1. Adding too many wall hooks.
There’s no arguing that wall hooks are a quick, easy way to keep an entryway looking neat. The problem is when hooks become a dumping ground, like when you leave your winter scarves and coats hanging up until July. Instead of adding more hooks, ask yourself if you really need quick access to everything that’s already hanging there.
2. Relying on too many shelves and boxes.
Before you overdo it on the extra shelves and sets of matching boxes, do a hard edit of your things so that you’re not just making space for even more stuff you don’t need.
3. Covering up shelves with curtains.
Tacking curtains or fabric over shelves is a quick way to cover up unsightly clutter, but it’s just a temporary fix. Before masking what’s underneath, ask yourself if you’d want visitors to see what you’re hiding.
4. Using trays that don’t slide.
Installing storage systems in lower kitchen and bathroom cabinets is a great way to organize everything from pots and pans to makeup. However, this is all for naught unless the individual shelving trays slide in and out of the unit for easy access.
5. Storing essentials out of easy reach.
So you have storage space above your cabinets—hooray! But hold on. Before you put your French press or even extra rolls of toilet paper in a place the requires a step ladder to reach them, consider your daily routine. Instead, relegate that area to items you’ll need less frequently.
6. Placing shoe racks on the floor.
If your closet space is already limited, you’re only wasting more square footage with a shoe rack. Instead, find one that you can hang over the door or from a hanging bar.
7. Storing all your cleaning supplies in one space.
It sounds like a good idea to have all your buckets, mops, and cleaning sprays in the same spot, but it can be wildly inconvenient especially if you live in a multi-level home. If you want to keep all your deep-clean supplies in the same spot, fine, but make sure to stock the bathroom and kitchen with wipes and other items for quick touchups.
8. Buying furniture that doesn’t pull double duty.
If you live in a small home in Menlo Park, you don’t have the luxury of an attic, basement, and tons of closets, so when you buy new furniture, make sure it’s more than just pretty. Opt for items like ottomans with storage, nightstands with drawers, and coffee tables with space underneath.
9. Using opaque plastic tubs.
It might seem like a good idea to store seasonal items in opaque containers, but spending an afternoon rooting through tubs that could hold anything from pool noodles to holiday lights defeats the purpose. Instead, opt for clear containers so you can see the contents at a glance.
10. Resorting to plastic three-drawer containers.
Think hard before investing in this staple of college dorm living. Do you really need another piece of disposable furniture? Or could you find a place for your things if you took 15 minutes to clean out your cabinets or drawers? Before you add more clutter to your home (and really, that’s what this is), purge your junk.
