The Biggest Reasons Why You Keep Clutter at Home (And How to Part With it For Good)

Like most people, there’s a good chance you will wake up one day to find that your living space is cluttered, but even when you’re trying your best, you simply can’t bring yourself to open certain boxes or get rid of certain items for good.

Believe it or not, things can still be considered clutter even though they are properly arranged, and you don’t want to throw them away for one reason or another. 

But the good news is that there’s a way to deal with it. These are the biggest reasons why you keep clutter in your home – and what you can do to maximize your space:

1. You like free stuff

Who doesn’t? The main appeal of having stuff is the feeling that you spent less – or in some cases, nothing at all – for something that is, or could be, valuable. When the items you purchased this way start piling up at home, they become “bargain clutter”.

To get rid of bargain clutter, ask yourself if you would buy these items even if they weren’t at a discount or free. If not, let it go.

2. You keep it around “just in case” you need it

The concept of “being prepared” is quite common, and for many people, stocking up on varying household items in bulk can save a lot of trouble later on – that is, if they are actually used when the situation calls for it.

But there is a fine line between stocking up for emergencies and plain, simple over-abundance.

The rule of thumb to getting rid of over-abundance is that if you haven’t used it in over three months or don’t plan to use it within the next three months, you should get rid of it. If you will use it only for a short time and never again, try renting it instead.

More importantly, buy only the things that you need, and avoid perishable items unless you plan on using or consuming them before they expire.

3. Your clutter has sentimental value

All kinds of items can be keepsakes and hold sentimental value to different people, especially in the case of heirlooms. However, as much as these items hold value, they can also easily add clutter at home.

How do you know if it’s sentimental clutter? Keep these in mind the next time you come across them when you’re trying to clean your room or your home:

  • Is it related to an important event?
  • Is it related to a person (i.e. someone famous or someone close to you, such as a friend or a family member)?

The good news is that if something holds value to you or if it’s too important, there’s no need to throw it away, but instead, you should store it properly in a dedicated storage container to keep it in good condition.

(Disclaimer: this list is compiled in no particular order.)

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