Clutter makes it tough to enjoy our homes. Who hasn’t sidestepped a precarious stack of mail or random boxes in the hallway? Maybe you’ve even hesitated to invite guests over, worried they’d see the mess. But how do you know if your messy piles are simply disorganized “stuff” or indicate something deeper like hoarding?

Clutter vs Hoarding: What’s the Difference?

Clutter can sneak up on anyone. But when does a cluttered home cross the line into hoarding?
“Hoarding refers to a behavior where someone has difficulty throwing away or letting go of their possessions, even if they may not have much value,” says Joseph Kim, a clinical Neuropsychologist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and a faculty member at Harvard Medical School.

By contrast, clutter usually involves belongings without a designated storage spot, leading to disorganization and frustration but not always severe risk.

Kim explains that hoarding is “at its core a type of anxiety disorder.” According to a Yale University study, many people with hoarding disorder feel extreme distress at the thought of discarding items. In turn, they accumulate more than they can use or store safely.

Clutter, on the other hand, tends to arise from habits like not returning items to their rightful place, insufficient storage, or a busy lifestyle — not a pathological fear of letting go.

What Is Clutter and How Does It Develop?

“Clutter is anything that doesn’t have a home,” says Brenda Scott, a professional home organizer and the owner of Tidy My Space.“It’s the stuff that no one knows where it belongs, so it gets dropped anywhere and everywhere.”

Common signs include:

  • Piles of mail, clothing, or household items without a clear storage space
  • You frequently misplace essential items like keys, documents, or tools

Common reasons for clutter

Think about all the times you searched for your favorite t-shirt but couldn’t find it amidst the heaps of clothes. This happens mostly due to one of these four reasons:

  • Poor storage solutions: Items are constantly moved around without a designated place.
  • Procrastination: Avoiding decisions about where things belong.
  • Overbuying: Too many shopping sprees or a lengthy doom scrolling on your favorite online marketplace can create piles of unused items.
  • Busy schedules: If you rarely have time to tidy, items accumulate.

What Is Hoarding and Why Does It Happen?

Hoarding disorder is driven by a deep-seated fear or anxiety about discarding items, regardless of their value.

“People with hoarding disorder may save boxes, plastic bags and junk mail,” Kim says. Some people believe they’ll need these objects in the future, or they attach intense sentimental value to them. Over time, these items build up to a level that impairs everyday use of living spaces.

Kim notes that while people in any age group can develop hoarding disorder, older adults can be particularly vulnerable. They have “more physical ailments, a greater likelihood of having cognitive difficulties, and a higher risk of social isolation associated with the context of aging. Each of these factors can cause a greater adverse impact on mental and physical health caused by hoarding behavior,” Kim adds.

Hoarding warning signs

  • Intense anxiety or distress at the thought of discarding possessions
  • Avoidance of visitors due to embarrassment or fear of judgment
  • Strong emotional attachment to items others see as trash
  • Neglect of basic hygiene or household maintenance
  • Difficulty walking through rooms due to stacks of items
  • Blocked exits or hallways, posing safety risks
  • Unusable furniture or appliances, like a stove covered in clutter

How To Recognize the Signs of Clutter vs Hoarding?

You might wonder, “Do I hoard, or am I just messy?” The American Psychiatric Association suggests asking yourself:

  • Do I struggle to part with my possessions, whether discarding, donating, recycling or selling?
  • Are my rooms and surfaces difficult to use because they’re covered in items?
  • How much do clutter or hoarding behaviors affect my daily life, including work and family?
  • Do these behaviors cause me significant distress?

If you answered “yes” to many of these questions, you may be dealing with hoarding rather than standard clutter.

Because people with hoarding disorder often lack insight into their behavior, “when something like this happens without addressing the underlying anxiety, patients are very likely to re-accumulate hoarded objects.” Kim says.

What Are the Impacts of Clutter on Your Home?

While not a disorder, clutter becomes a problem when it limits your ability to find things or clean effectively, contributing to frustration or stress. A home filled with disorganized objects can also lead to health and safety risks:

  • Dust mites & allergens: Cluttered homes can lead to increased dust mites and allergens. The American Lung Association notes that reducing clutter helps eliminate hiding spots for dust mites.
  • Increased stress levels: Studies suggest disorganized environments contribute to anxiety and lower productivity.
  • Safety risks: Piles of items may also turn into slip hazards or fuel for a house fire, according to Scott, and make it harder for emergency services to reach you.

What Are the Impacts of Hoarding on Your Home?

Hoarding disorder can create significant safety and hygiene issues, especially for older adults or those with limited mobility. According to the International Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Foundation (IOCDF), unchecked hoarding behavior can damage not just your property value but also your physical and mental health.

  • Obstructed pathways: Stuff may block hallways, doorways and rooms, making it difficult or impossible to move around safely.
  • Pest infestations: Rodents or insects thrive in hidden piles, sometimes chewing through walls and wiring.
  • Structural stress: The sheer weight of hoarded items may exceed floor load limits.
  • Higher flood or fire risk: Unmaintained heating, electrical or plumbing systems become even more hazardous when inaccessible.

Step-By-Step Guide To Address Clutter and Hoarding

Addressing Clutter

If you’ve ever felt a knot in your stomach at the sight of crammed closets or towers of old newspapers in your home, it helps to know you’re not alone. Here are a few decluttering tips to help you reclaim your space without feeling overwhelmed:

  • Break it down: Identify a single area to tackle — like a bedroom closet or pantry — rather than the entire house at once.
  • Remove emotion first: Begin with items that hold no sentimental value (for example, old sports equipment or expired pantry staples). This builds momentum.
  • Create categories: Try “keep,” “donate,” “trash,” and “relocate.” Having a clear system helps you see progress quickly.
  • Decluttering apps: Picture your phone chiming gently, reminding you to tackle a small decluttering task — like clearing that “junk chair” everyone avoids. Decluttering apps break massive cleanup projects into bite-sized goals. 

Marie Kondo’s “Spark Joy” method: For many people struggling with clutter, Marie Kondo’s organization tips can feel deeply reassuring. Her philosophy centers on keeping only what genuinely brings happiness.

Addressing Hoarding

Hoarding involves psychological and emotional barriers that can affect your mental and physical health. If you recognize hoarding warning signs in yourself or someone you love, it’s important to approach the situation with empathy and care. Here’s a step-by-step guide to managing hoarding:

    • Acknowledge the mental health aspect: Hoarding often stems from deeper issues like anxiety or emotional attachment to possessions. It’s essential to recognize that hoarding is not simply a “bad habit,” but a mental health concern that requires professional attention.
    • Consider professional help: If you suspect hoarding or if organizing your home feels unmanageable, reach out to a mental health professional or a specialized hoarding intervention team. Cognitive Behavioral Therapists who specialize in psychological causes of hoarding can provide coping strategies, while professional organizers trained in hoarding intervention can help manage the physical environment.
    • Online hoarder support groups: Connecting with others who truly “get it” can be a relief if you’re grappling with hoarding warning signs or simply drowning in “stuff.” Online support groups offer a safe space to voice your fears, share victories (big or small), and learn proven strategies from those who’ve walked a similar path.
    • Take it slow and steady: Don’t expect to tackle everything in one go. Start with small, manageable tasks that feel achievable. For example, begin by sorting through a small stack of papers, and gradually expand your efforts as you build confidence.

FAQ

What mental health conditions are linked to hoarding?

Hoarding disorder is considered an anxiety-related disorder, often linked to Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. Conditions like depression, ADHD or other psychiatric issues sometimes co-occur, making hoarding more severe.

What are the first steps to start decluttering?

Start small, focusing on one area at a time and removing items without emotional value first. Create clear “keep,” “donate,” and “trash” piles. If you’re struggling, consider a professional organizer or a mental health counselor for help with underlying issues.

What are the differences between hoarding and stockpiling?

Hoarding is when a person ends up collecting a lot of clutter, to the point of negatively affecting the quality of their lives. Whereas, stockpiling is the intentional hoarding of objects for reasons such as anticipating a future need or shortage of supply. Remember when people were buying toilet paper in bulk during the COVID-19 pandemic? That’s an example of stockpiling. 

About the Experts

  • Joseph U. Kim, PhD, is a clinical neuropsychologist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and a faculty member at Harvard Medical School. 
  • Brenda Scott is a home organizing expert and founder of Tidy My Space, specializing in compassionate, personalized solutions for empty nesters and seniors. A member of The Professional Organizers in Canada, Brenda is also a Certified Adaptive Home Specialist with the CHBA and a Senior Home Safety Specialist with Age Safe Canada. 

Sources

International Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Foundation (IOCDF): “Support Groups”

Author
Ally Childress
Ally Childress writes practical, informed stories and how-to guides for Family Handyman and Reader’s Digest. An experienced electrician, Ally's beat naturally includes electrical and construction topics. She also tackles cleaning, gardening, technology, bugs and anything else you can throw at her. She has a knack for finding just the right subjec...
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Ally Childress