I’m a professional organizer. I see clients make these 6 decluttering mistakes again and again.

Open white closet shelves display hanging clothes, woven baskets, boots, storage boxes, and a potted plant in an organized fashion. — As a professional organizer, I’ve noticed several mistakes people make when trying to declutter their homes.
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As a professional organizer, I know the best ways to declutter a home — and what mistakes to avoid.
I often see clients keeping too many sentimental souvenirs, which hinders a successful organization.
Plus, I always see people trying to tackle their entire home at once.

I’m a professional organizer who has helped many people over the years with decluttering, home organization, and learning how to intentionally use their space.

No matter the type of house or lifestyle, I notice most people fall for the same decluttering pitfalls, preventing them from achieving the organized dwelling of their dreams.

Here are the six biggest mistakes I see inside almost every home I walk into.

Trying to organize before decluttering almost never works.

Person sorting papers at a cluttered desk with craft supplies, scissors, phone, shelves, and a tabletop mirror. — Lourdes Balduque/Getty Images

Organizing and decluttering are two different things. I think it’s crucial to edit a home and eliminate any unnecessary items before even attempting to organize it.

Otherwise, there is no clarity, and everything is simply shifted around instead of serving an intentional purpose.

My favorite strategy is to first pull everything out of one space, then put back only the things I really need or love. After getting rid of those excess items, I can actually organize the area effectively.

Holding onto things “just in case” is a big mistake.

Hands place a blue notebook into a storage box filled with books, folders, and fabric items. — PrathanChorruangsak/Getty Images

One of the biggest mistakes in organizing is holding onto things that aren’t truly necessary.

This is usually a scarcity-driven need for survival — the “what if I need this” instinct — that can halt any decluttering.

I always tell clients to ask themselves two questions. First, have they used this item in the last 12 months? And second, would they buy this item again if they didn’t have it? If the answer is no to both of these questions, that’s their sign to toss, recycle, or donate it.

Being too sentimental can force people to keep more than they need.

Travel souvenirs and postcards surround a miniature Statue of Liberty, Eiffel Tower, red bus, coins, and luggage tags. — Laurie Rubin/Getty Images

When I work with people who are very sentimental, decluttering and organizing can become quite emotional. This is completely understandable, and the good news is that there are many ways to preserve certain memories without holding onto lots of things.

I recommend keeping one to two souvenirs from a special trip or event instead of filling a whole box of items. This way, you’ll preserve the memories without weighing down the rest of the home.

Storing unrelated items together can create chaos.

Cluttered room with piles of laundry, storage bins, toys, and a desk with a white chair. — Natalia Lebedinskaia/Getty Images

One time, I was helping a client organize her kitchen pantry and discovered a box of Halloween decorations — clearly not where these items belong.

To prevent this from happening, a good rule-of-thumb is to keep like items together. Towels, bedding, and blankets go in a linen closet. Food and kitchen supplies go in the pantry. Toys, games, and children’s books go in the playroom.

Within these spaces, I then group items even more tightly: bedsheets together, canned goods together, books together.

Organizing items in a “family” helps you find what you need and put it back easily without overthinking.

Trying to tackle everything at once can make the process feel impossible.

Person folds an orange knitted blanket beside a white storage bin while a dog rests on a bed. — Westend61/Getty Images

Decluttering can take a lot of time, energy, and emotion, and when people don’t know where to begin, the process can feel overwhelming. So, I recommend starting small.

The first step is to use a trash bag. I like to take it from one room to the next, tossing items that are clearly waste — expired food, old paper, broken toys.

I also suggest starting with one small area, such as a shelf, drawer, or corner of the room. If someone is easily overwhelmed by clutter, they shouldn’t tackle it all at once. Working in sections keeps it manageable.

Secretly getting rid of a partner’s things isn’t worth the fight.

Two people arrange potted plants and decor on wooden shelving in a bright indoor room. — Brasileira/Getty Images

Pack-rats and minimalists don’t mix well, but I’ve noticed many spouses have conflicting views on organization.

When one person in the home wants to declutter, I’ve noticed it sometimes causes the other to address their own fear of scarcity and overwhelm.

When this problem occurs, I like to encourage compromise and patience. Everyone will have to make concessions, and there’s no rush to go through the clutter.

Having partners edit their own spaces first, then tackling common areas together, allows both to feel comfortable during this process. And I always emphasize not to secretly get rid of a partner’s item — it’s not worth the argument.

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