21 Decorating Habits That Are Slowly Cluttering Your Home [And How to Break Them!]
Even if you’re trying your best to make your home look nice, some habits can make your space feel crowded and messy. You might not notice at first, but little things—like keeping too many decorations or not cleaning up often—can slowly take over.
The good news? You can fix these habits with simple changes. Here are 22 things people do that make their home look messy—and what you can do instead to keep your space neat and cozy.
1. Keeping Holiday Decor Out All Year
Christmas and Halloween decorations are fun, but if you leave them up all year, they lose their charm. Pack them away after the season ends. Bring them out again next year to keep them special.
2. Putting Too Much Stuff on Shelves
It’s nice to show off your favorite things, but too many items on shelves can look messy. Pick a few things you love and give them space to stand out. Empty space is good!
3. Too Many Pillows and Blankets
Pillows and blankets are cozy, but if your bed or sofa is covered in them, it gets hard to sit or sleep. Keep just a few and put the extras in a basket or closet.
4. Holding on to Too Many Old Things
It’s okay to keep things that remind you of happy times. But if they don’t fit your room or take up too much space, consider storing them in a box or taking pictures to remember them.
5. Not Cleaning Up Regularly
Clutter builds up if you don’t clean up now and then. Pick one area and spend 10–15 minutes each week sorting it out. Small steps help a lot!
6. Buying Too Many Souvenirs
It’s fun to bring home items from trips, but too many can make shelves crowded. Try picking just one thing from each place you visit and keep the rest of the memories in a photo album.
7. Overstuffing Bookcases
Bookshelves look nice, but if they’re packed too full, they look messy. Keep only your favorite books out and leave space between items so the shelf looks calm and tidy.
8. Not Using Hidden Storage
Stuff like baskets or drawers with lids can hide everyday items like toys, blankets, or chargers. This helps keep your space neat without throwing things away.
9. Keeping Decor That No Longer Fits
Sometimes your style changes, but your decor stays the same. If something no longer matches your space or makes you happy, it might be time to let it go.
10. Using Decor That’s the Wrong Size
Big items in a small room—or tiny items in a big room—can look off. Try to choose decor that fits well in the space, not too big and not too small.
11. Filling Every Table and Counter
Tables and counters can easily get filled with stuff. Try to keep them mostly clear and only add one or two things you love. It makes the room feel bigger and cleaner.
12. Buying New Stuff Without Letting Go of Old Stuff
When you bring something new home, try to give away or donate something you don’t use anymore. This helps you keep your home from filling up too fast.
13. Covering Every Wall
Wall art is nice, but too many pictures or signs on the wall can feel too busy. Try leaving some walls empty so your favorite pieces can shine.
14. Showing Off Too Many Collections
If you collect things like mugs or figurines, you don’t have to show them all at once. Put out a few at a time and switch them out every season to keep things fun and fresh.
15. Leaving Cords Everywhere
Chargers and cables left out look messy. Use baskets, clips, or boxes to hide them or keep them in one spot so they’re easy to find but out of sight.
16. Using Too Many Rugs
One rug in a room is great, but too many can make it feel crowded. Pick one nice rug for each area and skip the extras.
17. Open Shelves Full of Mismatched Stuff
Open shelves are pretty, but if they’re filled with random things, they can look messy. Use them to show off a few neat items, and hide the rest in cabinets or drawers.
18. Mixing Too Many Styles
Trying different styles like farmhouse, modern, or beachy all at once can make your room feel confusing. Pick one main look and just add little touches from others.
19. Stuffing Storage Furniture Too Full
Benches or ottomans with storage are great, but if they’re packed full, they can feel messy. Go through them sometimes and get rid of what you don’t need.
20. Hanging Too Much on Wall Hooks
Wall hooks help you stay organized, but if they’re covered in bags, coats, and hats, they look messy. Only hang what you use often and put the rest away.
21. Not Having a Spot for Daily Items
Keys, mail, and sunglasses should have a home. A small basket near the door works great. This keeps them in one place and off your counters.
Always Adding, Never Editing
Every time you get something new for your home, think about what you can remove. Keeping things balanced stops your space from getting too full.
Need Ideas for Apartment Living?
If you’re decorating a small space or just moved into a new place, it can be hard to know where to start. For more simple and smart ways to make your space feel like home, check out our dream apartment ideas. You’ll find easy tips to help you decorate without feeling stressed or spending too much.
Conclusion: ( Decorating Habits )
If you’re decorating a small space or just moved into a new place, it can be hard to know where to start. For more simple and smart ways to make your space feel like home, check out our dream apartment ideas. You’ll find easy tips to help you decorate without feeling stressed or spending too much.
