The first time you move into a new home, everything feels perfect. All your knick-knacks have fallen into place, and there's no clutter in sight. However, this, more often than not, changes quite rapidly. Since we live in a very consumeristic world, we tend to purchase endless supplies of unnecessary items (or even necessary ones that just aren't pleasant to look at). In the spirit of both discovering things that make your home look cluttered and trying to solve the problem, we've made a list that is hopefully eye-opening.
Don't strive toward perfection
Before you actually dive into our list of things that make your home look cluttered, there's one thing we should get out of the way. No matter how tidy and perfect you want your home to look, you'll never reach your goal all the way. It's impossible to sustain. Especially if you have younger children, there'll always be some stuff lying around your floor or hiding behind the sofa; it's the law of nature. Do your best but then just relax and remind yourself that there are far more important things you should give your energy to.
Open shelves and full countertops
Although open shelving has become more and more popular over the years, it's not always such a great idea. If you're someone who doesn't own too many dishes and glasses and loves to color coordinate these items, more power to you. However, if you live in the land of us mere mortals, you might want to skip this trend. It's simply not worth it. Nevertheless, if you've already remodeled your kitchen and opened it up, there's still hope. People usually solve this problem by placing the excess items into a storage unit. Although a fine approach, you don't have to get rid of your items altogether. All you really need to do is get some cabinet doors and close everything up. It'll make all the difference and your place will look much more put together.
Too many decorations
Decorating your home gives it character and warmth. However, overdoing it can have a negative effect. Make sure to shop for decorative pieces mindfully. Always keep the big picture in mind of what you want your home to look like once you're all done. This way, you won't buy items that don't fit and don't serve a specific purpose.
Memorabilia
Even though we all love to display photos of our loved ones in our favorite rooms, memorabilia can really make a house feel cluttered and cramped. If you don't want to avoid it altogether, make sure to do it tastefully. White frames that aren't too flashy and shiny make for a really lovely and subtle effect.
Visible cords and cables
If there's one thing that we could all agree on, it's our mutual hatred of cords and cables. No matter how you tangle and untangle them, they always look messy and sloppy. Luckily, there are ways to deal with cables and cords with ease and organize them so that you never have to see them again. You can hook them to the back of your furniture or walls if they aren't visible. However, the best way to do this is to purchase white seamless tubing. This way, you can stretch them wherever you like, and they'll be invisible.
Things that don't have a place
If you're not too big on organizing your home, chances are that you'll have some loose ends lying all around it. Of course, the best thing you could do is dedicate a spot to every item you purchase as soon as you buy it. On the other hand, this isn't the most realistic thing for everyone. An excellent solution for those that don't want to bother finding a particular spot for everything is to set aside a box or a drawer that'll simply be for all sorts of things.
An untidy hallway
One of the first things people see when they walk into your home is your hallway. Regardless of how the rest of your space looks, your hallway is the thing people will remember the most. Make sure that it's organized and tidy.
Fridge magnets
Even though most people love displaying magnets that show where they've been and remind them of dear memories, they can be unnecessarily imposing. The first thing you should remove when decluttering your home is these little things. If you still want to display them somehow, you can do so in a place that is less visible than your refrigerator.
Too many throw pillows and blankets
Throw pillows and blankets are usually really pretty and give off a luxurious feel. However, they can also be overly eye-catching. Be careful not to overdo this display since it can make your space seem cluttered and smaller than it is.
Are you planning to relocate?
The best time to get control over the things that make your home look cluttered and remove them from your space is during relocation. You'll get a fresh start and be able to completely reinvent your house. According to moving experts from Simplify Valet Storage & Moving, people usually place their items in storage so that they have enough time to plan and organize their future space.
Finding balance with the things that make your home look cluttered is key
No matter how much you want to avoid the items that make your home look cluttered, you still need to have some details to make it look homey and cozy. You should aim to add a personal touch to your place but not overcrowd it. If you're not too sure how to do it yourself, you could look for inspiration online or find a professional interior designer that'll do it for you.
Keep your home clean
It really won't matter if you find a suitable place for every single knick-knack that you own if your home is untidy and not properly cleaned. Leaving dirty dishes around after you've used them or having dirty carpets is something that will negate all the effort that you've put into your house. Once you've removed and dealt with all the things that make your home look cluttered, make sure to maintain it to the best of your abilities.
