A Professional Organizer Says This Is the Reason Your House Is Always Messy

It’s a common occurence: You spend hours and hours, maybe even days, organizing your home. It’s finally under control and looks absolutely pristine, like out of a magazine. But then inevitably, a few weeks or months later, it’s back to a state of disarray. So you do some more organizing and decluttering… and the cycle begins again.

There are a couple of reasons why you can’t keep your space organized, says professional organizer Julianna Strickland, founder and CEO of Space Camp in Los Angeles.

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One reason might be that you didn’t organize your space in a way that’s helpful to you. “I think that most people really want to be organized and enjoy their homes, but they get frustrated because they keep trying and nothing seems to stick,” she explains. “Pinterest and Instagram can be helpful tools for inspiration, but trying to make your home look exactly like these images isn’t going to serve you in the long run. Real, effective organizing happens from the inside out.”

First, she suggests identifying pain points or frustrations you keep experiencing in your home. After you pinpoint those things, you can work backwards to create organizing solutions to solve those problems. But don’t feel pressured to make everything look like it belongs on Instagram or Pinterest. “You can make your spaces pretty if you want (we always do), but I always remind clients that functionality is more important than something looking picture-perfect,” Julianna adds.

In addition to figuring out if you’ve organized your space “correctly” for your needs, Julianna shared some other issues that might be holding you back—read below for more.

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1. You Have Unrealistic Expectations

“We see a lot of clients who are frustrated with their homes, and we realize they’re operating from an ‘all or nothing’ mindset,” Julianna explains. “What I mean by this is that they think their home needs to be perfectly organized, and if it’s not, there’s no use in trying. I’m here to tell you that a perfectly organized home is nearly impossible to maintain, so if you can let go of that expectation and take baby steps toward functional solutions, you will enjoy your space more, and the benefits will speak for themselves.”

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2. You’re Trying to Do Everything at the Same Time

Keep in mind that organizing takes time, energy, and often, money, Julianna adds. It may be tempted to organize as fast as possible, but don’t do it. Julianna recommends starting in the spot that will give the most relief the fastest, whether it’s something like a small messy drawer in your kitchen, your clothing closet, or your bathroom drawer. Make sure you give yourself plenty of time to take everything out, sort through things, and then put it back together before you take on another organizing project.

3. You Bought Organizing Products Before You Started Organizing

“I know this seems counterintuitive, and I totally get it: You buy an organizing bin you’re excited to use and you think it will inspire you to clean out a space,” Julianna says. “Well here’s the truth: You actually are just making a big guess about what you need if you buy products before you address the real, functional issues you are experiencing in your home. The key to creating systems that last is choosing products that perfectly fit your space and help address your needs, and not just trying to organize your space to accommodate a product you bought.”

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4. You’re Putting Form Before Function

Like Julianna said earlier, functionality is more important than something looking beautifully put-together. She adds that if a space isn’t functional, there’s no reason for it to be beautiful because it will never stay looking great. “Think about how to use your prime real estate wisely and store items you use most often in the most accessible spaces,” she says. “Also, be realistic about what you are willing to maintain. If you don’t envision yourself refilling those beautiful glass pantry canisters, don’t even let yourself buy them. Ultimately, the best investment of your time and money is to create systems that you will realistically maintain.”

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5. You’re Skipping Labels

It can be hard to keep track of what’s in every bin, basket, and drawer. And once you lose track, you’re less likely to stick to those organizing systems you put in place. “Labels are an easy way to remind yourself (and anyone else in your household) what goes where. It’s like a little bird on your shoulder reminding you to put your hat back in the hat basket,” Julianna explains. “Labels keep you accountable, and that repetition turns into habits that help you maintain your systems.”

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