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7 Things That Make Your House Look Cluttered

clean and tidy modern home with no clutter

Have you ever asked yourself, why does my house always look messy? It may be because you're drowning in clutter without even realizing it. Clutter can slowly accumulate over the years, turning a clean, beautiful house with good curb appeal into a chaotic maze and deteriorating the home's condition. Read on to discover the top seven things that make your house look cluttered, where clutter is typically found, and the effects of clutter on your mental and emotional well-being.

7 Items That Make Your House Look Cluttered (And How to Fix It)

What makes a house look cluttered? Everything! There are many messy items and knick-knacks, but these are the most common things that contribute

1. Toys

Blocks, dolls, miniature cars, and train sets can quickly turn a neat living space into an in-house minefield. To control the chaos, place a bin at a far corner of the living room or store toys in a closet or console table. Although it takes practice and patience, teaching young children to put their toys away is possible. Make it part of the routine—after play, we put our things away. Preschool clean-up songs like this one from "Barney" can help make tidying up fun for tiny tots.

2. Clothing

If you find socks under the coffee table, in the couch cushions, or in the entryway, you're not alone. Socks, jackets, sweaters, and scarves are usually left in places where they don't belong. Consider placing a sock container in a discreet location at the house's entryway to keep them from ending up in random places. And encourage family members and visitors to hang jackets and cold-weather accessories in a closet or coat rack. The more people comply, the cleaner your space becomes.

RELATED: Our Ultimate Cleaning Checklist!

3. Shoes 

Many households impose a no-shoes-inside rule. Whether passed down from generation to generation or intended to keep floors fresh, the socks-only rule can make a house feel like home. The downside? The stockpile of shoes remains at the home's entrance. With footwear of all shapes, colors, and styles being the first thing you see when you walk through the door, a sense of cleanliness and calm is far from anyone's mind. Provide shelving or shoe cubbies at the front door, so everyone can stow their shoes accordingly and provide a clear pathway to enter the house.

brown men's shoes left at front door

4. Paperwork

Bills, homework, and mail may be meant for workspaces and school desks, but they often end up on kitchen countertops, dining tables, coffee tables, entry tables, and any other flat surface around the home. Place a wire inbox in a convenient location, such as a kitchen table, where everyone can drop off their paperwork. Then, make it a habit to sift through it each day, prioritize what needs immediate attention, and discard or store the forms that don't require action.

LEARN MORE: "Decluttering Tips for Back to School"

5. Furniture

Too much furniture can crowd a home rather than make it a cozy retreat. It's important to find the right balance to keep a living space, dining area, or bedroom from becoming overwhelmed by furniture. To do this, measure out the furniture you intend to place in a room and use painter's tape to outline each piece of furniture in the area. That way, you can better determine whether you have enough space for people to move around comfortably.

6. Wires and Cords

Whether they're used to power a television, cable box, gaming console, or some other tech device, wires and cords are a necessary part of life. To keep these things in order, consider locking cords together using zip ties or cable shields. This prevents them from becoming a trip hazard and secures them out of sight.

messy cables and cords plugged into power strip

7. Trash

It may not be intentional, but people often leave trash around the home, especially if they have young children. Food wrappers, cereal, tissues, and other garbage intended for the waste bin might be forgotten on the sofa, on the dining table, or by the sink. Place trash and recycling bins where people can easily find them, so kids become more adept at disposing of their trash and adults remember to pick up after themselves.

RELATED: "13 Things You Should Never Put Down the Garbage Disposal"

Where Clutter Lives

You can find clutter in various spaces throughout the house. Most commonly, you'll find mess:

  • Near Workspaces. Piles of paperwork, cables, and cords for electronics, and other desk items can make a workspace more cluttered, reducing productivity and disrupting your focus.
  • On Walls. Whether it's hooks filled with coats and bags or a plethora of framed pictures and artwork, walls are subject to overcrowding, too. This reduces the ambiance of a room and offsets its interior design.
  • On Kitchen Counters. Unopened mail, homework, toys, craft supplies, and miscellaneous items often land on kitchen counters because they're accessible. With so much unnecessary stuff, prepping and cooking become more of a chore and less of an enjoyable experience.
  • At the Door. Shoes, jackets, and sporting equipment are often left at the door, making it impossible to walk into the house and through the entrance. It's not only a safety risk, but also a fire hazard.

Effects of Living in an Untidy House

An untidy house can do more harm than you might think. In fact, a study in the Journal of Environmental Psychology found that home clutter negatively affected life satisfaction and mental well-being. Here are some of the biggest effects of an untidy home:

  • Stress. Clutter can cause your cortisol, a stress hormone, to rise, putting you in a constant fight-or-flight state.
  • Restlessness. A home that's cluttered can cause restlessness and an inability to focus. This can lead to procrastination and mental fatigue.
  • Emotional damage. Clutter can trigger anxiety and depression, damaging sleep and compromising your emotional safety net.

If the clutter is overwhelming, hire a junk removal company to help. They can take big-effort jobs off your hands and assist in making your home the enjoyable space it's meant to be.

clean and tidy kitchen sink

Clearing Clutter: A Minute-by-Minute Guide

With a little time, you can clear away everything that makes your house look cluttered. Whether you have just 15 minutes to spare or an hour, Life in Jeneral founder and professional organizer, Jen Robin, shares how to clear clutter in your home in this Minute-by-Minute Guide. Read it now to get started, breathe easier, and simplify your life.