If you’re parenting with ADHD in the mix (yours, your child’s, or both), you’ll know how quickly mess can pile up. What starts as a few school letters and a toy on the floor somehow becomes a mountain of clutter by the end of the day.
Firstly, I’m not here to judge, if people call it a mess but to you, you know exactly where everything is and it works for what you need, great, who is anyone to judge! For some of us with ADHD brains, clutter can cause overwhelm, stress and even make it harder to relax.
The biggest shift for me, as I’m the type that gets overwhelmed, was to shake off the judgement, realise I don’t need a picture-perfect Instagram home. What I did need are ADHD-friendly systems that make life easier, not harder.
Here are 5 simple, realistic ways to reduce mess and clutter at home and more importantly, make your home work for you.
1. Make ‘Homes’ for Things Super Obvious
If it takes too much thought or effort to put something away, chances are it will end up dumped somewhere random.
- Use open baskets instead of cupboards with doors
- Choose clear containers so you can see what’s inside
- Add big labels (pictures work brilliantly for kids), especially if something is going behind a cupboard door
The easier it is to return something, the more likely it is to happen. If you’re anything like me, even opening a lid or door will stop me putting something away.
2. Create ADHD-Friendly Drop Zones
Instead of fighting the piles that appear by the front door or kitchen counter, make them intentional.
- Have a tray or basket for keys, phones and post.
- Add a shoe rack by the door rather than expecting shoes to magically make it to a cupboard upstairs.
- Keep a “catch-all” basket for bits and bobs, just make sure it gets emptied once a week (or when it’s full). I have a basket on the stairs for each person as I was constantly dumping things on the stairs that needed to be upstairs.
This is about working with your brain, but also giving clutter boundaries so it doesn’t spread across every surface.
3. Declutter in Small, ADHD-Friendly Bursts
Big clear-outs feel impossible (and exhausting). ADHD-friendly decluttering works best in tiny, time-limited chunks.
- Set a timer for 5–10 minutes and pick one area, like a single drawer
- Have three bags or boxes: keep, donate, bin
- Stop when the timer goes off, done is better than perfect
These mini-wins add up over time without the overwhelm.
4. Match Storage to Real Life Habits
Forget the Pinterest-worthy systems with colour-coded bins. Ask: how do we actually use this space?
- If laundry always ends up in the bathroom, put a laundry basket there. I even had a laundry basket by the front door as dirty PE kits got pulled out of school bags and just left on the floor.
- If kids dump bags in the hallway, add hooks at their height or a basket. Just keep it quick, simple and visual.
- If paperwork piles on the kitchen counter, keep a file box there instead of insisting it goes to the office.
Your home should work with your habits, not against them.
5. Keep Reminders Visible Without Adding More Clutter
Out of sight often means out of mind for ADHD. But too many reminders can feel like clutter themselves. Find a balance:
- One central whiteboard or family notice board
- Colour-coded sticky notes or calendars for different family members
- Limit reminder surfaces so important things don’t get lost in the noise
This keeps essentials visible without drowning you in visual chaos.
Final Thought
Reducing clutter in an ADHD household isn’t about perfection. It’s about creating systems that make sense for your brain (and your family). Small changes, like drop zones, see-through baskets or 10-minute tidies, can make a huge difference in creating a calmer, more manageable home.
Because less clutter doesn’t just mean less mess, it means more space for peace, play and actually enjoying your home.