How To Make Your Kitchen Feel Less Cluttered

Dishes piled up in the sink, countertops covered in appliances and utensils, and random ingredients scattered on the shelves—does this sound like your kitchen?

It’s totally normal to have a messy kitchen, especially when life gets busy and cleaning takes a back seat. But a disorganized kitchen can make cooking and meal prep much more stressful than it needs to be. Not to mention, a cluttered kitchen can also make your house feel impossible to rest in.

So how do you tackle the clutter in your kitchen? Here are some tips!

Install Smart Storage Solutions

One of the main culprits of a cluttered kitchen is lack of storage space. People with small kitchens need to make smart cabinet choices to maximize their storage potential. Consider installing pull-out shelves or racks in your cabinets, as well as utilizing vertical space with hanging racks or shelving units.

Another great storage solution is using clear containers or bins for organizing pantry items and keeping them visible and easily accessible. This will save you from rummaging through a messy pantry every time you need an ingredient.

Declutter Your Countertops

Your toaster oven. Your blender. That strange contraption you bought on a whim and have never used. If these items are taking up prime real estate on your countertops, it might be time to evict them.

Clearing off your countertops can instantly make your kitchen feel more spacious and organized. Keep only essential appliances and tools on the counter, and find designated homes for everything else.

Get Rid of Excess Kitchen Utensils

Do you really need five different spatulas and three whisks? Probably not. Take an inventory of your kitchen utensils, then get rid of any duplicates or items you rarely use. Donate them or give them to a friend who may need them.

Having less cluttered drawers and utensil holders will make it easier to find what you need and keep everything organized.

Regularly Purge Your Pantry and Fridge

It’s easy for expired products and forgotten leftovers to accumulate in your pantry and fridge. Make it a habit to regularly go through these areas and toss out anything that’s expired or no longer needed. You don’t want moldy food taking up precious space in your kitchen.

Clean Up As You Go

One of the easiest ways to avoid a cluttered kitchen is to clean as you go. Rather than letting dishes stack up in the sink or leaving ingredients out, aim to wash and put everything away right after using them. This practice will prevent a buildup of clutter and make your post-cooking cleanup much easier.

Just because your kitchen is messy now doesn’t mean it has to be that way forever. By implementing these tips and making a conscious effort to keep your kitchen organized, you can create a more functional and less cluttered space for cooking and enjoying meals.

Realistic Tips to Create a Clutter-Free Home with a Growing Family

We partnered with a home improvement company for this post. The opinions in the post are honest. All reviews and opinions expressed in this post are based on our personal views. We are excited because we know you will love it.

The clutter problem has always been a thing in the US, with homeowners struggling to accommodate their stuff in limited spaces. Whether you own a one-room apartment or a huge mansion, you may deal with “too much” stuff. That’s probably because we find it hard to let go of things as a human tendency.

However, statistics are daunting because the problem seems to be worsening. According to the New York Post, half of Americans feel that they have an unsalvageable room in their homes. Nearly 34% of them feel cramped in their living spaces, most of them being apartment dwellers. A fifth of them aren’t happy with the space they have.

The concern can be even more daunting if you have a growing family. Imagine a cramped home with kids and pets scampering around. It can be total chaos, right? Thankfully, a few realistic strategies and consistent effort can help you address the clutter problem effectively.

Here are a few effective tips to maintain a space that’s clean and healthy for your growing clan. 

Establish Daily Cleaning Routines

A recent poll showed that the average American invested in home cleaning only once a week. Decluttering happens just thrice a year. People in Maine and Idaho spent 59 minutes per cleaning session, while New York residents completed a cleaning spree only in 45 minutes. That does not seem enough to achieve a neat space for a growing family. 

Consistency is the only way to combat clutter, so you must establish daily cleaning routines. You can make it doable by encouraging all family members to participate. For example, consider allocating age-specific duties and tidying up at specific times each day. Set aside 10-15 minutes each evening for everyone to put away their belongings. 

Also, make a rule for the kids to put away their toys and games in designated areas before bedtime. You can use a basket to collect stray items throughout the day to ease the clean-up process.

Create Designated Spaces for Everything

Another tip to keep your home clutter-free is to create a designated space for all items. CNBC notes that the size of a newly built home in the US has been shrinking. Data from the Census Bureau shows that a newly constructed single-family home had 2,140 square feet of floor space in the first quarter of 2024. The median size in the first quarter of 2023 was 2,256 square feet.

Organized storage solutions are great for making the most of the available space. Use bins, baskets, and shelves to categorize clothes, toys, and books. Label these items so that your children can understand where their things belong.

While designating spaces, ask your family members about where they would like their belongings stored. When everyone is on the same page about the organization system, they are more likely to take ownership. 

Regularly Purge Unused Items

Besides creating a space problem in your home, clutter can affect your health and well-being. According to WebMD, women with cluttered homes have higher levels of cortisol, the stress hormone. Those with less mess around tend to be relaxed due to controlled levels of the same hormone. 

Experts recommend committing to regular decluttering sessions to keep your space tidy and mind stress-free. Ask your family members to go through clothes, toys, and other items. Teach kids about the importance of avoiding hoarding. Also, encourage them to donate items they no longer use or need.

Besides regular purging, set limits to new items. When receiving gifts or purchasing new items, talk about what can be donated or discarded in exchange for the new item. This practice prevents the accumulation of items in the first place.

Consider Relocating

As your family grows, you may fall short of space in your existing home. Consider it a sign that you need to find a bigger place to accommodate your evolving needs. However, selling a house is not easy, even in hot markets like San Francisco. According to the San Francisco Chronicle, selling a home in the city took a median of 35 days in 2024, an increase from 24 days in 2019. 

Expect your house to take even longer to sell if it is cluttered and crowded. Even if people drop in for showings, they might not see it as a potential living space. You can avert the struggle by opting for a cash sale, where the buyer pays quick cash and takes the place as-is. Click here to learn how to sell your house in San Francisco as-is.

Doctor Homes notes that selling homes for cash has numerous benefits. You sell your place without repairs and upgrades, which makes sense even if your selling price may be a tad lower. You also save on realtor fees and commissions as these buyers buy directly from sellers. That means moving into a bigger home quickly and starting afresh.

Foster a Mindset of Minimalism

Fostering a minimalist mindset is the best solution, whether you declutter your existing home or move to a bigger space. If you continue accumulating stuff, you may end up in the same place again. Learn to value experiences over material possessions and teach the same to your children. 

This mindset can reduce their desire for new toys and promote contentment with what they already have. Model minimalism for your kids by being mindful of your own possessions and regularly assessing what you truly need.

FAQs

How can I get my children involved in a decluttering spree?

The best way to involve your kids in a decluttering spree is by making it enjoyable. Turn it into a game instead of a task. Give them points or rewards for every item they donate or organize. Also, explain the benefits of purging stuff, such as making space for new toys or creating a tidier play area.

What should I do with items having sentimental value when purging?

You may want to keep sentimental items because they have fond memories attached to them. However, consider setting limits on how many you keep before you start with the cleaning project. Create a memory box for each child where they can store their most cherished items like books and toys. 

How often should I declutter my living space?

Experts suggest decluttering at least every few months or seasonally. You should also create a regular cleaning and organization schedule to prevent stuff from building up in your home again. Additionally, consider doing quick weekly assessments of high-traffic areas such as playrooms or entryways.

Clutter can affect your life and health in the most unexpected ways. A home with too much stuff is not an ideal place to raise a family. Purging extra things is not as hard as you imagine. You can implement these realistic tips to create a clutter-free home that accommodates the needs of your growing family. 

The Delicate Subject of Hoarding: Zooming in on America’s Growing Concern

We partnered with a real estate company for this post. The opinions in the post are honest. All reviews and opinions expressed in this post are based on our personal views. We are excited because we know you will love it.

We live in a day and age where mental health issues and stress run rampant. Whether you believe it is the modern urban lifestyle to blame or poor individual choices, America’s adults and seniors need help. 

Research reveals that at least 23% of American adults suffered from some sort of mental illness in 2023. To put things into perspective, that would amount to 60 million US citizens. While issues like depression and anxiety get their fair share of the spotlight, one deep-seated problem is barely acknowledged. 

problem refers to hoarding. Delicate as the subject may be, we must understand that America is suffering from a long-standing issue. Shocking studies show that the US population, especially its older adults, are secret hoarders. An estimated 6.2% of the senior population has been accumulating stuff without proportion. 

Concerning and tragic, this is an issue that needs to be addressed at the earliest. Has social isolation compelled our aging population to find solace in fleeting objects? This article will zoom into this problem, its underlying causes, and how houses are impacted. 

The Issue of Hoarding Increases As America Ages 

We have briefly introduced America’s hoarding issue previously. It's time to take a closer look. Hoarding tendencies exist in roughly 2.6% of the American population.

Can you imagine around 8 million people living with a crippling need to gather stuff? Now, hoarding was categorized as a psychiatric issue only in 2013. It is the compulsive desire to accumulate objects and not part with them. 

What many people struggle to understand is that hoarding is not similar to sentimental attachment. Parting with certain belongings is difficult for us all. A person who hoards feels this way about all their possessions. 

The aging factor only aggravates the problem. Why is that so? Some common reasons include loneliness and mental health issues. Cases of hoarding were the most grievous in areas with few to no mental health providers. 

Given that around 160 million Americans live in such ‘scarce’ places, things begin to make more sense. This means the US not only has the problem of hoarding to handle but also a growing number of untreated mental health cases. 

More Than Just an Unsightly Problem 

If you’ve binge-watched shows like ‘How Clean is Your House?,’ you know how serious hoarding can get. Do hoarder houses look like a mess? Yes, but that's not the only problem. 

Hoarding tendencies essentially put an individual’s declining mental state on display. Humans have a natural inclination towards hygiene and cleanliness even if the same is driven by disgust. 

Most hoarders are not proud of the conditions they may have created. Even so, they feel trapped and helpless. Time seems to fly by and the unsightly issue turns into a ghastly one. Let's look at how hoarding impacts the life of the one who hoards and others - 

• A house full of stuff can make it extremely difficult to move about. This creates the risk of injuries. 

• Hoarders may experience a deep sense of isolation, shame, and loneliness. 

• Familial and work relationships may be negatively impacted. 

• There may be legal issues involved in the form of loss of child custody or eviction. 

• Daily activities like bathing and cooking may become challenging. 

• If pets are involved, there’s the risk of being prosecuted under animal cruelty laws. 

How Are Hoarder Houses Characterized?

We’ve briefly touched upon the different types of struggles and issues hoarding generates. Let's look at the most common features characterizing hoarder houses - 

• Clutter - Stuff may be lying around just about everywhere. The disorganized pile of items may include books, utensils, clothes, and whatnot. Cramped rooms may be unfit for intended use.

• Unhygienic conditions - It's not uncommon to find piles of trash and rotting food in hoarder houses. They become breeding grounds for pests and rodents, thereby rendering the house unsanitary. 

• Inaccessible areas - Parts of the property like basements, hallways, and attics may be entirely blocked due to stuff. 

• Conflicts - Hoarders seldom invite others to their homes. However, if someone finds out, there may be relationship issues and conflicts. This problem only escalates if the person attempts to help the one who hoards. 

Ways to Deal with a Hoarder House 

Discovering a hoarder house for the first time can be a shock to one’s system. The issue needs to be dealt with and in most cases, there are essentially two ways to do so. 

Selling the Property 

It's natural to wonder whether the process of cleaning the house should come before selling. Usually, one must make their property attractive to the buyer first. 

This may be a requirement even for hoarder houses. Thankfully, it's possible to find agents who will buy the property as it is. According to John Buys Bay Area Houses, you won't have to deal with the hassle of repairs, cleanup, inspection, or commissions. 

It's important to remember that the selling price may be quite low in such cases. It is still an ideal option for those finding it too overwhelming to deal with the hoarder’s belongings. 

Decluttering and Deep Cleaning 

Another option available to those who wish to help the hoarder is deep cleaning. This one is ideal in cases where the family intends to reside within the property again.

It is important to note here that one must avoid embarking on such a mammoth task alone. Hoarder houses are generally full of unbelievable surprises. Cleaning them is best left to the professionals. 

The experts will carefully remove all the stuff, disinfect surfaces, and deal with pests or hazardous materials. The hoarder can be offered professional help to overcome their deep psychological reasons for such behavior. 

We understand that the issue at hand can indeed be a delicate and sensitive one. However, it needs to be addressed at the earliest. If you suspect someone you love may have a hoarding problem, gently bring the issue to light and encourage them to seek help. 

According to the Mayo Clinic, some of the identifiable symptoms of hoarding include - 

• Buying and storing too many items 

• Getting upset at the thought of parting with stuff 

• Finding it difficult to plan or organize 

• Delaying decisions

Now you know what signs to look for. Americans, especially aged ones, are hurting and hoarding is simply a fallout. Let's join hands to build communities where every citizen feels like they belong. 

How to Declutter Your Home

Illinois, with its bustling cities and quiet suburbs, mirrors the typical American household's battle with clutter. From Chicago's high-rise apartments to the more spacious homes in Springfield, residents face the constant challenge of managing their living spaces. Decluttering isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s about functionality and peace of mind. By clearing out the unnecessary, you can transform your home into a more enjoyable and productive space.

1. Set Clear Goals 

Before diving into the piles of stuff you've accumulated, it's crucial to set clear, achievable goals. Ask yourself what you hope to achieve through decluttering. Are you looking to free up more space in your living room for hosting gatherings? Maybe you need to organize your home office to boost productivity. Setting specific objectives helps you stay focused and motivated throughout the process. Write these goals down and keep them visible to remind yourself of the purpose behind the effort.

2. Start with Small Spaces 

Tackling a whole house can be daunting. Instead, start small—choose a drawer, a shelf, or even the medicine cabinet. This approach helps build momentum without becoming overwhelming. As you progress, each small victory will encourage you to tackle larger areas. If you're looking for facilities that provide self storage Springfield has several options to store items you aren’t ready to part with. This can be especially useful for seasonal items or belongings you’re not yet ready to sell or donate.

3. Use a Sorting System 

A systematic approach can make the decluttering process smoother and more effective. Use the "Keep, Donate, Throw Away" system to sort through your belongings. Keep items that are essential or bring you joy. Donate things that are in good condition but no longer serve a purpose in your life. Finally, responsibly dispose of items that are no longer usable. Being decisive in this stage is crucial; if you hesitate on numerous items, you might just shuffle them around without making real progress.

4. Tackle One Room at a Time 

Once you've warmed up with smaller tasks, choose one room to focus on. This might be the kitchen, where decluttered counters can make daily routines easier, or the bedroom, where a minimalistic environment can enhance relaxation. Start by removing everything that doesn't belong in the room and then go through each item that remains. This method not only clears the space but also gives you a chance to rethink the room’s layout and functionality.

5. Digitize What You Can 

In today's digital age, there's no need to keep stacks of papers, old bills, and documents. Scanning and storing these digitally can significantly reduce physical clutter. Photographs, CDs, and DVDs can also be converted to digital formats, freeing up space and preserving memories more securely. Consider using cloud storage solutions or external hard drives to keep these digital files safe and accessible. This not only clears up your physical space but also makes it easier to find these items when you need them.

6. Sell Unwanted Items
Explore local online websites or organize a garage sale to sell items you no longer need. This can be a motivating way to declutter, as you convert unused items into cash. Provide practical tips for setting up an online sale, such as taking clear photos and writing honest descriptions. Also, suggest appropriate pricing strategies to ensure items sell quickly.

7. Donate Items
Identify items that are still in good condition but no longer needed and donate them to local charities or thrift stores. Highlight the types of items most charities accept and mention any tax benefits of donating. Encourage readers to consider the positive impact their donations can have on the community and the environment.

8. Implement Storage Solutions
To maximize the functionality and appearance of your home, implementing innovative storage solutions is essential. Consider installing custom shelves to utilize vertical space effectively or using under-bed containers for out-of-season clothing and bedding. Optimize your closet by adding multi-level hangers, shoe racks, and clear bins for accessories. Think creatively: back-of-door hooks can hold bags and coats, while magnetic strips in the kitchen manage spice containers. The goal is to ensure that each item has a designated place, which not only keeps your home organized but also makes daily tasks more efficient and less stressful.

9. Maintain a Decluttering Habit
Maintaining a decluttering habit is crucial for ensuring that your home doesn’t revert to its previous state. Establish regular decluttering sessions—perhaps once a month or whenever a certain area becomes disorderly. Make it a routine part of your household chores. Teach all household members to handle clutter immediately, whether it’s mail, clothing, or dishes. Encourage the adoption of minimalist principles where possible, emphasizing the importance of quality over quantity. By integrating these practices into daily life, you keep your environment orderly and conducive to a calm, productive lifestyle.

10. Involve the Household
Involving every household member in the decluttering process not only distributes the workload but also promotes a sense of responsibility and teamwork. Make decluttering a family activity by assigning tasks suited to each person’s age and ability. For instance, children can sort their toys, while adults tackle more complex areas like the garage or attic. Establish clear, achievable goals for each session, perhaps followed by a family reward like a movie night or a special dinner. This approach ensures that the decluttering process becomes an integral part of your family’s routine, fostering a shared commitment to a tidy and organized home.

Conclusion
Recap the benefits of a decluttered home, including less stress, more space, and a more aesthetically pleasing environment. Encourage readers to take the first step and keep up the effort, emphasizing that decluttering is not just a one-time task but a continuous process that can significantly enhance the quality of their home life.