Want to know a secret? Organizing isn’t about the stuff. It’s actually about the margin between the stuff. The more space, the better. I create margin in every space I declutter and organize. Eliminate the excess and keep the essentials.
Margin represents 37% of a page of written work. Margin makes spaces look more attractive. As a decluttering coach, I help clients create margin in their crowded and cluttered spaces.
Empty Flat Surfaces
Consider the kitchen. Are you fighting to store a large piece such as a griddle or the Instapot? Open all the cabinets, take a step back, and find prime real estate for the items you use most and store them accordingly. This means getting rid of lesser-used items and rearranging.
Margin also means empty flat surfaces such as clean kitchen counters. With clean counters, I unload groceries, cook dinner, and pack lunches without cleaning the kitchen first.
Create a Playroom Not a Toy Room
Margin also means creating a playroom, not a toy room. Did you hear the difference? The largest flat surface in your home is the floor. Repeat after me, “The floor is not an option.” Don’t store things there.
Seriously, kids need space to play. They thrive on an empty floor where they can use their imagination with their toys. More toys in a crowded room steal their play space. A jam-packed playroom prevents them from finding their most beloved toys. And they are less content playing for long periods of time. Studies prove all of this.
Often parents worry they deprive their kids by not buying the latest toy. Trust me, stick with open toys (traditional toys) and create a playroom with less. Kids are smart. They know that more toys mean more cleanup too. Margin matters!
When I say margin, I mean create more of it everywhere! Spaces have a way of organizing themselves when you reduce the volume.
Margin in your Calendar
Margin in my schedule is equally important. How’s your calendar look? Any white space on it this week? In the wise words of The Minimalists “Show me your calendar and I’ll show you your priorities.” Remember you can create margin in your schedule by using the word “No.”
Saying no creates room for unplanned fun and spontaneity. The smile on my son’s face when we spend the day together is worth it every time. But this wasn’t always the case. Being intentional about limiting the stuff in my home is where I started. You can too.
3 Questions to Help you Get Started
Start by decluttering one space of your stuff. Not your husband’s hat collection or the kids’ toys. Your stuff. Grab a box for donations and a trash bag. Ask the following questions as you declutter.
- Is this item adding an important function to my life? Stapler – Keep. But the backscratcher stuffed in my pencil jar, goodbye. I also got rid of extra pens because margin makes it easier to choose one to write a note.
- Do I love this decoration enough to dust it? I hate dusting. Framed diplomas – they can stay for now. Map of our 3-month roadtrip, absolutely! Many other decorations do not make the cut.
- Is the invitation or opportunity a “Heck Yeah” or an obligation on my calendar? Say “Yes” to only “Heck Yeahs”. It’s fine to politely decline invitations but do so promptly and help the host plan the event. And remember, No is a full sentence. No explanation required. I no longer attend obligations.
Where are you creating margin today?
What GREAT way of thinking about space and organizing. I would love to know more about how you define margins in other areas. Gave me something to think about for sure.
Thanks Margarita! I can tell you literally every space I organize in my home or others, has margin. That defines success for me. It can be hard to convey the importance to some clients, but when they get it, they see the value.
Love this idea, Amy! And I’ll be using “play room not a toy room” with my clients for sure. Years ago, a friend told me she creates space (margins) to allow new things to flow into her life. I’ve often thought back on that and how true it is. Without margins, we stagnate.
Oh yes, margin is certainly necessary for what gets added. Because we know that new things always come into a home! I am so glad you like the concept of playroom vs toy room. I hope it helps your clients!
I love these tips! It’s so important to create spaces in a calendar and rooms in the home to allow your mind to rest and create new things.
Yes, unplanned time breathes life into me!
Amy,
I love this. It’s such a fresh way of looking at organization. I especially liked the British research about toys. It’s that old 80/20 rule. It also looks like the research numbers showed 80% 20%.
The concept about white space and calendars is interesting. So, if I showed you my calendar, you would be looking for.., white space? How would you determine my priorities? For sure, many people don’t know how to determine their priorities. Differentiating between what’s important and what isn’t.
Well done!
Thanks Ronni. And couldn’t agree more about the 80/20 rule. For calendars, I ask, what does your calendar say to you? Does it reflect your priorities or your values. I have 5 values (faith, family, friends, health, and generosity). And I try to run all my activities through the “value filter.” I differentiate between what’s important to me and what feels like an obligation.
Thanks for your kind words!!!!
Love your questions… laughing about do I like it enough to dust it! I also think that quote from the Minimalists is so good. We can talk about priorities all day, but how we spend our time tells the truth about what we value. Such a good thought. Might bring that up at the dinner table tonight and see what reaction I get!
Oh Seana – do tell! I’d love to hear what they say. And yes, I really do not like dusting. This is a great decluttering technique for me. 🙂
I like the idea of margins. I often put too much in a space. It makes it hard to get things out and put them back. Many people don’t like seeing empty space and want to fill it. Talking to them about margins and the purpose of margins and the look of margins may give them a visual framework to keep the margins clean.
Yes Julie this! Without margin, the space cannot stay organized. And so true that people often don’t like seeing empty spaces. But I think once you have them and start to appreciate them, you can’t go back. Like me. 🙂
I haven’t heard the term “margins” used in this way, and it’s fascinating. The toy stat is interesting too. It’s like the 80/20 rule, only more dramatic. It’s more like the 95/5 rule- kids only play with 5% of the toys they own. That’s sobering. I have observed in clients’ homes that the more toys kids have, the less they play with them. It’s so overwhelming for them. When we reduce the toy volume, playtime, and creativity skyrocket.
With scheduling and planning, I always look at the white space. I have a visual sense of how much space I need in a day to create the type of dynamic I prefer (calm, less stressed.) So as I add new things, I always keep the white space or “margins” in mind. I love your “Heck Yeah!” test for responding to invites. It’s kind of like Kondo’s question, “Does it spark joy?” but for events.
Thanks Linda for your kind comments! So agree about the heck yeah. I think we all know how we feel about an invitation when it arrives. We’re either excited or think “ugh,” another obligation.
I couldn’t agree more about the toy rooms too. I don’t know it is so hard to explain that fewer toys means more play and creativity and less boredom. But I’ll keep trying. 🙂
You ask great questions. I like to create white space, in spaces just like the text on a page. It makes everything feel more calm and relaxing.
yes Janet! this is it for me too!
I absolutely agree. Without margin, we begin to feel overwhelmed and suffocated. Margin gives us clarity. And I especially love the point you made about a play room rather than a toy room. Our spaces are for doing, not storing, and if we store too much, we’ll never get to do.
I’m adding my agreement to all the comments above – I LOVE this! You make such great observations. I smiled my way through reading your post, nodding my head. I’m going to add this expression to my organizer toolbox and talk to my clients about adding margin to their spaces.
Thanks Diane – So glad to help another organizer when you’re coaching a client!
Amy, loved this! While I often talk about leaving space with things I forgot about the calendar and especially lately I have been guilty of not having enough margin on my calendar. Time to change! Thanks.
Thanks Jonda! You can do it. It’s fun to say no and have unplanned time once in a while. Enjoy!
I loved this quote so much that I made an Instagram post with it: Organizing isn’t about the stuff. It’s actually about the margin between the stuff.
Organizing really IS about the space. Overcrowded lives make things more chaotic and stressful.
I think “margin” will be my mantra for 2024. Thanks!
Yes!! I love that Margin will be your mantra for 2024. What a great idea!! Thanks for reading and commenting.