Decluttering and organizing a home is difficult at the best of times, but it is often made worse by the fact that we quickly become accustomed to our environments, becoming blind to the smaller messes, underlying issues, and storage solutions that can all help to get our lives in order.
A professional organizer, on the other hand, with their well-trained eyes and practiced mindset can spot the main causes of clutter and mess as soon as they step through the front door and now they're sharing their top seven bloopers, plus how to fix them.
Here, we take a look at the messes pros immediately notice in homes to help you identify key problem areas, along with their tips to nail your home organizing.
7 things pro organizers immediately spot in a messy home
1. Lack of storage solutions
The first thing professional organizers always notice in a messy home is a lack of functional storage ideas, begins Jackie Pittman, professional home organizer and founder of Chez Nous Organizing.
She explains it's one of the most obvious signs of disorganization as items are left out because there’s simply nowhere else to put them. She says, 'Without adequate storage, even the most minimal space can quickly become cluttered. I recommend incorporating functional storage solutions that fit your space and style.'
Jackie suggests wall-mounted shelves, baskets, and multi-purpose furniture like ottomans with hidden storage, which can all make a big difference. When in doubt, go vertical or use every hidden space (behind doors).
She add, 'A key phrase I use with my clients is to do your best to "hide the ugly" (aka the piles). You want your eye to go to the focal point of the room, not the clutter.'
2. Lots of visual clutter
While visual clutter can be caused by a lack of functional storage, it can also accumulate as a result of too much open storage, shelving, or even home decor, Jamie Hord, expert home organizer and founder of Horderly Professional Organizing, points out. Many home organizers are now stressed by the visual clutter of open storage.
‘Visual clutter like tchotchkes can be an instant eye sore of clutter. Keep a few nice decor pieces out at once and rotate them seasonally rather than having everything out at once,’ Jamie recommends.
‘This goes for photos, magnets, and papers hung on the fridge – swap things and keep it limited, or try having nothing on the fridge for easy cleaning and no visual clutter.’
3. Lots of little piles
One of the most obvious signs of a messy home is piles of stuff without a home. Expert organizers will always be drawn towards doom piles – both big and small.
Jackie Pittman, professional home organizer, points out that flat surfaces like counters, tables, and desks tend to become catch-all spaces for piles of papers, mail, and miscellaneous items. 'This not only looks untidy but can also create a sense of chaos,' she explains. 'Implement a "clear counter" rule where only essential items are allowed on flat surfaces. Use trays, wall organizers, or file sorters to keep these areas tidy.’
If you find piles are constantly building up in the same places, consider being more ruthless when decluttering to cut back on the contributing items, and then look around for some storage solutions that make putting items away easier and more attractive so you are less likely to leave them on the sides.
If you're not yet ready to commit to a big declutter in a space, place a basket in the area where the piles typically build up and commit to decluttering them when full to make it a more manageable task.
When clutter piles up in the same places all of the time, consider using storage baskets to quickly keep it neat and contained before you have time to put it all away.
4. Empty boxes
Melissa Gugni, expert home organizer and owner of Melissa Gungi Organizing, cannot unsee empty boxes and reckons they are a key marker of a messy or disorganized home.
She says, ‘Cardboard shipping boxes from deliveries of various sizes and levels of being broken down, along with their packing slips and bubble wrap have become the scourge of our times.
'But the good news is that it is the easiest way to make a home feel a lot better and it doesn't cost a cent! Break down and remove it and grab any other trash or recycling while you are at it and I guarantee it will feel noticeably better.’
5. Absence of an organizing system
While not as immediately obvious as clutter piles or a lack of storage units, a professional organizer's keen eye means spotting the lack of home organizing systems from a mile away.
Jamie Hord, expert home organizer reveals, ‘When things are not being put away, it's usually because there is an easy system lacking, or no proper home for these items to live. For example, kids aren't going to put their items away if they don't know where they belong or if there isn't an exact spot for them so use labels to mark where things live – and where to put them back.’
Labels also help other members of your household, who were not involved in the decluttering, know where to put something and therefore help maintain your news system easily.
Label makers are one of the many storage products professional organizers can't live without. This handheld bluetooth option is a great tool to help you quickly sort and categorize items for a smooth organizing system.
6. One person trying to tidy alone
Every household should attempt to split chores with a partner or introduce children to chores to help keep a home neat and tidy. Many professional organizers, including Meaghan Kessman, of Meaghan Kessman Home Organization, will immediately notice when the chores all fall on one person.
‘When one person is overwhelmed by cleaning responsibilities, tidying becomes unsustainable and frustrating. Involve everyone in maintaining a tidy home by assigning specific tasks to each family member,' she says.
‘Create a routine where everyone spends a few minutes tidying up daily,’ Meaghan adds. ‘This not only distributes the workload but also fosters a sense of shared responsibility.’
7. Inefficient use of space
Melanie Summers, ADHD organizing specialist and owner of I Speak Organized shares that she always spots missed opportunities in a messy home – many of which are easy to remedy for a tidier space.
‘Many homes have poorly utilized spaces, such as under beds, behind doors, and vertical wall space. Inefficient use of space means missed opportunities for storage and organization, causing clutter to build up in more visible areas.
‘Maximize vertical storage to save space with wall-mounted shelves, hooks, and pegboards. Utilize under-bed storage bins and over-the-door organizers for shoes, accessories, or cleaning supplies. Customizable closet systems can also help make the most of every inch.’
If you are struggling with clutter, there are several simple lessons to be learned from the things pro organizers always notice in well-organized homes to make your home feel welcoming and practical for day-to-day life.
