When you live in the same place for a long time, it’s easy for clutter to sneak up on you and slowly take over your life. Clutter doesn’t just take up space; it can sap your energy, make cleaning harder, and cause a great deal of stress. If any of the following signs resonate with you, it’s probably the right moment to take action and take your space back.
You Can’t Find Everyday Items
If you seem to be stuck in a neverending search for your keys, wallet, or phone, this is a likely sign that clutter is taking over. When your essential items don’t have a designated spot, they can quickly get lost in the chaos.
But the good news is you don’t have to waste any more time hunting them down. Instead, take stock of what’s taking over your surfaces and clear away what doesn’t belong.
Closets Are Packed to the Brim
When your closet is stuffed to the brim with unnecessary clutter, even just getting dressed can be a stressful task. If your hangers are jammed together and things fall out every time you open the door, it’s a clear indication that you’re holding onto too much. You can start decluttering your closet today by donating or getting rid of unused clothes.
Surfaces Are Always Covered
Are your countertops, coffee tables, and nightstands piled high with papers or random things that you never even use? It’s easy to see how this can make your home feel chaotic. Cluttered surfaces are not just a visual distraction—they can also limit your ability to use these spaces effectively.
Drawers Are Overflowing
If your drawers don’t close like they used to before, they’re probably packed with old receipts, tangled cords, and forgotten trinkets. This is a sure sign you need to declutter, as overflowing drawers often hide stuff you no longer need or even remember owning. Sorting through them can free up valuable space and make finding things easier.
There’s “The Chair” in Your Bedroom
This might sound like a strange one, but if you immediately know what we’re talking about, it’s probably time to start decluttering. Most cluttered bedrooms have that one chair—or maybe a whole corner—that becomes the default dumping ground for any old clothes, bags, or other things you don’t know what to do with.
While it might seem harmless at first, this habit can quickly spiral into a larger problem. We recommend clearing off “the chair” as soon as possible and keeping it empty to make your bedroom feel more organized and peaceful.
You Have Unopened Mail or Packages
Sometimes it can feel like the flow of useless mail coming in is neverending, so it makes sense why you wouldn’t want to deal with it. But stacks of unopened mail or forgotten packages sitting around are classic signs of clutter. What’s more, these things not only take up space but can also create unnecessary stress as they pile up.
Your Kitchen Counters Are Covered
If your kitchen counters are forever crowded with appliances, dishes, and random little trinkets, it might be time for a clear-out. A clutter-free counter makes cooking and meal prep a whole lot easier and more enjoyable, as well as giving the kitchen a cleaner, more spacious feel.
Storage Spaces Are at Full Capacity
Yes, storage spaces are great for things you don’t use on a daily basis. But if your attic, basement, or garage is filled to the brim, this probably means that clutter has spilled over. These spaces are meant for storage, but they can easily become dumping grounds for things you’ll never actually use again. It’s time to purge these areas and reclaim that valuable storage space once and for all.
You Avoid Certain Rooms
People who have a problem with clutter often end up avoiding certain rooms in the house altogether. Why? Because they can become dumping grounds that feel overwhelming or too cluttered to use at all. Tackling them one step at a time is the best way to make them feel worth using again.
Cleaning Feels Impossible
After years of accumulated clutter, you might end up feeling like your cluttered spaces feel almost impossible to clean. If cleaning seems to take twice as long as it should, it might be due to an excess of mess you have to work through. Decluttering can simplify your cleaning routine and make your home a whole lot easier to maintain.
You’ve Started Buying Storage Solutions’
It’s not necessarily a bad idea to invest in storage solutions, but it’s important to consider whether you’ll just be filling them with a neverending flow of unnecessary clutter. After all, the issue might be too much stuff, not a lack of storage.
Organizing is only effective when you’ve already decluttered, so before you add more storage, evaluate what truly needs to stay.
There Are Expired Items in Your Pantry
A cluttered pantry often comes with a little collection of expired or forgotten food items lurking at the back of your shelves. Regularly cleaning out your pantry and getting rid of expired goods will make it easier to see what you have and avoid buying things you already have somewhere.
You Hold Onto Broken Items
If you know what we mean by those broken things you’re hanging onto “just in case” you’ll fix them someday, it’s time for a clear-out. It might feel like throwing them out would be wasteful, but if something has been sitting around for months (or years) waiting for repairs, it’s time to let it go.
You Feel Overwhelmed by Paperwork
Stacks of bills, old magazines, and random documents can quickly add up and take over your space if you don’t keep them in check. Paper clutter not only takes over rooms but can also make it harder to find important documents when you need them. Setting up a simple filing system can help you manage it all better.
Toys Are Everywhere
People who have kids often find that their toys end up taking over every room. If this sounds like you, it might be time for a clear-out. Sorting through their collection and donating or storing items they’ve outgrown can help keep the mess manageable. It’s also a good idea to have a designated play that’ll help contain toy clutter.
You Have Duplicates of Everything
How many back-up can openers or spatulas do you really need? These duplicates are a common sign of unnecessary clutter. It’s best to sort through things like kitchen tools and keep only the best or most-used versions of these duplicates to free up space and make your home feel more organized.
Your Furniture Feels Crowded
It may sound odd, but furniture can start to feel like a source of clutter too. If your furniture seems to be crammed into a space or you can’t navigate easily around a room, it’s a sign there’s too much going on. Rearranging or removing unnecessary furniture can open up your home and make it feel much more spacious.
There’s No Room for New Purchases
We all deserve to treat ourselves to new things every now and then, so if you hesitate to buy something because you don’t know where it will go, it’s time for a purge. Take some time to sort through what you have so you can make space and start buying those things you really want.
You Keep the Doors Closed
Sadly, a lot of people end up keeping closet, cabinet, or room doors shut in order to hide clutter. This is a major sign that you need a clear-out. While it might feel like a quick fix, out of sight often means out of mind, which leads to even bigger problems down the line. The good news is taking small steps to clean out your space will quickly improve your quality of life and wellbeing.