As much as I wish there was a sure-fire, fool-proof way to avoid all clutter for good… there’s not!
Maintaining a mostly clutter-free environment takes continual effort, regular decluttering, and good decision-making as to what we allow into our homes, how we deal with the stuff already in our homes, and if we let our emotions dictate what we keep.
Over the years, I’ve shared dozens of tips, tricks, and ideas on how to better organize a space, when and how to purge, my favorite storage containers, etc.
But today, I’d like to discuss decision making… more specifically, how a few simple decisions can have a dramatic effect on how much clutter we accumulate in our homes and our lives.
Of course, it’s not always as simple as making a few wise choices… but developing the habit of making better choices on a regular basis will definitely help your decluttering efforts.
Keep reading for 5 decisions that could cause excess clutter in your home… as well as a few better decisions to make instead.
1. Saving Sentimental Items You Don’t Need or Want
Do you have gifts from your wedding, your graduation, 5 Christmases ago, or your 8-year-old’s first birthday that you still haven’t used, or that you no longer need or love?
Do you save every scrap of paper, every rock treasure, every piece of “art” your children or grandchildren have given you over the years?
If so, you likely have a fair amount of “sentimental clutter” in and around your home.
Of course, I am not against saving some artwork and gifts, but there certainly isn’t room for every gift and sentimental item to live in our home forever and ever.
If you struggle with letting go of gifts or sentimental items, here are a few ideas to consider…
WHAT to do INSTEAD:
Take a picture of your child/grandchild with the gift or artwork and let go of the actual item (here are a few ideas to “use up” children’s artwork).
Give yourself permission to declutter any items you no longer need, use, want, or love — even if they were gifts — and enjoy the freed-up space (room for more gifts!)
Ask a friend to help you weed through your sentimental items so you don’t get caught up with your own emotions.
Remind yourself that whenever you donate your unwanted gifts, you’re providing an opportunity for others to use and enjoy them at a greatly discounted price.
Look for ways to display or utilize sentimental items in your everyday life (here’s how I do that in our home). We do this for our kids too — hello cute rock collection display!
2. Convincing Yourself that You’ll Have More Time Later
- I’ll put it away later.
- I’ll get to it later.
- I’ll do it tomorrow.
- I’ll work on that when I have more time.
Have you ever thought or said any of those phrases? And if so, did you actually go back to “put it away” or “get to it” or “do it” later?
The truth is, we almost never have “more time later”.
Putting a task off until later not only creates physical clutter via the piles of papers, clothing, dirty dishes, or toys you’ll need to deal with eventually; it also creates mental clutter, just hanging out in the back of your brain daring you to forget, constantly nagging you until you finally do it (or don’t do it).
In general, procrastination usually leads to more clutter, more chaos, and more stress.
WHAT to do INSTEAD:
Consider if this task / to-do actually needs to be done in the very near future.
If so, suck it up and just do it!
If not, cross it off your to-do list and stop thinking about it. Or, reschedule it for a month or so down the road.
Moving forward, you might also consider making a realistic to-do list the night before and circling or staring the “top 5” things you absolutely must accomplish the following day. (Why I love a good “Top 5 List”)
Having some direction when you wake up is a great way to start the morning, especially if you struggle with productivity and time management.
3. Holding onto Extras… Just In Case
I dare to bet we all have some “what-if-i-need-it-someday” clutter lurking in the back of a few closets.
- Clothing in all different sizes… JUST IN CASE you lose or gain weight.
- Extra sets of small appliances, steak knives, and dishes… JUST IN CASE you buy a cottage.
- Bins of baby clothing… JUST IN CASE you have another baby (of the same gender at the same time of the year).
Yes, there are circumstances where it does make sense to hang onto a “spare” item or two. However, the problem arises when we make too many excuses for items we should be purging.
WHAT to do INSTEAD:
Be honest with yourself…
Realistically, how likely is it that you’ll ever need these things in the future? And IF you ever do need/want them, how difficult would it be for you to find a deal on a similar item?
Sometimes, by asking a few questions, we can gain a little perspective on all our “just in case” items and more easily part with them.
For example:
Are you currently doing anything to lose weight? If not (no shame) just pass those clothes on to a local thrift store and purchase a few new item in the next size up. If you lose weight in the future, you’ll have SO much fun shopping for smaller sizes again.
Also, consider the fact that styles change quickly. It’s unlikely that you’d want the same style of clothing if you lose weight in a few years.
Are you pregnant right now with the same gender and birth season as previous babies? If not, keep a few gender-neutral items, pass along the rest to someone who can actually use them, and shop at thrift stores if you need more baby clothing someday.
Are you actively working with a realtor to purchase a cottage or cabin? If not, let go of your kitchen extras and enjoy shopping for your own second-hand treasures IF you ever purchase a vacation property.
There is no magic number of how many items you should or shouldn’t keep… it’s more of a practical decision, considering what you actually use and need right now (not in a hypothetical future life).
4. Keeping Something Just Because You Have the Space
This might be a money-saving option for items we don’t use all that often… I can get on board with that (to an extent). But hanging onto stuff you don’t need, want, use, or love just because you have space to store it is a recipe for clutter.
Even if you don’t have a large home, there are often still pockets of empty space that seem to beg us to store something inside… but you can resist.
Don’t do it!
WHAT to do INSTEAD:
Be ruthless when you purge — really stop to think:
- Do I want this?
- Do I need this?
- Will I actually use this?
- Do I love this?
- Would I move this across the country?
If not, get rid of it… even if you have space to store it.
Embrace “white space” in your home and be OK with an empty shelf, an empty drawer, an empty bin, or even an entire empty closet!
Don’t let yourself fill a space unless the stuff you’re filling it with will serve a purpose.
I realize there is some truth to keeping a few extras if you have the space — however, there comes a point when enough is enough, and I can testify to how fabulous it feels to have a little extra breathing room in our drawers, cabinets, closets, and storage tubs. Sometimes less really IS more!
5. Bringing Something Into Your Home Even if You DON’T Have The Space
Over the years, I’ve developed the habit of thinking through exactly where I will store something before I bring it into my house.
If I can’t come up with a logical storage space and I’m not willing to get rid of something else to make a storage space, I don’t bring the item into my home.
Of course, there are PLENTY of items that come into my house without my approval (papers from school, gifts for the kids, etc. etc.) but I do my best to immediately find a home for these items, or remove something else to make space.
In my experience, if you don’t have a home for something, it will sit out indefinitely… and if it sits out indefinitely, it will always be visible clutter in your home until a home is found for the item. If you have many items without “homes”, you have lots of clutter.
- Piles of junk mail you could have tossed before it even entered your home.
- Fun freebies and hand-me-downs from friends that you really don’t need or have room for, but… they’re free.
- Everything from your parents’ or grandparents’ home after they passed away.
- The amazing deal on something you think you might use someday… but don’t have a specific need for (or a place to store it).
You get the idea… right?
WHAT to do INSTEAD:
Stop and think before buying anything or bringing anything into your home (especially freebie things and extra-special bargains).
Toss junk mail before it enters your home so you don’t risk the chance of setting it down and letting it become one more pile.
Get in the habit of considering where and how you will store your items… and if you can’t think of any solutions, be willing to pass on the item
Consider renting a small storage unit for extreme cases (like acquiring parents’ or grandparents’ things after they pass away). Normally I don’t suggest renting storage space, but I know that in some situations, the cost of the monthly rent is very motivating to help people purge or do something with the items inside.
As I mentioned above, it’s not as simple as just asking yourself a few questions — but these questions are a great place to start.
If we view our things with less emotional attachment, realize that not every single space in our home needs to be filled to the max, and stop bringing things we don’t need or want into our homes, we will be well on our way to a much less cluttered home and life!
How do you keep excess clutter out of your home?
Toni Price says
Love everything about your site. Feel like I am part of your family. Such wonderful hints and recipes. Thank you
Andrea says
Thanks so much, Toni! 🙂
Linda Alkema says
Asking a friend to help is the BEST! It’s easy to get rid of other people’s stuff – they don’t have the attachment! Good advice!
Andrea says
YES! For sure!! I’ve been that friend for many people over the years — always encouraging them to declutter!
Rhonda says
I like the advice by Dana K. White in her book “Decluttering at the Speed of Life”. In it she always recommends people ask two questions: 1. Where would I look for this item? (Store it in the spot that is most obvious to you), and 2. If I store an item, would I remember that I own it and know where to find it? (If no, then get rid of it)
Those questions make a lot of sense to me.
Andrea says
yes — great questions to ask for sure. Thanks for sharing these in the comments so others can benefit from them too!
Anna says
I’m not sure honestly how to tell if I struggle with clutter or organization. Since our home doesn’t have a lot of shelves or storage areas. It seems like we struggle with where to put everything except in big plastic bins.
Might sounds weird but they always say have a place for everything but how do you organize a space for everything without storage or shelves available?
Seems like your house has lots of places to put things up.
Probably a weird comment. LOL
Andrea says
Good question Anna — yes, there is definitely a difference between excess clutter and over-all lack of organization.
It sounds like you might be struggling more with lack of organization (and organizational systems) versus simply “too much stuff”.
We have TONS of storage in our house — but not just by accident. I was very intentional in thinking through exactly what storage needs we had/have for each space in our home, and as we renovated, I made sure to install adequate storage space in each area.
Even if you are renovating your entire home like we were, you can still add more and better storage to your own spaces. Just consider what you need to store, do a little research on the best ways to store those items, and then shop for the supplies you need. You might be surprised how HUGE of a difference it will make in your home!
Liz says
One thing I have decided to do is “collect” one recipe from each family member as a clutter free sentimental memento. Gram’s rolls, Nana’s cookies, Aunt Brenda’s lasagna– everytime I make their recipe it reminds me of the good times I had with them and joy I shared eating at their table. A recipe card takes up a lot less space than a physical item. And these recipes I enjoyed as a child have become some of my kids favorites so it is like passing down these clutter free memories to them.
Andrea says
This is such a great idea — thanks so much for sharing Liz!
Lynn Arnsdorf says
Love all your tips, certainly have used many to help maintain my simple lifestyle. I will say that something that helped me transition to the empty nest was asking for my best friend’s help. I gave over control to my friend and gave her full power to do as she saw best (for me), when assigning her an area to go through. That was 5 years ago, and to this day I have only missed one thing, my covered cake carrier! I just went out and bought a new one, and they make them much better now! Even my fantastic crystals and rock collection is in a new home, the bottom of my son’s 75 gallon aquarium! When I enter my other son’s home, I see so many of my “favorite” things that are now their favorites. My daughter? ha, she is a simple girl and wants nothing…if you can get the mindset and equation of your needs/wants figured out early, you save yourself a lot of work in the future. You are so right about THINKING before you bring things into the house.
Nellie says
As my father used to say: You can’t buy an elephant just because it’s cheap. I was born organized and have disliked clutter as far as I can remember. I live by the rule ”one thing in – to things out”. So far I’m not out possesions.
Nellie says
/possessions/
Andrea says
haha — love this!
Roberta says
This speaks to me so much — especially keeping things because you have space. I was just thinking over the things we keep because we have the space. Slowly, my family is working to clear out the clutter. Thanks for a great list of things not to keep, and why!
Andrea says
Thanks Roberta! happy purging 🙂
Betty Saboe says
For some reason I no longer get your emails. I am signed up and have been for a long time. I hope you can help.
Thanks, Betty
Andrea says
sorry about that — I’m not sure if something is going on with the emails or what because I actually stopped getting the emails a couple weeks ago too!
Anyway, I just deleted your subscription and re-subscribed you again (using the same email address). You should get a verification email soon. Let me know if you don’t see anything tonight. Thanks!
Meghan says
Great article with practical tips! While I don’t always try to implement specific advice you give, just reading your blog has helped my mindset when it comes to purging and organizing. I used to dread dealing with “stuff” and now I love attacking a drawer or closet. Thank you!
Lois says
Wonderful article! Have you watched the Netflix documentary on Minimalism? It made such an impression on me! Not a “how to” rather, a why do we clutter our lives with stuff? On vacation last week filled 10 bags of junk and know I can do 10 more. AND I would never have thought that much was just sitting there, cluttering. I truly feel inspired by you and hope you always continue to post your ideas to inspire the rest of us!
Andrea says
no, I haven’t seen that show — I might have to search for it though!
Also, way to go with purging so much stuff! I’m sure it felt great to get that stuff OUT OF YOUR HOUSE!
Rhonda says
I would add (as it relates to purchases) “just because it’s a good deal”. What gets me (and I admit, I have been guilty of this in the past), is that some people just can’t pass up a good deal – for example, my MIL has bought things (for her husband, myself and my husband, or my children) that they don’t need, just because it was so cheap! To me, two Halloween costumes (in addition to the one that I had already bought), is crazy! “But it was just so cheap” isn’t a good reason! It’s not a good deal if you don’t need it. I like the quote I once read that “the most expensive piece of clothing you own is the one you don’t wear”. So true, and can be applicable to almost anything else.
Andrea says
YES!!!!!!! I know I have been guilty of this in the past — but not much lately. Even if I see a great deal, I make sure to consider if I actually need it, if I have a place to store it, etc.
On the flip side, we also have people who give us (and especially our children) things we don’t need or want just because it was a good deal. There have been plenty of times when I put the items directly into the donate bin before even giving them to the kids or using them for Dave and I. I know we don’t need or want them, so I donate them right away. Sad, but true.
Rhonda says
I’ve started to do the same with gifted items that I know we won’t use. Now I just have to convince my husband! He still feels too guilty getting rid of gifts, especially from his mom.
Linda says
My children never wanted to get rid of ANYTHING, so started telling them that our family was very blessed, and that some children don’t have as many toys as we did, and that God wants us to share our blessings and be generous to others. They seemed to grasp this idea well, and as I would go through their things and come across something I knew they didn’t play with any longer or had duplicates of, I’d ask “do you want to share this with some children who don’t have any toys” or “You know how much you’ve enjoyed playing with this in the past. Just think how much another child will enjoy it next,” or something similar. They would more often than not agree that someone else would love it also, and it really helped them release their things. Sharing with other children versus “trashing” their stuff really helped them become more generous!
Andrea says
This is great advice. Thanks for sharing Linda!
Lynn Arnsdorf says
ha, if I hadn’t gone through my kid’s stuff and thrown stuff out, I would have been swept away in a tsunami of meaningless plastic objects, broken and mismatched….ohhhh, you can bet that I made a full sweep of their rooms every few months and tossed and/or donated. And ya know what? they never knew and they never missed a thing. I also was a big believer in rotating toys in and out of their lives…it kept them new and fresh, and my house in order. I think I read that you do that too, Andrea
Olivia says
So…totally random question…why do you have so much cheese in your freezer??? =D
Andrea says
It’s probably not as much as it looks — it’s just the rest of the freezer was totally empty at the time. However, we go through many pounds of cheese each week so I always stock up and buy a ton when it goes on sale.
Lynn Arnsdorf says
Family of six people? that is NOT enough cheese! hehehehe
Carol says
Lynn, I agree!! I just bought 6 one pound packages for our family of 7 (plus company this weekend), and I expect it will only last a little more than a week!!!
Not to mention, I went back and looked at the picture again, and Andrea has several different kinds of cheese packages there for different recipes. Just thinking about them brings several delicious recipes to my mind!
Andrea says
haha — sounds like you guys love your cheese
Janice says
I read a great motivational tip which has really helped me get rid of things I don’t need or use. The idea was to think of SHARING with others who might really need the items more than you think you do. This helped me to go through my linen closet after tornadoes destroyed a large area of Joplin, MO which is not far from where we live. I was able to take several bags of sheets, blankets, and towels that we did NOT use to the local Salvation Army Tornado Relief Drive for Joplin. I think it would have been the height of selfishness if I had held on to those things “just in case” I might need them someday. Thanks, Andrea, for continued reminders that we hold on to way too much.
Andrea says
Exactly! I try to always think of how happy I feel when I find just what I was looking for on Craigslist or at a thrift store. Then I imagine others feeling that excited and happy about finding my cast-offs at a thrift store. It definitely helps me purge more!
Debbie says
Good read! I need to go through all my music books and music chord sheets I no longer play. I’ve got binders for church music sheets and it’s filled to the max and taking up room in our bookcases. I don’t even play them anymore but I’m keeping it just in case. Why?
Andrea says
oh yes, music! I’m sure my mom and mother-in-law would agree that purging music is difficult. I suppose you could always give some of the music back to church??
Bonnie'sMama says
I love that definition of clutter–items that have no home.
I will be looking around my home for Homeless Stuff, finding a home or getting rid of it.
Andrea says
Yeah, that’s something I’ve said for years and years. If you don’t have a place to put it, it will sit out and be clutter — all the time, always! Even if you don’t always put the thing away, if it has a home, it won’t be clutter.
Beatriz says
I enjoy your decluttering posts, it’s a little reminder each time you write one to me that I need to re-evaluate what I have in my home. Recently I went through pots and plates and have a good stack that I need to donate or just throw in the bin. I am not great at doing this all the time but reading posts like this are a great help 🙂
Bea
Andrea says
Thanks Beatriz — I do think it helps to be reminded every couple of months or so. It’s amazing how quickly STUFF creeps back into our homes!
Anne McCormick says
I love your ‘what to do instead’ suggestions. My biggest challenge is saving just in case clothing for me and my little one.
Andrea says
thanks Anne! And you are not alone in your desire to save clothing “just in case”!