Unexpected Things That Are Creating Clutter in Your Home

You probably know that piles of mail and overflowing junk drawers are clutter, but some of the biggest clutter culprits are things you may not think twice about keeping. If your home still feels crowded after you’ve tackled the obvious messes, take another look at the everyday things you’re storing. Getting rid of what you don’t actually use can free up more space than you might expect.

Key takeaways

• Clutter isn’t always junk. Useful items can become clutter when you own more than you need or use.
• Seasonal throw pillows can take up a surprising amount of storage space when you’re not using them.
• Keep books you love or plan to read, and consider passing along books that have been gathering dust for years.
• Pare down mugs, stemware, and other kitchen items based on what you actually use.
• Sell or give away workout equipment you don’t use.
• A couple of versatile special-occasion outfits may be enough if you rarely attend formal events.
• Recycle old instruction manuals you no longer need if you can access the information elsewhere.
• Match food storage containers, pots, and pans with their lids, and toss unmatched lids.
• Donate excess coats, jackets, hats, and scarves that are still in good condition.
• Challenge yourself to use food already in your refrigerator, freezer, and pantry before buying more.
• Recipe apps that search by ingredients can help you turn forgotten food into meals instead of letting it go to waste.

Seasonal throw pillows

If part of your holiday decor is themed throw pillows, reconsider. They take up substantial space when you’re storing them. And if you’re buying new ones for every holiday, that stash can get quickly out of control.

Books

This one is going to make a bunch of folks upset, but it needs to be said. If you have books in your house that you have no intention of reading, or thought you would read but they’ve been in your house forever gathering dust, they need to go. It hurts to get rid of books, but maybe you can give them to someone else who will actually read them.

Here are some tips for downsizing your book collection.

Too many mugs

Mugs are a fun thing to collect, no argument there. They come in all kinds of fun colors, shapes, and themes. But unless you have a legit love of collecting unusual mugs and a special shelf for them, you’re probably just keeping clutter around. Pick out your favorite mugs that you actually use and give away or donate the rest.

Stemware

Having stemware in your kitchen seems like a good grown-up thing to have, but if you only drink a glass of wine every now and then and never have friends over to drink, you don’t need a whole set of wine, margarita, and martini glasses. Figure out what you actually use and get rid of the rest.

Workout whatnots

Just about everyone collects various workout gear with the intention of getting into shape or completing a New Year’s resolution. More often than not, it ends up gathering dust and taking up room. Put your unused workout gear on Facebook Marketplace or another local marketplace, get it to a new home, and make a little cash. 

Special occasion outfits

People who rarely go to special occasions don’t need more than a couple of special outfits. Go through your closet and get rid of all but your favorite two outfits. Make sure these outfits fit well and are in good condition before you say goodbye to the rest, though.

Manuals

Instruction manuals can take up a whole drawer, and after the first read-through, you’ll probably never touch them again. Throw them in the recycling guilt-free. Most things have user manuals online if you ever need them again.

Lids

Anyone who’s been cooking for a few years has probably accumulated lids for food storage containers, pots, and pans that no longer have a mate. Go through all your lids, match them with their corresponding containers, and get rid of any loaners. 

Outerwear

How many coats, jackets, hats, and scarves do you need? Go through your collection of outerwear and gather up the ones that you really don’t wear or are just excessive. Donate them to a shelter where they will be appreciated.

Food

Your kitchen cabinets, freezer, and pantry are full of food, but you still buy more groceries. Start a month-long challenge of using what’s already in your kitchen. You may need to get creative, but in the end, you’ll probably have fun using up your stash. And you’ll save money on groceries. 

For a little help, apps can take whatever ingredients you have and suggest recipes. Some good apps are:

SuperCook: Enter the ingredients you already have, and SuperCook suggests recipes that use them. It’s especially handy for figuring out what to make without another grocery run.

Samsung Food: Keeps track of ingredients in your Food List and can recommend recipes based on what you have available. It also offers meal-planning and recipe-saving tools.

SideChef: Suggests recipes based on ingredients you have and lets you narrow results by dietary needs, cuisine, cooking time, and other preferences.

MyFridgeFood: Select the ingredients currently in your refrigerator or pantry, and it generates recipe ideas that use them. It’s designed specifically for using up food you already have.

Cookpad: A community-based recipe platform where you can search by ingredients to find recipes shared by home cooks.

BigOven: Offers a large recipe collection along with tools designed to help you find ideas for using leftover ingredients.

Plant Jammer: Helps turn ingredients you already have into meal ideas, with a particular focus on vegetables, improvisational cooking, and reducing food waste.

KitchenPal: Combines pantry management with recipe suggestions, helping you track what food you have and find meals that use those ingredients.

Cooklist: Tracks groceries and pantry items and recommends recipes based on the food you have available. It can also help with meal planning and grocery shopping.

RecipeRadar: Lets you search for recipes based on ingredients you have and exclude ingredients you don’t want to use.

Clutter FAQ

What are some things people don’t realize are clutter?

Clutter can include perfectly usable belongings you simply have too many of or rarely use. Extra mugs, stemware, books, seasonal decorations, workout equipment, outerwear, special-occasion clothing, and even excess food can take up valuable space.

How do you know if something is clutter?

Ask yourself whether you use it, need it, enjoy owning it, or have a specific reason for keeping it. If something has been sitting untouched for years and you wouldn’t miss it, it may be clutter in your home.

Can you have too many useful items?

Yes. You may use mugs, coats, food storage containers, or drinking glasses, but that doesn’t mean you need every one you own. Keep enough for your household and lifestyle rather than automatically keeping every usable item.

How do you declutter sentimental collections like mugs?

Start by separating true collectibles and favorites from ordinary pieces you rarely use. If you genuinely enjoy collecting mugs, give the collection a designated display or storage space. Otherwise, keep your favorites and donate or give away the extras.

What should you do with unused exercise equipment?

If the equipment is in good condition, consider selling it through a local marketplace or giving it to someone who will use it. Getting rid of abandoned workout equipment can free up a substantial amount of floor or storage space.

How can you reduce food clutter?

Before buying more groceries, check your refrigerator, freezer, and pantry. Plan meals around food you already have, use items nearing their expiration dates first, and avoid buying duplicates. Recipe apps that let you search by available ingredients can help you find ways to use what you have.

How do you keep everyday items from becoming clutter again?

Set reasonable limits based on how much you actually use and the storage space you have. Periodically check categories that tend to multiply, such as mugs, outerwear, food, books, and seasonal decor, and remove the extras before they start taking over.