Strategic Placement Logic
Effective organization goes beyond simply storing items—it's about creating logical relationships that support your natural workflow and reduce cognitive load.
The Principles of Placement
Strategic placement is guided by three core principles: proximity to use, functional grouping, and workflow sequencing. When applied consistently, these principles create spaces that feel intuitive and require minimal mental effort to navigate.
The goal is to eliminate the question "Where is it?" from your daily life by making item locations feel obvious and natural.
Proximity to Point of Use
Items should be stored as close as possible to where they will actually be used. This minimizes travel distance and makes tasks more efficient. For example, cooking utensils belong near the stove, cleaning supplies near where you clean, and writing tools near your work surface.
Functional Grouping
Items that are used together should be stored together. This creates logical categories and reduces the mental effort of gathering what you need. Group by task, activity, or project rather than by item type alone.
Workflow Sequencing
Arrange items in the order they're used within a task or process. This supports smooth workflow transitions and reduces backtracking. Consider the natural sequence of your activities when determining placement.
Creating Logical Pathways
Your environment should support natural movement patterns. Arrange items so that accessing them follows a logical path that mirrors your typical workflow.
Consider the journey from start to finish of common tasks, and place items along that path rather than requiring detours or backtracking.