Strategies to Keep Clutter from Coming Back

Decluttering feels amazing—until the clutter creeps right back in. You know the cycle: you spend a weekend organizing, only to find your countertops covered in papers again, your closet stuffed with clothes you don’t wear, and that “junk drawer” somehow multiplying in every room. It’s frustrating, but the good news is that clutter isn’t inevitable.

Keeping clutter at bay isn’t about one big purge; it’s about small, consistent habits. If you’re tired of living in a constant state of re-cluttering, here’s how to break the cycle and keep your space organized for good.

1. Adopt the “One In, One Out” Rule

For every new item you bring into your home, one must go. Bought a new pair of shoes? Donate an old pair. Got a new kitchen gadget? Say goodbye to that rarely used one in the back of the cabinet. This simple habit prevents clutter from building back up by ensuring that your space never becomes more crowded than it was before.

2. Stop Clutter Before It Starts

The easiest way to deal with clutter is to prevent it from entering your home in the first place.

• Think before you buy. Do you really need it? Do you have space for it? Is it something you’ll actually use?
• Say no to freebies. Just because something is free (conference swag, promotional T-shirts, sample-sized toiletries) doesn’t mean you need it. If you wouldn’t buy it, don’t bring it home.
• Unsubscribe from junk mail. Less paper coming in means less paper piling up. Use services like DMAchoice or Catalog Choice to cut down on unwanted mail.

3. Give Everything a Home (and Stick to It)

Clutter happens when things don’t have a designated spot. If you’re constantly leaving items on counters, tables, or chairs, it’s a sign they don’t have a proper home. Take time to assign a place for everything—keys go in a dish, mail in a tray, bags on a hook. The next step? Actually putting things back where they belong.

4. Declutter Regularly, Not Just Once a Year

Waiting until things are overwhelming before decluttering makes it a daunting task. Instead, build it into your routine.

• Do a five-minute tidy-up every night—return things to their places before bed.
• Use the 12-12-12 rule: find 12 things to throw away, 12 to donate, and 12 to put back where they belong.
• Keep a donation box in your closet or laundry room so you can quickly drop in items you no longer need.

5. Tame the Paper Chaos

Paper clutter piles up fast—mail, receipts, school forms, magazines. Stop it before it takes over.

• Open mail immediately and deal with it—shred junk, file important documents, and set aside bills to pay.
• Switch to paperless billing whenever possible.
• Take photos of important receipts instead of keeping physical copies.
• Limit magazine subscriptions or opt for digital versions.

6. Make Cleaning Up Easy

The simpler it is to put things away, the more likely you’ll do it.

• Use baskets or bins in high-clutter areas (like an entryway for shoes or a coffee table for remotes).
• Store things where you use them—coats by the door, laundry supplies near the washer, office supplies at your desk.
• Keep extra hangers in your closet so clothes don’t end up on the floor or draped over a chair.

7. Be Intentional About What You Own

The less you own, the less there is to manage. Instead of mindlessly accumulating things, be intentional about the objects in your space. Ask yourself:

• Does this add value to my life?
• Would I buy this again today?
• Do I love it or use it regularly?

If the answer is no, it’s probably just clutter.

8. Involve Everyone in the Household

Clutter isn’t just a one-person problem. If you live with family or roommates, keeping the space organized needs to be a shared effort.

• Assign designated areas for each person’s belongings.
• Set household habits, like a five-minute cleanup before dinner.
• Make decluttering fun—turn it into a challenge or reward progress.

9. Let Go of the “Just in Case” Mentality

A lot of clutter sticks around because of fear—What if I need this later? But more often than not, “just in case” items sit unused for years. If something hasn’t been used in a year (or more), chances are you don’t actually need it. Trust that if you truly need it in the future, you can find a way to replace it.

10. Remember: Organization is a Habit, Not a One-Time Fix

Keeping your space clutter-free isn’t about perfection—it’s about small, consistent habits that keep things from spiraling out of control. The key is maintenance: if something starts to pile up, tackle it before it becomes overwhelming.

By being intentional with what you bring into your home and taking small daily actions, you can finally break the cycle of clutter—making your space one that feels calm, functional, and truly yours.