Common 'Just In Case' Items That Are Keeping Your Home From Being Organized

While a truly organized house may seem effortless, you know that it is not accidental. It's the result of hard work, discipline, and constant decluttering. It's easy for possessions to slowly get out of control, however, and undermine all the time and energy you've invested in managing your space, but it doesn't have to be this way. If you find that random objects are making it hard to stay organized, chances are you could be falling into the trap of "just in case" items. These things often include objects that seem useful to hang onto but they can actually slowly undermine your goal of an organized home. 

You're a rational person, and the "just in case" trap takes full advantage of your reasonable nature. The issue with holding onto things just in case is that you're expected to make a prediction about the future you can't possibly know. Will you use that extra charging cable? Maybe, maybe not. How about that reusable water bottle that's collecting dust? Instead of definitively deciding to part with an item you currently aren't using, keeping things just in case always allows for the possibility that you might use something if it's still in your home; this creates an open loop on countless possessions that you then have to manage. While items you're hanging onto just in case will vary person to person, common ones getting in your way include extra linens, shoe boxes, underutilized kitchen appliances, promotional items, and crafts supplies. Getting rid of items you're not using is a smart organization habit that helps you declutter your home.

Staying hydrated is important but buying disposable water bottles can be wasteful and expensive. Because of this, many individuals like to tote around a reusable water bottle for on-the-go hydration. Too many of them, however, can clutter up your kitchen cabinets, leading to organizational issues. If you find that you've been hanging onto extra bottles because you might use them one day, now is the time to stop. Keep two bottles: one for using and another as backup for when the first is being washed, then part with the rest.

If you're anything like most people, you likely have a whole bin's worth of charging cables in your home. They come complimentary with most electronics purchases. These cables, however, are probably cluttering up valuable storage space in a drawer, plastic bin, or closet, and chances are you don't ever use the ones that aren't in daily rotation. Take a few minutes to gather all of your cables, then sort them according to type. Keep one of each type of cable and get rid of the rest. Prioritize chucking damaged cables that are dangerous to use or those that you don't have compatible tech for anymore.

One area that could be begging for some attention is your coffee mug cabinet. It's common to accumulate coffee mugs over the years and simply hang onto them because they may come in handy one day. You likely don't need as many as you have, though, and could declutter your inventory for a more organized cabinet. If you're not sure which coffee mugs to keep or get rid of, the "upside-down" method can get your kitchen organized and clutter-free with barely any effort.

Is there anything more exciting than getting a promotional T-shirt or reusable coffee thermos at an event you're attending? While these free items might feel useful when you first gain possession of them, the rude reality is that you have to manage whatever comes into your home (and you likely won't use them as much as you initially think you will). Whether it's a monogrammed drink coaster, a bag of samples from the mall, or a keychain, these items will probably end up in a junk drawer one day, robbing your home of organization.

You know how easy it is to accumulate arts and crafting supplies. While there is nothing wrong with holding onto supplies that you are definitely going to use in the future, it's all too tempting to keep even those things that are likely to never be called upon again. Half-used paints, glitter, ribbon, extra yarn, and popsicle sticks might all seem smart to keep but you'll have to organize them for the long term. Instead, feel free to declutter anything you don't have immediate plans for — chances are you can easily and cheaply replace them.

Bedding and linens are practical items to have around, especially if you have a large family or host guests regularly. Having too many, however, can become an organizational nightmare since they take up so much space. One easy way to purge your excess is by getting rid of any bedding that you don't like or is in poor condition — keeping these just in case is creating visual and mental clutter. You also don't need too many extra pillows for overnight guests. Two or three is more than enough.

While there are many projects you can do with a leftover shoebox, these unassuming containers could be creating unnecessary clutter in your home. In addition to taking up valuable space in your closet, they can also attract bugs, like silverfish. Instead of hanging onto cardboard boxes just in case you need them, recycle your shoeboxes promptly — you can always get more later. If you actually need more places to store footwear, here are some Costco finds that are great for shoe storage and organization.

Niche kitchen appliances can be fun to dream about using, but unless you're actually putting them into the meal prep rotation regularly, they could be messing with your home's organization. There's a chance that appliances like air fryers, waffle makers, panini presses, and the like could be lingering in your cabinets and on your countertops for years. If you're keeping them just in case you suddenly start cooking different recipes, it's best to let them go. The organization in your kitchen may dramatically improve once you clear out some of these space-stealing appliances.