Inside: As a professional declutterer, I’ve noticed certain items that people tend to have a lot of and yet continue to buy more. Here are 15 things you definitely don’t need more of and should stop purchasing.
Have you ever bought something and brought it home, only to find you really didn’t need it?
You aren’t alone.
It’s easy to give in to the temptation of a little retail ‘therapy’. And for many of us, it’s just as easy to find ourselves shopping for stuff we already own too much of – especially with the convenience of one-click online shopping and those oh-so-tempting sale prices.
Unfortunately, when we shop for stuff we don’t actually need, we don’t gain anything – except more clutter in our homes and less money in our pockets.
Ready to stop buying stuff you don’t need and rein in those spending habits?
I’ve got you covered. Keep reading to see which things you definitely don’t need more of in your home.
15 Things You Definitely Don’t Need More of
As a professional declutterer, I’ve observed what types of items most households have a lot of.
This is not to say that every single home will have an excessive number of the things I’ve listed below. But it is to say that on average, most homes don’t need more of these.
There are popular things people buy but rarely use, but that’s not what this list is. This list contains items that likely are getting used, but for some reason, we’re tempted to continue buying more of these things when we already have more than enough.
If you’re looking to slow your spending or are trying to simplify your home, it’s helpful to carefully examine what you are buying. Decluttering our home made me much more intentional with shopping.
As a result, I stopped buying these 15 things after simplifying. They contributed to the clutter in our home, and I didn’t want to end up back where we started.
The list of items that you want to stop buying or that cause clutter in your home will be a bit different for each household. There are some generalizations that can be helpful places to start to consider what you may have too much of, or at least may want to stop buying more of.
Here are some things you could probably stand to stop purchasing:
1 – Clothes
When it comes to things we’re likely to buy that we don’t need more of, clothes often fall at the top of the list.
Most of us already have more than enough tops, pants, shoes, coats, and other apparel to get by – and yet we continue to add new items to our wardrobes.
There are a few reasons clothes are one of the most common unnecessary purchases we make:
If you consider yourself someone who stays on top of trends, buying new clothes to align with the latest style may have become a habit for you.
Clothes go on sale often and aggressively market those lower prices, making it easy to justify the ‘splurge’ on a couple of new items.
Many of us forget just how many clothes we already own. Take a good look at your closet or peek into your dresser, and chances are you’re going to find items you haven’t actually worn in months, if not years – including stuff you actually forgot you owned.
There are endless retailers that sell clothes. Wherever you shop – whether it’s in person or online – chances are you’re going to find an opportunity to buy some apparel while you’re there.
While this may sound counterintuitive, ruthlessly decluttering your clothes can help you to gain clarity on what you love and wear and let go of (and stop buying) what you don’t.
2 – Books
Consider yourself a bookworm? If so, you know that it’s easy to accumulate an impressive collection of books at home.
Buying one or two books regularly can quickly add up, both in cost and in the amount of physical space they’re consuming.
And unless you have an impressive wall of shelves, it’s easy to find yourself with way more books than you have space to keep.
While some people insist that books can never become clutter, it is worth considering if you should at least stop buying more of them.
One of the biggest reasons you definitely don’t need to buy more physical books? You don’t have to.
You can stop by your local library to pick up a few on a rotating basis to avoid cluttering up your space. Alternatively, you can leverage an e-reader to store your books digitally, which takes up no space at all.
3 – Home Decor
If you love to spend your spare time thrifting for new artwork or browsing the shelves at your local home goods spot, there’s a good chance you definitely don’t need more.
Where are you going to put all of those knick-knacks and tchotchkes?
In many cases, a ‘less is more’ approach is best when it comes to your home decor.
By keeping things minimal and focusing on a few key pieces that you love, you can keep clutter at bay and more easily maintain a clean, aesthetically cohesive home.
This is especially true for holiday decor. While it can be tempting to go all-out when our favorite holidays roll around, all of that stuff needs to go somewhere when it isn’t on display – and chances are, it’s taking up way more room in your closet, attic, or garage than it should.
Again, by focusing on a few key meaningful pieces, you can minimize clutter, maximize space, and still give your space that festive feeling.
4 – Toys
For many parents, it can feel like their kids have more toys than they can reasonably play with – and you’re probably right. According to a study done in 2012, you can visually see 139 toys in the average American home.
Between birthdays, holidays, and just-because purchases, it’s all too easy for your little one’s toy collection to get a bit out of control.
Chances are, they don’t even play with the majority of the toys they own – they’re just taking up valuable space and creating more work for you when it’s time to tidy up.
And not all toys are created equal. There are great toys that encourage creativity and imagination, but many of them don’t.
Kids don’t even need a ton of toys, especially when they’re young. By finding a few things they love and giving them access to toys on a rotational basis, you’ll keep things fresh and fun while keeping the amount of stuff scattered around your house at a minimum.
And if the problem stems from friends and family members who just love to shop for your little one? Encourage them to consider clutter-free gift ideas that focus on experiences instead.
A family membership to the zoo or local children’s museum is an engaging and clutter-free option you’ll use again and again.
5 – Kitchen Tools and Appliances
Love to cook?
Take a look around your kitchen.
Chances are, you own more gadgets and appliances than you regularly use or truly have room for – and you definitely don’t need any more.
There’s a kitchen tool for virtually everything. Pasta makers, avocado slicers, ice cream scoops, garlic presses, meat shredding claws, deep fryers – the list is endless.
And while it’s easy to be enticed by the latest and greatest home gadget on the market, they’re often purchases you should avoid making because you definitely don’t need more in your home.
But they do such a good job of marketing those products.
By resisting temptation and avoiding future kitchen additions, you can keep countertop clutter at bay and avoid buying things you truly don’t need.
6 – Towels and Linens
Is your linen closet overflowing with spare sheets, pillowcases, and towels?
You definitely aren’t alone.
Sheets and towels are one of those things you definitely don’t want to run out of. But it’s easy to buy them in excess, and find yourself with way too many on your hands.
They’re one of those things that people tend to hold onto and buy more of until they’ve reached the point where they don’t have any room to keep them.
Decide how many towels and sheet sets you want to keep on hand. You can have backups, but be realistic with what you’ll use and refrain from keeping your linen closet overstuffed.
Consider getting rid of some of the extra towels and linens. Those in good condition can be given away or donated. Those in rougher condition can either be repurposed in your home or may be a great option for donating to a local animal shelter.
Next time you’re tempted to bring home a new set of crisp sheets or fluffy towels, remind yourself that something else would need to go in order to make space for them.
7 – Office Supplies
Another one of the things you definitely don’t need more of is office supplies. I’m not sure what it is about these items, but they tend to end up in various parts of the home, and when you put them all together, it’s a lot.
I don’t think I have ever seen a household that legitimately needed more pens. Those things end up everywhere.
Small office supplies like pens, pencils, paper clips, and rubber bands tend to be in excess in most homes.
Before picking up another new box of pens, check to see what you have on hand first. Odds are, in most homes, you don’t actually need more.
Rather, you may just need to collect them from the various places they’ve ended up being displaced to.
8 – Shoes & Accessories
Another one of the things you definitely don’t need more of is shoes. Most people own far more pairs of shoes than they need or wear.
One study showed that almost a third of women own more than 25 pairs of shoes. And it’s unlikely that they’re all getting worn.
Consider decluttering the shoes you own and resisting the temptation to buy new pairs just because they’re cute or trendy.
Similar to shoes, accessories are also one of the things you definitely don’t need more of. From scarves to belts to purses and jewelry, most women own far more than they’d ever wear.
Be realistic with what you actually use and love. Pass along the things that are just taking up extra space.
9 – Cleaning Products
There are some cleaning tools that save time, but overall, people end up owning a lot of specialty cleaning products and rarely use them all.
It’s tempting to buy the newest product that TikTokers claim is revolutionary. And it’s easy to get pulled into marketing hype.
After all, most people don’t love cleaning, so a product that claims to make it easier can be very appealing. But buying too many cleaning products can lead to a cluttered cabinet and wasted money.
If you have excess products you’re not using, go ahead and pass them along. Your local Buy Nothing group is a great option for that.
In reality, some common items around your home can create your minimalist cleaning supply checklist, and they’re all you really need to keep your house clean.
10 – Candles
I’ll be honest. This is one of the most difficult of the things you definitely don’t need more of for me personally. I love candles, and we use them often in our home.
But I am having to constantly remind myself that we don’t need more. If you’re like me, there is a temptation to stockpile when a particular store has its annual sale or when you find the seasonal candle that’s your favorite fragrance.
Setting limits is helpful. I put myself on restriction from buying additional candles when I’ve reached my predetermined capacity.
While they are consumable items and can make a great clutter-free gift, it’s still possible to acquire too many, with the temptation to continue to buy more.
Consider unsubscribing from sites whose sales cause you to want to purchase more, and avoid the candle aisle when you go to the store.
11 – Throw Blankets & Toss Pillows
In an effort to make your home more cozy, many people buy additional throw blankets and toss pillows. Unfortunately, similar to candles, you can end up having too much of a good thing.
If you have to move a number of items before you’re able to actually sit on the couch, then you already have too many pillows or blankets.
Imagine that you are a visitor in your own home. Can you easily sit down somewhere without having to relocate things? If not, consider removing some of the extra pillows or blankets.
Home stores will always have soft new options available to tempt you, but if you don’t need them, then it’s just taking your money and cluttering up your home.
12 – Souvenirs
Are you tempted to buy souvenirs every time you travel? They’re one of the things you definitely don’t need more of, and neither does anyone else in your family.
Most of what you will find in a souvenir shop is not something anyone actually needs. They’re just banking on happy vacationers buying stuff to commemorate their trip.
But you can do that without spending money on stuff that you don’t need and aren’t likely to use. Taking pictures is a great way to savor the trip and reflect back without taking home extra items.
If you really want to bring something home from your trip, make it a consumable. That way, you can continue to enjoy it or gift it to someone to enjoy without it creating clutter in anyone’s home.
13 – Bathroom Products
Most bathrooms have an excessive number of products being stored in them. From toiletries to makeup, it’s common to end up with many products that don’t get regular use.
The beauty industry has many talented marketers who are constantly trying to convince us that we need their products. It’s common to buy some of these products, use them once, and then never again.
Either it wasn’t worth the hype, or the color didn’t work for you, or it simply felt like too much to add to your morning or evening routine.
Whatever the reason, if you have a large number of bathroom products that are taking up space and not getting used, you may want to declutter them.
And then you’ll definitely want to refrain from continuing to buy more. Stick with the items that are bathroom essentials for your home and resist the urge to purchase other items that are constantly marketed to you.
14 – Mugs
I have a challenge for you. Go count the number of mugs you have in your home. Then count how many people in your home actually drink out of mugs. What ratio of mugs to mug users do you have in your home?
For whatever reason, mugs have become collectibles in many homes. Some are purchased as souvenirs, and others collect in the home simply because they were cute, funny, or a gift you received.
While it’s fine to keep the mugs you love and use and to have enough for guests visiting, you likely don’t need to continue buying more of them.
The odds are good you already have what you need (with possibly more to spare) and can save yourself money and space by not adding to your collection.
And if you’re good on mugs, check how many travel cups and reusable water bottles you have. They’re both on my list of things I’m not purchasing this year.
15 – ‘Good Deal’ Items
This last one can be just about anything under the sun. I get it. It’s hard to pass up a great deal.
But even items that are cheap can create clutter in your home. And even though they aren’t a lot of money, they do add up and become unnecessary purchases.
There is nothing wrong with being a deal hunter. I love getting items I need on sale and buying things on clearance. But when you are tempted to buy things you don’t need because they’re on sale, that can cause some problems.
Don’t settle on buying things you don’t love because it’s a deal, or try to convince yourself you’ll use something you never considered until you saw it on the clearance rack.
Stop focusing on how much you’re ‘saving’ and realize that you’re still spending mone,y and it will take up space. Leave that great deal for someone who will actually use it.
Passing on these items will help you to simplify and save money. Refraining from buying more will help your wallet as well as prevent clutter from piling up in your home.