Have an inbox by the door

by Jen (April 29, 2008)

Even if you’re an anti-clutter superhero who doesn’t let “But it was on sale!” stuff into the house and does everything humanly possible to get off mailing lists, clutter still has a weapon to use against you. Cue the scary music:

INCOMING PAPER!

It comes in the mail, no matter what you do. It comes from your employer, your medical insurance, your friends who love clutter. It comes from your kids, their school, the vet, the doctors. It can’t be stopped - after all, some of these documents are things you need to see and deal with - but it can be tamed.

Your #1 tool against incoming paper clutter: an inbox by the front door.

I have mine on a table right next to the front door (or whatever door you enter your home from). You may want a different one for each household member. This is where you put down the paper that’s in your hand while you’re trying to carry groceries through the door and lock the door behind you before you drop your keys. Not on the couch, not on any other table. This is where the papers first stop. Then, when you have time, you take the papers from the inbox over to your shredder and files or scanner. You shred the papers that need shredding, scan or file the rest, and recycle whatever you can.

You may want a separate inbox for bills and checks that you’ll be sure to check every few days. Most anything else could wait for weeks, quietly out of the way, not taking up space.

Your inbox doesn’t have to be anything from an office supply store.

Cereal boxes, laying horizontal or standing up (depending on your preference) can be cut into very handy inboxes. You can reinforce them with another layer of cardboard if you want. An old box that something shipped in might be perfect. Or you might prefer a small drawer in a desk. It could even be a specific surface where you stack incoming stuff, if you prefer. The point is to have one designated spot for incoming papers that is not where anyone eats, sits or sleeps.

Other uses for your inbox.

You can also put a small bowl near your inbox for your keys and/or cell phone, if you’re in the habit of dumping them somewhere once you walk in. Especially if you misplace these items sometimes, this can be a real time saver.

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