Feeling cramped in your home even though you haven't moved? It could be a sign that you have too much stuff and not enough space. Clutter builds slowly—one drawer, shelf, or corner at a time—until suddenly your home feels more chaotic than comfortable.
Here are 10 signs you may be drowning in stuff and simple, doable solutions to reclaim your space and peace of mind.
1. You Can’t Park in Your Garage
The Sign: Your garage has become a glorified storage unit, filled with boxes, holiday décor, sports gear, and random stuff that never made it back inside.
The Solution:
Set a weekend to declutter.
Categorize items into keep, donate, sell, toss.
Install overhead storage racks or wall-mounted shelves to free up floor space.
Only store what’s essential—and reclaim that parking spot!
2. You Have a “Junk Room” or “Drop Zone”
The Sign: One room or area in your home is the catch-all for everything you don’t know what to do with.
The Solution:
Empty the space and start fresh.
Invest in multi-functional furniture (like storage benches or ottomans).
Add labeled bins or baskets for organized sorting.
Set a clear purpose for the room and stick to it.
3. Your Closets Are Overflowing
The Sign: Clothes, shoes, and bags tumble out when you open the door, and you can’t find what you need.
The Solution:
Try the “one in, one out” rule—donate one item for every new one you bring in.
Use slimline hangers to maximize space.
Store off-season clothing in vacuum-sealed bags or under-bed containers.
4. You Buy Things You Already Own (Because You Can’t Find Them)
The Sign: You keep rebuying items—scissors, batteries, tape—because you don’t know where the originals are.
The Solution:
Create dedicated zones for commonly used items.
Use clear bins and label everything.
Do a quarterly home audit to reset and restock efficiently.
5. You Feel Stressed Just Looking Around
The Sign: Visual clutter is causing mental clutter—you feel anxious, irritable, or overwhelmed in your own home.
The Solution:
Start with a 10-minute daily tidy-up.
Focus on one surface at a time—clear the kitchen counter, coffee table, or nightstand.
Bring in calming elements like plants or neutral decor to create visual breathing room.
6. You Don’t Have a Clear Dining Table
The Sign: Your table is buried under mail, groceries, homework, or laundry, leaving no space for actual meals.
The Solution:
Set a daily or weekly goal to reset the table.
Use the “don’t put it down, put it away” motto.
Use a decorative centerpiece—if it’s there, you’re less likely to pile things on it.
Add a paper or mail sorter nearby so incoming clutter has a designated home.
7. You Struggle to Clean Your Home
The Sign: Vacuuming or dusting takes twice as long because you’re constantly moving stuff out of the way.
The Solution:
Aim for minimalism on surfaces—clear countertops, shelves, and floors.
Use decorative baskets or bins to corral loose items.
Keep only what’s functional or beautiful in shared spaces.
8. You’ve Started Using the Floor as Storage
The Sign: Boxes, bags, or piles of things are living on the floor—permanently.
The Solution:
Get creative with vertical storage—think shelves, hooks, pegboards.
Purge items that are no longer serving you.
Stop trying to find the perfect person to gift every item to, instead take it to charity trust that the most perfect person will own it next.
9. You Constantly Say “I Might Need This Someday” or “Just in Case”
The Sign: You’re keeping items based on possibility, not reality.
The Solution:
Ask yourself: “Would I buy this again today?”
Ask yourself: “Can I live without it?”
Store sentimental or rarely used items in clearly labeled bins in the basement or attic.
For emotionally tough decisions, take a photo and let the item go.
10. Your Home Doesn’t Reflect Who You Are Now
The Sign: Your space is filled with outdated hobbies, kids' toys from years ago, or decor that no longer fits your lifestyle. Gifted and hand-me-down items that fill the space, not giving you a chance to make it your own.
The Solution:
Redesign your home with intention.
Donate or sell items that belong to a past phase of life.
Curate your space to reflect your current values, goals, and personality.
Megan Golightly at GoSimplified.
You don’t have to do this alone. Check out Megan’s organizing services: https://www.go-simplified.com/shop-services
Find inspiration from GoSimpilified on Social Media:
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Living in a cluttered space doesn’t mean you’re messy—it usually means life got busy and things accumulated without notice. The good news? You can take back control, one step at a time. With 5, 10 or 20 minutes per day. Start small, stay consistent, and remember: your home should serve you—not the stuff inside it.
Figuring out your organizing style will help you stay organized and understand the organizing styles of those you live with goes a long way in creating systems that will stick. Check out the Clutterbug quiz: https://clutterbug.me/
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