10 reasons your clutter keeps coming back

And what you can do about it

Oct 25, 2024

We’ve been simplifying the stuff in our home for nearly seven years now. You’d think by this point our house would be a breeze to maintain—zero clutter, everything in its place.

Wouldn’t that be the dream?

Disclaimer: This isn’t our actual house. It’s what AI thinks a cluttered entryway looks like, but to me, it gives off "aspirational clutter" vibes. Is that even a thing? Can we make it a thing? If so, I’m here for it.

While we definitely spend much less time and energy managing clutter than we used to, I still find myself sidestepping LEGOs strewn across the floor, pushing aside piles of stuff abandoned on the counters, sorting through someone’s chaotic closet (if not my own), and eyeing toys that still need fresh batteries or a superglue fix.

Clutter is just part of life—but here’s the good news: a lot of it (I’d say 90%) can be minimized, more easily maintained, or even eliminated. The key is figuring out what types of clutter you have and why it keeps accumulating.

Here are the ten most common reasons why clutter keeps coming back—and some simple, doable adjustments to help you clear it out or, at the very least, keep up with it.

Reason #1: You haven’t assigned a home for every item.

When an item doesn’t have a proper home (aka a designated place to live when not in use), it often gets left out. This not only clutters surfaces you could actually use but also increases the likelihood of losing items, leading to duplicate purchases and, you guessed it, even more clutter.

The fix: Give every item in your home a designated spot to live when it’s not in use. Be intentional and choose homes that make sense (i.e., keep items close to where they’re most often used or where you’d instinctively look for them).

Reason #2: You don’t have the right system in place.

One of the most common reasons clutter keeps coming back is the lack of an effective system to prevent the regular influx of stuff (like paper, clothing, and personal belongings, to name a few) from piling up again.

The fix: Identify the places around your home where clutter builds up the most and put a system in place to catch it early. For example, if you find family members' shoes, bags, and keys all over, optimize your entryway. Add hooks, baskets, and trays to keep keys, bags, and shoes where they belong.

More beautiful, aspirational clutter vibes.

Reason #3: You’re still buying too much.

Decluttering is just one piece of the puzzle when it comes to simplifying your space. If you continue to shop without limits or intention, your clutter problems will persist.

The fix: First, stop using shopping as a pastime. Whether you shop out of boredom or as a social escape, there are so many more rewarding (and less expensive) ways to get that hit of dopamine.

Next, be intentional about what you buy. Ask yourself: Do I really need this now, or can I wait one week to see if I still want it? Will this serve a specific purpose and add value to my life? Can I borrow it, buy it second-hand, or use something I already have instead? And most importantly, where will I store it once I bring it home?

Reason #4: Decluttering isn’t part of your regular routine.

Unfortunately, decluttering isn’t a one-and-done deal. Even the most organized, simplified homes can accumulate clutter over time if it’s not routinely managed. Common culprits include clothing, books, magazines, toys, art/craft supplies, paperwork, and even digital files and emails.

The fix: Make decluttering part of your regular routine. When the seasons change, do a wardrobe reset and remove clothes you no longer need or want. Every November, plan a pre-holiday purge of things that have accumulated throughout the year, such as toys, books, clothing, sports gear, and gadgets. Whether you prefer to declutter seasonally or dedicate a little time each week or month, having a consistent system will help you stay ahead of clutter—and save you time, energy, and stress in the long run.

Reason #5: You have an emotional attachment to stuff.

I get it. Letting go of things that hold emotional value can be hard. Guilt, the fear of losing memories, or the unease of wondering, “What if I need this someday?” can lead to decision paralysis.

The fix: Be intentional about what you keep—like really intentional. (Having a friend or working with an expert can be a game-changer!) For sentimental items, display the most meaningful ones and take photos of the rest to preserve the memories without holding onto the physical objects. And for those “What if?” items, ask yourself how often you’ve really needed (or wanted) something you let go of in the past. Almost never? Maybe once? Chances are, owning less will bring you more joy than hanging onto things for just-in-case scenarios.

Nailed it, yet again.

Reason #6: You have too much stuff to keep up with.

“The more you have, the more you have to manage.” I can’t remember where I first heard this, but it’s stuck with me for years and couldn’t be more true. Too much stuff makes it hard to maintain order, even with good systems in place. The more you own, the more time you spend managing your belongings.

The fix: Focus on downsizing. Tackle your home one area at a time and really consider what you actually need. The fewer things you own, the easier it is to maintain an uncluttered, peaceful environment.

Reason #7: You’re organizing instead of decluttering.

I don’t care how many pretty bins, baskets, or bookcases you have. If you have too much, you’re really just shuffling clutter around and putting it in aesthetically pleasing containers.

The fix: Simplify first, then organize. By eliminating the excess, you’ll only need to organize what you truly use and love. Plus, with less stuff, you’ll have more space and flexibility to keep things neat. Staying organized will also be so much easier!

Reason #8: You don’t have a regular reset routine.

Even minimalist homes need consistent routines to keep clutter in check. Without habits for tidying up and staying organized, clutter will inevitably creep back.

The fix: Establish daily or weekly routines for resetting your space. Whether it’s a nightly tidy or a weekend refresh, regular maintenance will help you stay on top of the everyday clutter and prevent it from piling up again.

Nostalgia in a box. Check!

Reason #9: You’re avoiding decision-making.

Clutter tends to linger when we struggle to make decisions—especially with things like paperwork, clothing, gifts, or sentimental items. But procrastinating only leads to clutter piling up and even more overwhelm.

The fix: Action is the antidote to overwhelm. Strengthen your decision-making muscles by tackling small decluttering tasks (notice I said tasks, not full-on projects) regularly. Set a timer for 10-15 minutes and focus on clearing just one pile or a set number of items. Breaking it down makes the process less daunting and helps you build some momentum.

Reason #10: You’re managing other people’s clutter.

Unless you live alone, there’s a good chance some of the clutter you’re dealing with doesn’t even belong to you. Whether you’re a parent, partner, caregiver, or roommate, managing the overflow of others’ belongings can quickly become a burden and a source of tension for everyone involved.

The fix: Start by having an open conversation with everyone in your home to get on the same page about the importance of having some clutter-free spaces. Establish a few clutter-free and clutter-safe zones for everyone's sanity. In our house, the living room, dining area, and kitchen are the main clutter-free zones (though, let’s be real—they still get cluttered, but we’re always working to tidy them up!). Meanwhile, I’ve given myself permission to ignore the kids’ closets (at least between seasonal resets), the random stuff they stash in their backpacks, and my husband’s half of the closet. Getting the whole family involved in decluttering can make a huge difference and might even inspire a fresh start.

We all have clutter hiding in our homes—sadly not the aspirational kind. It’s a part of life, but it doesn’t need to get in the way of your life once you know how to manage and minimize it.

My biggest advice when simplifying your stuff is to start small, stay consistent, and shop less. Soon enough, managing your belongings will become easier and less time-consuming, giving you more time and energy for what you truly love.

Your turn! What type of clutter creeps back the most in your home? For us, it’s clothes, art and craft supplies, and paper (mostly schoolwork/artwork). Leave a comment or join our member chat to connect with us as we tackle our clutter problems together.