Have you ever felt that a tidy home is never going to be a possibility for you? It turns out it's not just about what you do to tidy, it's about identifying and fixing what you don't do that'll help clear the mess for good.
Our cleaning and organizing professionals share all the things tidy people never do in their homes. Embracing these habits in time for 2026 will help you kick clutter and mess to the curb for a streamlined winter spent indoors and a tidy New Year ahead.
These 11 tips for a mess-free home start and end with transformative organizing ideas that will be a game-changer for those struggling with mess.
11 habits to avoid in 2026 for a perpetually tidy home
1. Letting online shopping boxes pile up
The convenience of online shopping can quickly lead to a mountain of cardboard. Tidy people break down boxes and dispose of them immediately.
As a disabled and busy full-time working mom, shopping online is a must for helping me get groceries, bulk-buying cleaning essentials, and other goodies needed to make my family's life spin to my house with ease.
That also results in a bunch of new boxes and packages entering my home daily. One rule I have is to break down and recycle the boxes immediately upon opening. This stops 'cardboard corners' from building up around my entryway and kitchen-diner, where we spend a lot of time. That added visual mess can also be a constant stressor, alerting your brain that you still have jobs left to do. Creating white space will usher in a sense of calm.
I use a pair of sturdy and sharp scissors, available in a multipack at Amazon, to quickly slice through the tape and get any new boxes flattened ASAP. It goes straight into our dedicated recycling bag and out of sight.
Upgrade your kitchen trash can to this smart, stacked one with two compartments: One for regular trash and one for recycling. It's stainless steel and easy to clean, too.
2. Ignoring digital mess
Beyond physical clutter, a messy home often has a busy digital counterpart. People with tidy homes do not ignore the digital mess, regularly sorting and filing digital documents, organizing their desktop, and using cable tidies, available at Amazon, to tame the associated tangle of charging cables for all the tech that runs it.
My husband is one of those people who has 62,094 emails left unread in their inbox and it fills me with dread whenever I spot that tell-tale red number. I, on the other hand, spend time every evening reading, filing, and deleting new digital mess from my mobile.
This means my multiple inboxes are not overflowing, and I don't get a shock every time I open my Mail app. It also helps to hit 'unsubscribe' on the newsletters you never read and usually either ignore or delete to stop them piling up in the digital ether to begin with.
This system applies in reverse, as I also digitize paperwork and file any printed letters that come in from the moment I have finished reading them. I have an iPhone, so I simply open my notes app, start a new document, add an attachment, and choose the 'scan documents' function to snap a high-resolution photo that the app automatically turns into a PDF.
That PDF is then saved on my phone for easy search later, and I usually add it to my Macbook Air's files as I've connected them all up to work across my Apple ecosystem.
Find an organizing system that works for you, set a decluttering schedule, and stick to it so avoid a digital mess creeping up on you.
3. Use the dining table as a workspace
With approximately 34.3 million people in the US. working from home in 2025, that's around a fifth of the employed population, the function of many homes has changed drastically in recent years. It's no longer just a place to relax and socialize, but also to forge ahead in our careers.
The data from the US. Census Bureau's Current Population Survey (CPS) and was cited by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) blog, Eye on Housing, and gives tidy folk an additional thing to stay on top of.
If you have even a small home office, that's preferred to working at your dining table, as it can be tempting to leave everything you need for work permanently 'out'.
When I was a freelancer, I was militant about packing my laptop at the end of my workday, but now that my husband and I both work full-time, remotely from home, we have converted our guest bedroom into a tidy, peaceful dual office space.
We have adequate storage in there for all of our things, including a gorgeous blue Amazon sideboard, which is surprisingly well-made, which helps keep our study organized, and we do not work at the dining table anymore.
If you are contending with small space living and its associated compact storage, consider having a work setup you can pack away with ease; otherwise, the temptation to leave your work mess at the dining table, or near the sofa, may increase your home's mess levels.
4. Having a cluttered nightstand
This high-functioning storage space is not just for making your bedroom look more luxurious; it's a vital storage space that serves a crucial function overnight. It's there so you can grab overnight essentials, including water and medication, without having to get up and disturb your sleep cycle.
As a chronically ill person who sleeps poorly, this space next to my bed is actually the most important one in my bedroom. That's why I am super strict with myself about keeping my nightstand clutter-free. I restrict items that are placed on the top to water, medicines, and any devices that need charging for the next day, including my Apple iPhone, iPad, and Watch.
In the drawers, I use Amazon's 72-cent organizers to corral items by category, including comfort items such as lip balms or earplugs and extra medicines.
This multi-pack comes in multiple colors and has non-slip feet. Each set comes with four different sizes included, so you can customize your in-drawer storage. They're easy to clean, too.
5. Never leave dishes for later
A clean and tidy sink area
In the busy hustle and bustle of life, every minute is precious, meaning the temptation to pop your dirty dishes, cups and cutlery next to, or inside the sink for later is a real temptation.
But professional home organizer and CEO of Clean Carpets Josh Miller says this is a big no-no, and is certainly one of the things people with tidy kitchens never do. He explains, 'You don't find dishes piled in the sink in neat homes. Whether it's washing up your plate after having a snack or loading the dishwasher right then, cleaning-as-you-go is the rule of thumb.
'I once worked with a client who couldn't help but make the kitchen cluttered. The simple habit we instated was to never leave the kitchen without cleaning one thing, whether it be a dish or a counter. And that little change completely transformed the space over time.'
If you can't manage to wash the dishes as you go, definitely don't leave your dishes overnight. Take that extra time before bed to load your dishes into the dishwasher, or hand-wash and dry, ready for a fresh start the next day. Don't forget to wash the kitchen sink when you're done to banish bacteria and avoid having to get rid of drain flies.
6. Don't keep things for good measure
A tidy kitchen
Whether you're overwhelmed and avoiding decluttering, or you're feeling guilty that you haven't used something you paid money for, don't hold onto pointless things. Those things you haven't used, won't use, or don't need anymore need to go and are probably just causing you to 'pay rent' to store them.
Josh Miller adds, 'Perhaps the single biggest habit of people with tidy homes is they don't let clutter build up. They're selective about what they keep, and quickly donate or discard items no longer used.'
Josh does a seasonal declutter to help him keep on top of things. He says 'The one in, one out method works best. For every new item brought into the home, something else has to go. That means stuff doesn't build up gradually.'
Real estate expert and founder of Ferro Home Buyers Alejandro Ferro adds, 'People with tidy homes never wait until a room is overwhelmingly messy to start decluttering. Regularly assessing and removing unnecessary items keeps things manageable.
'They also do not keep expired or unwanted Items, whether it's in the fridge or pantry. Routinely check for expired or unused items and clear them out regularly.'
Pantry organization is a great place to start as there is often a bunch of expired dry goods in there. Same goes when organizing spices.
I love the 'didn't know' decluttering method which is always a quick, guilt-free way to tidy my space. Simply, if you didn't know you had something, or forgot all about it, get rid of it, be it by donating, selling or recycling.
7. Never let paper pile up
A tidy home office
With the amount of mail, bills, flyers, and documentation we receive daily, plus the items we feel we have to print out, it's very easy for paper to pile up around the home. Add to that magazines, newspapers and recipes we keep, and the piles will seriously add up.
However, people with tidy homes don't let this one sneak up onto them. Alejandro Ferro says, 'In the homes of tidy people, mail, bills, and paperwork are dealt with immediately, preventing stacks of paper from taking over countertops or desks.'
Yosef Adde, professional home organizer and founder of I BUY LA adds, 'Paper clutter is a huge culprit in disorganized homes. A simple filing system and going paperless for bills and subscriptions keeps counters clear and homes looking immaculate.'
What you can do to organize paperwork at home:
- Go paperless. Ask your energy supplier, banks and other household service providers to send your documents and bills by email instead of through the post.
- Have a dedicated holding area for paperwork that needs sorting and set an achievable scheduling for reading, filing or safely discarding or recycling your paperwork. Remember to use a protection stamp roller, available on Amazon to black out your personal details before recycling so you don't end up a victim of identify theft.
- Have a dedicated filing cabinet to put things away in so you don't end up moving a pile of paperwork from one spot to another.
All prices correct at time of publication.
This fireproof, water-resistant expanding lock box is perfect for storing important documents. You can grab and take it in an emergency, too as it's light and has handles for easy portability.
8. Don't keep a junk drawer
Utilize every inch of valuable closet, sideboard and drawer space well
Don't dedicate any space to housing 'junk'. Josef says junk drawers need to be banished, explaining, 'People with tidy homes don’t have catch-all drawers filled with odds and ends. Instead, everything has a place.
'I recommend clear drawer organizers to my clients for better visibility and tidiness. I always advise my clients to get rid of anything they haven't used in six months. Tidiness isn’t about big clean-ups, it’s about habits.'
Cleaning pro Josh Miller agrees. He adds, 'Tidy people assign homes for their stuff. Everything has its own place, and odd bits of junk don't get tossed into a drawer to be sorted out later.'
For organizing smaller items, Josh really likes the iDesign Linus Drawer Organizers, available on Amazon. 'From pens to spare keys, they keep everything in order and make "junk drawers" functional, not chaotic,' he adds.
You can also use drawer dividers to organize your drawers and categorize items within them. Organizing a bathroom vanity like this for example will help you identify duplicates you don't need to keep.
9. Never neglect storage solutions
Versatile built-in storage, that makes the most of the space you have vertically as pictured here, is crucial to avoiding visual clutter
Neglecting home storage solutions will, of course, lead to a mess as you might find your home is seriously lacking in drawers, cabinets, ottomans, shelving and other smart storage solutions to house your things. This will inevitably lead to piles of stuff and visual clutter around your home.
Ali Mirdamadi, founder and CEO of Juujbox, a company specializing in storage solutions for home, college and moving, says, 'I believe having adequate storage solutions is crucial for maintaining a tidy home. So, I always suggest investing in multi-functional furniture pieces such as ottomans with hidden storage compartments, bed frames with built-in drawers, and wall shelves. These not only help maximize space but also provide a designated place for items to be stored away neatly.'
This ottoman is a multifunctional purchase adding seating whilst housing plenty of storage space inside. It holds up to 660 lbs, and can be positioned at the end of a bed, to the side of a room, or even used as a chic upholstered coffee table. Having furniture that doubles up as storage is particularly useful in tiny homes. This comes in eight colors.
10. Never exclude children or grandchildren from tidying up
A neat and orderly play room with dedicated storage
If you have young children or grandchildren either living in or visiting your home, you'll know how quickly they can obliterate a room, or hurricane their way through toys and activities, leaving behind a trail of mess.
It might seem like tidying up after them or decluttering kids' rooms without them are the best solutions, and if they are very young, it might be the quickest way, but it will not help in the long term to form good habits.
Amanda Schmitt, mom-of-two and owner of Life As Mama, says, 'My girls know that their toys go in the toy box, clothes in the hamper, and shoes by the door. Establishing these habits early on has saved us so many headaches.'
'Another thing we do is have the girls help out with chores and cleaning up after themselves. My four-year-old is in charge of clearing the table after meals and helping load the dishwasher. My two-year-old puts her dirty clothes in the hamper and helps wipe up spills. Instilling responsibility at a young age is so important. They see cleaning up as a normal part of our daily routine rather than a punishment.'
I have a daughter who is now nine and I wholeheartedly agree. We began helping her understand how to tidy as early as 18 months old, by making clearing up or organizing her toys after an activity into a game. As she grew older, the responsibility and independence levels changed accordingly. The key, however, was making sure she knew if she was feeling overwhelmed, she could always ask for help, and we'd do it together as a team.
If you have limited space, learn how to organize toys in a small living room.
Amanda loves this corded wet-dry vacuum. She says, 'With two kids and a dog, our floors get messy fast. The Crosswave vacuums, washes and dries hard floors in one step. It cuts my floor cleaning time in half and leaves my floors spotless. For tough messes, I use the Bissell steam mop, which sanitizes floors and leaves them shining. With the right tools and habits in place, tidy living is absolutely achievable.'
11. Never procrastinate
Christina Giaquinto, professional organizer and brand ambassador of Modular Closets, says, 'Those who keep their homes tidy never procrastinate on their cleaning tasks. They know that even the smallest spill or mess can grow into a larger one if it is not taken care of right away.'
Utilize smart cleaning habits like cleaning spills and stain immediately, and use smart equipment.
Christina has seen the impact this can have. She adds, 'People with tidy homes even use cleaning tracking apps to avoid procrastination and stay on top of their cleaning tasks. There are apps available like Sweepy and Tody that help them organize their cleaning schedule and stay accountable. These apps also allow them to set reminders for what they need to clean so they don't fall behind on their duties.'
There you have it – eleven things people with tidy homes never and what you should embrace right now, and as we hurtle towards 2026.
To help equip you further, delve into the ultimate decluttering tips from experts and the daily cleaning habits for a tidier home.
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