I may be Ideal Home’s Editor for all things cleaning and organisation, but I still feel like I’m constantly fighting a losing battle with my house. In fact, clutter continues to build up on a daily basis despite my best efforts, and I know I’m not alone in this.
And while I’ve been taking steps to learn from the things people with a tidy home always have, sometimes I find it easier to understand what I’m doing wrong rather than what everyone says is right. That’s why I decided to ask professional organisers what those who always seem to have a streamlined, clutter-free home actively avoid.
It turns out that a tidy and organised home requires you to steer clear of decluttering mistakes that can have disastrous consequences. And while this list of mistakes is quite lengthy, the pro organisers all agreed that they see these three clutter catalysts more than most - and I’ve even been making them myself.
1. Leave things to ‘deal with later’
When you have a busy life, leaving rubbish on your kitchen worktops or empty contact lens cases on your bathroom vanity isn’t at the top of the priority list. But I know from personal experience that leaving one day’s worth of clutter can quickly add up to a whole week - and that ‘deal with it later’ mentality results in a very messy home.
That’s why Shannon Murphy, Professional Organiser and Founder of Simpl Living Co, says you should try and deal with home items as soon as possible. ‘People with tidy homes never put something down when they could put it away. Instead of leaving something on the side to deal with later, they put it back where it belongs straight away,' she explains.
Of course, some people might not be able to do this immediately. If that’s the case, you could take advantage of a clutter bucket to temporarily remove it from a surface. But Shannon advises that you ’return everything to its proper place each evening’ and never leave it for more than 24 hours.
2. Overfill storage
I’m a sucker for pretty-but-practical storage baskets, and use them a lot throughout my home. And while they’re ideal for tackling clutter, Shannon says that they can also cause even more problems if you overfill them. She explains, ‘Good organisation isn't about squeezing more into your cupboards.’
Tidying guru Marie Kondo also said the same when I interviewed her recently, as she warns that too many people buy storage without actually dealing with clutter and getting rid of items that no longer serve them. Instead, you need to use proper decluttering methods to streamline your home and prevent overfilling your cupboards, wardrobes, baskets and boxes.
Thankfully, there are so many ways to get rid of items after decluttering, but Shannon says, ‘If you're planning to sell something, give yourself a realistic deadline. If it hasn't sold within that timeframe, donate or give it away rather than letting it become permanent clutter.’
3. Buy items without knowing where they'll go
Working for a homes magazine means I’m constantly surrounded by pretty home decor and handy appliances that I often don’t have the space for. And Kate Dufton, Professional Organiser and Declutterer at Ace Your Space, says that buying them is just another reason why my house is never tidy.
She explains, ‘When everything has a designated home, tidying becomes much quicker and easier. You'll save time because everything is easy to find, and you're far less likely to lose things. It can also help prevent overbuying.’ And when I buy these items on a whim without knowing where they will live, I’m simply adding more fuel to the fire.
Thankfully, that doesn’t mean that I can’t buy anything else ever again. Employing the one-in-one-out decluttering method can help when you want to buy new items but want to maintain a clutter-free home, and Kate suggests keeping these must-have items ‘accessible in their designated space’ so I can use them without them encroaching on my space.
A label maker is your best friend if you want a tidy and organised home. It'll help you keep track of what you have, and where you should store it.
These baskets are ideal clutter buckets, as they come in three different sizes and have lids to keep visual clutter at bay.
If you need help keeping on top of your decluttering and organising tasks, these sticky notes can really help you out.
Have you been making these mistakes?
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