Kids’ toys strewn across the living room floor. An unopened Amazon order by the entryway. A kitchen counter littered with too many utensils and condiments, the aftermath of hectic mornings and rushed dinner prep week after week. Fellow working moms, does this sound familiar?
I've come to accept that clutter will occasionally rear its ugly head in my family's home, but my husband absolutely hates it. He's a true minimalist. If it was up to him, we'd live in an empty white box. But as a home design editor, I'm on the other end of the spectrum. I can't help but to put the latest design trends to the test (within reason!).
For example, I might go through a stripes phase where the pattern must be all around the house: a pair of throw pillows for the couch, a set of towels for the kitchen, a new tablecloth to make our family dinners feel even more special. Or, it could mean swapping out our bedding or picture frames to experiment with a new color palette. The result? Our attic sometimes looks like a disorganized prop closet at a design magazine. It's just too much stuff.
If you, too, feel like you're drowning in stuff, beware: experts say clutter can ruin your relationships. It's the hard truth.
Considering my overcrowded attic and common living areas that become cluttered from time to time, I decided to check in with professional organizer Hannah Goetz of Hannah Goetz Organizing for some advice. During our recent chat, Goetz shared some pointers to help keep clutter at bay and maintain healthy relationships with family.
“Clutter is an overwhelming thing and it’s stressful,” says Hannah Goetz. “It can cause tension between you and your loved ones and make a negative impact on your mental health.” Don't I know it!
Keep reading for Goetz's advice.
Protect your mornings.
If your partner starts their day at a different time than you (mine does), it's crucial that areas, like the bathroom and closet, are in order to make mornings stress-free. The last thing you need is to be scrambling to find a specific pair of socks or food storage container for your work lunch just minutes before leaving the house.
"Getting ready in the morning is already a big feat to get through, so wasting precious time will make you even more stressed," Goetz says.
Establish clutter-free zones.
Whether it's the pile of clothes on the chair in our bedroom or the beauty products scattered on my dresser, Goetz says every household should have a limit when it comes to clutter. As a family, agree on the important spaces in your home that should always remain clutter-free. The bathroom and bedroom closet are good candidates.
Declutter together.
A couple that declutters together, stays together, right? "Set a schedule for decluttering because it's a great way to bond and have an accountability partner," Goetz suggests. While spring is a good time, "choose any period of the year that works for you and your partner." This will make the decluttering process much more manageable and ensure that you're not overlooking any spaces in your home that are in need of attention. Pace yourself, too. It's not an activity that can be completed in a single session.
"Home is supposed to be a peaceful space, where you feel like a weight has been lifted off of you — not like more weight has been added." — Goetz
Know the red flags.
How do you know when clutter is affecting your relationship? If there's a cluttered space in your home that everyone has avoided for a significant amount of time, it's time to make a change. According to Goetz, another sign is if clutter is leading to passive-aggressive communication between a couple or complete avoidance.
Delegate specific tasks.
In our household, my husband has no problem cleaning the bathrooms. He'll bop away to his favorite tunes while scrubbing shower tiles, disinfecting the sinks and sweeping the floors. As for me? I'd rather handle any other chore in the house. Goetz says this is completely fine, as long as both parties understand and fully accept their responsibilities to keep the house in good shape.
Follow the one-in-one-out rule.
This prevents items, like pantry products and children's toys, from piling up throughout the house. "Before you buy anything, always think: 'Do I already have this? Do I have space for this?'"
Put storage bins to use.
"I love suggesting bins, especially labeled ones, for any type of space because they are easy to hide items so things don’t look cluttered," Goetz says. It's especially helpful on days when you don't have time to tidy up a space but don't want to deal with the eyesore. They also come in handy for quick clean-ups before company arrives.
Include your children in the process.
It's no secret that kids emulate their parents' behavior. That said, try to set a good example by creating an environment for them to thrive. A clutter-free space lets them know that they are valued and it will even put them at ease. Our kids love making their beds, organizing their bookshelves and donating items they no longer need. We might even throw in an incentive, too, if they're lucky!
"Parents can show kids that organizing can be fun," Goetz says. "Introduce these habits early and teach them, in a fun way, to do things on their own. This will help kids become more prideful in their space and they would want to stay organized."
Monique Valeris is the home design director for Good Housekeeping, where she oversees the brand's home decorating coverage across print and digital. Prior to joining GH in 2020, she was the digital editor at Elle Decor. In her current role, she explores everything from design trends and home tours to lifestyle product recommendations, including writing her monthly column, "What's in My Cart."
