We’ve all been there, fired up with motivation, full of good intentions, ready to finally get organised. Maybe you head to the shops and grab a few storage tubs, label makers, or baskets. But a few weeks later, your space is feeling chaotic again, and you’re wondering… what went wrong?
You’re not alone. Most organising struggles come from a handful of common mistakes that can be easily fixed once you know what to look out for. Here are five of the most common missteps people make when trying to get organised, and what to do instead.
1. Starting with Shopping Instead of Decluttering
Mistake:
Buying storage containers, trays, or baskets before you’ve decluttered. It feels productive, but it often leads to wasted money and overflowing cupboards.
What to Do Instead:
Declutter first. Always. You’ll likely find that you don’t need as much storage as you thought. Shop your home, repurpose what you already own, and only buy what’s actually necessary for what’s left. Not only does this save money, it creates clarity.
2. Organising Before You’ve Made Decisions
Mistake:
Trying to organise clutter. This usually looks like neatly stacking items you don’t even want or need anymore.
What to Do Instead:
Make decisions before you organise. That means sorting through your things, letting go of what no longer serves you, and then giving the remaining items a proper home. Otherwise, you're just tidying clutter.
3. Aiming for Perfect Instead of Functional
Mistake:
Believing that an organised space has to look picture-perfect to be considered done.
What to Do Instead:
Focus on what works for you. A functional system is one that supports your daily life and is easy to maintain. It doesn’t need to be Pinterest-worthy to be effective. A repurposed shoebox with a handwritten label can be just as valuable as a $30 acrylic tray if it makes your life easier.
4. Not Considering How You Use the Space
Mistake:
Putting things where they fit or look good instead of where they’re actually used.
What to Do Instead:
Design your space around your habits. Create zones based on how you move through your home. Store everyday items in easy-to-reach places, and keep backup or seasonal items tucked away. When your space is organised based on function, it stays organised longer.
5. Expecting It to Stay Organised Without Maintenance
Mistake:
Thinking once you’ve organised it, you’ll never have to think about it again.
What to Do Instead:
Accept that organisation is an ongoing process, just like laundry, dishes, or vacuuming. The difference is, once you have a system in place, the maintenance gets easier. A daily 10-minute tidy, weekly reset, or quick zone check-in can keep your space flowing without constant overhauls.
Final Thoughts
Getting organised isn’t about doing it all at once or doing it perfectly. It’s about building habits and systems that work for you. When you let go of the pressure to have it all figured out and focus on progress, not perfection, that’s when the real transformation begins.
You’ve got this. And if you’re feeling stuck, I’m here to help.
💡 Ready for a Clearer Path Forward?
If you recognised yourself in any of these organising mistakes, you’re not alone — and you don’t have to figure it all out by yourself.
My Decluttering Checklist Bundle is the perfect next step.
It includes guided tools, room-by-room checklists, decision prompts, and printable trackers to help you go from overwhelmed to in control — one small win at a time.
Grab your bundle now and start decluttering with confidence:
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You’ve got the motivation, now let’s give you the support.
Let’s Chat:
Have you made one of these organising mistakes before? What helped you shift out of it? Comment below, I’d love to hear your story.
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