8 Decluttering Mistakes Pro Organizers Would Never Make

Regularly decluttering your home is always a good idea. It helps you think more clearly, breathe a little easier, and free up space for things that genuinely improve your daily life. But according to professional organizers, decluttering isn’t just about getting rid of stuff, it’s also about reducing friction in your home.

“When your space is overloaded, everything takes longer, costs more energy, and quietly drains you,” says Shantae Duckworth, professional organizer at Fresh Starts Registry. “Regular decluttering keeps your home functional so your life can run a little more smoothly.”

If you’re a decluttering devotee, you’ve probably tried (or at least bookmarked) plenty of trending tips from TikTok, Instagram, and Pinterest. And while some organizing hacks are genuinely helpful (like this one for spices), professional organizers say there are a few popular decluttering “rules” they’d never follow themselves. Ahead, three pros share eight decluttering mistakes they actively avoid — and why.

Donating items feels productive, but only if those items actually leave your home. “I would never bag up donations and let them sit around the house,” says Olivia Parks, owner and lead organizer of Nola Organizers. “If they don’t leave the home quickly, they usually become cluttered or slowly start creeping back into spaces in your home.” Some advice: Schedule a drop-off date before you start decluttering, or keep donation bags in your car so they’re out of your home immediately.

Lauren Saltman, professional organizer and owner of Living. Simplified., says that she never declutters bins and baskets at the start of a project, even if they don’t seem useful. “They often become essential once categories start forming,” she says. “Containers can help corral like items together, create temporary zones, and test out systems. Once decluttering is complete and the space is functioning well, then it’s much easier to see which containers are truly needed and which can go.”

A fresh organizing project can make it tempting to fill your cart with bins and baskets before you’ve touched the clutter. That’s a mistake Saltman actively avoids. “Before you buy anything, you have to declutter first, clear the space completely, and actually measure it — because you don’t know what will fit or function until you see the empty reality of the space you’re working with,” she says. “Buying bins before you declutter is how people end up with expensive containers that don’t fit the shelf, don’t hold what they need, or just become clutter themselves.”

Sometimes, you can be ruthless when organizing, and end up regretting things you got rid of. That’s why Saltman never weeds out sentimental items during a first pass. “These items require more time, emotional energy, and thoughtful decision-making. Starting with them can slow down momentum and lead to decision fatigue,” she says. “I always suggest building confidence by decluttering easier categories first, then returning to sentimental items when you’re in a better headspace to make intentional choices.”

Social media can make minimalist pantries and matching bins look like the ultimate goal. But aesthetics alone don’t equal organization. “Trendy aesthetics are not a decluttering strategy,” Duckworth says. “Just because something looks beautiful online doesn’t mean it works in real life, especially in homes with kids, busy schedules, or limited storage.” Function should always come first. “A system only works if it supports how you actually live, not how you wish your house behaved,” she adds.

When a space feels cluttered, it’s easy to start cutting too aggressively, including items you rely on every day. “Anything that is used to support everyday life, morning routines, meal prep, work, or caregiving shouldn’t be decluttered too quickly,” Saltman says. “Removing functional items without a plan can disrupt routines and create frustration.”

Instruction manuals, spare parts, and warranties are frequently discarded first — and regretted later. “These items often get tossed too quickly,” Saltman says. Her recommendation: Review them intentionally, consolidate what you keep into one dedicated spot, and discard only what’s outdated or tied to items you no longer own.

These days, some organizing tricks seem to focus on efficiency over intentionality. But rushed organizing is not something that pro organizers recommend. “Decluttering should reduce stress — not create new anxiety when you suddenly need something you were talked into letting go of too aggressively,” Duckworth says. That’s why it’s key to take a minute or two with items before saying goodbye to them forever.