If you’ve ever felt like your home is always a mess no matter how hard you try, you’re not alone. The truth is, most people are making the same organizing mistakes over and over again. But don’t worry! I used to be a total slob, and once I figured out these simple fixes, my home became so much easier to keep clean. Let’s dive into the top 10 mistakes that are keeping your home messy—and how to fix them for good!
1. Perfectionism Paralysis
Believe it or not, perfectionists often have the messiest homes. Why? Because they want to do everything perfectly, which leads to procrastination. If you’re waiting for the “right time” to organize or deep clean, you’re setting yourself up for failure.
The Fix: Give yourself permission to do things badly! Skip the unnecessary steps—shove your PJs into a drawer instead of folding them, or put dishes away even if they’re not 100% dry. The goal is progress, not perfection.
2. Band-Aid Solutions
Many people try to “fix” their clutter by adding more storage—small bookshelves, extra dressers, hooks everywhere. But these Band-Aid solutions don’t address the real problem: too much stuff!
The Fix: Instead of adding more storage, look at your space as a whole. If your entryway lacks a closet, don’t rely on coat hooks and shelves—get an affordable wardrobe unit that actually solves the issue.
3. Organizing Before Decluttering
You cannot organize clutter. If you try, you’ll just end up sorting things you don’t even need into neat little bins—only for it to get messy again.
The Fix: Before you even think about organizing, do a ruthless declutter. Ask yourself: Am I keeping this, or is it leaving? That’s the only decision you need to make at first. Once you’ve minimized, then you can start organizing what’s left.
4. All-or-Nothing Thinking
Ever say, “I’ll clean when I have time to do it right”? That mindset leads to a never-ending mess. Life is busy, and waiting for a free weekend to organize your whole house just isn’t realistic.
The Fix: Embrace the 5-minute rule. You may not have time to deep clean the kitchen, but you can unload the dishwasher. Small tasks add up and keep your home from spiraling out of control.
5. Buying Containers First
Raise your hand if you’ve ever bought cute baskets or storage bins before decluttering—only to realize they don’t actually fit your needs. 🙋♀️
The Fix: Do not buy containers until you’ve decluttered and decided where things will go. Otherwise, you’ll just be adding to the clutter.
6. Doing It All Alone
If you’re trying to manage the entire house by yourself, you’re going to burn out. Your family lives in the home, so they should help maintain it too!
The Fix: Delegate! Kids can unload the dishwasher before screen time, and a robot vacuum can handle daily floor cleaning. The less on your plate, the easier it is to keep things tidy.
7. Overcomplicating Organizing Systems
If your organizing system is too detailed—like 10 labeled folders for different kinds of bills—you’re setting yourself up for failure.
The Fix: Keep it simple. Use broad categories instead of micro-sorting. Instead of a dozen bins for crafting supplies, have one for “paper” and one for “tools.” The simpler the system, the more likely you’ll stick to it.
8. Skipping Daily Maintenance
If you’re not doing daily resets, your mess will pile up. Skipping the dishes today means you’ll have a mountain of them tomorrow.
The Fix: Set alarms or reminders for quick 5-minute tidy-ups throughout the day. This trains your brain to put things away automatically, so messes don’t spiral out of control. If you’re not sure where to start, you can download my FREE Weekly Tidy Routine here.
9. Not Having a Memory Bin
Sentimental clutter is one of the hardest things to deal with. If you don’t have a designated place for keepsakes, they’ll end up mixed in with everyday clutter, making it impossible to declutter.
The Fix: Get a memory bin. Having a special box for sentimental items will give you the confidence to let go of other things without guilt.
10. Not Labeling Storage
Even if you have a great organizing system, it won’t work if no one else in your household knows where things go.
The Fix: Labels! Labeling shelves, bins, and drawers makes it easy for everyone to put things back in the right spot—no more guessing or junk piles. If you need ready made labels, check out my complete label pack to create your own custom labels
Organizing your home doesn’t have to be overwhelming. By recognizing and fixing these common mistakes, you’ll create a space that’s easier to maintain and actually stays tidy.
WANT TO CHECK OUT MORE ORGANIZING TIPS? CLICK HERE
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