How To Fix 7 Bad Habits That Keep Your Home A Cluttered Mess

A messy cluttered house is usually the result of everyday habits and (in)decisions that build up over time. In this post, we’ll discuss 7 bad habits that keep your home a cluttered mess. Along with that, we’ll cover practical methods, declutter tips, and ideas to improve your clutter control habits and help you find decluttering inspiration. 

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7 Bad Habits Keeping Your Home a Cluttered Mess

I have struggled with all of these habits myself, and honestly still do sometimes. During the years since I finally ‘flipped the switch’ and started clearing the clutter, I’ve learned firsthand that intentional habit adjustments, paired with solid clutter solutions, can make a noticeable difference. I hope these ideas help you get unstuck to get rid of stuff and tackle your own clutter habits…

1. You Have Automatic Delivery Subscriptions

Automatic delivery subscriptions, such as Amazon Subscribe & Save, magazines, children’s toys, pet items, clothing – or any of the multitide of things we can now have automatically sent to our house on a recurring schedule – can SEEM convenient. They may even feel necessary to our busy lives. 

The problem is, over time, these subscriptions can lead to a steady stream of products and packaging that add to clutter without you even realizing it.

Helpful Tips and Solutions:

• Review your subscriptions regularly and cancel those that no longer serve a purpose. For example, that Stitch Fix box you’ve been getting every month for years where you send most of the items back and then almost never wear the things you do keep… you’re not going to miss out on anything if you cancel it.
• Adjust delivery schedules to reduce the frequency of items arriving at your door.
• Consolidate subscriptions where possible or opt for digital versions to save physical space.

Taking control of automatic deliveries has helped me maintain a clearer home environment by reducing the number of unnecessary items on my doorstep. Fewer boxes, less packaging to deal with, and less to store in my small home – it all makes a difference.

2. You Choose ‘Later’ Over Now

Getting into the regular habit of saying ‘I’ll do it later’ means that little tasks accumulate until the house is a mess.

I get it… you’re tired after a long day, and picking up the house seems like an overwhelming effort when all you can think about is resting. I mean, after all, it’s not really a big deal to leave a couple of things out until tomorrow or until the weekend, right? 

I hear what you’re saying and understand how you’re feeling. And honestly, there are some days when rest really needs to be the main priority. However, even though minor clutter may seem insignificant, when left unattended, it soon grows into a larger problem. A growing stack of clutter can quickly overwhelm your space and make it difficult to find what you need.

Helpful Tips and Solutions:

• Set a timer for a brief, focused tidying session right after meals or at the end of the day. This practice is an example of easy house cleaning that prevents build-up from catching you unaware.
• Break tasks into manageable actions; for example, clear one counter or one shelf at a time. This is part of my slow declutter method, which helps you clear the clutter without a huge time commitment or making a mess.
• Use a simple checklist to track daily tasks that you commit to completing immediately, which is part of getting organized at home. Try this printable daily/weekly checklist.
• Create a dedicated spot for all incoming papers, such as a specific file holder. Sort papers daily by separating items that require action from those that can be put away or discarded.
• Return items to their designated spot immediately after use. I know, I know… easier said than done. But we ARE talking about habits here… and this one really helps!
• Keep a small basket in common areas to collect items that need to be returned to other places.

Related post: 4 Fast + Simple Habits to Keep a Clean and Tidy Home

3. You’re Always Starting New Projects

But… you rarely finish them. Or… you just buy the things for the projects and never even begin working on most of them. (Been there, done that, still happens sometimes because nobody’s perfect.)

Call it being multi-passionate, or a serial hobbyist, or a DIYer. Whatever term you use, the reality is that having too many projects going simultaneously often results in half-finished tasks and leftover materials that add to the clutter. 

When projects remain incomplete, the tools and supplies linger long after your enthusiasm has faded. Keeping all of those items can make you feel soooo guilty, along with making your space feel crowded and chaotic.

Helpful Tips and Solutions:

• Focus on finishing one project at a time and set realistic, clear steps to complete each one. I like to use my One Focus Method to do this.
• Limit your project list by prioritizing tasks that promise the most improvement for your space, yourself, or your family.
• Create a rule: If you haven’t used the items in a year that you purchased for a specific project or hobby, it may be time to donate them.
• From now on, don’t purchase supplies for a project until you’re actually ready to begin it!

My own experience has taught me that focusing on completing one project at a time not only leads to better results but also keeps extra clutter from accumulating.

4. You’re Obsessed With Organizing

Wait… isn’t organizing a GOOD habit?! 

Well, here’s the thing that many of us don’t want to admit… we canNOT organize our way out of a problem with keeping too much clutter. Continually buying more bins, more Ikea ‘storage solutions,’ more pretty clear pantry organizers… that simply doesn’t work when deep down you’re buying because you just want to keep all.the.things. 

If you’re convinced that your home will function better if you simply contain all the stuff in the ‘right’ containers, you will never be truly free of clutter.

Helpful Tips and Solutions:

• Before purchasing any new storage solutions, take time to purge unused or unnecessary items. This ensures that your space isn’t just filled with more things that need organizing.
• Give yourself a 30-day waiting period before buying a new organizer. This pause helps you decide if the item is truly needed or just an impulse purchase.
• Try rearranging and maximizing your current storage options instead of buying more. Often, a simple reorganization can make a big difference.
• Choose organizing tools based on their practicality rather than their aesthetic appeal. Focusing on function ensures that every item you add genuinely helps streamline your space.

Related post: 6 Signs You Might Be An Organized Hoarder {And What To Do About It} 

5. You Don’t Make Decisions

There are actually a couple of problems going on here, and if you have clutter, then they likely both apply to your situation: 

1. You can’t decide whether or not to keep an item.
2. You don’t know where to keep your things.

Indecision about the usefulness or value of the things we have often leads to keeping more than necessary. When you hesitate, you will always find yourself stuck with a backlog of belongings, leading to a messy house filled with things that no longer serve a purpose.

Alongside that, without a designated place for each object, items naturally spread throughout your home. 

When we only keep the things we actually need AND every object has its own home, maintaining order becomes much easier. But that requires making decisions!

Helpful Tips and Solutions:

• Set a strict time limit for deciding the fate of items that no longer have an obvious use.
• Ask yourself if the item improves your daily life or if it is simply taking up space. 
• Consider creating a ‘maybe’ box (just one!) with a clear expiration date, after which items are reviewed and likely removed – or the box goes without even looking inside.
• Designate specific zones for common items in each room (for example, a shelf for books or a bowl for keys).
• Use labels on boxes, drawers, or shelves to reinforce where items belong.
• Routinely return items to their assigned spots as part of your daily routine.

I have learned that making decisions quickly – even if they’re not perfect – can help reduce clutter, clear the way for a more organized space, and help me practice taking action. Making timely decisions is an effective way to break bad habits and is a critical component of your overall clutter control strategy.

Related post: Top 5 Questions To Ask When Decluttering For Making Clear Decisions

6. You Have a Shopping or Thrifting Habit

Frequent deal shopping or thrifting – even with the best money-saving intentions – can lead to accumulating items that you never use, creating additional clutter. Whether online or in stores, impulse purchases and ‘great finds’ that never find a proper use can add up quickly.

The thrill of the hunt can easily become an addiction, and breaking the habit can be really hard. My husband and I used to stop at every thrift store and garage sale we saw in hopes of scoring things we ‘needed’ at bargain prices. 

Trust me, we spent far more money on things nobody needs than we would have if we had purchased the necessary things at full price. Eventually, we ended up donating most of the stuff we bought when we couldn’t stand the cluttered mess in our house any longer.

Helpful Tips and Solutions:

• Make a list before you shop and stick to it to avoid impulsive buys.
• Regularly review your recent purchases and ask yourself whether or not you would buy that item again if you were shopping today.
• Set a monthly limit on new acquisitions – or maybe even try a no-shopping month or year – to help control the influx of items.

Skip the shopping, the spending, and all of the eventual decluttering – life will be a LOT easier.

7. You’ve Fallen Into a Victim Mentality

This one is sneaky, because it usually starts with a kernel of truth – we’re short on time, money is tight, there are several people living in the house who may not even notice clutter. 

Over time, we start telling ourselves stories to justify the clutter. And those stories feel so true that they turn into excuses. And those excuses become habitual thinking that becomes a bad habit.

We think there’s just not enough time to deal with the clutter. We’re busy all.the.time. This is exactly how I used to feel, and why a slow declutter works so well!

We think we have to keep all.the.things because we’ll never have enough money to replace something if it breaks. I absolutely know this feeling, and I wrote an entire post about decluttering even when you’re on a tight budget.

We think decluttering is pointless because our partner or children will just mess everything up again. While that could be true, there are also some strategies you can use when others refuse to declutter.

This habit of telling ourselves stories and never taking action to make changes is probably the most human – and most difficult – habit to change out of everything on this list. But it is possible, and you can start by trying some of these suggestions to develop a decluttering mindset.

You Can Achieve a Clutter-Free Home

Addressing these bad habits that keep your home a cluttered mess is taking positive action that puts you in charge of your space. By understanding the role your daily routines and thoughts play in creating clutter, you can take practical steps to regain order in your home.

Final Helpful Tips and Solutions:

• Start by selecting one habit to work on and apply one or two tips from that section.
• Gradually incorporate more strategies as you see improvements in your space, turning decluttering ideas into daily habits.
• Track your progress and adjust your routines as needed.

Every step you take – from sorting paperwork promptly to assigning a home for each item or tackling a full declutter challenge – moves you closer to a space that is orderly and manageable. Keep in mind that this journey is ongoing, and each intentional decision makes a real difference in creating a clutter-free home.

More Decluttering and Organizing Inspiration

How I Decluttered My Home: Decluttered Home Inspiration And Tips From A Borderline Hoarder 

How To Organize Without Buying Anything: A 3-Step Framework For Any Space

How To Declutter In Layers: An Easy Decluttering Method To Tackle The Mess

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