I had one of those Closet Domino Effect moments yesterday. Surely, you’ve had one too?
You know the drill: I opened my foyer closet, and in a split second, at least 27 things tumbled out onto me and all over the floor. Naturally, this led to an impromptu full-blown closet overhaul. I pulled every last item out, gave it a quick paint refresh (because, let’s be honest, my last “quick” paint job needed saving), and started searching for new homes for all the things that had no business being in that closet in the first place.
With our the little mudroom in our garage already taking the brunt of our daily mess, this closet needed to step up as a tidy and welcoming space for guests’ coats.
(Let’s take a moment to admire it, shall we?)
But, of course, in tackling this small organizational victory, I stumbled upon a much larger realization—despite my love of decluttering, simplifying, and living with less, I seem to have an uncontrollable magazine hoarding problem.
There, I said it. I’m a magazine hoarder.
The Digital Age vs. Magazine Hoarding
Let’s face it—the digital era has eliminated the necessity of keeping physical magazines. Everything we could possibly want to reference is online, at the swipe of a finger. Pinterest, Instagram, digital archives—why keep stacks of old magazines when we have instant access to more inspiration than we could ever need?
Yet, there’s something irreplaceable about the experience of a physical magazine. The feel of glossy pages, the thrill of flipping through a beautifully curated editorial spread, the smell of fresh ink—it’s an experience digital media simply can’t replicate. That’s how I justify keeping my ever-growing collection (or at least, that’s what I tell myself!).
Magazines: Hoarding or Chic Decor?
Here’s the thing: if one is going to hoard magazines, then at the very least, make them look fabulous!
Instead of letting my magazine stacks become clutter, I’ve decided to embrace them as part of my interior decor.
✔ Magazines scattered around the house? That’s hoarding.
✔ Magazines artfully stacked and arranged as decor? That’s chic and intentional. See the difference?
Some of my favorite ways to incorporate magazines into home decor include:
- Stylish Stacks: Piling them neatly on a coffee table or side table, topped with a chic candle or decorative bowl.
- Functional Footrests: A sturdy stack of large magazines can double as a unique side table or footrest (bonus points if you strap them together with a leather belt for an added designer touch).
- Shelf Styling: Arranging them on bookshelves alongside books, plants, and trinkets to create a perfectly curated shelfie moment.
- Framing Covers: If a magazine cover is particularly stunning, why not frame it? Instant art!
- Bedside Bliss: A curated stack of favorite reads makes a stylish yet practical nightstand companion.
Magazines as decor? Absolutely. Magazines hidden in every closet and under every piece of furniture? That’s when you know it’s a problem.
The Psychology of Magazine Hoarding
Why is it so hard to part with magazines?
For me, it comes down to a few things:
- Sentimental Value: Some issues hold special memories, marking significant moments in time—design trends I loved, projects I dreamed about, or places I wanted to visit.
- Inspiration Hoarding: I tell myself I’ll reference them later. (Will I? Probably not.)
- Fear of Missing Out (FOMO): What if I throw away a magazine and then suddenly NEED that one perfect image, recipe, or design tip?
- Aesthetic Attachment: Let’s be honest—some magazines are just too beautiful to toss.
The solution? A balanced approach to keeping only what truly sparks joy and releasing the rest.
Decluttering Strategies for Magazine Lovers
If you’re a fellow magazine hoarder (no shame here), it might be time for a magazine intervention. Here are a few tips I’m trying to follow:
- Set a Limit: Designate a specific space for magazines—once that space is full, it’s time to purge.
- Digitize Favorite Pages: Snap a photo or scan the pages you love and store them in a digital inspiration folder.
- Recycle Regularly: Set a schedule to go through your collection every few months.
- Donate: Give magazines a second life by donating them to libraries, schools, or local art programs.
- Create a Memory Book: If certain pages hold sentimental value, tear them out and compile them into a scrapbook or journal.
Embracing the Art of Curated Collecting
At the end of the day, there’s no shame in loving magazines—as long as they don’t overrun your home! Finding the right balance between keeping what inspires you and letting go of excess clutter is key.
So, if you’re a fellow magazine enthusiast, I say embrace your collection—just do it intentionally.
Incorporate them into your decor, make them accessible, and enjoy them for the inspiration they bring. And if you ever find yourself drowning in stacks of old issues, just remember—you are not alone! Maybe we really do need to start a magazine hoarders support group.
Let’s Talk!
Are you a magazine hoarder too? What’s your go-to method for managing (or displaying) your collection? Let’s share tips and tricks in the comments!
- Mark D. Sikes
- An Magritt
- Assemble Papers
- Elizabeth Newman Interior Design
- Mig & Alice
- bhg
- Stockholm apartment/Per Jansson Photography
Here’s to stylish magazine collecting, organized living, and embracing what brings us joy—one glossy page at a time!
