Why Your Home Feels Cluttered (Even When It’s Clean) – And How to Fix It

Have you ever looked around your home, seen clear floors and wiped-down surfaces, yet still felt an underlying sense of messiness? Honestly, same. It’s exactly this feeling along with our impending family move that catalyzed our end-of-2024 purge. You’re not imagining it — your home can feel cluttered even when it’s technically clean, and psychology has a lot to do with it. Here’s why, plus simple, actionable ways to fix it.

1. Visual Overload: Too Much Stuff in Sight

Even if your home isn’t messy, an abundance of small objects, open storage, or too many contrasting colors can make a space feel chaotic. Our brains crave order, and too many visual stimuli can create a subconscious sense of disarray.

✅ Fix It:

• Use closed storage: Swap open shelves for cabinets or use decorative bins to hide smaller items.

• Limit tabletop decor: Keep surfaces 80% clear and only display a few larger, intentional pieces rather than a mix of trinkets.

• Stick to a color palette: A monochromatic scheme or soft, harmonious tones will reduce visual tension.

2. The “Almost Clutter” Effect: Items Without a True Home

Piles of books, a stack of mail, or the infamous "chair" in the bedroom where clothes accumulate all contribute to the illusion of disorder. These items don’t quite belong anywhere, so they end up lingering in random spots or becoming the home for random things to be strewn upon.

✅ Fix It:

• Create designated “in-between” zones: Use a basket for semi-worn clothes instead of draping them over furniture .

• Use a tray system: Keep a catch-all tray in high-traffic areas like entryways or kitchen counters to corral everyday items neatly.

3. Poor Space Utilization: Cramped or Inefficient Layouts

A room packed with furniture or accessories, even if organized, can feel oppressive. Items crammed too close together make a space feel smaller and less breathable. Sidew

✅ Fix It:

• “Float” furniture: Move pieces slightly away from walls to make a space feel larger.

• Reduce floor clutter: Keep visible floor space as open as possible — less is more when it comes to feeling at ease.

4. Lack of Negative Space: Nowhere for the Eye to Rest

Just like white space in design, your home needs empty areas to feel balanced. When every wall, shelf, and table is filled, it creates an overwhelming effect.

✅ Fix It:

• Leave empty space on walls instead of covering every inch with decor.

• Style shelves with a rule of thirds: Use a mix of books, art, and negative space for balance.

5. Unharmonious Lighting: The Mood Killer

Lighting impacts how cluttered a room feels. Harsh overhead lighting can highlight imperfections, while poor lighting in dark corners creates an unbalanced look.

✅ Fix It:

• Layer your lighting: Use lamps and soft LED lights to create warmth and depth.

• Avoid overly bright or dim spaces — balance is key to a comfortable home environment.

6. A Note on Maximalism: Full but Functional

Because we’re proponents of thoughtfully-done maximalism, we felt the need to address this. Unlike clutter, maximalism is an intentional, layered approach to design that feels rich and inviting, rather than overwhelming. Done right, maximalism creates a story within your space while maintaining a sense of harmony.

✅ Do it right:

• Create Zones: Organize decor by grouping similar items together — whether it’s books, art, or collectibles — rather than scattering them throughout a room.

• Use Repetition: Whether it’s a repeating color, shape, or texture, a common thread will make the space feel cohesive.

• Balance Negative Space: Even maximalist rooms need breathing room —avoid overfilling every surface. Try the "one-third rule" on bookshelves: ⅓ books, ⅓ decorative objects, and ⅓ empty space.

• Layer Intentionally: Play with depth by placing smaller pieces in front of larger ones, mixing heights, and using color-blocking to guide the eye.

The Takeaway

Your home might feel cluttered not because of dirt, but because of how objects interact with your space and brain. By simplifying visual clutter, optimizing layout, and creating intentional negative space, you can transform your home from clean but chaotic to peaceful and inviting.

Which of these strategies do you already use? Hit reply and let us know!

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We’re dying to know…

We give product ideas in this newsletter for decluttering (e.g. catch-all trays and baskets), but because we’re conscious about promoting consumerism, we intentionally didn’t include product recommendations. But would product recs be helpful going forward?