‘It’s like sleeping with monsters under the bed’ – my clear-floor policy as a professional organizer is an instant game-changer in clients' homes

Trying to find permanent storage places for everything in your home can feel like a constant struggle, but there is one surface I always try to avoid clutter on – the floor.

As a professional organizer, my 'clear-floor policy' is the easy answer to preventing lost items and overwhelming piles. The theory behind it is simple, and it works, as a clear floor signals to your brain that the space around you is empty, reducing the stress that often comes with mess and visual clutter.

That's why my policy is a no-brainer, and I always use this direct decluttering method in every client’s home.

What is my clear-floor policy?

My clear floor policy is pretty simple; I abide by a rule that nothing belongs on the floor, especially when organizing a closet or pantry.

The floor may look like storage space, but in reality, it’s a magnet for clutter. Shoes get lost under hanging clothes, empty bags linger long after they should have been dropped off at Goodwill, and piles accumulate.

I also find that when it comes time to clean the floors, areas are missed because of piles of shoes or stuff in the way.

Research in environmental psychology shows that clutter increases visual stimuli and overloads the brain, which leads to stress and decision fatigue. I often compare it to sleeping with “monsters under the bed,” except the monsters are clutter.

Just like a child sleeps better when they know what’s under the bed, I believe we sleep better when the space beneath us is clear.

The only real exception I have on this is for very small-space living, for instance, city apartments or when organizing a small house with no storage, where every square inch counts, including the floor.

In your own home, try this experiment: Open your closet door and take a good look at it. Then remove everything from your closet floor, close the door, and then reopen it. Notice the difference in how you feel. Do you feel lighter, calmer, more in control?

How to avoid using the floor when organizing

The key is to use vertical storage to save space. Maximize shelving and stackable bins, so your belongings are lifted off the ground.

If you do use the floor, it should be with a purpose, such as using a shoe rack that elevates items, or clear stackable bins [such as the Clearline Stackable Small Shoe Drawers from The Container Store], rather than a pile of items that spreads.

For example, if building a shoe wall helps open up the space by allowing shoes to be visible and in order, do it.

The other key is doing an editing session using quality decluttering tips. If you consistently find things spilling onto the floor, it’s not a storage issue; it’s a stuff issue. Declutter your home room by room, and keep only what you use most.

If you have a lot of items in one category, for instance, sweaters or coffee cups, use the start with enough method to edit the group down into a reasonable but useful volume.

It is also helpful to try to stop clutter before it starts. Not only does this save you time and money, but overconsumption also forces your floor to act as storage. Rather than go cold turkey on spending, consider trying the one in one out method at first, or the one in ten out method if you want to push yourself.

What to shop

The floor decluttering method is also a fantastic place to start if you find yourself decluttering when you feel overwhelmed.

Starting with just one area can instantly boost your mood and motivation. Remember this: A clear floor can also result in a clear mind.