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If you’ve left a stack of dirty dishes or a stray charging cable on the counter in the desperate hope that someone else in your home will deal with it, you’re not alone.In fact, according to findings from IKEA’s Store & Organize Report 2026: Finding meaning in the mess, nearly 4 in 10 people (38%) admit to staging what it terms a “silent protest” — leaving clutter out for others to sort.Does that sound familiar? If you’re a culprit, it might make you chuckle, but if you go around tidying up everyone else’s messes, it might make you sigh!How does clutter impact our lives?The global study surveyed over 31,000 people across 31 countries, exploring how the way we store, organize and live with our belongings impacts relationships, time, identity and well-being at home.And it’s no surprise that the research revealed that clutter creates real tension at home, no more so than in the kitchen, with 34% of respondents saying the countertop is the hardest space to keep clutter-free.In my home, the kitchen countertop is definitely a dumping ground for bits and bobs, like car keys and mail that is going to be ‘dealt with later’.The report is a fun read, especially when you learn that one in ten of us use the oven for storage! And no, I'm not talking yesterday’s leftovers.Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips.So what other sparks of joy does the report reveal? Here’s a round-up of the clutter busters in our homes.The drawer of doom
