A messy home isn’t short on storage—it’s long on stuff, says an expert
Does your home seem to need more storage all the time? Instead of bringing order, cabinets and dressers may only create more problems, says Finnish interior designer and professional organizer Anu Niemi.
“If your home always feels a bit messy and things don’t have a place, the issue usually isn’t a lack of storage—it’s simply too much stuff.
You might recognize this if you have to move items just to get to others, or if your home feels more overwhelming than calming.
Of course, Finland has many small homes where storage really is scarce. Entryways are a challenge in many households, especially those with kids, pets, or sports gear. In new construction, kitchens are often compact too, and there may not be enough room for cooking and baking tools or dishes.
”The rush of everyday life also means new things pile into cabinets faster than the old ones can be passed along.”
Our sense of what’s necessary has blurred, however. The urge to buy and own things is so strong.
Other strong emotions around belongings can also lead to too much piling up at home. For example, it can be hard to let go of inherited items because we feel obligated to keep them. We may hold on to heirlooms as a way to remember someone, even though the memories themselves live in our minds, not in the objects.
Sometimes the pace of daily life means new things land in the cabinets faster than the old can be passed along. This happens often in families with children, as clothes and shoes are constantly outgrown.
”Cabinets, shelves, or dressers don’t necessarily bring the clarity you’re hoping for; they can make a room feel cramped, stuffy, or even darker.”
Adding more storage isn’t the solution to clutter that comes from having too many things.
It’s perfectly normal for the amount of stuff to grow as your floor area increases. Extra cabinets make it all too easy to stash things you could otherwise let go of. Cabinets, shelves, or dressers don’t necessarily bring the clarity you’re hoping for; they can make a room feel cramped, stuffy, or even darker.
Daily life can sweep us along. Still, it’s good to pause now and then to think about what you want from your life.
Ask yourself: How much energy do you want to spend taking care of things or stressing about cleaning? What’s the right amount of stuff in your home for a good life? How would it feel to enjoy your home instead of constantly thinking about sorting endless piles of belongings?”
