Here’s How to Find and Fix Your Clutter “Problem Area”

Written by

Stephanie NguyenSenior Editor of Cleaning & Organizing at Apartment Therapy
Stephanie NguyenSenior Editor of Cleaning & Organizing at Apartment Therapy
I cover all the ways to make your home sparkle with decluttering tricks, cleaning tips, and organizing hacks. I have more than five years of experience working in media and hold degrees in English and Journalism from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. I Iive with my husband and dog in Hawaiʻi.
published Sep 26, 2024
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A pile of laundry on a chair between a bed and a small table with potted plant
Credit: Sarah Crowley

Apartment Therapy’s Decluttering Cure is a free two-week decluttering program that’ll help you achieve a tidier home. Sign up here and get all 14 assignments delivered to your inbox.

Clutter can sneak up on you. One minute you threw just one shirt on your dedicated “clothes chair” to wear again soon, and the next there’s a giant heap of slightly worn items just sitting there. And that clutter can be even more difficult to tame when it’s in a hidden spot. 

Well, today we’re going into focus mode to tackle one major clutter problem — and declutter it for good.

Day 11: Identify a clutter problem area.

The assignment is simple: Identify a place where clutter is an issue (visible or hidden) and address it. Some examples of where to look include counters with items all over them, overstuffed drawers, messy cabinets, and disorganized shelves. 

Pick one place you want to work on today. Depending on the size of your space, you might want to declutter just three major items here or the entirety of it. Decide what needs to be tossed, relocated, or placed in an outbox.

Now that you’re aware of where clutter grows in your home, you’ll want to be mindful of it going forward. Set a reminder on your calendar for regular decluttering sessions to chip away at the mess. This can be a daily, weekly, or bi-weekly reminder — whatever works best for you.

PRO TIP: Find the fix. Now that you know your problem area and spent time decluttering, it’s time to implement a system or solution that’ll help keep clutter at bay. Check out our 2024 Organization Awards for the best organizers to help solve your problems.

Where’s your clutter problem area? Share it in our community forum!

More ways to participate in the Decluttering Cure:

The Cure Program is a tradition here at Apartment Therapy — it happens every January, April, and September. Click here to learn more about the year-round program and when to sign up.

Join the Decluttering Cure Community