- Americans tend to own numerous items, often creating clutter and exceeding their home storage capacity.
- Signs of excessive storage include lack of space, increased cleaning time, stress, impractical item retention, and disorganization.
- Garage space with wall-mounted shelves can add valuable storage room while ensuring safety.
- Closets, attics, and basements can be optimized with shelves, drawers, hanging organizers, and clear storage containers for better organization.
- Renting or buying a shed can provide affordable extra storage space, reducing clutter and enhancing the home environment.
Are you struggling to find space for your recently purchased items? Do you often find yourself moving clutter around your home without getting rid of it? If so, then you’re likely storing too much in your home, which can lead to a multitude of problems down the line. Here’s what you need to know about how many items Americans own, signs that you’re storing too many items, and solutions to ensure you can store these items in your home.
Item Ownership in The U.S.
It’s estimated that Americans own about 300,000 items in their homes. This number includes everything from furniture to clothing, toys, electronics, and appliances. It can be difficult to keep track of all these items when there’s not enough room to store them properly. Unfortunately, many Americans store too much without realizing it until they’re overwhelmed with clutter.
Signs That You’re Storing Too Much
There are various signs you’re storing too many items in your home. Here are some of them:
Running Out of Space
The most obvious sign you’re storing too much in your home is a lack of space. If your closet doors don’t close, your shelves overflow and your drawers won’t shut, it’s time to declutter. Making space in your home can help make your living area feel more comfortable and less cluttered.
Cleaning Time
If you adopt the phrase ‘tidy as you go’ but dedicate more time to cleaning up than enjoying your space, your home may be too cluttered. Keeping your living space clean can be challenging when there are too many items in your home. You may find yourself pushing aside mess after mess, and your cleaning time will skyrocket.
Stress
Your home should be your haven, inviting you to unwind and relax. However, if your home is packed with so much stuff and clutter that you see it as a time-consuming project to fix up, it can cause stress and anxiety. If your current living area situation overwhelms you, it’s time to consider decluttering.
Lack of Practical Use
Have you ever kept something even if you knew you wouldn’t use it again? You’re not alone. The fear of letting go of stuff that brings nostalgic memories is real, but keeping things with no actual purpose is called clutter.
Can’t Find Things
When you have many items, it’s easy to become disorganized. You may struggle to find things when needed, leading to frustration and wasted time. In a worst-case scenario, you may misplace items often, leading to additional stress and lost or wasted items.
Solutions For More Space
There are various ways you can bring more space into your home. Here are four ways:
Garage
If you only store your vehicle in your garage, you miss out on valuable storage space. Utilizing wall-mounted shelves can help keep messes off the floor while adding more storage options for your items. However, ensure that your garage door is well-maintained. This will ensure your stored items are safe from intruders while also improving the overall appearance of your garage. Contact a local garage door repair service to do this for you. They can also inspect for any potential issues that can cause your door to malfunction.
Closets
When organizing your closet, ensure adequate storage options to keep it neat and organized. You can add shelves and drawers or use hanging organizers for clothing items. Opting for clear storage containers makes things easy to find and remove.
Attic and Basement
If you have access to an attic or a basement, use it to your advantage; these areas can be great for storage. You can also divide each area into sections depending on the items you need to store. Ensure you keep things well-labeled so they’re easy to find later.
Sheds
Renting or buying a shed may be ideal when you need extra storage space. They’re durable, affordable, and can offer much-needed extra space for your items. Plus, it’s often the most affordable option compared to renovating or building an extension to your house.
It’s not difficult to create more space in your home, and you need to know what solutions work best for you. Using some tips above, you can increase your home’s storage space and ensure all your items are correctly stored. Plus, with less clutter and more space, you’ll be able to enjoy your living area much more.
