MODERN STORAGE®
Home/Episodes/Declutterring Rule!

June 16, 2025

Declutterring Rule!

Episode Summary

Modern Storage® breaks down popular decluttering rules and what they actually mean for self storage customers. The episode explores how minimalism trends, one-in-one-out policies, and seasonal purges drive people to rent storage units or give them up entirely. If you work in the self storage industry, understanding how customers think about their stuff is a competitive advantage.

Key Takeaways

1

Popular decluttering frameworks like the KonMari method and one-in-one-out rule directly influence when and why people seek out self storage

2

Helping customers think through what to keep versus store versus donate can build trust and reduce move-outs

3

Decluttering seasons, especially spring and year-end, represent real marketing opportunities for storage operators

Episode Notes

Decluttering has become a cultural movement, and Modern Storage® use this episode to examine what that means for the self storage industry. From viral minimalism content to bestselling organization books, consumers are more aware than ever of how much stuff they own and how it affects their mental and physical space. That awareness does not always lead to fewer storage rentals. In many cases, it leads to more intentional ones. The episode breaks down some of the most widely recognized decluttering rules, including the one-in-one-out rule, the 90-day rule, and methods popularized by organizers like Marie Kondo. Modern Storage® discusses how these frameworks are taught, how people actually apply them, and where self storage fits into the equation. A storage unit can be a responsible part of a decluttering plan or it can become the place where difficult decisions go to sit untouched for years. From the operator perspective, this episode raises important questions about how storage facilities market themselves to customers who are actively trying to simplify their lives. There is an opportunity to speak directly to people in transition, whether they are downsizing a home, clearing out after a loss, or just trying to reclaim space in a small apartment. Positioning a storage facility as a tool for intentional living rather than a dumping ground changes the conversation entirely. Modern Storage® also touch on the tension between decluttering culture and the reality that people accumulate belongings for legitimate reasons. Seasonal items, hobby equipment, business inventory, and family heirlooms all deserve thoughtful storage solutions. The goal is not to shame customers for owning things but to help them feel organized and in control of what they keep and where they keep it. The episode also looks at how decluttering trends affect occupancy patterns at storage facilities. When minimalism content spikes online or a new organization show drops on a streaming platform, there tends to be a ripple effect in how people engage with their storage units. Some customers clean out and cancel. Others finally rent a unit to hold items while they sort through what to keep. Understanding these behavioral patterns helps operators anticipate demand and communicate more effectively with their customer base. Listeners will walk away with a clearer sense of how decluttering culture intersects with self storage at both the customer and operator level. Whether you work in storage or are just trying to get your own space under control, this episode offers useful perspective on why people hold onto things, how popular rules can guide better decisions, and what role a storage unit should and should not play in a well-organized life.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about the topics covered in this episode.

What is the one-year rule for decluttering and does it actually work?

The one-year rule says that if you have not used something in the past twelve months, you should consider getting rid of it. It works well for everyday items like clothing, kitchen tools, and household supplies, but it has limits when applied to seasonal gear, sentimental items, or things tied to specific life events. The rule is most useful as a starting point for sorting, not as a hard law that applies to every category. Pairing it with a second question, such as whether you would repurchase the item if you lost it, makes the decision more reliable.

How do I use self storage without it just becoming a place where clutter goes to hide?

The key is deciding the purpose of every item before it goes into a unit, not after. Ask yourself whether you are storing the item because it has a clear future use or simply because you are not ready to deal with it. Effective storage use involves setting a review date for anything you are unsure about, so the unit does not become a permanent avoidance strategy. Treating self storage as a tool with a specific job, seasonal rotation, business overflow, or a transition period, keeps it functional rather than a second junk drawer.

What decluttering rules work best for small business owners managing inventory or equipment?

Business owners benefit most from category-based sorting and a strict rotation system that mirrors retail inventory logic. The principle is similar to a home: if something has not moved or been used within a defined period, it needs to be liquidated, donated, or written off rather than taking up paid storage space. Assigning a dollar cost to every square foot of storage encourages faster decisions about low-value or obsolete items. Regular audits, even just quarterly, prevent inventory from becoming a sunk cost that quietly grows into a storage problem.

I am downsizing my home. What is the best way to decide what goes into storage versus what gets donated or sold?

Start by categorizing items into three groups: things you use regularly, things with genuine long-term value, and things you are keeping out of guilt or habit. Only the first two groups belong in storage, and even then, long-term value should be weighed against the ongoing cost of renting a unit. Items in the third group are the best candidates for donation or sale because they consume space and cost money without providing real benefit. Running a short time limit, such as committing to reassess everything in storage after six months, keeps the process moving and prevents the unit from becoming permanent by default.

As a self storage facility owner, how can understanding decluttering trends help my business?

Decluttering cycles drive rental demand, especially in the first quarter of the year and during major life transitions like moves, divorces, and estate settlements. Facility owners who understand how renters think about decluttering can position their units as a structured tool rather than a last resort, which attracts more intentional, longer-term tenants. Offering resources like unit size guides tied to common decluttering scenarios helps customers feel confident in their choice, reducing move-out churn. Marketing that speaks directly to the decluttering mindset, rather than just emphasizing price or location, connects with customers at the moment they are most motivated to act.

Enjoying the show?

Subscribe and never miss a new episode of Modern Storage® Unpacked™.

Listen on SpotifyWatch on YouTube

Mentioned in this episode

The Modern Storage® facilities and services this conversation covers.

More Episodes

View all →
Self Storage Hot Takes: Keep It or Get Rid of It? 🔥 | Ep. 86 | MODERN STORAGE® Unpacked™

Oct 14, 2026

Self Storage Hot Takes: Keep It or Get Rid of It? 🔥 | Ep. 86 | MODERN STORAGE® Unpacked™

"If you haven't used it in a year, get rid of it." Sounds completely reasonable… until we're talking about the clothes in YOUR closet that still have tags on them. 🔥 In Episode 86 of MODERN STORAGE® Unpacked™, Hannah and Kaylee are taking on self-storage hot takes in a round of agree or disagree — and let's just say they are not always on the same side of the table. From decluttering rules to moving in the summer, they're weighing in on the advice everyone has heard — and finding out exactly where their opinions fall apart. Some takes are easy. Others get surprisingly personal. And at least one of them ends in a full closet defense. 😂 In this episode: Agree or disagree: if you haven't used it in a year, it's time to let it go The clothes we haven't worn in years — and why we're absolutely still keeping them Seasonal items and the very valid "someone might need this someday" argument Moving in the Arkansas summer and the one opinion that finally brings them together ☀️😅 How differently we all think about our stuff — and what that means for storage Whether you're planning a move, clearing out your home, renting a storage unit, or working in the self-storage industry — come ready to pick a side. 👀 Which hot take do you agree with — and which one would you fight to the death over? Drop it in the comments. 👇 🔔 Subscribe to MODERN STORAGE® Unpacked™ for more storage tips, facility tours, industry insights, and the occasional friendly debate! About MODERN STORAGE® Unpacked™ Hosted by Hannah and Kaylee, MODERN STORAGE® Unpacked™ brings you practical storage advice, real-life scenarios, honest opinions, and conversations from inside the self-storage industry. A podcast by Modern Storage® — proudly serving communities across Arkansas with locations in West Little Rock, North Little Rock, Riverdale, Shackleford, Bryant, Bentonville, Springdale, Lowell, Maumelle, and Hot Springs. 🌐 https://www.modernstorage.com/ 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/modern.storage 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/modernstorage 🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@modernstorage 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/modern-storage ▶️ YouTube: @modernstorage #ModernStorageUnpacked #ModernStorage #SelfStorage #Decluttering #MovingTips #StorageTips #HotTakes #ArkansasStorage #ClutterFree #StorageLife #AgreeOrDisagree #MovingDay #SummerMoving #SelfStorageLife #StorageIndustry #ArkansasMoving

Read Episode
Our Storage Facility Got a Little Spooky 👻 | Modern Storage® #Shorts
ShortFacility Management

Oct 10, 2026

Our Storage Facility Got a Little Spooky 👻 | Modern Storage® #Shorts

Modern Storage® gets into the Halloween spirit with a lighthearted short that brings some spooky fun to the self storage world. This episode features a ghost who apparently has great taste in eyewear, making for a playful seasonal moment from the Modern Storage® team. It is a quick, festive break from the usual industry content that shows the personality behind the brand.

Watch Short
Moving in Summer? We Already Know How This Ends 🥵
ShortCustomer Questions

Oct 8, 2026

Moving in Summer? We Already Know How This Ends 🥵

Modern Storage® tackles one of the most universally dreaded moving experiences: relocating in peak summer heat. This episode pulls a clip from Episode 86 of Modern Storage® Unpacked™: Self Storage Hot Takes, where the conversation around summer moving lands with immediate, shared recognition. It is the kind of topic where both sides of the debate are wrong, and everyone already knows it.

Watch Short

Never miss an episode.

Subscribe and get new episodes every week.

SpotifyApple PodcastsYouTubeiHeart Radio