The Biggest Home Organizing Mistakes (And What to Do Instead!)

Picture this: You walk into a home where everything has its place. No piles of clutter, no last-minute frantic searches for your keys—just calm, order, and a space that actually works for your life. Sounds amazing, right? The good news is, an organized home isn’t just about looks—it can reduce stress, save time and make everyday life easier. But getting there? That’s where a lot of people hit roadblocks. The truth is, many homeowners make the same organizing mistakes over and over again—without even realizing it! Let’s talk about the five biggest ones and, more importantly, how to fix them.

Mistake #1: Waiting for the “Perfect” Time to Start

(Spoiler: There’s never a perfect time!)

Raise your hand if you’ve ever said, “I just need a free weekend to finally get organized.” The problem? That free weekend never comes. The best way to get organized is to start—even if it’s just for 10 minutes. Tackle one drawer, one shelf or one small area at a time. Progress adds up, and before you know it, you’ll have an entire space (or even your whole home!) feeling more organized.

Mistake #2: Buying Organizing Supplies Before Decluttering

(Baskets and bins won’t fix clutter—sorting will!)

It’s tempting to stock up on cute bins and baskets at The Container Store before you even start organizing—but that’s actually backward. The truth is, you don’t know what kind of storage you need until you’ve sorted through everything first. Declutter, decide what you’re keeping and then shop for solutions that actually fit your space and needs. Bonus: You’ll probably end up buying less and saving money in the process!

Mistake #3: Letting the Discard Pile Linger Too Long

(If it’s meant to go, let it go—immediately!)

So you’ve decluttered—yay! But now, that “donate” pile is sitting in the garage… for weeks. And the longer it sits, the more tempted you are to pull things back out (“Maybe I do need that sweater I haven’t worn in five years…”). Once you decide something is leaving your home, get it out ASAP! Drop it off at a donation center, schedule a pickup or list it online. The faster it’s gone, the less likely it is to creep back in.

Mistake #4: Relying Too Much on Stacking & Horizontal Storage

(Make vertical storage your new best friend!)

Stacking bins on top of each other seems logical—until you actually need something from the bottom bin. Instead of dealing with a frustrating game of bin Jenga, use vertical storage. Install shelves, use hanging organizers and make the most of wall space. Clear, labeled bins on shelves or drawers you can slide out will make your life so much easier.

Mistake #5: Overstuffing Storage with No Room for Growth

(Leave space for the future—you’ll need it!)

It’s easy to think, “If it fits, it sits!” But overstuffing every shelf, closet and drawer leaves zero room for new things. And let’s be real—new things will always come into your home. Leave a little breathing room in your storage spaces so you’re not constantly scrambling to make things fit. Future-you will be so glad you did.

Avoiding these common mistakes can make a huge difference in how your home looks, feels and functions. So, which one have you been guilty of? Let us know in the comments! And if you need a little help getting started, I’d love to chat.

With gratitude,

Jennifer

Clutter is nothing more than postponed decisions.

– Barbara Hemphill