It can be pretty easy to spot some of the most common causes of a cluttered home, from the array of kids’ toys all over the floor to the small army of appliances on your kitchen counter. But even after you’ve gotten rid of all that stuff, your home may still feel a bit too cluttered, thanks to some pretty surprising culprits.
If you’re ready to take that next step to a more calming home, see what the experts say may cause your home to feel overwhelming—and the quick steps you can take to make your home feel serene once and for all.
MEET THE EXPERTS
- Becky Rapinchuk, creator of Clean Mama
- Cian Ballentine, professional cleaner and founder of Cannonball Cleaners
- Katrina Teeple, professional organizer and founder of Operation Organization
01. Your Entryway Is Cluttered
Your entryway is the first thing you see on entering your home, and it sets the stage for everything that comes after it. “Keeping lots of shoes by the door will make footwear the first thing you and guests focus on, rather than the beauty of your home,” says Katrina Teeple, professional organizer and founder of Operation Organization.
Your fix: Because the entryway is typically a major drop zone in your home, you’ll need to stay vigilant to declutter, Teeple says. “Taking 10 minutes twice a week for ‘Tidy Time’—grabbing a laundry basket and thinning out the items in your entryway—will keep this area clutter-free.” That includes putting extra jackets in the closet, moving out-of-season items elsewhere, and reducing the number of shoes stored at the door. For a really serene entryway, Teeple suggests investing in a shoe cabinet or a bench with bins underneath to stash shoes.
02. You’re Into a Maximalist Decor Style
We all love a bit of maximalism—but if you’re looking for a calmer, less cluttered vibe for your home, a massive gallery wall and a mountain of pillows may not get you there. “Things on walls without a real purpose or anchor also feels like clutter,” says Becky Rapinchuk, creator of Clean Mama. “Don’t put things up just to fill a space.”
Your fix: Here’s a perfect opportunity to use that Marie Kondo decluttering strategy, and edit down the decor to only the items that really bring you joy. “Make sure it makes you happy and makes sense in your space,” Rapinchuk says.
03. Your Fridge Is Cluttered
Your fridge may need a major declutter—and we’re not talking about the interior. “It may be time to retire the look of novelty fridge magnets, grocery list notepads, and dare I say, your kids’ art from the fridge,” Teeple says.
Your fix: Move your must-have items from your fridge to inside a cupboard door. “That way, when you go for your favorite mug to drink coffee each morning, you’ll be greeted with sticky note reminders and your child’s latest drawing of a dinosaur,” Teeple suggests.
04. You Have Too Many Things on Your Surfaces
Clearing your counters and tabletops is essential for a more serene vibe at home. “It’s important to keep surfaces clean and clear,” Rapinchuk says. “This gives the home an overall feeling of calm.”
Your fix: Start with a really clean slate, Rapinchuk says. “To test this out, completely clear a surface and live with it empty for as little as 24 hours. See how it feels and slowly add items back in until if feels just right.”
05. You Don’t Have Enough Seating
Too little of something may seem like a strange thing that creates a cluttered vibe. But when guests have nowhere to sit, that can give off a bad impression. “Not having obvious places for company to sit down always feels cluttered to me,” says Cian Ballentine, professional cleaner and founder of Cannonball Cleaners.
Your fix: You may need to overhaul your furniture configuration—or add some unexpected seating, such as storage ottomans under a console—to provide easy-to-grab seating when friends arrive.
06. You’re Drowning in Doom Piles
Creating piles or baskets filled with stuff you don’t have time or energy to deal with may make your home feel a bit less cluttered in the short-time—but unless they’re dealt with, those piles can quickly weigh down the feeling of your home.
Your fix: Use doom piles only as a very temporary solution—such as scooping clutter into a basket when unexpected guests arrive. But make sure you make time to deal with the doom pile and make it disappear.
07. You Don’t Have Enough Storage
Even the best decluttering job won’t help much if you don’t have the right places to actually store the items you’re keeping. If storage space is at a premium in your house—too small closets, too few cupboards—you’ll need to figure out other spots that can house your items.
Your fix: Look for smart ways to incorporate more storage into your space. Think storage ottomans, closed baskets or boxes on bookshelves to hold small items, or even sneaky storage suggestions like putting out-of-season clothes or bedding into suitcases.
“Add storage furniture that is not only functional, but blends with your home’s aesthetic—like an affordable cubby shelving unit with decorative baskets behind a couch,” Teeple says. This provides a spot to stash your kids’ toys so they’re accessible but hidden out of sight.
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