The Most Common Organizing Mistake I See in Older Homes

I work in a lot of older homes. Houses full of character, stories and often, generational history. Solid wood doors with nicks. Deep window sills perfect for plants. Floors that creak in familiar places. Many of these homes have also been in the same family for decades, which adds another layer of history (and, usually, belongings).

And while every home is different, I see one organizing mistake come up again and again.

It’s not clutter. It’s not disorganization. It’s not “having too much stuff.”

The most common mistake is this: trying to organize an older home as if it were a newer one. It’s an old square peg – round hole problem.

Older homes weren’t built for how we live today. Closets were smaller because people owned fewer clothes. Kitchens had less storage because there were fewer gadgets. There were fewer electronics, fewer accessories to go with them, and far less need for charging stations, cords and storage for all the extras we now juggle.

But instead of adjusting our expectations, we often do the opposite. We try to force modern living into spaces that simply weren’t designed for it.

That’s when frustration sets in.

I often hear things like:

• “We just need better bins.”

• “If we add one more shelf into the closet, this will work.”

• “I don’t understand why this house never stays organized.”

The truth is, the house isn’t failing you. And you’re not failing the house. The system just doesn’t match reality.

In older, multigenerational homes, there’s often another layer at play: accumulation over time. Furniture that’s been handed down. Dishes from three different decades. Tools, papers, photos, holiday decorations, and “this was your grandmother’s” items that feel impossible to question.

So, the real issue usually isn’t storage—it’s trying to keep everything without redefining how the space is meant to function now.

One example I see often is the “everything room.” Maybe it was once a dining room, then became an office, then a craft space, then a catch-all. Instead of giving that room a clear purpose, it ends up holding a little bit of everything, and then functioning well for nothing.

Or kitchen cabinets filled with items that technically belong to past versions of life: entertaining sets from years ago, specialty cookware no one remembers using, and someone else’s treasures.

When storage is limited, every item needs to earn its place.

That doesn’t mean getting rid of family history or turning your home into something it’s not. It means being honest about how you actually live today.

Marie Kondo, creator of the KonMari Method, encourages people to keep what “sparks joy.” In older homes especially, that idea can be incredibly helpful. Joy isn’t just about sentiment, it’s also about ease, comfort, and how a space supports your daily life.

Here’s what works better than forcing a modern organizing system into an older home:

1. Let function come before sentiment.
Sentimental items matter. But they don’t all need to live in prime real estate. Daily-use spaces should support daily life first.

2. Define clear zones.
Even small rooms work better when they have one main job. Multipurpose is fine; undefined is not.

3. Make space work for people, not objects.
It’s easy to let rooms and cabinets serve what’s been collected over time instead of the people living there now. When space is limited, prioritize what supports your current routines first, then decide where the rest makes the most sense.

4. Adjust expectations.
An older home may never have a walk-in pantry or a massive linen closet. That’s okay. Organization is about ease, not perfection.

5. Edit before you buy storage.
Adding containers without reducing volume almost always makes things worse, not better. Declutter, thin out and make the hard decisions first.

The goal isn’t to erase the past. It’s to create a home that respects its history and sparks joy for the people living in it now.

When you stop trying to make an older home behave like a newer one, something surprising happens: it becomes easier to live in, easier to maintain, and much more enjoyable.

And that’s really the point.

If you’re ready to declutter and tidy your home, I’m here to help! Reach out to have a chat and see if I can help you create your personal sanctuary.