Eliminate Clutter Magnets

 

How to Tackle Your Clutter Magnets

A clutter magnet is any space that routinely seems to attract items – it is essentially where things get dumped, piled, stacked or left behind to be dealt with “later.”  It is usually visible, but sometimes it’s also hidden – like a “doom room” or a “junk drawer.”

Clutter magnet piles easily become overwhelming, and suddenly you’re avoiding dealing with the entire space.

Eliminating clutter magnets, requires reflection to understand what’s causing it and problem-solving to create a storage solution that works for your (and your household’s) flow and routine:

Step 1: Understand the source of your clutter and address the friction points.

Reasons for clutter are personal, but it’s important to reflect on your own reasons beacuse it can help you decide what steps to take next. I previously wrote about common clutter reasons, here.

Step 2: Assess the clutter magnet area.

Answer these specific questions, which will help you decide which organizing systems will work best for you:

  • What type of surface or area is the clutter magnet?
    Identify the boundaries of the clutter magnet. For example, is it a counter, floor, table, drawer, room, etc.?

  • What consistently gets left here?
    Common examples in the home: mail, papers, shoes, not-quite-dirty-clothes, etc.

  • Who is attracted to this area? (who’s stuff is it?)
    It is most important to take into consideration the organizing preferences of the people involved in helping keep this space tidy.  Tailoring your organizing system will go a long way in maintaining the organization.  Preferences include:

    • Accessibility — what is their height, what are they capable of reaching or carrying

    • Visibility — do they prefer to have items visible or stowed away?

    • Frequency of use — how often they use the items in this space? Higher frequency dictates a need for easy accessibility.

    • Organizing style — do they prefer macro or micro organizing?

Step 3: Upgrade your organizing system

Make sure your organizing system addresses the clutter magnet’s needs.

These products help upgrade your storage system by taking advantage of vertical space and help to create a physical boundary or are something to physically “contain” your items:

  • Large floor baskets

  • Wall or over-the-door hooks

  • Bins — any material!

  • Designated containers for each person

  • Trays

  • Magazine file holders

  • Filing cabinet or file box

By taking the time to observe and problem-solve your clutter magnet area, you can identify how to stop it for good! 🙌

 
How-To, Organized SpacesStacy Lee