Clutter Magnets: The Sneaky Secret of How Clutter Happens (And How to Stop It!)

How did that pile of paper magically appear on the kitchen side? How did all those toys pile up on the floor like a mini mountain? And how did the kitchen table get completely covered in stuff?

Photo by Luca Laurence on Unsplash

Sometimes, clutter has a way of taking us by surprise. One minute, you're enjoying a clear surface, and the next, it's hidden under a mountain of mystery items. We've all been there, but have you ever stopped to think about how it actually gets there?

The secret lies in the very first item that’s put down out of its ‘home’. It acts as an invitation for lots of other items to join the party. Before you know it, there’s a whole bundle of things that need to be put away. It’s a bit sneaky, really!

Let’s take that piece of post, for example. We pick it up by the front door while walking through to the kitchen to start dinner. We don’t have time to open it now, so we put it down on the kitchen side for later. Sounds harmless so far.

But then, the children come in and put their school letters on top. Our partner comes home, also tired from work, and puts their keys and wallet in the same place. Empty lunch boxes, homework and a random hair band or two gets added and that one piece of post has transformed into a whole pile of things to sort! The items are literally multiplying before our eyes.

Now that it’s a pile it looks like hard work, and we’re tired after a busy day so we leave it for tomorrow. After a mad rush looking for keys in the morning, the pile is still there, perhaps even bigger. A kid’s bracelet that needs fixing. A beautiful picture our child drew. A torch that ran out of batteries. Sunglasses we forgot we were still wearing. A pen and some earphones. Numerous random items that shouldn’t be there. All because of that first piece of post acting like a magnet, whispering, ‘it’s ok, this is where things get put down.’

Well, sneaky piece of post, we’re on to you. The next time we don’t have time to open you, we’re going to do something different. We’re going to put you straight in your designated home. From now on, you belong in a tray, box or container near the front door (or another convenient location) with all other incoming paperwork that needs actioning. That place is ONLY for paper. No more attracting other items to join your party!

Give everything a home

This isn't just about paper, though! Think about all those other clutter magnets:

Keys and wallets? They can have a lovely little bowl by the door or dedicated hooks.

Sunglasses? A small tray right next to the keys makes perfect sense.

Pens? Place a small pen pot right in the spot where you usually find yourself using them.

Repairs or other odds and ends that need attention? Find a specific ‘action box’ for them.

The key here is to assign every single item that usually finds its way into a clutter pile a specific, designated home. And that home should only be for items of a similar purpose. Once things have a clear home, they look like they belong there, and it becomes so much easier to deal with them when you do have some time. All the paperwork can be opened and actioned in one go, for example. Plus you won’t lose things in a pile of clutter because you’ll know exactly where to go to retrieve them.

Sounds easy, doesn’t it? Well, it does and it doesn’t.

Make It Stick: Patience and Practice

For this system to work, you need to be kind and patient with yourself. First, allow yourself time to really decide where things will belong. Don’t rush it! What makes sense to your family and your lifestyle? Maybe even try a temporary spot for a few days to see if it feels right. Then, allow yourself the space and the grace to change habits that have built up over time. This isn't an overnight fix, and that's okay!

Next, encourage family members to get on board with this new way of thinking. Maybe make it a fun challenge or celebrate small victories together. The most amazing reward will come from seeing those usually cluttered areas transformed into calm, clutter-free spaces. Take a moment to notice and celebrate this achievement – it's incredibly powerful and will feed your motivation to keep putting things where they belong.

So now, instead of giving items a ‘home’ on a surface you definitely don’t want them on, give them a home that helps you and your family function efficiently. It’s about taking back control of those sneaky clutter magnet areas. Remember this simple yet powerful mantra:

‘Don’t put it down. Put it away!’

Embracing this little phrase will save you so much time, energy and stress in the future. You’ve got this!