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NEW YORK — No matter where you live, it seems that everyone has one room that’s beyond saving. A new survey reveals that half of Americans admit they have at least one room in their home that they believe is unsalvageable due to clutter.
The study, conducted by Talker Research for The Container Store, paints a picture of a nation struggling to find room for their belongings and yearning for more space. Overall, 34% of respondents feel cramped in their homes, with apartment dwellers (39%) feeling particularly squeezed. Moreover, 30% of Americans feel they’ve outgrown their current living space, and the average American wishes for three additional rooms in their home.
Despite these challenges, the survey also reveals a strong desire among Americans to maintain organized living spaces. A whopping 77% agree that every item should have a designated space, and 76% claim they know the best ways to maximize their available space.
“We know that getting organized can be overwhelming, and it’s our job to make it easier by providing solutions for the challenges they face in their homes,” says Satish Malhotra, CEO and President of The Container Store, in a statement.
While 69% of Americans are satisfied with the space in their home, nearly a fifth (17%) are not. Among those unhappy with their living space, 73% admitted to settling for their home despite knowing it wasn’t ideal from the start. Interestingly, the feeling of being cramped often sets in quickly, with 48% of those feeling squeezed saying that sensation within a year of moving in.
To combat clutter, the average respondent conducts three major cleanouts annually, with 29% doing so even more frequently. However, parting with possessions proves challenging for many: 55% wish they didn’t have to throw out items to create more space. On average, respondents believe they could part with 30% of their belongings if necessary. The hardest items to discard are clothes (29%), kitchen equipment (21%), and hobby items (16%).
When it comes to organizing, Americans find some rooms easier to tackle than others. The easiest rooms to organize are the living room (28%), bedroom (27%), and bathroom (20%), while the most challenging are the kitchen (21%) and garage (13%). If given the choice, respondents would opt for a bigger bedroom (23%) and kitchen (19%) above all other rooms.
The survey also revealed some common organizational challenges, with 33% of respondents struggling to organize their closet space, 25% having items that don’t fit in their designated spaces, and 24% struggling to find room for items without a designated area.
Despite these challenges, Americans have gotten creative with storage solutions, using techniques like layered storage, over-the-door shoe holders near entryways, and strategically placed mirrors to make rooms feel larger and brighter.
“For people who don’t believe they have enough room in their home, they likely do not realize the potential their spaces truly have,” Malhotra says. “Whether it’s utilizing the back of the door for cleaning supplies with a door and wall rack, making use of under bed space for out of season clothing with an under-bed drawer, or designing a custom closet, office, pantry or garage system that increases the capacity of existing spaces, there is a solution.”
Survey methodology
Talker Research surveyed 2,000 general population Americans; the survey was commissioned by The Container Store and administered and conducted online by Talker Research between July 16 and July 22, 2024.
