No matter how much you declutter, there are some everyday things that instantly make a room look really messy.
Remnants of daily routines, including essential charging cables and high-traffic open storage, can make a room look and feel overwhelming.
Here, interior designers and organizers have shared their decluttering tips for a tidier home, helping you fix these everyday annoyances once and for all.
The 6 things that make a room look messy
1. Small clutter piles
When we think of overwhelming clutter, we usually think of those huge doom piles or cabinets so chaotic we cannot see the back of them. However, it is often the smaller piles that add up to have the biggest impact, says Christina Kelley, interior designer.
She explains, ‘Shoes by the door, stacks of mail, papers, or too many small countertop appliances – They all feel chaotic. Edit it down, tuck anything away you can, and group the essential items that need to stay out with baskets and trays.
‘If your room is feeling busy, pare down. You can rotate items out to keep things fresh but not overloaded – even little moves like adding a tissue box cover, as trivial as it seems, can make a big difference altogether in making your space feel calmer and more elevated.’
To stay on top of these everyday messes, consider trying the ‘no pile’ rule, working the habit into a closing shift routine so that you never go to bed without eliminating at least one clutter pile.
Made from organic wood, this decorative tray can instantly make multiple smaller items look styled and more intentional, reducing visual clutter.
This larger wicker tray features cut-out handles, so you can quickly clear away items from counters and side tables should you need the extra space.
Baskets on open shelving can reduce visual noise, helping to conceal several smaller items without compromising on practicality for a more organized home.
2. Disorganized cables
Another side-effect of everyday modern life is cables. As much as they are essential, they are one of the biggest culprits in a messy room.
Christina continues, ‘Tangled cables and power strips are eyesores. Hide the mess and organize cables by using chord management solutions and a charging station for electronics to keep things neat.’
The same rules apply to organizing cables behind the TV. This reduces the visual noise of media units while ensuring that important wiring is not damaged.
These adhesive cable clips can help trail wires under furniture to keep them tucked away and neat. They are perfect for everything from computer wires to lamp cords.
To keep cables neat but easy to use, consider cable slots. These hold the functional end of the cable so they are not trailing on the floor, but they can be easily pulled out to plug in a device.
For larger chunks of cables, such as sets of cods behind TVs, these cable ties are perfect, helping to bunk them together to prevent tangles.
3. Open storage
As functional as it can be, we are stressed by the visual clutter of open storage. Used incorrectly or not properly maintained, it instantly makes a room look messy.
Christine Jahan, principal interior designer says, ‘Open storage overflow is another major eye sore. If you have a bookshelf or baskets that are just spilling over with items, it’s time for a change because those could be making your space look messy. Get closed cabinet storage to hide the overflow.
‘You can also get creative and find furniture with hidden storage like this storage sofa bench from Wayfair. This is perfect for hiding all your board games inside.’
4. Too much home decor
It isn’t always your home organizing ideas that are to blame for the mess. Jodi Peterman, designer and owner of Elizabeth Erin Designs points out that your decor can be just as at fault.
She explains, ‘A group of little things dispersed across each shelf doesn't feel edited – it feels random. I always suggest paring back and grouping objects in odd numbers, anchored by trays. The Threshold trays at Target are perfect, they are neutral-priced, cheap, and they'll make your "moment" feel intentional instead of garage sale-y.’
Crafted with a sturdy metal frame with a lacquered finish, this round decorative tray is the perfect backdrop to display tiny memorabilia or knickknacks.
This decorative vanity tray features a two-tier design for stashing shampoo, body wash, body lotion, grooming accessories, washcloths and more. Made from rattan.
This serving tray is perfect for brunch in bed and corralling clutter. The coordinating black metal handles enhance the look while making it easier to move around.
5. Dirty walls and carpets
A few quality cleaning tips and an achievable cleaning routine can go a long way in making a room look less messy, says Christine Jahan. ‘Dirty walls and dirty carpets really make spaces not just look messy but unclean. Grab your magic eraser sponges and call your local carpet cleaner. Your walls will look freshly painted after a cleaning session with Magic Eraser sponges.
To maintain your flooring between professional servicing, I suggest investing in a quality carpet cleaner. I like the BISSELL Little Green Pet Pro Corded Deep Cleaner, available at BestBuy.’
Magic Eraser sponges are tough on dirt, helping to remove tough scuffs and grime from everything from walls to bathtubs. Be careful using on wallpapered surfaces, however, as it could damage the paper.
6. Items on stairs
We are all guilty of leaving items on the stairs to be taken up with us, but leaving them every time we walk past. It instantly makes a room look messy.
Luckily, it is easy to remedy says Ally-Catherine Ternary, designer founder at June St. George. She shares, ‘There always seems to be something that needs to go up, but never quite enough hands to carry it all. Our favorite solution? A diaper caddy. Yes, really! With its handles and compartments it’s perfect for decluttering as you go.
'It’s just the right size for gathering a day or two’s worth of items and shuttling them upstairs without disturbing the flow up and down the stairs or your aesthetic. We use this wicker caddy from Amazon at home, but I also love the look of this woven diaper caddy from Target.’
Meet the experts
FAQs
Why does my room always get messy?
A room that is always messy might be a sign that you do not have a good storage system in place. Storage and organizing systems need to be accessible so that putting items away is just as easy as leaving them on the side or the floor.
Using divided, open-top laundry hampers, for example, is just as easy as dropping items into a pile. Similarly, using baskets to corral clothing can be more efficient than folding or hanging in extreme cases.
How do you start tidying a really messy room?
When tidying a really messy room, it can be helpful to first start by picking up items that are for the trash and bagging them up. Removing all of these obvious pieces allows you to make quick progress that spurs you on to continue, while instantly making some space for you to work.
Once that is done, take a small break before moving on to collecting items that belong in other rooms and putting them back in their homes. This will make further breathing room for you to start making tougher decisions, such as picking items to keep or donate.
Removing the small things that make a room look really messy will make cleaning your room fast easier in the future. However, if the mess keeps recurring on a large scale, it might be a sign you have too much stuff and need to declutter.
