45% of Americans Say Happiness Drives Their Impulse Buys More Often Than Sadness, Stress

Many people see impulsive buying as nothing more than a form of retail therapy — a common way to cope with stress or emotional lows. 

But interestingly, nearly half of impulse purchases are actually driven by happiness and excitement. So it’s no surprise that over 31% of Americans have impulsively bought high-end tech — products that often bring people joy, spark curiosity, or offer a sense of novelty and fun.

But, once the thrill fades, regret often sets in as the items go unused and contribute to clutter, taking up physical and mental space. In small apartments, this clutter quickly becomes overwhelming, making mindful purchasing habits important to keep an organized space.

We surveyed Americans to uncover the full impact of impulse purchases. The results reveal the main factors behind these buying habits and offer practical strategies for your spring cleaning checklist to maintain a clutter-free, mindful lifestyle.

62% of Americans Struggle to Discard Impulse Buys

It’s tough to get rid of things, even when you know it’s for the best. For nearly 2 in 3 Americans, letting go of impulse buys is a prime example — knowing the item isn’t necessary but still struggling to part with it.

The fear of regret plays a big role here, with 63% of people holding onto items because they convince themselves there might be a future need for them.

This “just in case” mentality creates a cycle of clutter that can impact your living spaces and mental health. While some impulse buys are small, others pile up in closets and storage, creating hidden clutter that adds stress and makes decluttering even harder.

A closer look at common impulse purchases reveals which items people struggle to resist — and, ultimately, to let go of. Two of the top culprits are beauty products and clothing — which 52% of Americans report as their most cluttered items in a decluttering survey.

57% of Americans Forget About Clutter Until They See It 

Out of sight, out of mind doesn’t mean the clutter disappears. Just like dirty dishes left in the dishwasher, over half of impulse buys get tucked away out of sight, becoming a bigger and bigger problem until you rediscover them.

Forgetting about these purchases makes it easy to accumulate duplicates, keeping you from maximizing your closet space and other storage areas. 

Over time, these forgotten purchases can lead to disorganization, making it increasingly difficult to maintain a tidy and functional environment. This can result in regret, not only for the items themselves but also for the effort spent managing the clutter they create.

Homeowners may find it increasingly difficult to store impulse buys, especially as the average square footage of a house is shrinking. Smaller home sizes mean people often have to store miscellaneous items in spaces they would otherwise use to hold day-to-day essentials.

30% of People Feel Regret or Guilt Over Impulse Purchases

People often make impulse buys when they feel happy or excited — with 45% of purchases driven by those positive emotions. However, as time passes and clutter takes over their spaces, those positive feelings can shift.

One in three people feel guilt or regret over their impulse buys up to half the time, as they realize the space they’ve taken up and the mental energy spent managing them. 

From squeezing items into crowded closets to brainstorming DIY garage storage ideas, the clutter becomes a constant source of frustration. If this is an issue you’re facing, it may be time to find solutions to take back your space.]

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Tips To Control Impulse Purchases and Their Impact

Impulse purchases can strain your finances and create a cluttered environment. Try these strategies to regain control over your spending and reduce their impact.

• Run a visibility test to see the hidden items that are often forgotten about and usually lack a purpose. If something is out of sight and you don’t know how you’d use it, it may be time to donate.
• Declutter by category to sort spaces like closets or junk drawers. This helps you identify items that haven’t been used, making it easier to decide what to keep and what to discard. Use storage units to clear up space in these areas for items you want to keep but don’t need immediately.
• Set a decision deadline to put purchased items to use or realize they aren’t necessary to keep. Set a deadline (e.g., 30 days) to assess if the item is truly needed, with a focus on donating or selling unused items.
• Pause before buying to prevent unnecessary purchases. Returning to an item later often shows it’s not something you actually need, saving you from discarding it later.
• Use a shopping list to avoid impulse purchases and streamline your shopping experience, saving you time and keeping you focused on what you truly need.
• Organize regularly by checking hidden areas like closets and junk drawers. This prevents clutter from accumulating and helps ensure you only keep what you need. If you have one, organize your storage unit to maximize space and keep items in good condition.
• Set clear budget limits to identify hidden items that are often forgotten and usually lack a purpose. If something is out of sight and you don’t know how you’d use it, it’s time to donate.
• Avoid shopping triggers by staying away from situations or environments that encourage impulsive buying, like browsing online sales or going into stores without a specific need.
• Limit credit card use on impulse purchases by paying with cash or debit cards instead. This will make the purchase feel more tangible, reducing your temptation to buy unnecessary things.
• Set savings goals, like having an emergency fund that can cover the unexpected costs of owning a home, and plan your purchases around that.

Reclaim Your Space With SelfStorage

The occasional impromptu buy can be fun, but make sure impulse buying doesn’t control your space or your life. If you need to declutter your home to make room for these purchases, self-storage is a useful long-term storage option to free up space, keep items organized, and prevent overcrowding in your living areas.

Reclaim Your Space With SelfStorage

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Methodology 

The survey of 1,000 adults ages 18 and over who have made impulse purchases was conducted via SurveyMonkey Audience for SelfStorage.com, LLC on March 31, 2025. Data is unweighted and the margin of error is approximately +/-3% for the overall sample with a 95% confidence level.