Common decor items can become easily turn into visual clutter when not arranged with care. Your favorite collection of just about anything can turn into clutter if you don’t regularly cull, edit, and rotate objects and accessories.
We asked designers for a short list of home decor items that always end up looking cluttered, with pro tips on how to style them so they don’t—or what to swap them with instead.
Throw Pillows
Throw pillows are decorating powerhouses that can make your bedroom or living room look more stylish and feel more inviting. But a jumble of mismatched pillows will create a chaotic and unkempt space.
“Throw pillows often turn into visual noise, especially when they’re all the same size or overly patterned,” says interior designer Lauren Saab. “They’re meant to add texture and depth, not suffocate a sofa. Two or three, in varied proportions and materials, is more than enough.”
Layered Window Treatments
Avoid overly layered drapes or shades that can give your room a busy look. Try tailored neutral floor-to-ceiling linen curtains or a simple Roman shade instead.
“Window treatments with multiple rods, valances, tassels, sheers, and blackout panels can easily overwhelm a space,” Saab advises. “Too many layers obscure the architecture rather than complement it.”
Small Picture Frames
“Clusters of tiny frames scattered around can create visual noise rather than storytelling,” says interior designer Rebekah Murphy. “Choosing fewer, larger frames with generous mats or focusing on one thoughtful gallery wall helps achieve cohesion and impact.”
Coffee Table Knickknacks
Resist the urge to crowd your coffee table with random knickknacks that won’t leave you any room to set down a coffee mug or a plate of appetizers.
“When every inch of a coffee table is covered with books, candles, and trays, the surface starts to feel more like a checklist than a design moment,” Saab says. “One distinctive object with character, such as something found, sculptural, or storied, can do more than a dozen styled accessories.”
Mini Candles
Candlelight will add instance ambiance to any room. But too many small tea candles or random candle holders can end up making your table look cluttered rather than eclectic.
“An abundance of tiny candles or trinkets can dilute a space’s personality,” Murphy says. “Simplifying down to a few meaningful objects grouped thoughtfully on a tray or shelf makes styling feel intentional and elevated.”
Books
Lightly disheveled bookshelves are a hallmark of home offices, dens, libraries and kids’ rooms. But take care that your book collection doesn’t become an eyesore (or a safety hazard).
“When shelves are filled end to end, even the most beautiful books begin to blur,” Saab notes. “The space feels dense, overbearing, and visually cluttered. Each shelf should function as a composition, not a container. Leave room to breathe—a sculptural object or a moment of negative space brings rhythm and clarity.”
Blankets, Throws, and Quilts
Whether you are styling a bedroom or living room, too many blankets, throws, or quilts will make your space look sloppy rather than cozy.
“Large baskets overflowing with throws can look more like laundry piles than decor,” Murphy says. “Keeping just one or two neatly folded throws out and storing the rest helps maintain a curated, lived-in feel.”
Entryway Catch-Alls
If you have a decorative tray, basket, or bowl on the console table in your entryway for mail and keys, don’t allow it to become a catch-all for all manner of household junk.
“A dish or tray near the door often becomes a resting place for forgotten items and everyday clutter,” Saab cautions. “A concealed drawer with one unique sculptural object displayed on top with purpose creates a more refined, more composed welcome.”
Small Plant Pots
Plants bring the outdoors inside, but too many small pots can turn to clutter.
“Plants add life but too many small ones scattered everywhere can make a room feel chaotic,” says interior designer Tehilla Bennett of Teela Bennett Design. “Instead, focus on a few well-placed plants that enhance the room’s aesthetic and create a natural flowing vibe.”
Quick Swaps: Clutter-Prone Items and What to Use Instead
- Decor items that are all the same size and height will make your space feel visually flat and cluttered, Bennett notes. “Mixing up the scale and height of your decor adds depth and interest making the room feel layered and intentional,” she says.
- Swap a mess of tiny tea candles for a larger scented candle styled on a tray with a pair of decorative matches.
- Instead of scattering one too many small plant pots around the room, choose a large potted tree to make a statement.
- Invest in one large painting, photograph, or oversized textile wall hanging to create a striking focal point rather than trying to style a bunch of small mismatched pieces.
- Stack favorite coffee table books and top with a sculptural object to add height to a layered display.