Too busy to declutter? The Incremental Improvement System creates lasting change with small daily actions, say pros

It's also perfect for those who get easily overwhelmed

A living room with floral wallpaper, a gallery wall, a dusky pink L-shaped couch, and a marble table with a plant and books on top of it
(Image credit: Divine Savages / @probablythis)

I get overwhelmed easily when tidying, so I’m always looking for new methods to solve this. That's why the ‘Incremental Improvement System’, which involves gradually clearing areas, rather than doing it all at once, piqued my interest.

Pro organizers say that it is a smart way to tackle cleaning different rooms, which makes tackling the house much less stressful. Here, they’ve shared what it is, where it does and doesn’t work, and how to do it. I also tested it out on my untidy vanity.

If you’re looking for decluttering methods that will make your life easier, this one is worth giving a try.

What is the Incremental Improvement System decluttering method?

The Incremental Improvement System is all about making small enhancements in order to make long-term change easier. In decluttering, this involves focusing on one section of a room or the home at a time.

‘I love how practical the Incremental Improvement System is,’ says Jennifer Q. Williams, organizing expert and founder of Saint Louis Closet Co. ‘It’s a refreshing and realistic approach to decluttering that prioritizes consistency over perfection.’

This is something that Jennifer has found key for her clients and for lasting organization throughout the home.

The Incremental Improvement System can also be paired with an enjoyable task. ‘I’ve seen more success when paired with watching TV, listening to music, or calling friends,’ says Maria Fraietta, organizing expert and CEO of The Nokbox.

She says this allows people to focus on a pleasurable experience while tuning out the aggravating or procrastination-inducing elements of a task.

What areas of the home is the Incremental Improvement System good for?

A burgundy laundry room with stacked appliances

Busy, everyday and high-traffic areas of the home will benefit from this method

(Image credit: deVOL Kitchens)

This method works best in high-traffic or everyday areas of the home, like closets, entryways, pantries, laundry rooms, and playrooms.

Jennifer explains, ‘These are spots that gather clutter the most, so tackling them gradually helps prevent burnout.’ You can keep on top of these daily by setting aside time, such as by using the 10-minute micro-decluttering method, to tidy.

She adds that it’s great for larger projects, like basements or garages, that can feel too big to tackle in one go. These are better for using the system over a few days, rather than a few hours.

What areas of the home is the Incremental Improvement System not good for?

calming bedroom with earthy pink walls

(Image credit: Little Greene)

The method works well in many areas of the home, but it does take more time. Similarly to the ‘One Bag a Day’ decluttering method or the ‘Scavenger Hunt’ decluttering method, it takes longer to do.

‘It’s less effective for time-sensitive decluttering, like when you are hosting guests or when a full transformation is needed quickly,’ Jennifer says.

If you do need to declutter quickly, use the ‘10-10-10’ decluttering method and ‘The Didn’t Know’ decluttering method to remove items speedily.

How to do the Incremental Improvement System

moody pink painted home office with a marble fireplace, large overheard silk light and vintage eclectic furniture

Target a small area, such as book shelf or cabinet

(Image credit: Future)

Want to give it a go? Jennifer has put together a range of easy steps that you can follow:

  • Pick one area and start small: Start with a single drawer, a shelf, or a coat hook. The goal is to make the task feel manageable and super easy.
  • Set a timer and only commit 10 to 15 minutes at a time: Be consistent with it throughout the week.
  • Don’t overthink it: Sort what to keep, donate, or toss quickly without stress. You can pair this up with the ‘Four Box’ decluttering method to make this more efficient.
  • Put systems in place: Small bins (such as the Sterilite storage boxes from Walmart) and labels (the Phomemo label maker from Amazon is perfect for labeling on the go) will help you keep things organized as you go.

Jennifer adds, ‘As you see progress, you’ll be motivated to keep going. Move onto the next drawer or shelf at your pace.’

Trying the Incremental Improvement System

I had been putting off tidying my vanity for ages because it had lots of parts within it that needed sorting individually. These included the perfume area, my jewelry box, the makeup holder (the Subsky makeup Organizer from Amazon is similar to mine), and my on-the-go bags.

I sorted through each one of these throughout my working day, as I work from home. I set 10 minutes to do this, which allowed me to focus fully on each area. Once I was done, I was able to take a break and focus on a work task, before going back to tidy the next zone.

Applying the Incremental Improvement Method stopped me from being overwhelmed. Instead of working up to doing the task, going back and forth made it easier to do and meant I did a better job each time, as I was less fatigued.

The result? A sparkling vanity that is quicker to navigate and looks so much more aesthetic. I have to give this method a firm 9/10, as it is simple to do, efficient, and provides brilliant results. It only loses a point from me as it isn’t as quick to do as other methods.

Who is the Incremental Improvement System good for?

A child's bedroom with a small wooden closet with glass doors, and a wooden bookshelf with books and toys stacked on top. The bottom of a white metal bed visible on the left hand side.

If you're time-poor or frozen by indecision, give it a go

(Image credit: Rowen & Wren)

For those who want to clean but struggle to do big tasks at a time, this is a brilliant decluttering method. ‘It works well for anyone who feels paralyzed by clutter but doesn’t have the time, energy, or motivation to commit to a weekend-long cleaning spree,’ Jennifer says.

She adds that it’s also a great fit for busy parents, professionals, and anyone struggling with persistent clutter.

No matter what size home you’re living in, if any of these apply to you, I suggest trying it in one room and seeing how you get on.

What to shop

Meet the experts

A picture of Jennifer Q. Williams - a woman wearing a black dress with brown hair smiling into the camera
Jennifer Q. Williams

Jennifer is the founder of Saint Louis Closet Co., and has been a leader in the custom closet and home organization industry for over 34 years. She has a passion for smart storage solutions and decluttering methods.

headshot of Maria Fraietta
Maria Fraietta

Maria is the owner and founder of Nokbox, which is a system designed to help organize your life and important documents. She loves finding different organization and decluttering methods.


The Incremental Improvement System is all about progress and not perfection. ‘In my 34 years of designing custom organization systems, I’ve seen firsthand how small, consistent changes can lead to results that last a long time,’ Jennifer finishes by saying.

If you are still struggling with tidying your home, learning ways to overcome a decluttering roadblock may also come in useful.

Eve Smallman
Contributing editor

Eve is a freelance lifestyle editor and writer with over five years of experience working for digital and print titles. Previously she was a content editor at Real Homes. She has a keen eye for sophisticated style and is able to spot design trends before they go viral. As well as this, she loves solving pain points around the home. Alongside writing for Homes and Gardens, she's the founding editor of The Notts Edit and is a lecturer in journalism at Nottingham Trent University. When she’s not writing, you can find her decorating her rental with Scandi decor, tending to her houseplants, and growing vegetables in her garden.

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