Johann Hunt
We’ve all had that moment when someone rings the doorbell unexpectedly, and we’re frantically throwing things in closets and hoping they don’t ask to use the bathroom. The thing is, even if your house isn’t “dirty,” it can still appear messy. Most of the time, it’s the everyday clutter we’ve grown accustomed to.
So, let’s take a little tour through the house and look at what might be making it look messier than it really is.
An Extension Of The Closet In The Entryway
This tiny area often becomes a dumping ground for keys, bags, jackets, shoes, unopened mail, and who knows what else. A simple fix is to limit what stays by the door. A small tray for keys, a sleek organizer for daily footwear, and a hook or two for current-use jackets can work wonders.
A Circus In The Living Room
Next stop: the living room. The entire family gathers here, so naturally, things pile up. Here, less is definitely more. One or two statement pieces are better than a dozen knick-knacks competing for attention.
While throw blankets are great for comfort, draping them haphazardly over every surface doesn’t help. Fold them neatly or place them in a woven basket.
The Kitchen Counter That Looks Like A Shop
Ah, the kitchen, where the battle between functionality and aesthetics is always ongoing. Counters are meant for prep, but somehow they turn into storage. Solution? Try to keep only the daily essentials out. That fancy coffee maker you use every morning? Sure, leave it. But the three cutting boards? Those need a better home.
The Dining Table That’s A Storage Unit
Piles of paperwork and packages, everything from unopened Amazon boxes to half-finished school projects, somehow find their way onto the dining table. But here’s the thing: your dining table should always look like it’s ready for dinner. And you only need a simple centerpiece to bring life into the space without turning it into a holding zone for clutter.
The Bathrooms Where The Little Things Add Up Fast
It all starts with the toiletries lining the counter. Then, the shower hurts your eyes with half-empty bottles. While none of it could technically be “dirty,” together it gives off the vibe of disarray.
The trick is to clear off counters and stash items in drawers or under-sink organizers. And for the love of calm, get rid of expired products; you’re not going to use that face mask from 2016.
The Bedroom’s “Closet Chair”
Bedrooms get cluttered when books overstay their welcome on the nightstand and laundry piles up on that one chair. To hack bedroom tidiness, start clearing things the moment your feet touch the ground.
Make the bed every morning and draw the curtains. Whatever’s not needed, take it to its designated home. And if laundry’s the problem, commit to a system: wash, dry, fold, and put away.
The Home Office, Where Paper Clutter Multiplies
As if your dining table does not get enough print drama, it all unfolds in the office (if you have one). Cables, random paperwork, office supplies, and tech gadgets multiply fast.
We need no expert to tell us that the key to a tidy-looking office is minimizing what’s in plain sight. So, go digital with documents when possible and use labeled bins or drawers to organize supplies.
The Laundry Room Hosting The Forgotten Mess
The laundry room is often overlooked because it’s not considered a “public” space. Detergent bottles left open and socks without a home are familiar sights. And let’s not forget the cleaning supplies that typically remain scattered.
Add simple shelves, baskets, or even over-the-door organizers to keep things in place. The goal is to create a system that is easy to maintain and update.
Your Home Isn’t A Storage Unit For Someday
Messiness is about the slow, creeping buildup of things we stop noticing. Room by room, little changes can have a big impact. You don’t need to live in a minimalist showroom, but when everything has its place and less is left lying around, the whole house breathes easier—and so do you.