10 Mistakes You’re Making While Organising (and How to Fix Them)

It started like it always does. You had a free afternoon and decided today is the day! You pulled everything out of your overstuffed closet, determined to finally organise it. But an hour in, you were surrounded by piles, feeling more overwhelmed than ever.

Organising sounds simple - just put things in their place, right? But somehow, it always gets messy before it gets better. And if you’re making a few common mistakes, you might feel like you’re organising all the time and still drowning in clutter.

Let’s talk about 10 mistakes that might be getting in your way and how to fix them so organising actually works for you.

1. Jumping Without A Plan

You get a sudden burst of motivation, pull everything out of your closet, and then…

Yes, I’ve done that too.

Instead of going full tornado mode, take a second. What’s your goal? More space? Easier access? Less visual clutter? A quick game plan (even if it’s just in your head) will save you from ending up on the floor, questioning your life choices.

2. Holding Onto “Just In Case” Items

Ah, the 'maybe I’ll need this someday’ pile. The jeans from five years ago. The stack of takeout menus (even though you order everything online now). That one random cable you don’t even know what it belongs to.

Be honest with yourself - most of these things are just taking up space. If you haven’t used it in a year, you probably won’t. And if you ever actually need it? You’ll figure it out. Let it go.

3. Organizing Without Decluttering First

Trying to organise without decluttering is like trying to fit 20 people in a 5-person car. No amount of rearranging will make it work. Before you even think about putting things in bins or making things look pretty, get rid of what you don’t need. Believe me, it will make the whole process a million times easier.

4. Buying Storage Bins Too Soon

I too love a good storage bin. But buying them before you declutter is a big mistake. You think they’ll solve all your problems, but instead, they just become clutter in disguise. Declutter first, figure out what actually needs to be stored, and then go buy the cute baskets.

5. Underestimating How Long It Takes

You think, Oh, I’ll just organise this one drawer real quick. Organising always takes longer than you expect. Give yourself extra time (and maybe a snack break), so you don’t end up exhausted and cranky halfway through.

6. Trying to Do It All at Once

Ever decided to “just organise the whole house” in one weekend? How’d that go?

It’s so easy to burn out when you try to do too much at once. Instead, start small. One drawer. One shelf. One section of a closet. Small wins keep you motivated, and before you know it, your space feels way more manageable.

7. Aiming for “Perfect” Instead of “Practical”

We’ve all seen those dreamy pantries on Pinterest. But here’s the truth: your space doesn’t need to look Instagram or Pinterest worthy. It just needs to work for your life. Focus on functional. If it makes your day-to-day life easier, you’re doing it right.

8. Ignoring Maintenance

Getting organised is one thing, staying organised is another. It’s like working out - you can’t just go to the gym once and expect to be fit forever. Without simple daily habits, things can quickly revert to chaos.

The good news? Maintenance doesn’t have to be complicated. A few minutes each day can keep things from spiraling. Try the “one-minute rule” - if something takes less than a minute to put away, do it immediately. Or set a five-minute reset before bed to put everything back in its place. Small efforts add up, and they’ll save you from another major organising overhaul down the line.

9. Not Assigning “Homes” for Items

If things don’t have a designated place, they’ll end up anywhere and everywhere. And once that happens, it’s only a matter of time before you’re tearing the house apart looking for your keys… again.

Giving each item a specific spot makes tidying up effortless. Think about the things you use daily - keys, wallet, phone, remote controls. Assign them a home and commit to putting them back there. Drawer dividers, hooks by the door, and labeled bins can work wonders. The less you have to think about where something goes, the more likely you are to keep it organised.

10. Being Too Hard on Yourself

Organising is a process, not a one-time event. Your space won’t magically stay perfect forever, and that’s okay. Life happens, messes happen. What matters is that you keep going.

Progress is better than perfection, and giving yourself grace is key to staying motivated. If things get a little messy, don’t see it as failure, see it as a chance to reset. The goal isn’t a picture-perfect home; it’s a space that works for you and makes your life easier.

At the end of the day, organising isn’t about fancy containers or perfectly labeled shelves, it’s about creating a space that feels good to live in. And if you can avoid these common mistakes, you’ll be well on your way to a home that actually stays organised.

So, next time you get the urge to organise, take a deep breath, make a plan and remember, it’s not about getting it perfect, it’s about making it work for you.