[The Strategy of Eliminating Clutter: Why Clear Surfaces Stay Clean]-[Second Cup: Limit the stacks of stuff]

The Phenomenon of Accumulating Clutter

In this episode of Before Breakfast, host Laura Vanderkam introduces a practical strategy for home organization: the importance of limiting "stacks of stuff." The core observation is that clutter is self-perpetuating; a small pile often serves as a magnet for more items, eventually growing into a "big stack." Vanderkam shares her personal experience after moving into a new home, where she placed donation boxes in an upstairs hallway. These boxes, initially intended for organization, became a dumping ground for random items that lacked a designated home. She notes that these piles "slowly growing, and just generally looking like a mess," created a cycle of neglect.

The "Broken Windows" Theory of Home Organization

Vanderkam draws an intriguing parallel between her hallway clutter and the "broken windows theory of crime." The theory suggests that visible signs of disorder—like broken windows—signal that "no one cares" or that "no one is watching," which subsequently invites further vandalism. Similarly, in a household, the existence of a messy pile signals to family members that it is acceptable to leave items haphazardly. When a surface is already cluttered, people are less likely to take the "extra few seconds to find things real homes," preferring instead to add to the existing heap.

The Power of Empty Surfaces

The turning point in Vanderkam's experiment occurred when she finally cleared the hallway. Once the donation boxes were removed and the floor was cleared, a "funny thing happened": no one stacked anything there again. She explains that because the floor was "completely clear," any random item left behind would look "so out of place" that it would immediately be noticed and removed. This suggests that an empty surface acts as a psychological deterrent to clutter, whereas a messy surface invites more. As she puts it, "while stacks of stuff attract more stuff, an empty surface tends to stay pretty empty."

Practical Strategies for Maintaining Order

To combat the accumulation of clutter, Vanderkam offers several actionable tips:

• Clear the Surfaces: Prioritize removing stacks entirely. If you cannot find a permanent home for items, store them in a box inside a closet to keep living spaces clear.
• Consolidate Stacks: If you must have a pile, combine small stacks into one. A single, taller, and more "precarious" stack can force family members to pause and consider before adding more, as they might risk the "whole stack toppling."
• Acknowledge Limitations: While these strategies are effective, Vanderkam remains realistic, noting that some family members may still view an "empty counter as an invitation to throw their stuff" regardless of the effort made to organize.

Ultimately, while not a perfect solution for every household dynamic, the evidence from her hallway experiment is compelling: by proactively clearing stacks, you shift the expectation of the space from one of disorder to one of intentionality, making it significantly harder for clutter to take root.