If you’re feeling overwhelmed by chaos in your home, here are some tips to start organizing a messy house.
We’ve all been there. You glance around the house that was tidy when the kids left for school and suddenly every surface feels cluttered. You tidy up, put things back where they belong, maybe even do a deep clean… and somehow, just a few days later, it’s back to chaos again.
Thus is the life I live with three boys and a dog! Legos, empty glasses, goldfish wrappers – they just appear out of thin air. Life gets busy, routines get interrupted, and honestly, many of us were never really taught how to keep a home organized in a way that actually sticks.
The real game changer (as you might guess) is decluttering. Most of the mess we see every day isn’t dirt, it’s just too much stuff (and perhaps a family who doesn’t know where things go). Pair that with a realistic cleaning routine and practical organizational system, and suddenly, things start to feel way more doable. I swear “everything has a place” is the secret to life.
It sounds overwhelming, but sometimes just starting is the hardest part. This blog post is full of practical tips to help you start organizing your space in a way that feels manageable, grounding, and truly sustainable.
How to Start Organizing a Messy House
Living in a messy house can take more of a toll on your mental state than you might realize. And this is especially true for women. Being surrounded by clutter makes me feel anxious, distracted, and just kind of… on edge. Making a few small changes to how you organize your space can have a big impact on not only how you live but also how you feel each day.
How Messy Is the Average House?
Most people say their home only feels “completely clean” for about 11 days out of the entire year. So, if you’re in the same boat, you’re definitely not alone.
There’s no such thing as a universal standard for what counts as “messy.” It really depends on things like how many people you live with, their habits, your lifestyle, and your own personal definition of clean. What feels messy to me might feel totally fine to you and vice versa! Everyone’s level of clutter tolerance is different.
The real trick to breaking the messy cycle is creating an organization system that actually works for you (and your family). One that’s realistic, easy to stick to, and helps stop the mess before it starts piling up. Once you’ve got a rhythm, keeping things tidy gets so much easier and honestly, kind of satisfying, too.
How Does a Messy House Affect You?
Mental and Emotional Drain
Studies have shown that women who describe their homes as cluttered tend to have higher levels of cortisol (aka the stress hormone). And it makes total sense. When your space feels out of control, it’s harder to relax in the one place that’s supposed to feel calming and safe. Have you ever tried to relax and watch a movie in a messy living room? I literally cannot sit on the couch if I have clutter in my sight.
And if you’re someone with ADHD, that mess can be even more overwhelming. A disorganized space can make it tough to focus, which only adds to the mental load. All around, clutter is draining and stressful!
Poor Sleep Quality
You’ve probably heard all the usual sleep tips keep the lights low, ditch the screens before bed, get cozy sheets and a good mattress. A messy bedroom can seriously mess with your ability to unwind. When your sleep space is messy, it can be harder for your brain to fully relax. Even if you’re not actively thinking about the piles of clothes or stuff on your nightstand, your brain kind of is.
Wasted Time and Money
Ever find yourself wandering around the house looking for your car keys, phone charger, or that one pair of jeans you swear you just saw yesterday? Clutter doesn’t just take up physical space it totally eats away at your time, too.
Beyond that, it can lead to a serious case of procrastination. When your space feels chaotic, it’s harder to focus, harder to start things, and honestly, just harder to think. Your environment might be to blame for your struggles with brain fog!
If you’re buying things you already have or find yourself going to Target for fun, you might be stressing out your home and your wallet. I used to do this a lot before I had kids, actually.
How to Organize a Messy House
Tip One: Start small
The best way to start organizing a messy house is to start small. Like really small. I’m talking one countertop, one corner, or even just one drawer. It might not sound like much, but trust me, those little wins add up fast.
Break your home down by rooms, then zoom in on one tiny section at a time. Set a 15-minute timer, put on a good playlist or podcast, and just go for it. You’ll be surprised how much you can get done in such a short amount of time and once you get rolling, that momentum makes the next task feel way less overwhelming.
If you’re looking for more tips on how to tackle your space step by step, check out my blog post on organizing your home, one room at a time.
Tip Two: Use the “Four Box Method”
Grab four boxes or bins, laundry baskets, or even grocery bags will do in a pinch and label them: Trash, Donate/Sell, Keep, and Relocate. This simple decluttering system makes it so much easier, especially when you’re working room by room. It helps you make quick decisions without getting stuck in limbo.
Here’s how to use them:
- Trash – Anything broken, expired, or just no longer usable. Let it go!
- Donate/Sell – Still in good shape, but not something you use or love? Time to pass it on.
- Keep – These are things you actually use and want to keep in the room you’re organizing.
- Relocate – Things that belong somewhere else in the house. Toss them in here for now and move them later; no need to leave the room mid-declutter.
Tip Three: Clear surfaces first
When you’re just getting started organizing a room, I always recommend tackling the surfaces first; think tables, counters, and floors. These are the spots your eyes go to first, and when they’re cluttered, the whole room can feel a bit chaotic.
Clearing off those visual anchors instantly makes the space feel lighter and more manageable. Even if the drawers and closets are still a mess (we’ll get there!), having your surfaces clean gives you that “ahh” feeling and makes it easier to keep going.
And don’t forget those four boxes. Keep them close while you tidy up so that everything has a place to go. Take baby steps, one surface at a time!
Tip Four: Declutter before organizing
Before you dive into organizing with all the cute bins and baskets (and I love a good basket), it’s really helpful to start decluttering first. You’ll save yourself so much time and energy if you’re not trying to find a home for stuff you don’t actually need or use anymore.
You’ve probably heard of it before going on its ten-year anniversary, but The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo is a great read for learning how to let go of things with intention and yes, finding joy in the process (And if you’re local, Thomas’s aunt Layton is a professional organizer who can work magic!!!).
Tip Five: Choose function over feature
Every item in your home should have a home, but that space should make sense for your real life, not just what looks cute on Pinterest.
Think about how you actually move through your space. If you always toss your keys down the second you walk in, hang a key rack or pop a cute little bowl by the door to catch them. Keep your coffee pods and mugs near the coffeemaker. Store your go-to skincare and makeup right where you actually get ready in the morning. I used to store my bedsheets in the downstairs linen closet, but I moved them to my bedroom dresser in my room for easier access.
It’s all about functionality! The easier it is to put something back where it belongs, the more likely you are to actually do it and the tidier your space will stay (without even trying that hard).
Tip Six: Establish routines
I do quick little 10-minute tidy-ups each evening. It’s way easier (and way less overwhelming) than spending your whole weekend deep-cleaning the house. Just a few minutes of putting things back where they belong like toys, mail, that random water cup collection and your space starts to feel so much calmer.
Then, once a week, have a little “reset” day. That’s when you can catch up on anything that you can’t get to during the week. Things like vacuuming, scrubbing the floor, and fluffing the pillows can be done on your reset day!
It doesn’t have to be a big production just establish intentional systems to keep your home feeling tidy and manageable without the stress.
Tip Seven: Review the process
If you find that certain areas of your home are consistently your biggest trouble areas (the entryway, kitchen island, living room rug) re-think your systems. Trying to figure out why the mess is there will help you prevent it from accumulating in the first place.
Starting small means seeing the major benefits of organizing your home!
It’s time to take charge of the mess and create a space that feels calm, cozy, and 100% functional. I know how overwhelming it can feel, but once you break it all down into smaller, manageable steps, it feels way more doable.
For more home organization tips, check out these other blog posts:
