Keep One Empty Shelf or Drawer in Every Room

Empty space isn't wasted space — it's a buffer for real life. Packages arrive, guests bring things, projects spread out, seasons change. Without a designated landing zone, these temporary items colonize every flat surface. One empty shelf or drawer per room gives you room to handle the unexpected without creating permanent mess.

When the buffer fills up, that's your signal to process what's in it — not to find another surface.