Even if you think you’re pretty good about keeping things clean, you might be surprised at what others would notice. Some everyday things you don’t even pay attention to could be making your home look unkempt to everyone else. Let’s break down some of the most common offenders and simple ways to handle them for a tidier-looking space.
Piles of Unopened Mail
Let’s face it—mail often feels like it multiplies every night. Those stacks of bills and flyers may be hard to stay on top of, but if you don’t, they can quickly take over your counters or dining table. Before you know it, they’re a constant eyesore that’s hard to avoid.
However, a quick daily habit of sorting through your mail and recycling junk immediately can keep that mess in check.
Tangled Electrical Cords
Everybody has that one tangled mess of cables bunched up somewhere in the corner of their room. Electrical cords can be incredibly difficult to manage and keep tidy, but if you let it sit in a chaotic pile behind your furniture, it’s never going to feel like your space is truly clean. It’s a good idea to use cord organizers, clips, or zip ties to neatly bundle them together.
Overflowing Laundry Baskets
There’s no denying how convenient laundry baskets can be, but when they’re spilling over with clothes, they give off a cluttered vibe. This can happen even in a tidy bedroom or laundry room. That’s why it’s best to stick to a laundry schedule or fold and put away clean clothes right away.
Random Shoes Piled Up
Are all your shoes scattered at the front door or under random pieces of furniture? If so, you’re probably making your space feel chaotic without even realizing it. Instead of letting them take over, try a shoe rack, or bench with storage, or simply train everyone to put them away in a closet.
Forgotten Dishes on Counters
We all use things like coffee mugs and snack plates several times a day, so this kind of mess adds up fast. Leftover dishes on counters or tables are one of the quickest ways to make a clean kitchen look messy. The best solution to this issue is to put things away right after you use them and keep the sink and counters clear.
Misplaced Blankets and Pillows
Throw blankets and cushions sure are cozy, but not so much when they’re crumpled on the couch or strewn on the floor. This will just make your home look messy and unclean. So take a moment to neatly fold blankets and fluff pillows before leaving the room. A storage basket for extras can also be a great way to keep the space tidy.
Toys Sprawled Everywhere
If you or your family members have kids, you’re pretty likely to have stuffed animals or action figures sprawled across the floor. Toys have a way of taking over, but that doesn’t mean this mess is unavoidable.
Setting up designated toy bins or shelves and encouraging kids to clean up after playtime is a pretty simple way to keep things manageable.
Overcrowded Kitchen Counters
Over time, your kitchen counter can be completely taken over by appliances, cutting boards, or spice jars. Even if these things are clean, they can still make your space feel cluttered and unorganized. For this reason, it’s best to store gadgets you don’t often use in cabinets and limit counter space to just the essentials.
Overflowing Trash Cans
It should go without saying that no one wants to see a trash can that’s overflowing with waste. This little eyesore can make even the neatest room feel grimy. Plus it can come with hidden health risks too. You should try to empty all your trash cans regularly to make sure things stay fresh. Consider a can with a lid if you’re trying to minimize visual clutter altogether.
Jumbled Entryway Tables
Entryway tables are great, but unfortunately, they often become a catch-all for random things like keys and wallets. Without some structure, they can look messy in no time. Try using small trays, baskets, or hooks to organize the essentials and keep surfaces clear of unnecessary clutter.
Bathroom Counter Clutter
As you probably know, a bathroom counter filled with toothpaste tubes and hair products feels anything but tidy. So instead of leaving everything out, you may want to consider using small organizers or drawers to store all your daily essentials.
Overflowing Bookshelves
While bookshelves are obviously meant for books, they often end up holding onto random knick-knacks, papers, or old books you haven’t looked at in years. Too much on display can easily overwhelm the eye, so we recommend decluttering by keeping only what you love and arranging whatever’s left neatly.
Half-Empty Bottles in the Shower
I’m sure you know what we mean by this one. Far too many bathrooms are full of half-used shampoo bottles scattered around the shower. These little offenders can make even a clean bathroom feel untidy. Use a caddy or rack to store these items neatly, and toss empty containers regularly to stop the clutter from building up.
Unmade Beds
It’s very common for people to leave their beds unmade, so you might think it’s not a big problem. But here’s the thing: an unmade bed instantly makes a bedroom look messy, no matter how clean the rest of the room is. And it’s a simple fix too. All you need to do is take a few minutes each morning to straighten the sheets and fluff the pillows, and it can make your whole space feel more put-together.
Random Papers on Desks
If your desk is cluttered with random papers and other little trinkets, you’re not alone. But this is a surefire way to make your whole space feel chaotic and messy.
So, take a moment to sort through them and use folders or trays to organize what you need to keep. This will make working in the space much easier and more enjoyable too.
Full or Wrinkled Curtains
It can be a hassle keeping your curtains in order, but curtains that are either fully closed or left unevenly drawn can make a room feel unbalanced. Tidy them up by evenly pulling them back or using tiebacks for a more polished look. Clean, straight curtains can make a surprising difference in how neat a space feels.
Unused Workout Equipment
That old yoga mat or set of dumbbells you swore you’d use? They’ve probably become a bit of an eyesore by now. If you’re not using them daily, store them in a closet or corner to keep your space feeling open and uncluttered. It’s an easy fix that can make a big difference.
Overstuffed Closets Left Open
When you leave your closet doors open, you may be revealing a jam-packed, disorganized interior. It goes without saying that this can make the entire room feel chaotic. Closing the doors is a quick win, but organizing the space with bins and hangers makes it easier to maintain a tidy look overall.
Pet Toys and Supplies Scattered
Pets bring a whole lot of joy into our lives, but we can’t always say the same for their toys, leashes, and food bowls that end up left out all over the place. Keep things neat by using a storage bin or basket for toys and designating a specific area for their essentials.
Left-Out Cleaning Supplies
Ironically, the very tools that should be keeping your space clean can be a source of clutter too! When things like brooms, vacuums, or spray bottles are left out in plain sight, they can feel more messy than cleanly. Store them in a pantry, closet, or laundry area to keep your home looking more organized.