Why Adding More Storage To Your Home Can Sometimes Be A Mistake

If you find yourself with more items in your home than places to keep all your belongings, it may be tempting to add another cabinet to your space. You may think that grabbing an extra container to fill with possessions is a good idea, but this could actually be a big mistake. You should sometimes avoid adding more storage solutions to your home because this can add more clutter, take away from your interior design style, make your home look smaller, and cost you extra money.

Overall, adding storage to your space can make your house feel overwhelming. It can cause you to purchase more items that make your home appear cluttered. Imagine a home chock-full of storage containers, bins, and organizers instead of one that has open space for movement. Your mind probably wouldn't feel as organized in this space, and you may also be more stressed. In fact, it's well-known that clutter has adverse effects on your health, causing anxiety, sleep problems, and an inability to focus. Removing unnecessary storage instead of adding it curates a free-flowing space for you to live in. Decluttering your home also reduces the stress of looking through heaps of junk to find what you need.

Besides adding more clutter, too many storage solutions in a home can also take away from your overall design and aesthetic. Where there could be paintings and plants improving your home, bins and containers occupy that area, leaving little room for your specific interior design style to shine through. This can make the home feel impersonal and sterile. Further, large storage solutions like freestanding shelves or cabinets can make your home feel smaller and more oppressive instead of open and airy, since they often take up both floor and wall space. Finally, the additional time, money, and labor you will spend assembling storage can drain you both physically and financially.

If you find that your storage solutions have come with any of these negative side effects, you should begin decluttering. To begin, clear out old items by using the four-basket method. Start small by focusing on rooms that have the most storage and begin removing trash, outdated items, or things you want to donate. If you don't know which room to declutter first, the bathroom may be the best option. Next, find a home for similar items, like placing your books on one bookshelf or having a storage tower for important documents, photos, and mementos. Once you've organized your space, you may have some extra bins and containers. If they're still in good condition, consider donating them instead of disposing of them.