Is a messy room healthy?

Author: Ambrose Davis  |  Last update: Thursday, August 7, 2025

While a bit of chaos might have some upsides -- at least one study suggests that a messy room spurs creativity -- it has many more downsides. It can even be damaging for your physical and mental health.

Is it unhealthy to have a messy room?

Clutter and a messy environment are shown to directly worsen or cause depression, anxiety, depleted cognitive resources, and other mental health issues by increasing stress and anxiety levels.

What are the side effects of messy rooms?

Bursting cupboards and piles of paper stacked around the house may seem harmless enough. But research shows disorganisation and clutter have a cumulative effect on our brains. Our brains like order, and constant visual reminders of disorganisation drain our cognitive resources, reducing our ability to focus.

What are the benefits of having a messy room?

In fact, a 2013 study published in Psychology Today shows that a messy space encourages creativity and outside-the-box thinking. On the flip side, a clean and tidy environment makes people more likely to ``play it safe'' and avoid new ideas.

Are people happier in a clean house?

People with clean and organized homes tend to be happier, more productive, less stressed, and even sleep better.

4 Signs You're NOT "Messy", It's Your Trauma

Do you sleep better in a clean room?

By removing clutter and tidying up your space, you create a sense of order and peace, making it easier to relax and unwind. When you walk into a clean and organized room, you're more likely to feel a sense of calm and serenity, which can help you fall asleep faster and sleep more deeply.

What does psychology say about messy rooms?

Psychologically, a messy room can mean several things.

A messy room can be a sign of depression or another mental health issue. Clutter affects your mood and can cause more anxiety or stress. Your child can get caught in a cycle of messiness that worsens their mental health and vice versa.

Do ADHD people like messy rooms?

Children with ADHD tend to have messy rooms because they struggle with executive functioning skills, which enable us to plan, prioritize, manage time, and get things done. Cleaning up may seem simple but kids with ADHD have trouble deciding what to do first, estimating how long things take, and staying focused.

What does a depression room look like?

This is when your adolescent's depression causes them to either lack the energy or the willpower to clean up after themselves, causing them to live in a messy and disorganized environment – even if they want to make a change.

What is the effect if you never clean your bedroom?

The air quality in your bedroom is a major factor in how well you sleep. Poor ventilation, dust, and moisture can lead to mould build-up, which can cause allergies, asthma, and respiratory issues—disrupting your sleep and affecting your overall health.

Can living in a dark house cause depression?

Inadequate light was associated with risk for depression and falls, both of which contribute substantially to the global burden of disease. This association remained statistically significant after controlling for confounding variables.

What percentage of people have a messy room?

According to a new study by Talker Research for The Container Store, half of all Americans have at least one room in their home that they believe is “unsalvageable” with clutter. The respondents provide their reason: 30% say they've outgrown their space, and 48% admit having this feeling within a year of moving in.

What are the effects of messy rooms?

Research using fMRIs (functional magnetic resonance imaging) has found that disorganization and clutter have a negative impact on the way our brains work. Moreover, messiness also influences our emotions, behavior, relationships, and even our eating habits.

What does being messy say about a person?

A messy space could indicate creativity or someone who is too busy but a messy space could also indicate further issues like anxiety or ADHD. Clutter and mess can consciously or unconsciously affect you mentally,' warns Jamie Hord, CEO, and founder of Horderly Professional Organizing.

Is living in a dirty house unhealthy?

In severe cases, exposure to these triggers can lead to an asthma attack or the development of an allergy. Furthermore, a dirty home can harbor harmful bacteria and viruses, causing infections. Skin infections. our body's largest organ, your skin, is also vulnerable to disease.

Why is my daughter's room so messy?

Some kids may like having a messy bedroom. (“I know where everything is!”) For others, it might be a stage, like a tween showing independence. Or a teen being overwhelmed by new responsibility. And some kids have ongoing trouble with organization and need more help to keep their space neat.

What does an ADHD bedroom look like?

Serenity as the Inspiration. Trish Buscemi, a specialist who creates calm interiors for those with cognitive learning challenges, recommends blue, green, and muted brown towns for bedrooms of children with ADHD. These gentle hues actually work well with people of all ages seeking a space that inspires rest and calm.

What does science say about people with messy rooms?

Excited to Try New Things. According to Vohs, one study found that subjects in a messy room were capable of solving brain teasers more quickly than those seated in an organized room. The scientist Albert Einstein, famous for his genius and creative thinking, was known for having a messy desk.

What does a clean room say about you?

It signals proactivity, organisation and independence. Having a clean home allows you to think clearly without clutter distracting your thoughts. It also means dust mites, bacteria and other germs will be kept at bay, protecting both your physical and mental health.

Why do creative people have messy rooms?

The cluttered space can cause visual stimulation and generate more creative thoughts for many people. According to a study sponsored by the University of Minnesota: “Participants in the messy room generated the same number of ideas for new uses as their clean-room counterparts.

Are people with clean rooms happier?

Clutter and mess can create more stress and anxiety, but by cleaning, organizing, and reducing the clutter, people are able to take control of their environment and create a more relaxing environment that helps them focus better on the more pressing issues in their lives.

Which sleeping position is best?

Side sleeping helps prevent the airway from collapsing and can reduce snoring. "And so, all in all, sleeping on the side — perhaps with their head slightly elevated as long as that's comfortable — is a good way to sleep," says Dr. Krahn. Side sleeping also is recommended during pregnancy, especially the last trimester.

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