The Declutter Hub reveals the 10 biggest mistakes Americans make when decluttering (and what to do instead)

LONDON, June 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- America's clutter crisis is more than just a storage issue, it's emotional. And now, two UK-based experts are helping Americans unpack the emotional baggage behind the physical mess with the U.S. launch of their bestselling book, Reset Your Home: Unpack Your Emotions And Your Clutter, Step By Step.

From overstuffed garages to overflowing storage units (more than 50,000 across the country outnumbering Starbucks and McDonald's combined), clutter has become an epidemic. But a new wave of emotions-led decluttering is resonating across the U.S., led by Lesley Spellman, 56, and Ingrid Jansen, 51 hosts of the globally ranked The Declutter Hub Podcast  [declutterhub.com/the-podcast], already a trusted voice for thousands worldwide.

Their book [https://www.bloomsbury.com/us/reset-your-home-9781399416399], published by Bloomsbury and available nationwide from today 'June 24', turns traditional tidying on its head. The core message: decluttering starts not with stuff, but with self-awareness.

Why America's Decluttering Tactics Aren't Working:

Lesley and Ingrid are tackling common misconceptions around clutter in the U.S., one myth at a time:

• "You think more space is the answer"

"We hear this a lot: 'I just need a bigger house.' But clutter doesn't shrink with square footage - it expands. Bigger homes often mean more hiding spots, more storage and, ironically, more stress," says Lesley. "Clutter isn't a space problem. It's a mindset problem. Until you address what you're holding onto - and why - no amount of space will feel like enough."

• "You treat the symptom, not the cause"

"We love a good organizing hack - a labelled basket, a matching container set - but those solutions only skim the surface," says Ingrid. "If you're not dealing with the emotions behind the stuff - guilt, grief, identity - you'll just keep moving the same clutter around. The real solution? Start with the why, not the what."

• "You love a deal… maybe too much"

Americans are deal-hunters - from outlet malls to flash sales. But bargains can quickly become burdens. "That dopamine hit from a discount fades fast," says Lesley. "What lingers is the clutter, the guilt and the overwhelm of too much. Instead of asking, 'can I afford this?', try asking, 'do I have space, time, or energy for this in my life?'."

• "You store instead of solve"

The U.S. self-storage industry is worth more than $44 billion - and still growing. "It's like renting a second home for things you don't use," Ingrid says. "And instead of relief, people often feel even more weighed down. True peace comes not from outsourcing your clutter, but from making peace with it."

• "You go big, then burn out"

"We've all been tempted by the weekend blitz - the TikTok challenge, the color-coded pantry. But real change doesn't come from chaos. Decluttering in small, manageable chunks is how you build sustainable habits," says Lesley. "Start with a single drawer. Celebrate that win. Then keep going."

• "You confuse busy with productive"

In cluttered homes, even the simplest task can feel exhausting. "You're not lazy - you're overwhelmed," says Ingrid. Studies show clutter contributes to stress, poor sleep, decision fatigue and even relationship tension. "Clearing physical clutter is often the first step in clearing mental clutter too."

• "You see emotions as the enemy"

Many Americans try to declutter despite their emotions - powering through guilt or nostalgia. But Lesley and Ingrid argue the opposite: "You have to declutter through your emotions. Acknowledge them, understand them, then let them guide your choices." That's how lasting change happens.

• "You buy in bulk but forget your limits"

Buying in bulk makes financial sense - until it overwhelms your shelves. "We see pantries turned into panic zones," says Ingrid. Reset Your Home teaches readers to align shopping habits with their real lifestyle. "It's not about stocking up - it's about creating a home that works for you."

• "You've inherited a cluttered culture"

From childhood keepsakes to "just in case" drawers, American homes often carry decades of emotional weight. "We're taught to keep, not to question," says Lesley. "But every object has a story - and not all those stories still serve us. You don't need to carry it all forward."

• "You think it's all or nothing"

Here's the big one. Decluttering doesn't mean becoming a minimalist or living in an empty white space. "This isn't about perfection," says Ingrid. "It's about intention. It's about building a home that supports the life you want - not the one social media tells you to have."

"Reset Your Home is not about creating a Pinterest-perfect pantry. It's about finally understanding why you're holding on - and what it would feel like to let go," adds Lesley.

The duo's method is tailor-made for real people: busy parents, retirees downsizing, adults with ADHD, or anyone who feels overwhelmed by it all.

Their approach is emotions-first, stuff-second, neurodivergent-friendly, step-by-step, not all-at-once, kind, forgiving and practical.

And with nearly three million podcast downloads and a community of more than 60,000, it's clear their style is exactly what the U.S. has been waiting for.

A cluttered country:

• 54% of U.S. adults feel overwhelmed by clutter
• 25% with a two-car garage can't park inside
• Average household spends $3,000/year replacing lost or duplicate items
• Clutter is linked to higher cortisol levels, poor sleep and emotional tension at home

Ingrid said: "Life is busy, and our homes should support us, not stress us out. Decluttering isn't about having a picture-perfect house - it's about creating a space where you can relax and enjoy life. It's not just about decluttering your home, it's about decluttering your life.

"We've always felt so connected to our US audience through their love of our weekly podcast so we are delighted to spread the word about emotions based decluttering via our brand new book, Reset Your Home."

Lesley added: "Because we were both lucky enough to relocate from England and Holland to New Jersey and Georgia respectively for a time, we feel so connected to our US audience.

"We couldn't be more delighted to be spreading our emotions first, stuff second approach to decluttering via our brand new book, Reset Your Home across the pond.

"Decluttering isn't about finding pretty containers, quite the contrary. It's about understanding the emotions that sit behind the stuff and why they've been holding you back from making the right decisions about your clutter. We're excited to be introducing these concepts via our brand new book to our US based friends."

Reset Your Home: Unpack Your Emotions And Your Clutter, Step By Step  [https://www.bloomsbury.com/us/reset-your-home-9781399416399] launches in the U.S. on June 24, 2025. Available to order via Bloomsbury, Walmart, Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Bookshop.org.

Media Kit & Images:

Download here [https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1vZtSj4VLhsE4XuEZ6CKsklKdf9-81U8F]

About The Declutter Hub
Lesley Spellman and Ingrid Jansen are the UK's leading experts in emotional decluttering and home organizing. With nearly 30 years of combined experience, they've helped thousands navigate clutter through bereavement, ADHD, anxiety, burnout and everyday overwhelm. Their Declutter Hub Podcast is in the top 1% globally and their methods are recommended by psychologists, coaches and readers worldwide.

For interviews, advance review copies, or additional materials, please contact: Carol Driver PR [email protected]

SOURCE The Declutter Hub