Organizing Mistakes That Make Your House Look Messy
Your house may look clean, but these common organizing mistakes can make it hard to maintain order. Professional organizers share their top pet peeves and how to solve them.
1. The Mistake: Confusing "Clean" and "Organized"
"Having piles neatly lined up on the counter doesn't mean you're organized," says professional organizer Linda Rothschild. If you find your flat surfaces filling with clutter, it's time to designate a spot for everything coming into your home. Once you get the hang of it, the piles will disappear. Design by Anastasia Faiella
2. The Mistake: Keeping Counters Too Clear
Once you've cleared off what doesn't belong on the kitchen counter, don't forget to leave room for things you use every day. If you make daily smoothies, make a spot for the blender. It's easier to keep the surfaces clean and organized if you have what you need at hand and everything has a designated spot. Design by Gina Samarotto
3. The Mistake: A Full Refrigerator
"A big, messy focal point is a refrigerator tacked with magnets and reminders and notes and letters and photos and wedding invitations and art projects and shopping lists," says professional organizer Jeni Aron. "Instead, keep one clipboard on your kitchen wall with all of the reminders and lists you need. When the clipboard is full, that's your maximum number of papers you can keep."
4. The Mistake: Disorganized Kitchen Shelving
Glass-front cabinets or open shelving can look messy if dishes are piled at random. "The solution? Add fabric or contact paper inside the glass cabinets. A better solution: Setting up a way to keep dishes organized," says professional organizer Alejandra Costello.
5. The Mistake: Stuffing Kitchen Cabinets
Getting organized means making good decisions about what to keep and what to let go of, starting on the inside of the cabinets," says professional organizer Linda Rothschild. Take everything out and take stock. If you're not using it, let it go. Image courtesy Mullet Cabinetry
6. The Mistake: Skipping By-the-Door Paper Storage
Give everything a home, even the mail. "Even stacks of mail need a place to live. Find a crate, box or door or wall pockets where you can place the mail when you get home. Then later when you have 10 minutes, sort it out," says professional organizer Alejandra Costello. Design by Toni Hammersley
7. The Mistake: Out-of-Order Containers
Throwing your stuff in a box or drawer doesn't make it organized. "Every drawer, cabinet and shelf is a container, but consider taking it a step further by using additional containers within those storage areas to organize your things even more. Use bins, baskets, cups, tin cans, stackable bins and dividers to help keep your items better contained and visually appealing," says professional organizer Vanessa Hayes. Photo courtesy of California Closets
8. The Mistake: Shopping First, Organizing Second
"The biggest mistake I see is that people think buying a bunch of organizing products will solve their clutter nightmares, but it usually just adds to the frustration," says professional organizer Vanessa Hayes. "Instead, you need to edit your stuff first, then decide on products to help you organize what's left." That way, you'll buy only what you need.
9. The Mistake: Too Many Family Photos
"Knick knacks and picture frames can be horrible forms of clutter. I love my family, honestly, I do, but I have a total of two tiny framed photos of them in my home," says professional organizer Jeni Aron. "Picture frames and little doo-dads and figurines collect dust, they look outdated and they don't add to any style direction or decor in your home. If you want to do a gallery wall of all same-sized prints with simple frames leading up a stairway or an artfully hung collection over an entryway console, go for it." Design by Andreas Charalambous
10. The Mistake: Too Many Toys
"For families with kids, many fall victim to every room becoming a toy room and the entire home becoming toy-centric," says professional organizer Vanessa Hayes. "You'd be amazed at how much cleaner your home will look if you limit the toys you have, and keep them in only 1-2 places in your home." Design by Brian Patrick Flynn
11. The Mistake: Not Corralling Cords
"This bothers me like crazy," says professional organizer Alejandra Costello. "Wires on the wall or floor are a complete eyesore. Make your own backing with black foam board, or whatever you have. Or, actually detangle the wires and use a cord organizer to line them around the furniture." Boom: A neat entertainment center, desk or nightstand. Design by Property Brothers Drew and Jonathan Scott
12. The Mistake: Displaying Every Book You Own
"Don't put paperbacks or the ones that got wet on vacation out. If you have a good collection of books, you don't need to display paperbacks. You have to be able to let go," says professional organizer Linda Rothschild. Design by Jennifer and Kitty O'Neil
13. The Mistake: Packed Bookshelves
Displaying only books you love leaves breathing room and space for decorative accessories. "I always go for balance. I'm fond of telling people when your bookshelf is 80 percent full, it's really full," says professional organizer Nancy Heller. Design by Jennifer and Kitty O'Neil
14. The Mistake: Packed-Full Rooms
"Too many chairs, couches, tables and decorative items can quickly make a room look cluttered and feel closed-in," says professional organizer Vanessa Hayes. "Selecting just a few pieces can open up a space and make it feel more relaxing and peaceful." Design by Laura Umansky
15. The Mistake: Messy Under-Bed Boxes
Under-bed storage is a great space-saver, but exposed boxes and bins can make a bedroom look cluttered. The fix? "Add a bedskirt, or make the stuff on the edges of the bed look more contained or organized," says professional organizer Alejandra Costello. Or, opt for a bed with built-in under-bed storage like blogger Erin Hiemstra did here.
16. The Mistake: Stuffing Small Spaces
"Be realistic about the space you have and how you use it," says professional organizer Nancy Heller. "If you are in a small home, you really have to be realistic about how much you can really have there without it being cluttered and overwhelming." Opt for hidden storage under the bed or stairs, but know when to minimize your stuff, too. Image courtesy Google
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