As someone who writes about home organization, I'm always open to new ways that can make decluttering feel less time-consuming.
And if there's one space that I struggle to stay on top of, it's my small-sized kitchen. No matter how hard I try, it seems almost impossible to keep my countertops and spaces clear on a daily basis. While I've tried various methods and ways to declutter my kitchen cabinets, it’s not too long before I quickly go back to old habits again (procrastination).
That was until a friend of mine told me about a simple hack she uses to get her home in order — the 'set the stage' rule. All you need to do is simply set aside 15 minutes at the end of the day to prepare your home for the next day. This is designed to be a quick and manageable way to focus on a particular area, without feeling overwhelmed to do everything at once.
Sounds easy enough? I decided to put it to the test in my compact kitchen.
What is the ‘Set The Stage’ rule?
Essentially, the 'set the stage rule consists of taking just 15 minutes to focus on small tasks to prepare your space for the next morning. This allows you to focus on small messes within a specific time-frame, and eliminate the stress. Set a timer, and make it a ritual.
Coined by Joshua Fields Millburn, Ryan Nicodemus, and T.K. Coleman of The Minimalists, the key here is to focus on micro-habits; meaning one small task in just 15 minutes will be more intentional, and eventually lead you to a tidier space.
What's more, this encourages immediate action, without the usual procrastination we often have. Which was exactly the kind of method that I needed in my life.
1. Putting away the dishes
How many times have you either been too tired to unload the dishwasher? Well, you're not the only one — this is one of my bad habits.
Whether it's leaving dirty plates or coffee mugs by the sink, or not putting away the clean items from my dishwasher, there have been times when I'd simple leave it until the next day.
Following the 'set the stage' rule, as soon as the dishwasher's notification alert went off, I would set my timer for 15 minutes. Within this time I would immediately put everything away in the cabinets or designated place.
Plus, knowing that this was the only task I needed to focus on made it seem less of a rush, and ready for the next day.
2. Cluttered countertops
One of the major downsides of having a small kitchen is that there never seems to be enough countertop space. As a result, random things just get left there, quickly turning surfaces into a cluttered mess.
Whether it's small gadgets, cookware, phone charging cords or other USB-charged devices, (in my case, a lamp), my countertop all too often becomes an eyesore.
With the 'set the stage rule', I was able to immediately focus on putting everything back to its rightful place — minus the usual distractions. After doing so, I was able to give it a proper clean with my microfiber cloth, since I could finally see the surfaces!
If you want to maximize your space however, check out these 7 ways to double your space in a small kitchen.
3. Organizing cabinet clutter
Similarly, it’s so easy for cabinets to get packed to capacity with bowls, mugs and glassware in a small kitchen. And after struggling to cram everything in, it wasn't very long before it became an unorganised mess.
Using the 'set the stage' rule, I allocated 15 minutes just to declutter my cabinets once and for all. Not only did I get rid of old cookware, damaged mugs, or items that I haven't used in years, but I also implemented space-saving hacks to organize kitchen cabinets.
Now my cabinets looked tidy and more organized. Plus, I could now see where everything was, rather than rummaging through the clutter to find the item I was looking for.
Verdict
Although 15 minutes sounds like a long time to focus on one task, it does force you to act immediately. This is especially the case if you're tired or on a busy schedule. I was impressed at how quickly I was able to just focus on the task at hand, without rushing it or getting distracted by other things.
It also gave me the satisfaction of having a clutter-free and clean kitchen prepared for the next day, saving me time and hassle. What's more, this decluttering method can be used anywhere around the home, including your attic or garage.
So if you want a more manageable way to declutter your home, I'd say it's worth giving the 'set the stage' method a try. Let me know how you get on — or if you've got a better method to share — in the comments below.
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