7 Things You Keep Moving Around the House But Never Actually Use

Every house has a few things that get moved around repeatedly but never actually get used. Many of these simply happen to be in the wrong place at the wrong time and get moved so the owner can get to something more important. The problem is when objects like these sit in your house month after month, year after year, never getting used, just taking up space.

In my house, I have cookbooks on the kitchen counter that I rarely, if ever use, but they keep getting moved around and put back. My kids have a pile of puzzles they never do, but don’t want to get rid of for sentimental reasons. And finally, I have a pair of jeans in the closet that I’m waiting to fit back into someday. These are all objects that I love, and don’t mind having around, even though I rarely use them. But the list of objects we keep around and get annoyed with, is far longer. And it’s this latter group the causes frustration every time you have to deal with the clutter.

In today’s article, I want to focus on that list and perhaps inspire you to clear them out to create space for the things that truly matter to you.

Objects of sentimental value

An object doesn’t have to be functional to be valuable, but there’s still no reason to leave them in piles around your house. Decide what you want to keep and what can go. And then decide a pleasing way to store or display the keepsakes you do want to retain. If you’re honest, a few keepsakes are genuinely meaningful, but once you try to hold onto everything, it turns into junk.

Leftover parts and tools

Many people struggle to throw out leftover things because there’s a part of them that fears they’ll be needed in the future. And if the possibility of throwing away something useful is just too much to bear, it’s possible to save these items for a while, but the problem is instead of being useful down the line, they just end up being junk, buried in a pile that you can’t find when you need it.

Formal clothes you rarely wear

In some ways my wife and I live a pretty boring life. We don’t have many occasions, aside from weddings and church, where we need to get dressed up in nice clothes. And yet, in our closet we both have lots of clothes that we’re hanging onto for an occasion that will probably never come. Practicality says to simply get rid of these items and free up space in our closet. But there’s a part of me that thinks by throwing them out, I’m admitting that this version of myself will never materialize.

Magazines and catalogs

I have several hobbies where I subscribe to magazines and even some free catalogs I receive in the mail. When life is good and I’m not sleep deprived from parenting, I can keep up with these subscriptions just fine. But when I get behind, they begin to stack up and eventually turn into an eyesore. I find myself holding onto them as if I really plan to go back and read them someday. Like a lot of things in life, that day never comes and I just keep moving them around to hide them from guests.

Old electronics and accessories

I’ll bet you have a random electronic drawer just like I do. Inside are cables of all shapes and sizes, most of which you haven’t used or needed in years. And then there are the old computers and printers that have long been replaced but are still taking up residence in your closet or basement. These things are just clutter, and most likely, you’ll never need them again. The best strategy is to have a clear system for storing replacement electronics and a clear threshold for when it’s time to be recycled or donated. I try to donate items that are less than five years old, and recycle anything older than that.

Books you don’t plan to read (or reread)

I love books, I really do, but they fall into a similar category of clothes and magazines. If you’re not careful, books can be aspirational purchases instead of practical ones. You buy a book because you wish you were the kind of person who read certain genres or topics, not because you actually enjoy them or plan to read them in the near future. The problem is compounded if you keep the books around as a way to feel better about yourself instead of donating them to someone who might actually read them. Unless your books are for decor, try to keep them to a minimum quantity that you can manage.

Toys that no one plays with (but might someday)

Toys are items that most parents struggle to throw away for many reasons. First of all, toys are expensive and it can feel wasteful to just toss them when your child ages out. And sometimes toys are only age appropriate for a small window of time, so it’s not like you can sell them for much. And finally, many parents hold out hope that their child will grow to love a toy they currently aren’t interested in. I suggest keeping a clear, monthly schedule for going through toys and deciding what can be eliminated. This will keep the clutter from growing too much at any one time.

What Can Be Done About These Objects?

Now that you’ve identified these items that you keep moving around but rarely use, one question remains— what are you going to do about it? Like most things, the solution requires a system of some kind.

You need a system to decide what kinds of things you’re going to keep and what things you’re going to throw away or donate. And you also need a schedule for carrying out these decisions before they turn into piles of clutter.

Without these key components in place, inertia will take over and you’ll find yourself in the same position a year from now. But with a working system in place, you’ll see a noticeable reduction in clutter and a greater sense of peace in your home.