Psychology says people who keep their homes slightly cluttered often have these 9 creative advantages in life

Ever walked into someone's home and noticed a few books scattered on the coffee table, some art supplies on the desk, and maybe a collection of interesting objects on the shelves?

Your first instinct might be to think they need to tidy up.

But here's what most people get wrong: That slight messiness you're seeing might actually be a sign of a highly creative mind at work.

I used to be obsessed with keeping everything perfectly organized.

My background as a financial analyst had trained me to believe that order equals productivity.

However, when I started journaling at 36, something shifted.

Those 47 notebooks I've filled since then taught me that creativity doesn't always thrive in perfectly pristine spaces.

People who maintain slightly cluttered homes often possess unique creative advantages.

Notice that I said "slightly cluttered," because there's a sweet spot between sterile minimalism and overwhelming disorder where creative magic happens.

If your space tends toward the lived-in rather than the magazine-worthy, you might actually be giving yourself some serious creative advantages.

Let's explore what psychology tells us about this fascinating connection.

1) Enhanced divergent thinking

Have you ever noticed how your best ideas come when you're not trying to force them?

Researchers found that people working in slightly messy environments were significantly better at coming up with creative solutions to problems.

The visual variety in a cluttered space actually stimulates your brain to make unexpected connections.

I see this in my own life constantly.

When I'm surrounded by my photography books, half-finished journal entries, and random objects from my walks, my mind starts connecting dots in ways it never would in a sterile environment.

That analytical brain I developed in finance? It works overtime making creative connections when there's visual stimulus around.

The key is that clutter provides what psychologists call "cognitive disinhibition," where your brain relaxes its usual filters and allows more unconventional thoughts to surface.

2) Increased tolerance for ambiguity

People who can live with a bit of mess tend to be more comfortable with uncertainty in general.

And guess what? Creativity thrives in ambiguity.

When everything in your life is perfectly ordered and predictable, you might struggle when faced with open-ended problems.

But, if you're okay with that pile of mail on your counter or those art supplies spread across your table, you're training your brain to be comfortable with things that aren't immediately resolved.

This tolerance for the unfinished and imperfect is exactly what allows creative people to sit with problems longer, exploring multiple solutions instead of rushing to the first answer.

3) Better associative memory

Here's something fascinating: Cluttered spaces can actually improve your ability to remember and connect information.

When I take my photography walks and bring home little treasures like interesting leaves or unique stones, I don't immediately file them away.

They sit on my desk, and every time I see them, they trigger memories and ideas.

That random ticket stub next to my computer might spark a story idea, and the book left open on my chair reminds me of a concept I wanted to explore.

Psychologists call this "contextual memory enhancement."

The various objects in your space serve as memory cues, helping you retrieve information and make creative connections you might otherwise miss.

4) More flexible thinking patterns

People with slightly cluttered homes can switch between different modes of thinking more easily than those who need everything perfectly ordered.

Think about it this way: If you can work productively while your desk has a few different projects spread out, you're training your brain to handle multiple streams of information simultaneously.

This ability to jump between ideas without losing your thread is crucial for creative work.

During my evening journaling sessions, I often have multiple notebooks open, switching between reflections on different topics.

This seemingly chaotic approach actually helps me see patterns and connections I'd miss if I forced myself to focus on one thing at a time.

5) Reduced creative inhibition

Perfectionism is creativity's worst enemy.

When your environment is slightly messy, you're already accepting imperfection, which makes it easier to create without self-censorship.

People in messier rooms are more likely to break free from tradition and produce fresh insights.

The disorder seems to signal to our brains that it's okay to break rules and think outside conventional boundaries.

I noticed this firsthand when I started my weekly artist dates.

The weeks when my home was a bit messier, I felt more adventurous in trying new creative activities.

There's something liberating about not having everything perfect that gives you permission to experiment.

6) Enhanced problem-solving abilities

Slightly cluttered environments can actually improve your ability to solve complex problems.

Why? Because they mirror the messiness of real-world challenges.

Life doesn't come in neat, organized packages; problems are messy, solutions are rarely straightforward, and creativity often emerges from chaos.

When your environment reflects this reality, your brain becomes better equipped to handle complexity.

Those 15 minutes I spend journaling each evening often happen surrounded by the day's accumulation of stuff.

And you know what? Some of my best problem-solving happens in that slightly chaotic space, where my mind can wander freely among the visual cues around me.

7) Greater openness to new experiences

People who maintain perfectly ordered spaces might be signaling a need for control and predictability.

However, those comfortable with some clutter are often more willing to try new things, meet new people, and explore unconventional ideas.

This openness feeds creativity directly.

Every new experience becomes potential material for creative work, every unexpected encounter a possible source of inspiration.

8) Improved improvisational skills

When your space is slightly cluttered, you become an expert at improvising.

Can't find that specific pen? You grab another.

That notebook is under a pile of books? You write on something else.

This constant, low-level improvisation trains your brain to be adaptable and resourceful.

These are exactly the skills you need for creative thinking, where rigid adherence to plans often stifles innovation.

9) Stronger creative confidence

Perhaps most importantly, people who maintain slightly cluttered homes often develop stronger creative confidence.

They're not waiting for perfect conditions to create because they're comfortable working with what they have, where they are.

This acceptance of imperfection as a natural part of the creative process is incredibly powerful.

It removes the pressure to have everything "just right" before beginning, which is often what stops people from creating in the first place.

Final thoughts

Before you use this as an excuse to never clean again, remember we're talking about slight clutter.

There's a difference between creative mess and dysfunction.

The goal is finding that sweet spot where your environment stimulates rather than overwhelms.

What works for one person might not work for another.

Some genuinely do their best work in pristine spaces (and that's perfectly valid) but, if you've been beating yourself up about not having a Pinterest-perfect home, maybe it's time to embrace your creative clutter.

Your slightly messy space might not photograph well for social media, but it could be exactly what your creative mind needs to thrive.

Sometimes, the most innovative ideas emerge from the beautiful, productive chaos of a creative life in action.