54% of Hobbyists Say Clutter Is Taking Over Their Homes (+ Practical Hobby Organization Tips)

Remote work has freed up time for many Americans, sparking a surge in hobbies across the country. Since 2020, remote workers have consistently spent 30 to 36 more minutes per day on leisure, reclaiming time once used for commuting or extended work hours.

With every new craft, workout, or DIY project comes more gear and more clutter. What starts as a fun escape can quickly overwhelm your space and peace of mind.

To better understand how Americans are handling this growing challenge, we surveyed hobbyists nationwide to learn about their organization habits and share practical tips for hobby organization to help you reclaim your space and enjoy your passions again.

Serial Hobbyists Surge: 40% Picked Up 3 or More New Hobbies This Year

More than half of hobbyists say their engagement has increased over the past two years, either by picking up new hobbies or spending more time on existing ones. Two out of five now fall in the category of serial hobbyists, having started three or more new hobbies just this year.

That kind of enthusiasm adds up, with 47% of hobbyists reporting spending between $50 and $250+ per month on tools, gear, and classes. This adds up to $600–$3,000 annually.

With each new hobby comes new gear, often leaving hobbyists struggling to find additional storage space. 

In today’s smaller homes, driven by housing shrinkflation, gear can quickly outgrow your closets, leaving your space feeling cluttered, cramped, and anything but relaxing.

About 4 in 10 Hobbyists Keep Gear Long After They’ve Stopped Using It

As hobbyists juggle multiple passions, the struggle isn’t just about how to store new gear; it’s what happens to the equipment from hobbies they aren’t actively using. Roughly 1 in 3 keep supplies “just in case,” creating clutter that quietly takes over closets, cabinets, and portable bins throughout their homes.

Most hobbyists store their gear in places like:

• Shelving, closets, or cabinets within their living space ( 35%)
• Portable storage bins or containers (30%)
• Dedicated storage rooms or larger storage units (18%)

But when unused equipment occupies valuable space meant for daily living, clutter becomes a growing problem. Over 40% of hobbyists hold onto items they haven’t used for a year or more, letting once-loved gear linger and slowly turning passion into a source of stress and overcrowding.

Learning how to declutter your home effectively can help you reclaim space and peace of mind. One common hurdle is finding space to hold items while deciding what to keep or let go. Storage units offer extra room to temporarily store belongings, making the decluttering process less stressful.

Nearly Half Say Hobby Clutter Is Stressing Them Out

Letting go of old hobby gear isn’t easy, especially when you might use it again or feel attached to the memories it holds. But keeping it can quickly turn into clutter that crowds both your physical and mental space. This sense of overwhelm is common, with 49% of hobbyists saying hobby clutter causes them stress and makes it harder to focus or unwind at home.

A lot of that stress comes from gear that’s simply hard to store, especially when impulse purchases add to the challenge. The most difficult items to store tend to be:

• Large sports gear (27%) like bikes, skis, and golf clubs. These items are seasonal, awkward, and take up a lot of space.
• Crafting materials (28%), including fabric, paint, glue, and tools. Small items add up and can easily spread across multiple rooms or storage areas.

Finding better ways to manage this gear through improved supply organization at home or using self-storage to manage the overflow can make your space feel calmer and help you reconnect with the hobbies you actually want to spend time on.

5 Easy Ways To Organize Hobby Gear and Beat the Storage Crunch

If you’re ready to take back your space, here are five simple hobby organization tips to create a more organized, functional, and stress-free hobby zone:

• Use vertical storage ideas like mounting shelves, hooks, or pegboards to store bikes, tools, or craft supplies. Going vertical clears the floor and makes use of otherwise unused space.

• Create “grab-and-go” hobby kits by keeping your most-used supplies together in portable bins, drawers, or a hobby desk organizer. Having everything in one place makes it easier to start a project without searching multiple spots for what you need.

• Store gear based on how often you use it. Keep frequently used items within easy reach, and place occasional or seasonal gear up high or in less-accessible spots to reduce clutter.

• Reclaim overlooked storage spaces like under beds, behind doors, or in narrow gaps by using bins, organizers, or slim rolling carts. These spots are perfect for fitting small hobby gear like paint bottles, fabric scraps, crafting tools, or sewing supplies.

• Move larger or rarely used items, like sports gear or supplies from paused hobbies, into self-storage. This frees up room at home without forcing you to part with things you want to keep.

These changes can help you organize hobby gear into systems that work for you and don’t take over your space.

Make Room for Hobby Gear You Love With SelfStorage

Having multiple hobbies is a fun and fulfilling experience, but it can also create clutter that adds stress, especially in tight spaces. Taking time to focus on hobby organization with smart organizational ideas for small spaces helps you maintain a sense of calm while still holding onto the things that have value to you.

If you’ve organized your home and it still feels cramped, SelfStorage offers a flexible solution. It allows you to store seasonal, sentimental, or bulky items in a safe, accessible place, freeing up room at home for the gear you actively use.

Climate-controlled units add extra protection, keeping your hobby supplies in great condition so you can enjoy them for years to come without worry.

Self-storage helps you stay organized without giving up what you love.

Find self-storage near you

Methodology

The survey of 1,021 adults ages 18 and over was conducted via SurveyMonkey Audience for SelfStorage.com, LLC on July 2, 2025. Data is unweighted and the margin of error is approximately +/-3% for the overall sample with a 95% confidence level.