Streamline Method: Simplify Your Home Organization

Accumulation has no place in the "streamline" method. Here's what you need to know to decorate and organize your home according to this philosophy.
Streamline Method: Simplify Your Home Organization

Last update: 14 May, 2023

The first thing you should ask yourself is what the streamline method is all about. A summary would be that it’s inspired by minimalism.

However, it doesn’t seek its purest or most extreme essence of minimalism, but a form of inspiration for you to organize your home and keep only what brings you happiness and well-being.

Would you like to know more? We’ll tell you all about the streamline method and some essential tips to achieve success in its application.

Francine Jay: the creator of the famous streamline method

Francine Jay is an American woman, a lover of minimalism. So much so, that one of her nicknames is Miss Minimalist.

She earned this nickname from her blog, which has the same name. It’s a site where she tries to inspire and teach others to tidy up their homes, so that clutter never comes back.

The streamline method seeks to find order, say goodbye to chaos, and say hello to well-being and happiness, only keeping objects that you treasure and which hold value for you. You could say that its best motto is “less is more”.

You don’t need more than what you really appreciate. How to achieve it? We’ll show you what you need to accomplish it.

Minimalist decoration.
Minimalism reduces the presence of objects to the essentials. Only the indispensable stays.

1. Say no to accumulation

This may be the most essential rule. You must get rid of everything that doesn’t fit in your life.

The recommendation is to clean your house and classify objects into three categories: junk, treasures, and carryover. The ideal thing here is to keep those that you consider of value, either for sentimental reasons or for utility.

What do you do with the junk or unwanted items? The first ones go straight to the trash. The second ones are donated. Things that are in good condition will be of use to someone else or can be recycled.

Have you read or heard that adding one item leads to the elimination of another? To avoid accumulating unnecessary items again, you should keep that phrase in mind. For every new thing that comes home, another must go. It’s the smartest way to keep order.

2. Order objects from most to least used

Another golden rule in the streamline method is that there’s a place for everything, and everything in its place. What this means is that each object should have a specific place. When organizing your home you should think about where everything goes and then keep it there.

When organizing, you should place the things you use the most nearby, then what you use on quite a regular basis a bit further away, and, finally, things you use sporadically a lot further away.

3. Cleaning habits

Do not leave any part of your house untidy or dirty. It’s recommended to have routines and to be consistent, if you want to avoid chaos and disorder.

Cleaning routines should be carried out daily. If you think about it, having only what you need or things of value means that you spend less time cleaning your home.

4. Get rid of the places that cause you to accumulate

When we don’t have the streamline method in mind, we use the countertop or any shelf to accumulate things. Most of the time, with items that we won’t use, or that don’t belong there in the first place.

Why do we leave them there? Because it’s more convenient.

However, this practice is anything but convenient. In fact, it leads to visual clutter.

Ideally, you should maintain shelves, countertops, and occasional furniture very well. Make sure they’re always kept clear and clean.

A room that needs the streamline method.
Clutter will attract more clutter. You must take quick action to prevent clutter from escalating.

The true essence of the streamline method

This method doesn’t want you to get rid of everything or live in austerity. What it wants is for you to be aware of each element so that you can achieve a true transformation; only keeping what makes you feel happy is the way to go.

One of the best options is to opt for furniture that does a double job, such as sofa beds. These items are designed for storage and allow you to save valuable space.


This text is provided for informational purposes only and does not replace consultation with a professional. If in doubt, consult your specialist.