6 Organizing Icks a Professional Declutterer Can't Stand

As a professional organizer, I’ll be the first one to tell you that there is no one “right” way to get organized. After all, everyone has their own unique space, items, routines, and habits. However, there are quite a few things you might be doing that can make it harder to keep your home tidy, and they’re often common mistakes. As you continue to read and learn what they are, you’ll likely find that you’ve made some yourself.

The good news is that these organizing “icks” are easy to avoid once you’re aware of them. The even better news is that you don’t need to hire an expert to help you, because I'm spilling all my secrets. Once you recognize the patterns, the solutions are surprisingly simple and often require a minor mindset shift. These are the organizing mistakes to avoid so you can stop sabotaging your efforts and finally achieve the tidy home you’ve always desired.

1. Buying Bins Before You Declutter

It's easy to feel tempted to rush out and purchase a ton of cute containers to motivate yourself to get organized. However, without knowing what you plan to store and where those items will go, these bins may end up unused, misused, or—gasp!—clutter themselves. A much more effective approach is to start by getting rid of items you no longer need, then sort what remains. Then, it’s OK to pick out the correct containers that fit the things you keep.

2. Focusing on Aesthetics Over Function

Matching bins, rainbow-coded bookshelves, and fancy labels might garner a lot of attention on your Instagram posts, but they won’t do you any good in real life if they don’t work for your daily routine. Don’t get me wrong, I love an aesthetic organization system, but style should always follow function. Instead of aiming for Pinterest perfection, focus first on storing things to be accessible and tailored to your lifestyle. Then you have permission to make it pretty! And don't hesitate to mix and match your storage solutions or repurpose items from around the house. In other words, there’s no need to feel pressured to make your space appear “perfect.”

3. Over-Organizing Everything

Speaking of perfection, yes, there is such a thing as being too organized. It’s one of the biggest traps people fall into, myself included. Color-coded file folders for every minor category, very specific labels in the pantry, or an intricate folding technique might seem smart. However, these overly complex systems rarely stand the test of time because they require too much effort to maintain. When a system is overly complicated, it’s more likely to be abandoned, leaving you feeling even more disorganized. When in doubt, shoot for simplicity. Group items broadly, try reusable labels so you can swap them as needed, and streamline your systems to keep your space clutter-free in the long run.

4. Hoarding ‘Just in Case’ Items

We're all guilty of holding onto things you might need again ‘someday’ or 'just in case.' While it’s possible they can come in handy down the line, the reality is that they often linger for years (decades, even!) and are one of the main reasons your home feels cluttered. Old chargers and cords, novelty kitchen appliances, and clothes that are no longer your style take up precious space you need for the stuff you use daily. If you’re really serious about getting organized, it’s time to let go of the items that haven’t seen the light of day in a very long time.

5. Giving in to Overconsumption

Even if you’re fairly comfortable with getting rid of things, your home will still feel like a hot mess if you’re in the habit of constantly shopping and bringing more in. Overconsumption leads to a constant influx of clutter that even the best organizing systems struggle to manage. Ironically, this can lead to more buying since it’s harder to see what you own. It’s much better to be intentional about what you bring into your home. Before making any purchase, take a moment to ask yourself the following questions:

• Do I need this?
• Will I use (or wear) this?
• Do I have space for this?

Thankfully, unconsumption is a popular trend on social media these days, so you can find plenty of motivation there if you need it.

6. Refusing to go Paperless

In today’s digital age, there’s really no reason to be bogged down by paper piles. From banking to filing insurance claims, almost everything can be done online and safely (as long as you have the proper measures in place, such as using a secure WiFi network). More and more retailers offer digital receipts, and you can use digital coupons when shopping, whether via email or an app. I

f you’re sick at the sight of paper clutter, it’s time to get ruthless; Remove yourself from junk mail lists (visit the FTC’s website for assistance), opt to go paperless whenever possible, and scan the paper that comes across your desk before shredding it. Of course, there will always be important documents that you need original copies of, and these should be kept secure or, at the very least, organized.