I Tried the One In, Two Out Decluttering Rule – It Stopped My House from Descending Into Chaos This Shopping Season
It's my best defence against overconsumption
Like the majority of people, I love to shop. But with a house move on the horizon in 2026, I decided that rather than building my collection of possessions (I love shopping), I needed to cut it down.
That being said, I didn't want to stop purchasing goodies completely this shopping season – instead, I tried the 'One In, One Out' decluttering rule with a twist, opting for 'One In, Two Out.'
I Tried the One In, Two Out Decluttering Method
As decluttering methods go, the One In, Two Out technique is just as simple as it sounds – it works the same as the 'One In, One Out' method, but for every one new thing you bring into your home, you declutter two in its place.
Initially, this is a method I first adopted when trying to kick my shoe-hoarding habit and organize my footwear over the summer. And, actually, it was far easier than I ever anticipated.
With a pair of brand new shoes in my shopping basket that I really wanted to hit checkout on, suddenly getting rid of my old, battered, and dirty sneakers was easy. The pairs that were still wearable went straight to charity, while a couple of pairs that were genuinely falling apart went straight into the bin.
In total, I cleared six pairs, and over the summer, replaced them with two, excelling at my own new technique and getting rid of three, instead of two, for every one. I then organized my collection into some new Plastic Storage Bins, available at Amazon, and tucked them away in my underbed storage ideas.
Since then, I've kept this technique in mind whenever I'm shopping, as a way of passive decluttering to transform my storage ideas, and more often than not, declutter my closet regularly, as clothes are the thing I shop for and buy the most by far.
Interestingly, though, while yes, this has helped me to cut down and organize a closet without buying anything, more than that, it's actually made me a far more considered shopper.
Now, when I want to buy something, I truly think about what I could get rid of in its place. If I can't think of anything, then I really consider if it's a purchase worth making.
And, while this has been primarily relating to clothes and shoes, it's also extended to all other areas of my life (except for books, because I could never give those up since my year-long book-buying ban ended at the end of 2025.)
Coupled with my makeup buying ban in 2025, I'm now well and truly fighting overconsumption from all angles well into the new year.
Now, my space feels more curated than cluttered.
As Tracy McCubbin, CEO and founder of dClutterfly, says, 'If you force yourself to get rid of two things for every one thing that you purchase, you are giving yourself a bigger task to complete. You are essentially taking away the dopamine hit that the purchase gives you, which may lead you to not want to purchase the item anymore at all,' which I've certainly found to be true.
'You’re also de-incentivizing shopping, knowing that you have to let go of more than you are bringing in. By getting rid of two things for every one thing that you bring in, you are always decluttering more than you are acquiring. A little decluttering at a time adds up to a big change before you know it!'
Ben Soreff, professional organizer at House2Home Organizing, adds that the One In, Two Out method works well as a philosophy if your goal is to cut down on volume and clutter.
'When it comes to accumulating items, focus on quality and ask why you are buying it,' he advises. 'Many people enjoy retail therapy, and that can lead to collecting instead of purchasing items for actual use.'
Why the One In, Two Out Rule is Even Better
This version means you're actively cutting down your possessions, rather than maintaining them.
Having tried both methods, I would say that, while the One In, One Out Rule is brilliant for making conscious purchases, not overconsuming, and keeping in mind the essential questions to ask yourself before buying anything, the One In, Two Out Rule is far more effective if you want to try slow decluttering and really make a difference to your space.
'By getting rid of two items for every new item in, you are actively decluttering and will ultimately end up with less than you started with,' says Tracy. 'This keeps you focused on what you really need and use. With one in, one out, you are just staying with the status quo.'
Shop My Storage and Organizational Essentials
All prices were correct at the time of publication.
I use storage boxes just like these to store my shoes under my bed. With latching lids, they keep them dirt and dust-free, and easy to access and see at a glance.
I find softer storage solutions like this basket brilliant for stuffing items like blankets and cushions into. This one looks tasteful, too and can be moved around easily.
No one has taught me more about mindfully decluttering than Marie Kondo. Her new book details the cultural Japanese traditions that inspire her streamlining habits.
Using a trinket tray like this is one of my favorite ways to corral smaller items, such as keys or rings. I love the mosaic-inspired design of this chic pick.
A basket like this works brilliantly amongst any bathroom organization ideas, with integrated handles for convenient accessibility.
They might not look particularly stylish, but these stackable storage baskets are multi-functional and easy to install to keep your closet neatly organized.
Meet the Expert
Tracy has been professionally organizing for over 20 years and has helped to declutter thousands of homes in that time. She has also authored two bestselling books, Making Space, Clutter-Free: The Last Book on Decluttering You’ll Ever Need, available at Amazon, and Make Space for Happiness: How to Stop Attracting Clutter and Magnetizing the Life You Want, also available at Amazon.
If you need some more inspiration, the Project 333 decluttering method is also highly effective if you need to streamline your closet, whilst the Didn't Know method helps clear items without guilt or delay.
