Do You Have Too Much Stuff? 9 Signs To Watch Out For

If you have lived in your home for several years, you likely have naturally accumulated a lot of stuff. Most times, people are in denial over how much they own and how chaotic their houses have become as a result. Discover the common signs of too much stuff below.

1. You Can't Find Items 

Do you often misplace car keys, wallets, or children's toys? Do you constantly empty drawers and closets in search of things you put somewhere? If you have a lot of clutter, you likely tend to put items down because things don't have designated spaces. As a result, things always seem to get lost in the house. 

2. You Spend a Lot of Time Cleaning 

A cluttered house is harder to clean because you must move items out of the way. You may also get overwhelmed on cleaning day since you feel you have so much to do, and organizing the house can seem like a never-ending task. You may procrastinate cleaning your home, leading to more clutter. At this point, declutter your home and devote more time to enjoyable activities.

3. You Have Items That Spill Out of Drawers and Closets

You likely have excess stuff if you shove clothing in closets and pots and pans in drawers that barely close. Cabinets and drawers can trick you into hoarding because you don't realize you have many items until they overflow. Crammed cabinets also make it harder to find what you need and keep your belongings clean. Once you declutter your storage spaces, your house instantly feels more spacious.

4. You Have Cluttered Kitchen Counters, Floors, and Tables

If items don't have a designated storage place, the floor, tables, kitchen counters, dresser tops, and other flat areas become default storage areas. Over time, prepping and cooking food becomes a hassle because you must first clear the countertops. When your home's flat surfaces become unusable, eliminate things you don't need. 

5. You Can't Park Cars in the Garage

Garages are storage units for gardening tools, toys, winter clothes, furniture, paint, and old photos in many homes. Over time, you may store many unused possessions in the garage and can't fit your family's cars. The longer your garage accumulates stuff, the harder it becomes to declutter. So, deal with the garage clutter problem decisively, and install organization systems to tidy the area.

6. You Have Many Duplicates 

Many homes have duplicate items, like sheets, towels, flip-flops, and washcloths. The kitchen is especially prone to accumulating duplicates since you can have several things that do the same thing, such as a rice cooker.

If you have upgraded some kitchen appliances but still have old ones, declutter your cooking area. Other items that have multiple duplicates include coffee mugs, reusable grocery bags, T-shirt collections, children's toys, storage containers, and hobby materials.

7. Your House Stresses You Out

When you first moved into your home, you were undoubtedly excited to make new family memories. However, if walking into your home now causes stress and anxiety, the cluttered environment may make it seem like you have too much to do. You may struggle to focus on anything else or relax when surrounded by too much stuff. Decluttering removes those feelings of suffocation in your home and leaves you more peaceful.

8. You Avoid Visitors

Being conscious of clutter can make you hesitate to invite people over. You may worry about what guests will think and turn down opportunities to host family gatherings and dinners with friends. Your stuff shouldn't affect your social bonds, and decluttering restores the confidence to have people over and show them around.

9. Your Attic and Basement Become Storage Units

Your attic and basement have become storage units with items you have put up and have never used in years. A lot of times attics above garages and homes are used for extra storage, especially for seasonal items like Christmas trees. But then these easy storage areas are taking over by anything you think you may need someday or if your children return and want their yearbooks from 40 years ago. When these items are not taken down the heat from the attic breaks down the Plastics and cardboard and turns it into trash that makes the items unusable. These items can also be used for rodents that get into these spaces and will use these items for their nesting material. Which leaves you with another problem by having to call an exterminator.

Clearing out this clutter in these spaces is crucial if a repairman needs to get in for an electrical, cable TV, or telephone service going through these areas. Even heating and air conditioning ducts run through these attics and storing items can actually Crush these important ducts causing your home to lack heat or air in certain areas.

Your home is a safe haven, and clutter makes it uninspiring and stressful. When you are ready to eliminate excess stuff, contact us at All Clear Clean Out & Junk Removal Services for a fresh start.