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Hoarder Nation: Shocking Survey About Secret Hoarders

Hoarders are taking over. According to a new survey, it turns out that many of us are hanging onto more stuff than we probably need. In fact, half of us…

Hoarder

compulsive hoarding disorder concept – man hoarder with stuff piles sitting in the room

Hoarders are taking over.

According to a new survey, it turns out that many of us are hanging onto more stuff than we probably need. In fact, half of us admit there's at least one room in our house that's totally unusable because it's packed with clutter. That’s right — we’re talking about rooms that have become “unsalvageable.” And no, the survey didn’t say which rooms are the worst offenders, but let’s hope it’s not the bathroom!

Feeling cramped at home? You’re not alone. About 34% of people say their homes feel too small thanks to all the extra stuff. In fact, over half of those surveyed (55%) wish they didn’t have to get rid of anything to make room. The ultimate dream? Most people wish they had three extra rooms to spread out and store all that junk. And hey, why stop at three?

So, what are we all hanging onto? Turns out, some items are harder to let go of than others.

The top hoarder hoards are:

  1. Clothes
  2. Kitchen gadgets and appliances
  3. Hobby items
  4. Shoes
  5. Groceries (Yes, food! You know those jars you’ll totally use one day.)
  6. Furniture
  7. Seasonal décor (because we all need 200 Halloween decorations, right?)
  8. Memorabilia
  9. Random one-off items (we all have that drawer, right?)
  10. Books

If you’ve ever watched shows like Hoarders, you’ve probably seen the extreme end of the spectrum. These shows have shone a spotlight on the issue, showing how serious hoarding can be. But according to this survey, many Americans are just a few steps away from needing their own decluttering intervention.

So, if your house feels a little crowded, you’re in good company. Maybe it’s time for a good cleanout — or at least to wish for those extra rooms.

Lauren Beckham Falcone is the co-host of Bob & LBF in the Morning. Formerly an award-winning reporter and columnist for the Boston Herald, she credits her current success as a pop culture commentator to watching too much TV as a kid and scouring the internet too much as an adult. LBF is a regular contributor to NECN and is an honorary board member at the Massachusetts Down Syndrome Congress. Lauren lives in Canton with her husband Dave and her daughter Lucy. Lauren writes about trending topics, New England destinations, and seasonal DIY.