When clutter formed in my college apartments, it was usually because my roommate and I periodically fell into bad storage habits. Behaviors like holding onto stuff we didn’t need, impulse shopping, not putting things back where we found them, etc. It was important to identify what was causing the clutter in order to get rid of it and prevent it, which might be what you need to do in your own apartment. First, let’s identify what clutter is made of.
In an apartment, clutter is stuff you don’t need, things you swore you’d put back later, unopened items, random items that have no home, clothes that are dirty, unfolded or without hangers, documents, worksheets, books and other types of paper, media and electronics that are stored improperly.
Most of the time clutter accumulates slowly, which can make you blind to it over time. Below are a few examples of clutter that you might’ve been blind to.
Amazon links: click on the “Buy on Amazon” links, not the picture above it.
Notice: Make Your Place Livable LLC is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
1. Stuff You Don’t Need, But Won’t Get Rid Of
One of the most common types of clutter is the stuff you assign sentimental value to, the stuff you’ll “use later”, the gifts your family/friends gave you that you never wanted and won’t use, etc. We all have some random things that we haven’t used in years but won’t get rid of “just in case”. For example, as you get older, your sense of fashion changes and so does your closet. A lot of the time, we forget to donate the old shirts and pants that we haven’t worn since we were 16. For years, we forget to let things go and they become clutter.
2. Things You Swore You’d Put Back Later
Another form of clutter is the kind that accumulates when you don’t put things back. This can take the form of random spice bottles on the counter, pens and pencils sprawled out on your desk, random toiletries covering the sinktop, you know what I’m talking about. This isn’t even voluntary sometimes. We all have our busy days where we feel that the 0.5 seconds it takes to put something back is going to make us late for work, school, etc. Other times, however, it is voluntary because you can’t be asked to get back up after you’ve sat/lied down.
3. Unopened Items
This is the stuff that you bought that you hadn’t planned on using for a while. Since they have no use yet, they just sit around your apartment gathering dust. This is most often the stuff you never needed in the first place, but bought on a whim. On the other hand, it could be some gifts that you got for Christmas or your birthday that you never needed or wanted. The thought of giving that stuff away puts a guilty feeling on your conscience, so you let it sit around.
4. Random Items That Have No Home
Then there are these items. You use them sometimes, so it’s not like you can give them away. However, they don’t fit in with your desk supplies, toiletries, clothes, makeup, etc. So where do you keep them? That’s the thing, you have no idea. When that’s the case, they end up living wherever it is you last put them. Like a traveling nomad with no permanent home. In another case, these random items do have a home: that drawer full of random things that don’t relate to one another whatsoever. The infamous junk drawer that we all have.
5. Clothes That Are Dirty, Unfolded Or Without Hangers
Since our clothes are always on the move with us, it’s easy to drop them off in random spots around the apartment. The more that happens, the more cluttered our space starts to look. It’s not always on purpose though. Sometimes you grab a ton of laundry and a sock or two falls on the floor during the trip to the washer. Other times, you hang up a scarf and it slips onto the floor when you’re not looking. However, these only become clutter when you don’t pick them up afterwards.
6. Documents, Worksheets, Books And Other Types Of Paper
If you have a job, have a major or have a hobby that requires you to use a lot of paper, then it might be the source of your clutter. Paper piles up, no matter what it’s used for. This can be especially true if there’s no set date to throw it out. You never know when you’ll need it, so you can’t get rid of it. Kind of like problem #1 on this list. The difference is, you don’t get to decide when you do or don’t need it. You just have to wait for the opportunity to toss it.
7. We Store Media And Electronics Improperly
I’ll admit, one type of clutter that’s followed me no matter where I lived is my, filled to the brim, electronics drawer. I filled this space with random usb cables that I didn’t remember the origin of, flash drives, hard drives, wireless mice, 3DS games I hold onto for nostalgia, portable chargers, the list goes on and on. At one point, it was so full that I could barely open the drawer. Quick tip, if any of you suffer from a similar dilemma, try using one of these:
Separating all of your cables and electronics will help you remember what they’re used for and prevent clutter.
Want more solutions? Check out my blog post called “11 Reasons for a Cluttered Apartment (And 11 Solutions)”.
8. Messes Made By Pets
This is the kind of clutter that has nothing to do with you. It’s caused by the four legged friends that you live with (or two legged). If you have a cat that likes to hop on the counter and knock stuff over, then clutter can pile up pretty fast when you’re not at home. Parrots, specifically cockatoos, can be just as bad when it comes to knocking stuff over. They downright throw things on the ground on purpose. Dogs are more prone to messy accidents, but even if they’re not on purpose, clutter is still clutter. Here are 11 tips to clean up your home and organize it after your pets create a mess.
9. Too Much Decor
This kind of clutter happens when we go a little crazy with our apartment’s feng shui. We’re excited to turn it into our sanctuary and buy everything under the sun. Looking at all those Pinterest bedrooms, living rooms, bathrooms and such got us overly inspired. As a result, we bought too much stuff and overdid the decor a bit. Or we didn’t even use half of what we bought and it’s sitting around in random spots.
10. The Duplicates
Then there’s this type of clutter. The kind that accumulates when you’re obsessed with buying two or three of the one thing you came to the store for. One pack of dryer sheets can last, like, a year if you live alone. Even so, we buy two more just in case. Sometimes we buy stuff to save a trip to the store…the same store you end up going to the next week for dinner groceries. All of these duplicates just collect dust around the apartment because the day that we imagined we’d need them for never came…at least not yet.
11. Literal Trash
This is the most straightforward type of clutter, the stuff that belongs in the garbage. For some reason, however, they haven’t made it there yet. This could be snack bags, broken items, empty bottles, etc. this will go away when they make it to the trash can, but for now, they contribute to the clutter in the apartment.
How To Declutter Your Space
Here’s a quick summary from my other blog posts such as How to Keep Your Small Apartment Clean and Organized, How to Organize Every Room In Your Entire Apartment and 10 Ways to Make Your Apartment Look Less Cluttered on how to declutter your apartment.
1. Use Multifunctional Furniture
Opt for furniture that serves multiple purposes, such as an ottoman or hollow bench, which doubles as storage. This lets you store blankets, throw pillows, or seasonal items, reducing clutter while maximizing space. You can also use a hollow coffee table for additional storage.
2. Clean Up After Yourself
Prevent clutter from building up by cleaning as you go. Small habits like putting things back where they belong, washing dishes right after you eat and making the bed every morning helps keep your place organized. Staying on top of daily tasks keeps messes from feeling overwhelming.
3. Create a Cleaning Schedule
Set aside specific times to clean and organize to avoid clutter from building up. By planning ahead, you’re more likely to follow through, and it prevents the task from feeling overwhelming. Dividing cleaning tasks by day or room makes it more manageable and helps you stay organized in the long run.
4. Use Space-Saving Organization Tools
Take advantage of storage containers, door hooks, and racks to maximize every inch of available space. Whether it’s stacking shoe containers in the bedroom, using hanging racks on kitchen doors, or organizing bathroom drawers with dividers, proper tools can transform cluttered spaces into neat, organized areas.
5. Avoid Storing Everything in One Room
Spread your belongings across the apartment instead of overloading one area, like your bedroom or closet. Distribute items to other closets, cabinets, and cupboards in the living room, kitchen, and bathroom to avoid overcrowded spaces.
6. Stay On Top of Reorganizing
Make it a habit to reorganize every week so clutter doesn’t pile up. Always put stuff back where it belongs, refold clothes, and get rid of things you don’t need. It keeps your place looking fresh and stops you from having to deal with a huge mess later.
7. Hide Clutter in Pretty Storage Solutions
Keep your space tidy by using stylish storage baskets, bags, or furniture like storage ottomans. These items help hide clutter while enhancing your apartment’s decor. Labeling your baskets can also save you time when searching for things.
8. Make the Most of Vertical Storage
Use shelves or bookcases to stack your stuff vertically so you don’t take up too much floor space. It makes your room feel bigger and more organized. Ladder bookcases or furniture with legs are perfect for keeping things light and open, giving your space a more airy vibe.
9. Clear Floor Space and Surfaces
A clear floor and decluttered surfaces immediately make a space feel more organized. Store items away and only keep essential decor on countertops for a tidy look.
