If you struggle to keep your space tidy, there's a lot to be learned from the most organized among us, in particular, what they never do.
After all, if never letting the 'chair pile' happen, or letting go of items you're holding onto 'just-in-case' is the key to creating an enviable abode, why not take advice from those who do it best.
Here, professional organizers share their home organizing golden rules to avoid these missteps.
7 things super organized people never do
1. Letting the 'Chair Pile' happen
'You know the one,' says Cynthia Kennedy, a San Diego-based personal stylist and wardrobe organizer, 'that catch-all chair where “I’ll hang it up later” clothes go to die. Super organized people don’t even let the chair exist in that way.'
The reason why? 'Because it becomes a visual junk drawer,' she explains. 'Once one item lands, it snowballs. Then you stop knowing what’s clean, what needs a refresh, and before you know it, your room looks like a dressing room at Zara during a sale.'
Professional organizer Wendy Zanders from Fresh Start Registry agrees, adding, 'Letting clothes pile up creates visual clutter and mental noise, making it hard to tell what's clean and what needs washing.'
So, to avoid a 'chairdrobe' and declutter the bedroom 'clothes chair' once and for all, Cynthia recommends creating a designated 're-wear' zone that's not a dumping ground.
'Use a freestanding valet rack, over-the-door hooks, such as the Simple Houseware Over the Door Clothes Hanging Rod available at Amazon, or a slim garment, such as the SONGMICS Clothes Rack with Wheels available at Walmart, to hang gently worn pieces.'
If you're still struggling to shift your 'chair pile' for good, try The Minimalists 'no pile' rule to overcome tidying when overwhelmed.
2. Collect things
As Anne Steppe, owner at Step by Steppe Organizing, says, super organized people also never collect things.
'There are no shot glasses or coffee mugs clogging up space in their homes from every trip they ever took,' she explains.
That being said, there's nothing wrong with curating your beloved collection if you do have one, and you certainly don't have to declutter it – it's more about letting go of any sentimental items wasting space that you no longer feel attached to in the same way.
Then, avoid any open shelving mistakes by displaying your very favorite items that bring you happiness whenever you see them. This will make your living room shelves look less cluttered, and is one of the golden rules of organizing open shelving in a kitchen, too.
3. Hold onto items 'just-in-case'
Another thing super organized people never do, says Courtney Cummings from The Stylish Organizer, is hold onto 'just-in-case' items.
'We’ve all had that thought – “but what if I need this someday,' she says. 'Trust me, in my years as a professional organizer, I have never once had a client come back and tell me they needed the thing they donated. Ever.
'We hold onto items for various reasons, most of the time feeling obligated to keep them because of the money we spent on them, or because they were a gift, and sometimes because we think they might be useful someday. I am telling you right now, you do not need the charger for your iPhone 4. Also, the sweater that Aunt Sally knitted for you in 2003 is not coming back in style.'
So, when employing decluttering methods, which Courtney recommends doing quarterly, take the time to assess your belongings and weed out the things you haven't used or needed in the past six months. Pay special attention to the 20/20 rule for decluttering, keeping in mind that if you can replace an item for less than $20 in under 20 minutes, chances are you don't need to keep it.
'These “just-in-case” items take up space in your home that could be allocated to things that you use, need, and want,' continues Courtney. 'Worst case? You can repurchase that item when you need it. But I promise you won’t.'
4. Avoiding sorting bills
We can't deny that sorting bills and organizing important documents is a task we'd rather ignore, but, says Courtney, it's crucial to organize paperwork at home and get rid of paper clutter.
'Paper clutter can be really tough for most people,' she admits. 'If you don’t sort through your mail, it leads to piles of paper on kitchen counters and entryway tables, and creates the possibility of missing important paperwork.
'So, what should you do instead? Have a designated home for incoming mail and sort it based on priority and type. Bills go in one place, junk mail in the recycling bin, and school or work correspondence in another one.
'The minute you walk in the door with your mail, resist the urge to drop it on the counter. Take a few minutes to go through everything. I like this BLU MONACO Wall-Mounted Mail Organizer available at Amazon for a stylish and low-profile option.'
5. Leave dirty dishes in the sink overnight
For a tidy and beautiful home, it's also important to clean a kitchen after use, says Barbara Brock, founder and CEO of Barbara Brock Inc., and that includes using some expert tips for washing dishes.
'Dirty dishes left out from the night before, whether it be in the kitchen, bedroom, or family room, are a health hazard,' she warns. 'Fruit flies can latch onto dirty dishes in the summertime faster than you can say “fruit”. Collecting them takes but a few minutes, rinsing and stacking until washing is the preferred treatment of this messy pile.'
For this, Courtney advises that perfecting your closing shift routine is the key to stress-free mornings.
'These small resets become a habit and pave the way to smooth mornings. Your future self will thank you,' she says.
And, if you have one, the same applies to loading a dishwasher properly, too.
6. Procrastinate tasks that take less than a minute
If you need some expert tips to banish chore procrastination, take it from Kielyn Simonson, founder of OrgaNice: Super-organized people never procrastinate on tasks that take less than a minute.
'Letting small things pile up is one of the quickest ways to feel behind and overwhelmed,' she advises. 'Simple tasks like putting shoes away or tossing junk mail take seconds, but if left undone, they accumulate fast.'
Instead, Kielyn recommends following the 'one-minute rule.' 'If it takes less than 60 seconds, do it right away,' she recommends. This tiny habit helps maintain order without much effort, no product needed, just a mindset shift.'
And, if you want to speed things up even more, the game-changing 30-second rule for chores makes it easy to overcome procrastination without overwhelm.
7. Underutilize vertical storage space
Finally, recommends Courtney, maximize your storage space by going up, with space-saving ways to use vertical storage.
'Super organized people know how to get the best bang for their buck from any closet or pantry by tapping into the vertical space between shelves,' she says.
'Use bins or storage baskets to help contain your items, and be sure to measure your space before purchasing any products to ensure the right fit.
'Need to stack items in your pantry or closet? I love the The Home Edit XL Open Front Storage Bins from Walmart. The wider width allows you to group together more items in one container, and you can stack these bins to optimize your vertical capacity.'
So, if you've been looking for stylish storage ideas, think vertical.
What to shop
All prices were correct at the time of publication.
This clothing rack is available in four different colors, with a large load capacity and easy assembly.
This delicate duster is ideal for giving your collections or open shelving a quick clean. It also features a hanging hole for convenient storage.
Avoid your 'chair pile' by hanging up your items on these slim velvet hangers, which also help to maximize your closet space.
Keep on top of your to-do list with this functional and beautiful pad that features handpainted edges in assorted colors.
This lightweight folder includes sticker labels to allow you to easily distinguish between different categories of files, and fits A4 and letter-sized paper, and standard documents.
For a superior clean when doing the dishes, this brush has stain-resistant bristles and a stainless steel stand with a drip tray for fast drying
Meet our experts
'You may marvel at the Instagram-perfect spaces of the most organized people on the planet and think their lifestyle is unattainable, but you can bump up your organization game by following these tips and tricks,' says Courtney. 'Use your vertical space, declutter unused items, practice nightly resets, and remember the big impact that small daily habits can have on your time. Once you tap into the power and joy of an organized lifestyle, I bet you won’t go back. Happy organizing!'
It's also important to keep in mind the things professional organizers never do when decluttering, too.
