'They all feel chaotic’ – 6 things that make a room look really messy and what to do for an instant lift

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.

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.

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.’

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.’

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

Christina Kelley

Design principal and founder, Christina earned her BFA in Interior Design from Savannah College of Art and Design. ​Christina launched her career in hospitality design with 10 years of commercial experience as a lead designer adept in the creation of signature environments for a wide range of boutique offices, hotels, restaurants and amenity spaces. 

Christine Jahan

Christine Jahan Designs is an award-winning interior design company located in Glendora, CA. The firm was founded by Christine Jahan in 2018 and quickly rose the ranks to become a thoroughly respected and highly recognized interior design firm in Los Angeles and its surrounding cities.

Jodi Peterman

With over 21 years of experience, Jodi brings a wealth of knowledge and a deeply personal touch to every project. Her laid-back yet professional approach ensures that clients feel confident and supported throughout their design journey.

Ally-Catherine Ternary

Ally-Catherine Trenary is an interior designer, and founder of bespoke interior home-wares brand, June St. George. Established in 2018, June St George creates bespoke pieces designed to be handed down through generations, and has introduced several innovations in the custom rug industry.

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.