15 home organisation errors our readers ALWAYS make

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No matter how much time you spend on the decor of your home, and how beautiful the results are, all of that work can be quickly undone by mess and clutter. With clothes strewn across the house, knick-knacks and ornaments overwhelming every available surface space, and kitchens fit to burst, your house becomes bogged down in mess, making it impossible to relax, and putting off guests. 

It's a common problem, and we're all susceptible to it, that's why we're stepping in to show you how you can avoid these common mistakes. The vast majority of the time the solution is storage. Either not having enough storage or having the wrong kind of storage can leave you with nowhere to put anything, and while we always think we're just going to toss that jacket on the couch for a moment before we put it away, it builds up fast, and soon the room is cramped and messy. But never fear, one read of this article and you'll be ready to sort your home out in no time at all!

1. No coat hanger

Let's start with the first moment you enter your home and take your jacket off. Too often we just toss it on the sofa, and leave it at that, and while it might seem like a small thing, it looks messy and sets a bad precedent. Instead get a funky coat rack or hanger; items like this one will look great in your home and ensure you always have place to hang your hat.

2. Not enough storage in the bathroom

The bathroom is the kind of place where things can quickly build up, and suddenly every available surface is covered in cosmetics, toiletries, and medicine, while towels cover the floor. This is mostly because people overlook storage in the bathroom, so make sure that everything has a place by fitting your bathroom out with plenty of cabinets, drawers, or shelves.

3. Haphazard work spaces

If you work from home, either out of an office or just a dedicated workspace, it's crucial that the area is tidy and well organised to ensure you are at your most productive. Open shelves are good for items you're always reaching for like reference books or tools, while covered storage is better for files and records, keeping the visual clutter to a minimum.

4. A messy entertainment centre

As much as we love the advances that have been made in home entertainment, with DVD players, stereos, and computers becoming integrated, unfortunately we often end up just piling the devices precariously on top of each other while the cords form an unsightly tangle. Make sure that you have a good television cabinet that provides enough space to easily store and use all of your devices and keeps the cables out of view.

5. Underutilising space

It's important to limit the amount of negative space in your home by giving it a function and a purpose. The space under the stairs is typically wasted, but this innovative solution uses that space for a coat and shoe rack that can be slid out like drawers to keep your winter coats and shoe collection out of sight and perhaps more importantly well organised.

6. Clothes all over the furniture

We're all guilty of this sometimes, and that's okay, but it's important not to make it a habit. Instead of just tossing your clothes into a pile at the foot of the bed, or slinging them over every available piece of furniture, make sure you have a well organised and spacious wardrobe. It will keep your room tidy, and also make it far easier to find that perfect outfit. If your home allows for it we definitely recommend a walk-in wardrobe to turn every time you get dressed into a luxurious experience.

7. No storage in the living area

While its important not to crowd your room with too much furniture, it's even more important that you have somewhere to keep your possessions out of sight. Cabinets can be a fantastic addition to a living room from a design standpoint, whether you opt for an antique dresser or a sleek modern example like this one, but they also make it far easier to keep your home clear of clutter.

8. Too many trash cans

It's wonderful that we're becoming more environmentally conscious, however it has resulted in every home needing at least three different bins. It's fairly obvious why you'd want to limit trash cans in the home, they're unappealing, they create foul odours, and they clutter the floor. Instead use a multi-compartment trash can like this one to separate recyclables and food scraps, it keeps it all in once place, reduces the need for additional bins, and makes your life a lot easier.

9. Nowhere to put kitchen utensils

When it's time to put the dishes away one thing you always notice is that kitchen utensils can come in a sometimes infuriating array of sizes and shapes, making storage a challenge. But there are a few creative ways to store them that will keep them at hand but out of the way. Attach a rod to the ceiling or wall, or from a shelf like they have here, and suspend those utencils from hooks, it's really convenient, and also looks quaint and homely.

10. Cluttered surfaces in the kitchen

The other problem with kitchens is the sheer amount of non-perishables that we accumulate over the years, leading our kitchen counters to become completely covered in different jars, bottles, and tins, cramping the space and leaving nowhere to cook. Instead creative solutions like this cupboard with a pull out drawer will keep things just as accessible, but leave you plenty of room on the counter for preparing food.

11. Not enough shelves in the bedroom

The bedroom is where we store all of our most private possessions like family photographs and heirlooms, plus all of those knick-knacks and ornaments we pick up over our lifetime. Make sure you have plenty of surface space to display these items with adequate shelving. A unit like this will beautify your room even as it solves that problem.

12. Out of control spice racks

If you have about 30 little jars and boxes of herbs and spices on a shelf with labels that have worn off, you are not alone, but it is time to do something about it; you probably have about three boxes of the very same chilli powder from the last ten years. Go through and figure out what you're using and what is well past its use-by date, clearly label them, and you'll probably reduce the clutter by half. Magnetised spice containers like these will also keep them off the counter and clearly display the contents so that you know exactly what you're working with. 

13. Inadequate lighting

It's hard to keep on top of mess if you can't even see it! Make sure that your house is adequately lit so that you don't end up just hiding the mess away in the shadows. This is especially important for spaces your working in like the kitchen or office. Recessed lighting is a really good way to keep your home light and bright without adding visual clutter.

14. Bottles all over the shower floor

Keeping the floor of your shower clear is as much about safety as it is aesthetics, as it's incredibly easy to trip and hurt yourself. Install racks on the wall of your shower to store items like shampoo and soap and keep them off the floor.

15. Not keeping tables clear

It's important not to use tables as storage. Too often we have massive piles of letters and papers on the dining room table, while the coffee table in the living room is completely covered in books, magazines, and ornaments. This creates a problem every time you try to put your cup of tea down. Put the letters in a filing cabinet, and the books back on the bookshelf, and keep these surfaces clear at all times for a much neater home.

We're all guilty of these mistakes, but luckily now we know exactly how to avoid them! For more great tips, check out this article on making the most of your alcove!

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