Cluttered living room.

Introduction

I’ve been decluttering and organizing my home for years, yet somehow, my house is still sometimes cluttered. And honestly? That’s okay. I used to beat myself up about it—thinking if I just followed all the “rules” for decluttering, my home would always look Pinterest-perfect.

But over time, I realized that clutter isn’t just about stuff—it’s about life, emotions, and the ebb and flow of family chaos. Even with systems, storage solutions, and weekly cleanups, there are days when my living room looks like a tornado hit it, my kitchen counters are stacked with mail, and the laundry is mounting like a small mountain.

I wanted to share the lessons I’ve learned from living in a house that is sometimes cluttered, including what triggers it, what has actually worked for me, and the little tools that help me feel more in control.

1. Emotional Clutter Keeps Me Stuck

Even when every single thing has a home, clutter can still creep in—because not all clutter is about stuff. Sometimes, it’s about emotional attachment.

I realized that boxes of old school papers, kids’ baby clothes, or souvenirs from vacations weren’t just taking up space—they were holding memories. And because of that, I found it hard to part with them. The problem wasn’t storage; it was guilt.

What finally shifted things for me was reframing the way I thought about keepsakes. Instead of trying to keep every physical reminder, I started taking photos of sentimental items before letting them go. That way, the memory was preserved without the physical bulk.

Here’s what worked:

  • 📸 Snap a photo of kids’ artwork or old birthday cards.
  • 💾 Store the photos in a digital album or memory book.
  • 🎁 Keep a small, curated box of truly irreplaceable treasures.

This method gave me permission to let go without guilt. The items no longer clutter my home, yet the memories are still alive and accessible.

If emotional clutter is what’s tripping you up, you might find encouragement in my post on 10 Simple Common Decluttering Mistakes That Keep You Stuck. One of the biggest mistakes? Holding onto things out of guilt instead of genuine love.

The truth is, memories live in you, not in the objects. Once I embraced that, my home felt lighter, calmer, and far less cluttered.

Check out my affiliate links for:

  • Digital photo frame — Instead of stuffing keepsakes in a closet, you can actually enjoy the photos daily as they rotate on display.
  • Digital memory book — Keeps everything in one place—like a modern scrapbook without the mess.

For more on emotional decluttering, check out my post 10 Simple Common Decluttering Mistakes That Keep You Stuck.

2. Kids’ Stuff Is a Never-Ending Stream

No matter how many bins, baskets, or toy organizers I buy, the house is still sometimes cluttered thanks to my kids. One week it’s Legos, the next week it’s scooters.

What I’ve learned is that the goal isn’t perfection—it’s manageable systems. Rolling toy carts, mesh pool baskets, and outdoor toy storage benches have been game changers (affiliate links below).

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Check out Outdoor Toy Storage: 9 Brilliant Ways to Keep the Backyard Tidy and Fun for full details.

3. Cluttered Counters Are My Kryptonite

No matter how tidy the rest of the house, if my kitchen counters are cluttered, the whole house feels messy. Bills, keys, water bottles—small everyday items can make a space feel chaotic.

I started using a decorative tray for daily items, a small mail sorter, and a “landing spot” for keys and sunglasses. Suddenly, the kitchen felt calmer.

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4. My House Is Still Cluttered Because Life Is Busy

Let’s be real—life is busy. Even with the best routines, clutter creeps in. Between homework spread across the dining table, a sink full of breakfast dishes, laundry piles waiting for attention, and toys that somehow migrate from one room to another, my house can look like a whirlwind just passed through.

For a long time, I used to feel like clutter meant I was failing at keeping things “under control.” But I’ve learned to see it differently. Clutter during busy seasons doesn’t mean my home is out of control—it means my home is lived in. It means my kids are creating, my family is connecting, and yes, it means I’m human.

Instead of chasing an impossible standard, I’ve started building systems that bend with life. For example, I keep a few large woven baskets in high-traffic areas. When clutter piles up (and it always does), I can toss everything in quickly before dinner or when guests pop by. Later, when things calm down, I sort it out. No guilt. No stress.

Accepting that my house will sometimes be cluttered has actually been freeing. I enjoy my space more because I no longer expect perfection—just progress.

👉 If you’re in a busy season too, a set of large decorative storage baskets can be a game changer. They make “mess management” quick and stylish. Check out this set of woven storage baskets on Amazon (affiliate link).

5. Seasonal Clutter Sneaks In

I learned the hard way that seasonal items—holiday decorations, winter coats, summer pool toys—are prime clutter triggers. My house is still cluttered when these items aren’t stored properly.

Investing in clear storage bins, labeled containers, and seasonal rotation systems has helped. Knowing that these items have a place keeps clutter from sneaking back in.

Affiliate Link: Clear plastic storage bins with lids

6. Multi-Purpose Furniture Helps Tame Clutter

A cluttered home often results from “stuff without a home.” Investing in furniture that doubles as storage has helped. Ottomans with lids, coffee tables with drawers, and storage benches keep items out of sight while still accessible.

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Internal Link: You might like my post How to Get Rid of Stuff: 9 Powerful Tips That Actually Work.

7. Paper Piles Are My Worst Enemy

Even in our digital world, paper clutter is relentless. School permission slips, art projects, bills, catalogs, coupons, and junk mail seem to appear out of thin air. No matter how many apps or digital systems I use, paper still has a way of stacking up into mini mountains on my counters.

The truth is, paper clutter is sneaky—it feels small at first, but before long, it can dominate a whole corner of your kitchen or office. That’s why I had to stop fighting it with wishful thinking (“I’ll deal with it later”) and instead create a system that works with real life.

My solution? A simple paper station with three trays:

  • Action 📝 → Forms to sign, bills to pay, things that require a quick response.
  • File 📂 → Papers to keep long-term, like tax documents, medical records, or warranty info.
  • Recycle ♻️ → Junk mail, catalogs, and flyers that can go straight out the door.

This system only works if I commit to a weekly reset. Every Sunday, I go through each tray. It usually takes less than 10 minutes, but it saves me hours of stress later. No more frantic searching for that one permission slip five minutes before school drop-off.

👉 Having the right tools makes a huge difference. A desk organizer (affiliate link) or a letter tray set (affiliate link) keeps everything visible yet contained. Pair that with a shredder and a recycling bin nearby, and suddenly the paper piles stop multiplying.

The big shift for me was realizing that paper isn’t going away completely, but it doesn’t have to take over. With the right setup, you can manage it instead of drowning in it.

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8. Not Everything Needs a Perfect Spot

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that clutter doesn’t always mean chaos—it can also mean life is happening. For years, I tried to assign a perfect spot for every single thing in my house. I’d spend so much time trying to decide the “right” drawer for markers or the “best” bin for extra cords. And honestly? It was exhausting.

Here’s the truth: perfection is not the goal—function is.

Sometimes my dining table has a small stack of coloring books. Sometimes the kitchen counter hosts an open notebook and pens. And sometimes the garage holds a pile of soccer gear waiting for the next practice. Does that mean my house is out of control? Nope. It means my family is living, creating, and moving through life.

What works far better than perfect placement is a general home for categories of things. Instead of stressing over whether a puzzle belongs in the left bin or the right bin, I just make sure puzzles go in a bin. That shift alone has saved me hours and so much frustration.

To make this easier, I use open storage solutions like fabric bins, cubbies, or baskets. These allow things to be tossed in quickly without a lot of fuss, while still keeping the overall space tidy.

👉 A great option is a set of collapsible fabric storage bins with handles (affiliate link). They slide into shelves, closets, or under benches and keep categories of items corralled—without the pressure of Pinterest-perfect organizing.

By letting go of the idea that every single thing needs a picture-perfect spot, I’ve created a home that feels organized enough to be peaceful while still flexible enough to feel real.

9. Cluttered Closets and Storage Spaces

I admit it: my closets are the real trouble spots. Even with bins, baskets, and label systems, my house feels cluttered when I can’t see what’s inside.

I now rotate items seasonally, use clear bins, and donate items I haven’t used in a year. It hasn’t made my closets perfect, but it’s made them much more manageable.

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10. Regular Decluttering Is Key

Even after years of practice, clutter still creeps in if I don’t stay on top of it. The reality is that life doesn’t pause—new mail arrives daily, kids bring home art projects, groceries come in, and random items somehow sneak their way onto counters and tables.

That’s why decluttering has to become a rhythm, not a one-time event. A massive weekend purge might feel satisfying, but without regular resets, the clutter will slowly build back up.

The sweet spot for most households? Weekly or bi-weekly decluttering sessions. They don’t have to be long—even 15 minutes can make a huge difference. For example:

  • A quick Sunday night “reset” to clear counters before the new week.
  • A mid-week check-in to return toys, laundry, and papers to their homes.
  • A once-a-month “mini purge” where expired pantry items, worn-out clothes, or broken toys get tossed or donated.

One strategy that helps is to schedule decluttering like any other appointment. If it’s not on the calendar, it’s easy to skip. Setting a recurring reminder means you’re far more likely to actually do it.

👉 Tools like Google Calendar (free) or a paper planner (affiliate link) make it easy to block out these 15-minute sessions.

If you prefer a visual system, consider pairing your digital reminders with a physical wall calendar or family command center. A visible nudge helps keep the whole household accountable.

The key takeaway? Decluttering isn’t a one-and-done project—it’s a lifestyle habit. Building it into your regular routine ensures clutter never has the chance to take over again.

Affiliate Link: Digital calendar

Final Thoughts

My house is still sometimes cluttered, but I’ve stopped letting it define me. Clutter is a natural byproduct of life, family, and the beautiful chaos of a home full of memories.

By embracing functional systems, emotional awareness, and smart storage solutions, I can enjoy my space—and share these wins with you.

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Remember, a cluttered house isn’t a failure. It’s life in motion. 💛

For more organization inspiration, be sure and check out 97 Best Organization Ideas.

Note: Affiliate links support my content at no additional cost to you. Thank you!

I offer virtual decluttering and organizing coaching. Find out more or just let me know how things are going with you by emailing me at nancy@nancytraylor.com!