The Connection Between Clutter and Creativity: Can a Messy Space Fuel Your Imagination?

“If a cluttered desk is the sign of a cluttered mind, of what then, is an empty desk a sign?” – Albert Einstein

I think we’ve all seen or heard of the stereotypes about creative genius and how chaos and clutter is a necessary part of creativity. And it does seem even in my own experience that a lot of those we consider “creative” people do live in varying degrees of disarray. So is it possible that clutter can actually help fuel the creative process? The debate on whether a clean or messy workspace is better for creativity has been around for a while. So, let's dive into this topic and see if we can find out more about the connection between clutter and creativity.

What Type of Clutter Are We Talking About?

Frequently when we talk about clutter, we’re talking about physical “stuff” – the stacks and piles of things on desks, shelves, floors, bulletin boards, etc. And yes that’s part of it. But in this case I’m also talking about a general lack of structure – a kind of cluttered timeline or process. Because in my experience people who we traditionally consider to be creative tend to shy away from rigidity and highly structure systems or processes. Is this a necessary part of forging original thought, art, or problem-solving? You may have guessed, I have some thoughts on the topic. And they may not be what you expect.

Can Clutter Really Boost Creativity?

Some people believe that having a bit of mess around them helps their brain think outside the box. When everything is too neat, they feel like they can't be as creative. The idea is that a messy space can make your brain work harder to find solutions, leading to more creative thoughts. Famous creative minds like Albert Einstein and Mark Twain were known for having pretty cluttered workspaces. So, could there be a connection?

Scientists have actually studied this, and the results are interesting. In one study out of the University of Minnesota, they found that being in a neat room seemed to encourage people to behave more responsibly and in more socially positive ways.

On the other hand, they also found that being in a messy room generated more outside-the-box thinking. It seemed like being surrounded by clutter can remind us of different things, spark memories, or even inspire combinations of ideas that we might not have thought of in a clean space. So, yes, it seems that clutter does have some connection to creativity.

Despite these findings, there are also studies that have shown that clutter can have highly negative psychological and physical affects. At some point there is such a thing as too much clutter for anyone. For one thing clutter can make cleaning difficult leading to health issues due to dust and even mold. Visual clutter can lead to cognitive overload, and certain kinds of clutter can be more distracting than freeing. Too much clutter can lead to increased stress which leads to more physical issues than I have time to name today. If your physical health declines, so will your creative functions.

So Which Is It? Is Clutter Good or Bad for Creativity?

I believe there’s a balance to be struck. Clearly truly creative thought requires us to abandon rigid rules and standards. That can be easier in a more unstructured environment. I believe the key is to think less in terms of clutter and more in terms of inspiration. Determine if the items you’re surrounded by serve to inspire you. If not, they need to find a new place in your home or purged.

Here are some ways to keep clutter and chaos manageable without getting in the way of creativity.

Designate a space for creative work. This could be a home (or workplace) office, a writer’s shed, a recording studio. Whatever. There are no rules. Poet Maya Angelou used to write in a hotel room because she found writing at home difficult.

Fill your workspace with sources of inspiration. Add colors that make you feel good, art you love, and books that teach and/or stimulate new thoughts,

Eliminate distractions. This is a form of decluttering. If you find yourself going down a TikTok rabbit hole instead of creating, leave your phone in another room or turn it off. Keep only items that you need to create or that inspire you to create. This is not the space to pile your unopened mail or where you pay your bills.

Declutter other areas of your life. Steve Jobs famously wore only black turtlenecks and jeans. By eliminating decisions about what to wear in the morning he freed valuable time and mental capacity to focus on other, more creatively challenging activities. For you, this may mean taking time for weekly meal planning to eliminate daily grocery/cooking decisions or choosing to downsize your home so you have less to maintain.

Create a bedroom sanctuary. Studies have repeatedly shown that bedroom clutter negatively impacts your sleep. A well-rested mind is important for the creative process.

Establish daily routines. This may seem like the opposite of what we’re talking about, but routine can drive innovation as much as variety. The key is finding the right routines for you, tapping into your most creative and focused times of day as your key work times. It also means knowing when you need to break a routine to in order to break through a block or to find new inspiration. It may seem counterintuitive, but processes and routines can be very freeing, allowing you to not waste time trying to keep track of what you’re missing. Having consistent habits and processes also allows you to more easily adjust when those routines get interrupted because you don’t have to scramble to think of all of the things that interruption will impact.

Experiment. Try working in different levels of tidiness to see what makes you feel the most creative.

Ultimately, It’s All About You

Whether a messy space can fuel your imagination is not a one-size-fits-all answer. It really depends on you and how you feel most inspired. The next time you look at your cluttered desk, think about whether it's helping your creativity or if maybe a little cleanup could be beneficial. Remember, the goal is to create a space where you can think freely and come up with your best ideas. So, clutter or no clutter, make sure your space reflects what makes you feel most creative.