Every time I move into a new home, I create garden spaces. In my last home, I was limited to gardening in pots and planters. While there’s nothing wrong with that, it didn’t satisfy my love for digging in the dirt. The home I moved into in November has multiple places to do just that – dig in the dirt. I was doing that the other day, digging in the dirt to remove some plants when it occurred to me that the way I was identifying and removing plants could be used to identify clutter.
There was nothing wrong with the plants I was removing. In fact, someone else might have loved them. But they didn’t belong in the garden I was creating, so they had to go. My mother was a fabulous gardener (I like to think I have inherited her green thumb). She always told me that a weed is a plant that is growing in a place you don’t want it.
What if we use this definition to identify clutter? Can clutter be anything that is in a place where we don’t want it?
We Often Define Clutter the Wrong Way
Perhaps we have been defining clutter too narrowly, using the word only to describe having too much of something, things that are old and worn out, items that are broken, or spaces that look messy. Generally, this definition holds true, but let’s look at what happens when we expand our thinking to include anything that is not where we want it to be.
Something that has a high monetary value is clutter, if it’s taking up valuable real estate in a closet and never displayed.
Gifts can be clutter, if we don’t like or plan to use the items. That includes things that we may have inherited and that don’t fit our decorating style or the way we want to live.
Even sentimental items can clutter a space because they hold us to the past.
The Surprising Way to Identify Clutter
Anything occupying space you want to use is clutter.
Wow! That’s a broad and bold statement. But, if you take a moment to read the examples, you’ll find it’s fitting.
Mail left in a pile on the kitchen counter prevents you from using the counter to prepare food. And, in my experience, when mail is left on the counter it attracts more mail – almost like a magnet.
A pile of clothes tossed on a chair (living room, dining room, bedroom) is clutter. How do you know if they are clean clothes waiting to be folded or dirty clothes waiting to be washed?
Tools, like a hammer, screwdriver, or scissors left on a table in the living room are clutter because they are not décor.
Shoes in the hallway are not only clutter but also a tripping hazard.
These things are not necessarily old, worn out, or broken. They make the area messy, and some may be expensive or valuable. The problem is not what they are, it’s the location.
Ask Yourself These Questions to Help Identify Clutter
Does This Belong Here?
Is this where the item belongs, or is it simply where it landed?
Is this where you would naturally look for this item?
If you needed this item tomorrow, would this be the first place you would look for it?
Maybe the things just landed on the first horizontal surface you saw and then they stayed there because you forgot about them.
Does It Support the Purpose of the Space?
Begin by thinking through how you use the space. Then decide which things/objects will support that function. Keep in mind that a room or area can have more than one purpose.
For example: It might be a study/office most of the time and a part-time guest room. In that case, a section of the room or the closet might be set aside for things to use when you have a guest.
Is It Preventing Me from Using the Space the Way I Want?
Clutter often interferes with function. When a room contains things that don’t belong there, it becomes harder to find what you need and easier to feel overwhelmed.
Here are some examples:
Storing things you never use in a garage can prevent you from keeping your car in the garage.
Piles of paper in an office probably make it difficult to find the documents you need.
Keeping clothes that don’t fit or that you don’t like can make it difficult to put clothes away and/or find clothes you want to wear.
If I Removed It, Would the Space Work Better?
When you remove the things that don’t support the function of the room, you give yourself room to do the things you want to do. It will be easier to accomplish tasks or do your job when you aren’t competing with things that don’t belong in the space.
Why This Approach Makes Organizing Easier
This approach makes removing things from a room or space easier because it takes emotions out of the equation. You are deciding whether the things you are keeping in the room support the room’s purpose.
Many items simply need to be relocated or reduced rather than eliminated. Think about relocating the things that don’t support the function of the space. Instead of focusing on removing them entirely, think about where those things belong in your home. And if you can’t think of anywhere to put them, ask yourself why you’re keeping them.
Instead of asking, “Should I keep this?” you can begin by asking, “Does this belong here?” Often, that question is much easier to answer.
Not Everything Out of Place Is Clutter
It’s a fact that when you live in a home, things are often out of place. Understanding this means that you know that just because something is out of place doesn’t mean that it’s clutter.
Current projects, active paperwork, and items in use get put down temporarily until they’re put away.
The key is to know where the things belong and to plan when you’re going to put them away.
A Simple Challenge
Here’s a challenge for you. Pick a room in your home. Now, look around and find five things that don’t support the function of the room. Put the items away if you know where they belong. If you don’t, ask yourself whether they belong in your home at all.
When you’re finished, notice how much calmer the room feels.
Conclusion: Think Like a Gardener
I encourage you to think like a gardener. When I weed my garden, I look at what’s growing in the area and ask myself, does this belong here? Many times, birds drop seedlings in the garden which turn into uninvited plants. Those seedlings may not belong where the bird has deposited them.
The same is true in our homes. Things often become clutter not because they are bad or unnecessary, but because they are living in places where they don’t belong. The next time you’re feeling overwhelmed by a room, ask yourself the same question I ask in my garden:
Does this belong here?
The answer may help you identify clutter more quickly and make organizing decisions with greater confidence.
Call to Action
Ready to create a home that functions the way you want it to? Start with one room and ask yourself, “Does this belong here?” Small changes can make a big difference.
If you’d like support creating systems that work for your lifestyle, I’d be happy to help. Whether you need assistance decluttering, organizing, or maintaining routines, together we can create spaces that are easier to use and enjoy.
Contact me today to learn more about my in-person and virtual organizing services.
I love this description because “not wanting it in this space” holds less moral/ethical/societal weight than “not wanting it.” There’s no guilt to be ascribed if you don’t want that gift, or that expensive thing, in THIS space. it’s not a betrayal of a relationship or a lack of gratitude or an admission of a mistake in purchasing. It just doesn’t belong here. Maybe it doesn’t serve the purpose of the space, maybe it keeps the space from working, but it’s almost like it relieves the owner from the emotional weight of the question — it’s about what the SPACE needs.
This may be revelatory for some clients, especially those who feel guilt or dismay at the idea of letting go of possessions. You’ve really hit on something here, Diane! I’m looking forward to sharing this concept (with credit to you) with my clients.
I’m so glad you like this perspective, Julie. Thank you in advance for sharing it with your clients!
I love this analogy. I always say weeds are like clutter and if you don’t get to the roots they keep coming back.
Thanks, Kim!
Your love of gardening is so beautiful. And how you used your insights there and relayed them to clutter is wonderful. What an insightful question, “Does this belong here?” Not only is it to the point, but it takes away the guilt and emoton out of deciding an object’s fate. The answer could be to move it to it’s regular ‘home,’ find a home because it doesn’t currently have one, or let it go. But having other options with the immediate one of moving it elsewhere helps set a space for its intended function and purpose more quickly and easily.
Thank you for solving the mystery of why new plants show up in my garden beds. I didn’t know that birds drop seeds where they shouldn’t. I thought it was other creatures like squirrels or chipmonks that moved plants around. Maybe they do it, too. I guess the wildlife has their own vision of what my garden should look like. :)
Thank you, Linda! I think all of the little (and big) creatures “help” create gardens.
Great read! I am currently working with clutter left over from my reunion. There were so many things pulled out and used or made for the reunion that were great for the day but now need to be dealt with. I know the process, but it takes a lot of time.
When working with clients we often have the discussion of “Yes, this is something you want to keep and something you use but this is not the space for it to live. Where would be a logical place for you?”
Absolutely, Jonda!
Very insightful, Diane. I love your list of questions, and this new way of considering what might be clutter. This addresses our tendency to want to find a way to use something, even if we aren’t using it now (or haven’t used it recently at all). This broader way of considering what might be cluttering our space will surely lead to more candidates for removal.
I’m pinning this for future reference with clients!
This is the hope, Seana. The more ways we can look at the things that are getting in our way of living in a calm, supportive environment the more chances we have of keeping only the things which we need, use, and love!