The 4 most cluttered areas of every home hiding in plain sight – and how to tackle these mess hot spots once and for all

We all have them – those little corners of our homes that always seem to have a big pile of mess in them no matter how often we clear it out. Be it the closet, the pantry, or the bathroom vanity, mess seems to be drawn to it like a moth to a flame.

Professional home organizers are urging us against admitting defeat, however. They have some super simple life hacks that will help to clear the clutter for good and help us control our homes with minimal effort.

Here, they reveal the four most cluttered areas of every home and how to tackle these mess hot spots with quick decluttering tips and game-changing new habits.

4 most cluttered areas of every home

NYC-based professional organizer Barbara Brock, founder and CEO of Barbara Brock Inc. says, ‘In my observation, the most cluttered areas are those that can be closed off and hidden away. People seem to keep the common areas, such as the kitchen, hall, foyer, and living and dining areas, neater because they are more likely to be seen.’

This leaves these four common spots to gather all the mess in the background.

1. Garages

Barbara continues, ‘Garages are a catch all area and often can be perceived as an overwhelming space to declutter than a home. In our minds, this space is where stuff that we don’t want in the house is tossed.’

When it comes to decluttering and organizing a garage, Barbara urges us to remember that ‘This is a project. Understand that you are not going to accomplish it in one go.

‘I recommend setting a time limit to help declutter when you feel overwhelmed. I’ve found that three hours is about the limit that a brain can function at one time, then start at the most difficult corner – even if it’s covered up with stuff.

‘This is the most important step – to declutter a garage properly, remove all those cluttered items to a blank area – whether it be the yard, an empty table, or where the car is usually parked. Sort the items into the same categories. Once you sort items into like in kind, you are able to see duplicates, what is broken, and what is to be given away or kept.

‘Before putting back, try removing another area with the same process – remove, sort, edit, and eventually return. It can help to think about the garage as zones (a trash area, exercise area, vehicle area, tool area, and so on). By zoning and categorizing areas, it’s easier on the mind and easier for other people in the household to find items.’

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2. Bedrooms

Bedrooms get a lot of use. From getting changed early in the morning or late at night, folding and sorting laundry, reading, journaling, or even working – it sees a surprising amount of household foot traffic, and can quickly become a mess as a result. Especially as you can shut the door and hide it all for most of the day.

To declutter a bedroom with too much stuff, Barbara Brock says, ‘Start by removing unnecessary items to create a serene environment and reduce visual stress. Seeing a surface organized and neat shifts your mind and inspires you to declutter another area or surface. Focus on areas that impact your well-being the most, like the bedroom for quality sleep or a dedicated workspace for productivity.

‘Decluttering nightstands and organizing dressers is the next essential step. No more than three to five items should live on the top – no matter if it's a side table, desk, console, or bedside table. More than that, and the tabletop looks crowded.

'And please, do not leave any food items out in the bedroom. Dirty dishes on a nightstand make for an uninviting bedroom.'

She also advises that you always make the bed. 'An unmade bed immediately gives an impression of disorganization and chaos,' Barbara adds. 'Make your bed daily – if the bed is made, the whole bedroom looks tidier.’

3. Closets and cabinets

It isn’t just the larger closed-off spaces that are magnets for clutter. As Gala Magriñá, holistic design expert and founder of Gala Magriñá Design explains, smaller storage ideas like cabinets and closets are just as susceptible – if not more so!

Gala says, ‘It likely comes as no surprise that closets and cabinets quickly become the most cluttered spaces in our homes.’

Whether you are decluttering closets, decluttering a pantry, or clearing out small entryway storage, Gala suggests, ‘Each time you go through these spaces use the Marie Kondo method and ask yourself, “Does this spark joy?” or “Have I worn this or used this within the last year?” If the answer is no, then you know what to do – get rid of it! Going through old clothes and items and giving away what we no longer need is highly beneficial. By getting rid of the old, we create space for new and exciting things to come into our lives.

‘A lot of the time, old things keep us weighted down and in the past, so by releasing them, we are lightening the energetic load and creating space for new opportunities to reach us.’

4. Work-from-home spaces

Whether or not you have dedicated home office ideas, or a small table set off to one side, Gala continues, ‘Another place we commonly see clutter is work-from-home spaces. You can have a stunning space, but if cords aren’t wrangled, it will detract from the overall look and feel.’

To help organize your home office set up and declutter a home office, start by organizing a desk, and removing any items that are not directly related to the tasks you do there. Paperwork, stationary, and other essentials should be stored in drawers and cabinets where possible, leaving only your desktop or laptop on the table itself, along with any other immediate essentials such as headphones, computer accessories and a weekly planner.

Then, organize cables for a visually soothing workspace, Gala urges. ‘Cords can be a nightmare to manage, but reusable cable ties [from Walmart] are a game changer. They’re simple, effective, and perfect for preventing tangles in drawers or workstations. I also love the ZhiYo Cable Sleeve, from Amazon, because they create the illusion of having one streamlined cord while keeping multiple cables tucked away inside. It’s a quick fix that instantly makes a space look more intentional.’

Of course, home organization is not a one and done task. You need to stay on top of clutter (preferably stopping clutter before it starts) by adopting smart habits such as the one-in one-out rule, or the one-touch rule to keep your home neat and organized for longer.