11 Decluttering Mistakes to Avoid
Decluttering can be a liberating experience, but many of us make mistakes that hinder our progress in the process. As a professional home organizer who works with clients of all ages, backgrounds, and income levels, I compiled this list of the most common decluttering mistakes I have witnessed to help simplify your decluttering journey.
Not Having a Clear Goal
Without a specific objective, jumping into decluttering can lead to chaos. Whether you’re clearing out a room or preparing for a move, it’s important to establish your goals beforehand in order to stay focused and motivated. I also recommend setting a timeframe and using timers. This will help motivate you and make the whole process more enjoyable.
Add a reward to look forward to afterward, and you’ll have the strength to power through your decluttering process like a pro.
2. Mistaking Organizing for Decluttering
Many people try to organize clutter instead of removing it. This approach leaves you with spaces where things you don’t need are neatly stored, yet you’re still overwhelmed. Prioritize decluttering before organizing your space. Plus, it’s much easier to organize when you have already paired down on items. It also saves you money on supplies.
3. Decluttering Without a Plan
Failing to create a systematic approach can result in feeling overwhelmed. Develop a strategy that includes categorizing items into piles of things to keep, donate, sell, or discard before you begin.
You can adapt these categories according to your situation — maybe you don’t want to resell anything or you need an additional category, such as Sentimental Stuff.
Pro tip: Consider what you can get for an item before deciding what to resell. Set a minimum price for yourself, say 15 euros, and if an item sells for less, then maybe there is no point in listing it. Sometimes it’s easier to donate an item or sell all the items together.
4. Holding Onto Too Many Sentimental Items
While it’s natural to cherish keepsakes, having too many of them can lead to clutter. Limit yourself to a few meaningful pieces, or consider digital alternatives. When it comes to sentimental belongings, it’s best to set limits.
For example, limit yourself to one box of memorabilia per person, whether child or adult. You can also display some items instead of storing them. For instance, you could include children’s artwork in a gallery wall display or make one quilt instead of storing numerous pieces of clothing that hold precious memories.
5. Hurrying Up the Decluttering Process
Rushing through the process can result in regret over discarded items. Take your time, and revisit items you are unsure about before making final decisions. It can help to put things you're unsure about in a Wait-and-See box. Write a date on the box and set a reminder to check it in 30 or 60 days. If the days fly by and you never reach into the box or even remember that it exists, you can donate the whole box without even looking through it.
6. Ignoring Maintenance Decluttering
It’s counterproductive to think that decluttering is a one-time task. It requires ongoing efforts. Schedule regular check-ins to reassess your belongings and prevent clutter from accumulating again. The easiest schedule is every three months, but you can modify it according to your schedule and life circumstances. For example, some people prefer to do a maintenance decluttering session before school starts — at the end of summer. Others do one immediately after school ends and plan the next one before Christmas. There is no wrong option — you decide the time. However, planning those maintenance sessions in advance is essential. The great advantage is that it will take much less time because you’ll already have the systems in place and be accustomed to the process.
7. Not Labeling While Setting Up the Space
The beauty of organizing is that you do the bulk of the work today and enjoy the benefits for years to come. To make that happen and avoid reinventing the wheel, labels should be used. Nothing fancy is needed; you don’t need to brush up on your calligraphy skills or design anything in Canva. Pick up a label maker on Amazon, or use a paper tape and a marker to label your zones and drawers. This will also have the added advantage of making your family an active part of your maintenance efforts. Labels make everything easier. It can even be fun for small children to sort a drawer by themselves with the help of labels.
8. Procrastinating
Delaying decluttering only adds to the clutter and stress. Set specific dates for decluttering sessions and stick to them for better results. If you need help, you can always ask, and we’ll schedule a session to help you take back control of your home. It happens to everyone — time gets away, and suddenly, it feels like the clutter is overtaking you and your surroundings. Some people can fight it by themselves and reclaim their space, while others need additional help. If you’re not sure who to ask, tuttOrganized* is your ever-understanding, judgment-free helper.
9. Bringing in More Items
Acquiring new items without letting go of old ones leads to recurring clutter problems. Be mindful of what you bring into your home, and avoid impulse purchases. A good idea is to implement the one-in, one-out rule. You can even make it one-in, two-out if you're minimalism-curious. I’m not a minimalist myself, and I always preface that you don’t need to be a minimalist to be organized. Whatever system works for you is a good system as long as you and your household members understand the rules.
Even after a successful decluttering session, you may find that you accumulate new clutter because you suddenly have space, and filling it only feels logical. To prevent this, consider removing your credit card information from your browser to make the path to purchase longer. Deleting the Amazon app from your phone is also a good idea ;P
Pro tip: I keep a running list of things I want or need to buy. Sometimes, I also leave items in my online shopping basket. Then, I wait. It can take a week or two, but 30 days works better. You'd be surprised how many things that I thought I desperately needed end up being deleted from the list and never bought.
Companies thrive on our unhappiness. They’re always finding ways to sell us things and propose solutions to problems that aren’t even real most of the time. Instagram also does a very good job with that, knowing exactly what we like the most. Taking time to think about a purchase now will save you time from having to declutter later. I’m astounded by the number of items I’ve found in my clients’ drawers and cupboards that were once emotional purchases and are never actually used. It’s easier to buy less today than to deal with useless items later.
10. Decluttering Without Emptying Spaces
This is difficult for most of my clients. No one wants to make a mess. Many people have taken everything out at some point, only to need to use the space again before they were actually done decluttering. While it can feel overwhelming, trying to declutter a space without fully emptying it will take longer and be less successful. When you empty the area completely, you’re faced with all your possessions. Nothing is forgotten, and this helps you make informed and daring choices throughout the process.
Pro tip: If taking everything out seems impossible, go through categories. For example, go through all the dishes and silverware, all the kitchen linens, and all the junk drawers. Don’t just do one drawer at a time. Most of us have similar items stored in up to three drawers and a couple of cupboards.
11. Focusing on Quantity Over Quality
Concentrating solely on how much you’re getting rid of can distract you from the value of what you choose to keep. Focus on keeping items that truly enhance your life and reflect your values. If you love a bowl but hate cleaning it, it’s a sign to declutter. The same goes for random packages that you ordered but never opened and forgot were even there. It’s important to distinguish between things that are truly useful and things that are generally considered useful but that have never served you.
I hope this checklist and my examples help you avoid some common mistakes. When done right, decluttering can be an enjoyable activity, and afterward, you’ll have an organized, serene living space.
Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you could use some decluttering help!
“I wholeheartedly recommend Tanja. Not only will your home feel refreshed, but you’ll also experience a shift within yourself. Your relationship with accumulation and organisation will fundamentally change — if you’re ready to embrace this beautiful leap in your life.”
