A new survey has revealed that kitchen clutter is a major source of daily stress for 58% of US homeowners. The study, conducted by Eagle Woodworking, polled 1,000 homeowners across the US to explore how Americans experience and manage clutter in their homes.

The results suggest that cluttered kitchens are taking a mental toll. While 55% of respondents said an organised kitchen helps them feel more relaxed, 35% reported dissatisfaction with their current setup. When adding those who feel neutral, 62% are not satisfied with the state of their kitchens. Appliances and gadgets were identified as the biggest cause of kitchen clutter, cited by 77% of homeowners. Other problem areas included spices and condiments at 33%, utensils at 32%, and dishes and cookware at 27%.

Dr Sarah Jane Khalid, a psychologist, explained how clutter can affect mental health. “Clutter can impact people’s mental health on several levels: changes in cognitions or thoughts, feelings, behaviours and physiology. Mental health is particularly affected in terms of level of anxiety, issues around decision-making, focus, concentration, memory and sleep. Research shows that clutter and disorganisation can create a cumulative effect on the brain. The brain prefers to have order, when there is chaos or clutter it can lead to constant visual reminders of disorganisation and this then drains our cognitive resources leading to an inability to focus.”

She added, “Research has further shown that clutter can also lead to an increase in the stress hormone, cortisol, which can trigger stress, anxiety and depression. It can also exacerbate procrastination, if people with cluttered environments have to wade through bills or have piles of clothes, this can lead to feeling overwhelmed and unable to start a task.”

This aligns with existing research on the psychological effects of clutter. One study found that cluttered home environments are associated with reduced life satisfaction and increased stress. Another observed that crowded spaces can overwhelm the brain’s processing capacity, leading to mental fatigue and lower productivity.

The growing awareness of clutter’s effects has prompted many to seek solutions. Simple adjustments, such as tidying small areas during daily routines, donating unused items, and assigning designated places for commonly used kitchen tools, may help reduce stress and improve household organisation.