Keeping a minimalist home is so beneficial to your mental health. Maybe you think you have decluttered enough, but sometimes we forget certain things. Here is a list of 15 things that make your house look cluttered.
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Even as a minimalist, I still find my home being cluttered from time to time. Sometimes, it’s not even that I have accumulated more things, but just how I have placed them.
If you live in a small space like me, then you know how fast your home can feel cluttered. Here are some things you may have or may be doing that are making your house look cluttered.
1. Appliances on Kitchen Counters
Depending on the size of your kitchen, one or two appliances might not make your countertops look cluttered. But anything more than that starts to feel very cluttered.
Keep your kitchen countertops as clear as possible makes your home seem cleaner and more organized. It also leaves more room for you to actually cook too! Nothing is more frustrating that not having any counter space when you are trying to cook up a good meal.
Find a place where you can store your appliances and only leave out one or two, the ones that you use the most. For me, that is my blender that I use daily. Everything else is stored away out of sight. If you are trying to live more minimally, you probably shouldn’t have a huge amount of kitchen appliances, especially ones that you rarely use.
2. Too Much Décor
Don’t get me wrong, I love décor. I love it when it’s done correctly, that is. I have noticed that when I walk into someone’s home and they have every wall and surface covered with décor it can feel messy and cluttered, even when their home is clean.
Going overboard with home décor can also look tacky, along with being overbearing. Try to not have too many clashing colors or mismatched themes/items when picking out home décor.
Pick a few statement décor pieces and sprinkle in a few smaller items and that’s it. There are no specific rules, but try to keep it minimal and cohesive if you are trying to avoid having your home look cluttered!
3. Too Many Colors
There is nothing wrong with liking colors and a colorful home. However, if you have to many colors that clash in your home, if makes it feel cluttered. This includes wall colors, décor, and furniture.
If you like having some color, try adding it with accents such as throw pillows. Keeping the colors you bring into your home minimal will open up your space and not so overwhelming.
4. Too Many Photos
Photos are such a great way to store up all the memories you create with your loved ones. They even look great on your walls and side tables when done properly. However, hanging a picture on every wall of your home or covering a table with photos gives off a very cluttered look.
Pick just a few photos that you really like and only place them in a few spots, not all over your house. You can always rotate your photos so that you can have different ones to look at. Most of your photos can be kept in a photo album that can be put away, that way you don’t have photos everywhere.
5. Mail/Documents on Table
Another thing that makes your house look cluttered is paper. Leaving mail, documents, or other forms of paperwork on your table looks very messy and unorgaized.
You can easily solve this problem by creating a filing system and having a place for mail and documents. You can get a cute mail organizer so your mail has a home. Create a habit of going through your mail right away, that way it doesn’t accumulate and you stay on top of it.
6. Fridge Magnets & Memos
Personally, I don’t like the look of fridge magnets and memos on my fridge. I think it looks messy, cluttered, and tacky. Having a clear fridge will make your kitchen space look much more neat, and it’s pretty easy to just get rid of them!
7. Laundry that Hasn’t Been Put Away
Look, I get it. Washing, folding, AND putting your laundry away all in one day can be challenge. However, if you already practice minimalism you probably don’t have a ton of clothes anyway, making the job easier. Leaving your laundry out makes your house look cluttered, there’s no way around it. Just take some time to finish it for a clean, neat looking home!
8. Filled Bookshelves
Bookshelves can make your place look classic, elegant, and cozy. However, bookshelves packed to the max with tons of random books and other stuff just looks unorganized. Declutter your bookshelves and organize it in a way that looks aesthetically pleasing for a more neat, minimal look.
9. Cords & Cables
We all have cords and cables that we need for all our gadgets, however, having a place to store them is key. When you have a home for these cords and cables, your home looks neat and tidy. Simply take the cord out for when you do need it and store it away once you are done using it. If you have cords and cables that are more permanent, such as for your tv, find a way to conceal it.
This will make your home look neat, minimal, and clutter free!
10. Bathroom Products on Counters
Just like appliances on kitchen counters, having products all over your bathroom counters makes your bathroom look extremely cluttered. The bathroom is already a dirty place as it is, so keeping it as clean and mess free is essential. Store your products away in your cabinets or in baskets. If you have too many, go through your products and declutter ones that you don’t use as much or are duplicates.
11. Magazines
I’ve talked about how magazine subscriptions can create a lot of clutter before, so if you have any magazines around you house, they are probably making it look cluttered. If you actually enjoy reading magazines, have a place to store them to avoid having them all over the place.
12. Clunky/Too Much Furniture
Have you ever been in someone’s home and the furniture just looks awkward? Maybe it’s too big or perhaps there is just too many pieces for the space. Too much furniture can easily make your home look cluttered. If you have the option, opt for less clunky furniture or less furniture overall.
13. Shoes on The Floor
Shoes on the floor looks messy. If you don’t have anywhere to store your shoes expect for the entrance of your house, consider getting a cute shoe rack or shoe basket to store them instead of on the floor. This is a great way to ensure that your shoes have a home and are not just on the floor all over the place!
14. Filled Dish Rack
Just like not putting away your clean laundry, leaving your clean dishes out on a dish rack for too long makes your kitchen look cluttered. Put them away once they dry or dry them with a towel to put them away faster. Your kitchen area will look neater and more pleasing to look at!
15. Too Many Throw Pillows
Not only do too many throw pillows make your couch or bed look cluttered, but I also find that it’s quite uncomfortable. I hate having to place several pillows on the floor just so I can have room to sit! Stick to just a couple throw pillows for a nice accent and no more than that!
If you are interested in more minimalism content, here are some more blog posts to check out!:
20 Things to Declutter When You Feel Overwhelmed
How to Practice Minimalism During the Holidays
How Minimalism Saves You Money
