minimalism Rules to Follow

Feeling overwhelmed by all these rules? Don’t be. You don’t need to adopt them all at once. The best approach is to pick one or two that address your biggest pain point right now.

• If you buy too much stuff, start with the One In, One Out Rule.
• If you’re paralyzed by “just in case” items, try the 20/20 Rule.
• If you just don’t know where to begin, commit to the 15-Minute Daily Decluttering Rule.

Experiment and see what works for you. The goal is to find tools that make your life easier, not to follow a rigid doctrine.

Common Mistakes When Following Minimalism Rules

As you get started, it’s easy to fall into a few common traps. Here are some to watch out for:

• Being too rigid: Remember, these are guidelines, not laws. Life changes, and your approach to minimalism can, too.
• Focusing on numbers: Don’t get caught up in counting your possessions. Focus on the feeling of your space and the value items bring.
• Decluttering other people’s stuff: Your minimalism journey is your own. You can inspire others, but you can’t force them to let go of their things.
• Buying organizers first: This is the classic mistake. Always declutter before you buy storage solutions.

Minimalism should serve you, not the other way around. If a rule is causing you more stress than it’s relieving, it’s okay to let it go.

Maintaining Your Minimalist Lifestyle Long-Term

Getting rid of clutter is the first step. Keeping it from coming back is the real challenge. The key is to turn these rules into ingrained habits.

Continue to practice mindful consumption. Do seasonal reviews of your belongings to see if your needs have changed. Make the One In, One Out Rule an automatic part of your shopping routine. Most importantly, practice gratitude for the things you have chosen to keep.

Minimalism isn’t a destination you arrive at; it’s an ongoing practice of intentional living. And it’s a practice that gets easier and more rewarding over time.

I hope these rules give you a practical starting point. Remember to be patient and kind to yourself throughout the process. This is your journey, and every small step toward a more intentional life is a victory. For more thoughts on simple and intentional living, feel free to explore more at my blog, www.notonetype.org.