Last Updated on January 16, 2026
Decluttering experts agree–taking time to routinely declutter your space reduces tension in your home, allows you to complete tasks more efficiently and reduces stress and anxiety brought on by a messy space. While you’re putting away holiday decorations and making space mentally and physically for everything a new year brings, make sure you take the time now to organize your space for maximum productivity.
If you’re gearing up for a cleaning binge, start by learning what not to do. Here are six decluttering mistakes to avoid before you dive in.
Thinking you can tackle your entire home all at once
Don’t ruin your well-intentioned efforts to create a more organized space by running out of steam half-way through the project. For starters, instead of attempting to tackle every single room in your home all at once, try to complete the project in manageable, bite-sized pieces. For example, home organization expert Holly Blakely advocates for a calmer approach when beginning this project by using the 4×5 method.
The 4×5 method involves doing four specific tasks for 5 minutes each. In just 20 minutes, you’re well on your way to a more organized home. A good example of how this may play out would be to tackle your junk drawer, drop zone, and clearing the clutter from your countertops and desk during day 1 of the process.
For those that have more time to complete larger organization projects around the home, it’s best to start with one space or room at a time, only moving to another room once you’ve completed that area.
Buying storage containers before you begin the decluttering process
Everyone knows January is the month when we all try to get a little more organized. It’s impossible to walk into a store right now without seeing items to organize with–boxes, bins, totes, bags are readily available now, which is why it’s so easy to over buy in this category.
But here’s the kicker, don’t purchase any storage bins until you’ve spent some time decluttering, this way you can get a sense of what actually you need, noting the size, type and structure of the best way to corral unique items.
Go room by room, organizing like items together. Once you’ve decluttered the area, only then should you identify the best way to store those items. Chances are, you already have something at home you can use to store the items. The goal should be to buy as few new things as possible so you’re not accidentally contributing to the abundance of stuff in your home.
During your decluttering spree, don’t forget about subtle ways to make each space feel more organized. Often times a small tray or bin can neatly group items that once cluttered a horizontal space.
Forgetting to think through bulk buy storage solutions
A place for everything and everything in its place is sage wisdom also this should also apply to your Costco runs. Don’t wreak havoc on your newly organized home by stocking up with bulk buys you don’t have the storage to support. While you’re organizing each space think of the items you routinely like to purchase in large quantities and assign a home for every item. Whether that’s paper towels, toilet paper, peanut butter, cleaning supplies or paper plates, go ahead and find storage solutions for those items now.
Forgetting to organize your garage
When used efficiently, your garage can be a great area to store many household items. Use vertical space wisely by installing shelving around the perimeter of your garage so that you can store kids clothes/toys, collectibles, holiday decorations, bulk buys, etc., in addition to the typical items kept in garages. Don’t forget about overhead space in your garage, too!
Not using vertical space
When trying to maximize storage in smaller spaces or homes without many storage closets, think vertically! Storage in bathrooms can easily double when you use over the door storage.
Other items that can be stored vertically include shoes, books, kitchen supplies, toys and more. The goal for an organized home should be to get as many items up and off the floor as possible.
Getting organized by assigning a catch all room in your home
Just like every home has a junk drawer, many homes also have a junk room. For many of us, our garages or spare bedrooms can quickly turn into a hoarders’ paradise if we don’t make plans to intentionally assign a space to every item we bring into our home. When you say no to unorganized storage rooms in your home, you can avoid holding on to clutter and cut down on impulse buys. It’s okay to have one or two spaces in your home hold a large portion of stuff you don’t use a lot, as long as it’s organized.
For more organization hacks you may like:
6 clever ways to get organized for the new year
The garage storage tips you need
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