The Paper Clutter You Don’t Actually Need

Paper clutter has a sneaky way of piling up in drawers, files, and corners. Whether it’s guilt, uncertainty, or just not wanting to deal with it, most of us hold on to way more than we need. At Strategic Spaces, we help clients streamline their paper storage to reduce stress and make it easier to find what actually matters.

Here’s a breakdown of common types of paper clutter you can probably let go of—no stress, no second-guessing.

Receipts (The Non-Business Kind)

Unless you need them for taxes, warranties, or returns, you can toss most receipts.

• Grocery, gas, and restaurant receipts? Toss them. Sadly, receipt paper is chemically treated in a way that prevents it from being recyclable.

• Online order packing slips? Trash once the return window closes.

• That receipt from a $7 coffee four months ago? Let it go.

Tip: Take photos of big-ticket receipts and store them in a digital folder (organized by year or category).

Product Manuals

Most product manuals are available online. Unless it’s for a specialty item or something with a complex setup, you don’t need to keep the printed copy.

Pro Tip: For items like kitchen appliances, TVs, or furniture, Google the make/model and any relevant warranty information (serial numbers, etc) and save the PDF to a cloud folder.

Old Notes, To-Do Lists & Post-Its

That grocery list from a month ago or the 10 sticky notes with half-finished thoughts? You’re done with them.

If the note was important, transfer it to your calendar, planner, or phone. If not? Toss it.

Keeping piles of old lists only adds mental clutter—and a nagging sense of falling behind. If there’s a list with unaccomplished task from months ago, there’s probably a reason you haven’t gotten to it. And holding onto a to-do list isn’t going to change that behavior.

Aspirational Papers: Recipes, Crafts, Articles

If you haven’t made that Pinterest lasagna in four years, it’s probably not happening. Same goes for printouts of old workouts, DIY guides, or magazine clippings.

Keep only what still inspires you—digitize the rest or let it go. You’re not failing by tossing a project you never started. You’re being honest with your present self.

Junk Mail, Flyers, Coupons

• Expired coupons? Recycle. Trash if they’re on glossy paper.

• Mailers from stores you don’t shop at? Gone.

• Pre-approved credit offers? Shred.

Tip: Opt out of junk mail using DMAchoice or OptOutPrescreen.

Sentimental Paperwork

Anyone with kids these days can attest that they’re always being sent home with drawings, handprint paintings, or other assignments that you feel the need to hold onto. If you have multiple children, the problem only gets exponentially bigger. Hold onto the sentimental ones: a family drawing, their first time coloring in the lines, whatever feels poignant to you. Make sure that they have the child’s name and date on the art, or else you risk seeing it years down the line and it having no meaning. Also try using a children’s art frame, where you can display their most recent creation while storing the rest safely in the frame.

Another category of sentimental paperwork that individuals often struggle with is cards. Over the years, they can fill bins upon bins if you’re not careful. If you’re looking to pare down, start with the cards that only have the giver’s signature. If you have a significant volume of cards that have long messages on them, consider scanning the bulk of them so that you can hold on to the memory, but not the physical pile. You don’t have to get rid of all of them, but seriously consider their importance. The same goes for holiday cards. When people send you these written regards, they do not mean to permanently burden you with another piece of paper in your home. Appreciate the thoughts, and bless and release them.

What You Should Keep (and How to Store It)

Keep these in a labeled file box or secure digital folder:

• Legal documents (birth certs, marriage licenses, wills)

• Tax returns (7 years)

• Property documents

• Medical records (if relevant)

• Active insurance policies

Scan and shred old paperwork you’re unsure about. When in doubt, keep digital copies.

Build a Paper Routine That Works

Instead of letting paper pile up:

• Set aside 15 minutes weekly to sort incoming paper

• Create a 3-part system: To Do / To File / To Shred

• Keep it visible but tidy—a desktop inbox, a drawer, or wall files work great

Long-term success comes from small, consistent habits—not one-time purges.

Final Thoughts:

Paper clutter often hides in plain sight. Clearing it out frees up not just space—but mental bandwidth, too. The key is to keep what’s active, useful, or required—and ditch the rest. You'll be surprised how much lighter your space (and mind) can feel.

Ready to tackle that filing cabinet or junk drawer? Strategic Spaces can help you create simple, sustainable paper systems—without the overwhelm. Get your estimate today.