We often think of clutter as a visual nuisance—something to hide behind a door or shove into a junk drawer. Yet, consider that the piles on our counters and the overflow in our closets are doing more than taking up space. They may actually be shaping how our brains function.

As we explore the topic of neuroplasticity this month—the brain’s ability to change and adapt—it’s important to acknowledge that our physical environments directly influence our mental patterns. Clutter doesn’t just create stress—it reinforces it.

Clutter and the Brain: Why It’s More Than “Just a Mess”

Neuroscientists at Princeton University found that a visually cluttered environment competes for our attention, making it harder to focus and process information. In essence, our brains interpret clutter as “visual noise”, which leads to overstimulation and cognitive fatigue.

When we’re surrounded by disorder, our brains must work harder to filter out irrelevant stimuli. This constant effort drains mental energy and contributes to decision fatigue, a condition where even simple choices—what to wear, where to put something, what to keep—feel overwhelming.

Why Being Organized Supports Neuroplasticity

When we intentionally reduce clutter and create structure in our environment, we free up mental bandwidth. That matters, because the brain thrives on patterns and predictability. Organization helps the brain form efficient neural pathways—it doesn’t have to “work as hard” to function in a clear, orderly space.

This doesn’t mean our home needs to be minimalist or picture-perfect. What matters is creating spaces that reduce stress and support our goals, whether that’s resting, working, connecting or healing.

What the Research Shows

Americans spend 2.5 days per year looking for misplaced items, and over $2.7 billion annually replacing them. One in 10 households rents a storage unit, spending about $1,000 per year just to store excess belongings. More than one-half of all Americans feel overwhelmed by the amount of clutter in their homes, and two-thirds report feeling ashamed about it.

Clutter has been shown to increase cortisol, the stress hormone, especially in women. One study suggests that eliminating clutter could reduce housework by up to 40 percent. These aren’t just inconvenient side effects—they’re quality-of-life issues that impact our relationships, energy and emotional regulation.

Clutter as Emotional Noise

Many of my clients come to me believing their struggle with clutter is a sign of laziness or failure. It’s not. More often, it’s a reflection of mental overload, grief, anxiety, depression or even perfectionism. Our homes become mirrors of our inner world.

That’s why decluttering can be such an emotional process. Letting go of physical items often means confronting the past, facing the future, or releasing old identities. And that takes courage.

Small Changes, Big Shifts

The good news is we don’t have to overhaul the whole house to experience change. Because of neuroplasticity, even small actions can shift our thinking. Here’s how to start:

•  Choose one small area (a drawer, a countertop) and clear it intentionally.

•  Create predictable routines—like a “reset” at the end of each day.

•  Assign each item a home so our brain doesn’t have to guess where things go. Use supportive self-talk instead of shame:

•  “I’m not my mess. I’m taking care of my space—and myself.”

•  With each step, we’re not just clearing space—we’re rewiring your brain for clarity and calm.

Our brains are malleable. Our homes are, too. By understanding the psychology of clutter and the science behind how our environments affect us, we can begin to reclaim our time, energy and peace of mind. Let our home support the life and mindset that we are creating—not hold us back from it.

Katy Annulli, a Rhode Island-based Professional Organizer and founder of KMA Organizing, helps clients de-clutter and organize their homes to bring a greater sense of calm and grounding. For more information or to make an appointment, call 401-903-2704, email [email protected] or visit KMAOrganizing.com.