Any household has what we like to think of as 'manageable dumping grounds,' be it a spare room, basement, attic space, or the garage. Long considered areas in desperate need of your attention, we're here to tell you that it's time to make peace with your messy storage spaces.
We're not the only ones – professional organizers agree that while sorting out these areas may be important, it's certainly not urgent or worth getting stressed over.
Here, they explain exactly why having a threshold for manageable dumping grounds is actually a low-stress decluttering method, and when you really need to worry or take action.
Which areas of your home you shouldn't stress about organizing
To find out more about which areas we can safely leave a little disorganized and messy, we spoke to Stephanie King, a professional organizer and founder of Soulstice Living.
She says, 'Garages, attics, and basements are what I call “manageable dumping grounds.” These spaces act as holding zones for the decisions we don’t want to make in the moment.
'We push things out of sight, and because they’re not part of our everyday living areas, they also slip out of mind. Over time, this creates what is called 'clutter blindness'. You stop even noticing the boxes, bags, or piles every time you walk by,' which is a familiar phenomenon known as 'clutter creep.'
In these spaces, you may also have a collection of sentimental items wasting space, or maybe piles you need to ditch. But what if you don't need to?
'I always tell clients: Don’t stress about the spaces you rarely enter,' reassures Stephanie. 'These storage areas are important, but they are not urgent.
'The real caution is that if you never make decisions in these spaces, they’ll eventually become unusable: Either too full to access or too overwhelming to add to,' filled with storage baskets and boxes, such as the Sterilite Storage Bins available at Walmart.
'Until then, remember that your daily energy is finite,' continues Stephanie. 'If you’re going to spend it on decluttering, focus on your “prime real estate”, the areas you live in every day.
'That’s usually the kitchen or main bedroom, bathroom, and closet. If you work from home, your office is a great place to start.
'Once the heart of your home is lighter and more functional, then it’s time to tackle decluttering the garage or organizing the attic.'
How to manage storage areas without letting them spiral
As Stephanie highlights, just because these spaces aren't your top priority doesn't mean you shouldn't set up some structure to make them far more manageable.
'Before piling things in, add shelving to maximize vertical storage space and keep items off the floor,' she advises. 'Use clear or labeled bins so you know what’s inside at a glance.'
For this, we recommend this pack of six Sterilite Storage Bins available at Amazon, or the bestselling Brother P-Touch Label Maker available at Walmart, if you already have suitable storage boxes that need labelling.
'Group like with like – holiday décor, camping gear, tools, keepsakes, for example –and give each category a dedicated shelf,' adds Stephanie. 'This makes it easier to access items without digging through stacks of boxes and also prevents the space from becoming a black hole of mystery items.
'If your storage area is already packed, it’s not too late. Install shelving against the walls and start pulling things out little by little. Even creating just one cleared shelf can give you momentum and a sense of relief.'
How to declutter your 'manageable dumping grounds' when the time comes
Most importantly, advises Stephanie, 'When you’re finally ready to declutter these “out of sight, out of mind” spaces, give yourself permission to take it slow.
'Remind yourself that it took months – if not years or decades – to accumulate what’s there. It will take more than a weekend to work through it all, and that’s okay. Think of it as a marathon, not a sprint. Work in short, focused sessions, and celebrate each small win along the way. Progress is progress, no matter how small.'
Here are Stephanie's top practical tips for clearing your dumping grounds:
- Bring in a helper: Sometimes a second set of hands or an accountability buddy makes the process faster, and prevents emotional distractions which may result in decluttering burnout. It is also great to body double chores you're dreading, or turn decluttering into a bonding family activity.
- Set a timer: Aim for 20-30 minutes, and work until the timer goes off. If that feels too long for you, or if you're decluttering with health challenges. Why not try the two-minute decluttering rule or, if you have more time, the scary hour technique? Using a visual timer, such as the VOCOO Digital Kitchen Timer available at Amazon is a good way to keep track of time.
- Use the 'one touch' tidying rule: If you pick up an item, you must make the decision. Does it leave the house – have labeled boxes or bags ready for trash, donation, or selling – or does it stay. If it does stay, where will it live?
- Act now: Move items for donation out of the house the same day if possible.
- Keep hydrated: Have water and snacks ready; decluttering can be surprisingly exhausting!
What to shop
All prices were correct at the time of publication.
Stephanie recommends these shelving units for all your garage storage needs, which hold 500 pounds per shelf and are customizable and adjustable.
These bins come recommended by Stephanie, and are strong, durable, made of tough polypropylene plastic, with a snap-on lockable lid to keep out pests and dust.
This heavy-duty cabinet with 26 drawers is ideal for 'dumping ground' organization, for Lego storage, or organizing your craft supplies.
These storage boxes certainly come at a higher price point than most, but they're waterproof, weatherproof and lockable, ideal for use in your garage, attic or shed.
This is the label maker professional organizer Stephanie uses and 'loves.' It includes a template library, visual preview, and built-in memory for easy label production.
This multi-purpose rack is quick and easy to assemble with no nuts and bolts required. It's also equipped with rubber footbeds to protect your flooring.
Meet our expert
An easy way to tackle your manageable dumping grounds is by focusing on these things you can get rid of in a garage right now.
