If your kitchen cabinets are anything like mine, they’re full of 'maybe one day' items –gadgets, mismatched containers, and utensils that haven’t seen the light of day in months (or years).
So, I decided to give the Hidden Note organizing game a go, which is a fun and simple decluttering method that takes the guesswork out of working out when you last actually used an item.
What is the Hidden Note Organizing Game?
Robin Antill, founder of 1st Choice Leisure Buildings and designer, explains, 'Every time you clear a cupboard, drawer, or storage box, put a small written note under the items you have chosen to keep. Write today's date, such as Last touched: 5 December 2025. When you revisit the space in spring or winter and find the note still buried, you will have proof that the items haven’t been touched for months, or even a whole year.
'The tiny piece of paper will stop the "maybe one day" mindset. Instead of going back and forth with yourself, it will be clear what the answer is. If you have lived without it for six months or longer, you no longer need it.'
I Tried the Hidden Note Organizing Method
Implementing the Hidden Note organizing method was simple. While decluttering my kitchen, I tucked a small note with the date I was decluttering under each item I decided to keep for the time being. The Post-It page markers from Walmart are ideal for this, as they are small enough not to get in the way.
If I use the item, I remove the note, and the item secures its spot in my home. However, if the note is still in place when it comes time to organize my kitchen again, it is likely a good sign that the item can be safely decluttered. It is the perfect trick for someone like me who is prone to forgetfulness and brain fog.
When getting my kitchen ready for hosting, I placed notes under specific tools and appliances in my kitchen that I knew I had been keeping 'in case'. While I am yet to reorganize the space (I am saving it for after the New Year's rush), I have already found myself reaching for one straining tool I didn't think I would need. The note has been trashed, and the tool is back safely in the drawer.
This isn't some gimmick, either. Professional organizers back the Hidden Note trick for helping people to declutter their homes without feeling overwhelmed.
Olivia Parks, owner and lead organizer at Nola Organizers, shared, 'I like the Hidden Note organizing game because it's an honest way to understand what you actually use. Like value-based decluttering, rather than using emotion, it uses logic. Many people keep items because they feel they use them, but when they see a small note that says they haven't touched it in a year or longer, it can be a wake-up call.
'It's especially helpful for items in a maybe pile or for things you're unsure about decluttering,' she adds. 'It can provide the guidance and advice you need to decide what to declutter without stress.' For larger collections of items, you could store them in a labeled basket from Walmart, using the expiry method to determine their fate.
That being said, it is not an excuse to avoid making decisions in the moment, adds chief organizing officer Amy Bergman, of Amyzing Spaces. She adds, 'I see the Hidden Note game as a useful tool, but only in the right situations. It adds a bit of playfulness to a task that can feel heavy, and that alone can make people more willing to start. The key, though, is to avoid treating it as a blanket strategy for the whole house. If someone labels every item they own, they’re just creating a new layer of work without getting closer to clarity.
'This approach is most valuable when someone is genuinely uncertain about a particular item or category. I also encourage people to pair that note with a reminder on their phone. Without a clear moment to circle back, the exercise loses its purpose, and the item ends up sitting there untouched, which reinforces the very habits they’re trying to break.'
Where Else it Works
This Hidden Note method can help all over the home.
While I have used this decluttering trick to tackle kitchen clutter, it serves as a good strategy all over the home.
Olivia suggests that it would also work for decluttering a closet, organizing a basement, and tackling attic storage ideas or garages. 'Any storage-heavy areas are contenders,' she notes.
Amy adds, 'Used well, this small exercise becomes a gateway to deeper decluttering. When people see firsthand how many things they never return to, they become more willing to make decisions in other areas of the home. It builds confidence and helps them reclaim space for what they truly use and value.'
What to Shop
Using smaller sticky labels makes them less obstructive in you storage ideas, keeping them functional from day-to-day.
For items you want to allow a longer potential use period for, consider using a label maker to create a lasting label for items or boxes that won't fall off.
This bestselling book packs so much information into a mere 200 pages, in a readable and digestible format that's accessible to all readers of all ages to help you unlock your full decluttering potential.
Measuring 8x10x11 inches, these handwoven water hyacinth baskets are ideal for organizing kitchen cabinets so that items are neat and contained, but easy to access.
Clean as you declutter to kill two birds with one stone. Microfiber cloths are machine washable, meaning you can reuse them for years with proper care. Simply wash after use on a warm water cycle and gentle detergent (skip the softener) to sanitize.
Glass food containers keep your food fresher for longer and do not risk plastic contamination, and are particularly useful in the hosting season. Better yet, they are microwave, oven, and freezer safe for quick leftover storage and reheating.
Meet the Experts
Based in New Orleans, Oliva is a home organizing enthusiast and founder of Professional Organizer, home organizers and blog.
What began as a personal passion for order and calm has grown into Amyzing Spaces, a thriving business rooted in empathy, practicality, and custom solutions. Amy is a proud member of the National Association of Productivity & Organizing Professionals (NAPO) and holds multiple certifications that reflect her ongoing commitment to professional growth and excellence
You could also use the Hidden Note organizing method to help declutter sentimental items. Place a note with items stating the date you last thought about them or looked at them. If that date is over a year old when you next think about it, it can likely safely go.
