The One Thing Expert Organizers Never Do in Their Own Homes

Perfectly coordinated storage solutions certainly have their place, but they’re not the starting point. In fact, expert organizers point to them as one of the most common pitfalls of organizing. Buying storage solutions before you’ve decluttered may feel like a productive first step, but, in reality, it can hinder the process. 

Here’s why the specific sequence of organizing matters more than you might think.

Why to Never Buy Storage Before Decluttering

When faced with a cluttered space, it’s natural to want an immediate fix. Color-coordinated storage bins, drawer dividers, and decorative baskets offer the promise of instant order.

However, organizing expert Leanne Neiland cautions against jumping straight to this phase. "I avoid buying storage containers before decluttering," she says. "It’s really tempting to organize everything into baskets and tubs, but if you haven’t reduced what you own first, you’re usually just organizing clutter."

Before you find everything in its place, you have to decide what’s worth keeping first. Without that step, even the most impressive storage system can become a holding zone for items you don’t actually use.

Why This Habit Can Be So Tempting

Part of the appeal lies in how tangible storage solutions feel. At first glance, putting everything into containers can make a space look cleaner. Counters are clear, everything is off the floor, and personal care products are no longer tumbling into the sink. 

But that sense of calm is often short-lived. “It looks tidy at first, but the system doesn’t last,” Neiland explains. “If there’s too much stuff, drawers get overfilled, and baskets become dumping spots.” In other words, the clutter hasn’t disappeared; it’s just been rearranged.

It’s easy to be drawn to quick fixes, especially when you’re eager to refresh your home. But organizing is one area where slowing down often leads to better results.

What to Do Instead

Taking the time to declutter first may not offer the instant gratification of matching bins and baskets, but it creates a foundation that'll keep your home organized for the long haul. “Declutter first, then create storage around what you actually use,” says Leland. “Simple systems that are easy to maintain will always work better long-term.”

When you remove items you no longer use or need, a few important things happen:

• Your space becomes easier to manage. With fewer items to organize, every drawer, shelf, and cabinet has more breathing room.
• Your storage solutions become more intentional. Rather than guessing what you might need, you can choose containers that fit your actual belongings perfectly.
• Your systems last longer. When everything has a realistic amount of space, it’s far easier to maintain order over time.

Once you’ve pared down your belongings, your storage needs often become much clearer—and, oftentimes, much smaller.

Building Systems That Actually Work

Once you’ve decluttered, you can begin to think about storage in a more personalized way. Instead of filling a drawer with dividers simply because they look appealing, consider what you’re storing and how you use it. The goal is to create systems that feel intuitive in your daily routine.

That might mean:

• Keeping frequently used items within easy reach
• Grouping similar items together
• Leaving a bit of extra space to prevent overcrowding

When your storage reflects your habits, maintaining it becomes second nature. And importantly, you may find you need far fewer containers than initially thought.