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We try to live counterculturally in our home, but we’re not blind to the fact that in many ways, we’re still very much a normal American family. And that means clutter finds its way in, no matter how intentional we try to be. With four kids, a steady flow of mail, and the never-ending cycle of daily life, our home is always at risk of becoming overrun with stuff. We’re constantly devising plans of attack to keep the mess at bay—some work, some don’t, and some need regular tweaking.
But over the years, we’ve learned that the key isn’t just doing a big declutter every once in a while. It’s about building simple, daily habits that prevent clutter from taking over in the first place.
It helps to start by knowing exactly where your clutter is coming from. For most of us, it’s not random—it’s the same categories of stuff over and over again. When you understand the biggest sources of clutter in your home, you can create a plan to tackle them in a way that actually lasts. Below are the eight most common culprits I see in our own home and in others. If you can get these under control, you’ll be well on your way to a tidier, more peaceful space.
1. Unused kitchen gadgets and appliances
Most kitchens are filled with tools that promised to make life easier but ended up collecting dust instead. Think about that waffle maker, ice cream machine, or air fryer you swore you’d use all the time. While these gadgets can be useful, they take up valuable cabinet and counter space, making your kitchen feel crowded. The reality is, most of us tend to stick to a handful of favorite tools for daily cooking, while the rest just sit there unused.
The fix: Do a thorough kitchen audit and be honest with yourself—when was the last time you used that popcorn maker? If it’s been over a year, consider donating or selling it. For appliances you only use on rare occasions, store them in a less accessible spot to free up space for everyday essentials. And before buying anything new, ask yourself if it truly adds value to your cooking routine.
2. Clothes you never wear
Most people only wear about 20% of their wardrobe regularly, yet closets are packed with items that no longer fit, are out of style, or were bought on a whim and never worn. We hold onto clothing for many reasons—sentimentality, guilt over spending money, or the hope that it might come in handy someday. But the truth is, an overstuffed closet makes it harder to find and appreciate the clothes you actually love.
The fix: Try the hanger trick—turn all your hangers backward at the start of a season. When you wear something, turn the hanger the right way. After six months, donate anything still on a backward hanger. Another method is to create a capsule wardrobe with a smaller, more intentional selection of clothing that you truly enjoy wearing.
3. Paper clutter from mail and documents
Even in the digital age, paper piles up fast. Junk mail, bills, bank statements, receipts, school papers, warranties—before you know it, every surface is covered. The problem? Paper clutter is sneaky. Unlike other types of clutter, it doesn’t take up much space at first, so it tends to get ignored. But once it builds up, it becomes overwhelming and difficult to sort through.
The fix: Set up a paper command center in your home—a designated spot where all incoming mail and documents go. Immediately sort papers into categories like “to pay,” “to file,” or “to toss.” Opt for paperless billing when possible, and scan important documents instead of keeping hard copies. Make a habit of shredding junk mail as soon as it arrives to prevent it from accumulating.
4. Sentimental items you can’t let go of
Holding onto sentimental items is natural—we associate them with memories, people, and important life moments. But when your home is filled with old birthday cards, childhood toys, inherited furniture, and boxes of memorabilia, it can become overwhelming. While these items may hold emotional value, keeping too many of them can create unnecessary clutter and make it harder to appreciate the ones that truly matter.
The fix: Keep only the most meaningful items. Instead of saving every drawing your child made, choose a few favorites and store them in a special box. Take photos of bulky or fragile sentimental items so you can keep the memory without the physical clutter. Set a limit—one memory box per person, for example—and stick to it. Letting go of sentimental clutter doesn’t mean forgetting the memories; it just means making space for new ones.
5. Expired beauty and personal care products
Bathrooms are notorious for clutter. Half-used bottles of shampoo, old makeup, expired skincare products, and travel-sized toiletries seem to multiply over time. Many of these items get pushed to the back of drawers and cabinets, where they’re forgotten until they spill over into an unmanageable mess. Expired products can also be harmful—makeup and skincare lose effectiveness over time and can even cause skin irritation or infections.
The fix: Do a bathroom purge every few months. Check expiration dates and toss anything that’s past its prime. If you have multiple half-used bottles of the same product, consolidate them. Consider switching to a minimalist approach—stick to a few high-quality products you actually use instead of collecting dozens of options. And if you receive beauty samples or gifts that you won’t use, pass them on to friends or donate them to a local shelter.
6. Hobbies and craft supplies you never use
Many of us start hobbies with enthusiasm—painting, knitting, woodworking, scrapbooking—but not all of them stick. Over time, our interests change, but the supplies remain. Craft rooms, closets, and basements are often packed with unfinished projects, excess materials, and tools that haven’t been touched in years. The result? Clutter that takes up space and adds a sense of guilt over abandoned projects.
The fix: Be honest with yourself. If you haven’t worked on a hobby in over a year, it might be time to let it go. Donate supplies to schools, libraries, or community centers where they can be put to good use. If you’re determined to keep a hobby, create a dedicated space for it and set a realistic goal for finishing projects before starting new ones. Limiting yourself to one or two hobbies at a time can also prevent clutter from getting out of hand.
7. Kids’ toys and gear
If you have kids, you know how quickly toys, books, and baby gear can take over your home. Between gifts, hand-me-downs, and impulse purchases, it’s easy to accumulate more than your children actually use. The problem is, too many toys can be overwhelming for kids, making it harder for them to engage in meaningful play. Plus, keeping everything organized becomes a constant battle for parents.
The fix: Implement a toy rotation system—store some toys away and swap them out every few months. This keeps things fresh for your kids without overwhelming your space. Regularly go through toys with your child and encourage them to donate ones they no longer play with. When buying new toys, prioritize high-quality, multi-use items that will last longer and provide more value. And remember, experiences often make better gifts than more stuff.
8. “Just in case” items
We all have things we hold onto “just in case.” Extra cords, old phone chargers, duplicate kitchen tools, random household items—these objects pile up because we convince ourselves they might be useful someday. While keeping a few backup essentials is smart, holding onto too many “what if” items leads to clutter that rarely, if ever, gets used.
The fix: Ask yourself: Have I used this in the past year? If the answer is no, let it go. For those items you’re hesitant to part with, try the “just in case” box method—pack them away and set a reminder to check in six months. If you haven’t needed anything from the box by then, you probably never will. Keep in mind that most things are easy to replace or borrow if truly needed in the future.
By recognizing these common clutter sources, you can take small but effective steps toward a tidier, more peaceful home.
