4 Tips to Prevent Clutter from Building Up in Your Home

We’ve all been there—your home starts off tidy, and then before you know it, things start piling up. Clothes in the laundry room (or on the closet floor), papers on the kitchen counter, random items collecting dust in the corners or stuffed into cabinets. The good news? You don’t have to live in chaos! Here are four simple tips to keep clutter from taking over your space:

Peaceful living room

1. The One-In, One-Out Rule to prevent "stuff" clutter

This one can have a huge impact on the amount of clutter in your home. Every time you bring something new into your home—whether it’s a cute new pair of shoes, a fancy kitchen gadget, or even a book—make sure to get rid of something old. Donate, sell, or toss anything you no longer need or use. This prevents the “I didn’t even know I had this!” moments (which I hear from many clients!)

Plus, it encourages thoughtful shopping, so you’ll get into the habit of only purchasing the things you truly love and have space for. Since we downsized 3 years ago, before we make a purchase, we try to ask ourselves "Do we have room for this? Where will it live? What can we remove in it's place?"

3. Prevent mess by Creating Designated Spaces

Everything in your house should have a “home.” If there’s no place to store something, it’s much more likely to get left out or shoved into a drawer. Use baskets, bins, and shelves to separate things like keys, shoes, and toys. The easier it is to put things back where they belong, the more likely you’ll actually do it! But try not to overdo the bins - they can add to the clutter if you don't have a system or a plan. Simple organization tools—like hooks for coats or a tray for mail or iphone boxes inside of drawers—can make a difference, too.

Everything in its place

Bonus Tip: Ask for Help

Sometimes we can be too close to our own stuff. and it can be overwhelming to make decluttering or organizing decisions. An outside person - like a friend, a sister, or a professional organizer - can help you to see things differently, give you motivation, and take some of the load away.

3. Prevent Piles with the Put it Away Principle

Do you struggle with procrastination? Or do you fly through tasks because you're running late? The “Don’t put it down, put it away” principle is basically a reminder to deal with stuff right away instead of leaving it lying around. Instead of tossing things on random surfaces like the counter or table (or floor!), challenge yourself to put them back where they belong. It may take practice, but don't give up! This habit can make a huge difference in saving time, reducing stress, and preventing overwhelming clutter.

Think about it this way: You will be making things easier for your future self by handling clutter as you go, rather than creating a pile of stuff to deal with later. If you added up the seconds it takes to put each one thing away and compared it to the several minutes or hours it will take to deal with the mound of clutter later... which wins?

Peaceful bedroom

4: Periodic Reset

Set aside time once every few months to do a deep declutter session on at least one trouble area. This helps you to get rid of things that have accumulated over time without being noticed. It’s like hitting the reset button for your home, and it’ll make your space feel fresher and more spacious.

The key to staying clutter-free is consistency. By sticking to these simple habits, you’ll find that your home stays calm, organized, and, most importantly, enjoyable to live in!

Got any other tips that work for you? Share them in the comments!