The average household size has declined to 2.61 persons while the average home has doubled in size since 1950. However, people continue to have problems with managing clutter and knowing what to do with everything they have accumulated. One out of 11 people in the US rent storage space. Many factors play into why homeowners are overwhelmed with clutter.  Internet shopping, super-center shopping stores, and an overwhelming amount of options has been a major contributor.  As the baby boomer generation enters retirement many are looking to pass along the valuables they saved for their children, only to learn the Generation X and Millennial's are more inclined to live simply thus not interested in grandmas’ belongings.  The homeowners are then overwhelmed with “stuff” which can result in falling/tripping hazards, unsafe and stressful living environments.  The class “Clutter-Free Living” was taught to 19. Information was presented to increase awareness of the costs of a cluttered environment, provide a step-by-step approach to de-cluttering spaces, encourage behavior change, and create more organized living spaces.  A pre-class survey revealed that the accumulation of paper (newspaper junk mail and magazines) was the number one issue for 1/3 of the class while the other 2/3 of the class were dealing with excessive furniture, “nick knack’s”, items left behind by adult children, and items left to them by elderly parents.

The post class evaluation revealed the following: 100% learned that clutter can factor into stress levels and increase the likelihood of falling. 15 participants identified one or more practice they would adopt to reduce clutter in their home; 8 individuals determined they would begin to reduce clutter by taking time every day to sort through excessive paper. Three people are planning yard sales for the summer. One class participant has revealed since the class she has been able to discard all of the clothing she no longer wore. Additionally, 4 people stated since the class they have purchased clear totes and begun organizing their craft rooms in a way that makes the space much more functional.