A1 Journal article (refereed)
Affective Clutter : Three Viewpoints on Lived Objects that Create Discomfort at Home (2024)

Kajander, A., & Koskinen-Koivisto, E. (2024). Affective Clutter : Three Viewpoints on Lived Objects that Create Discomfort at Home. Home Cultures, Early online. https://doi.org/10.1080/17406315.2024.2338019

JYU authors or editors

Kajander, Anna
Koskinen-Koivisto, Eerika

Publication details

All authors or editors: Kajander, Anna; Koskinen-Koivisto, Eerika

Journal or series: Home Cultures

ISSN: 1740-6315

eISSN: 1751-7427

Publication year: 2024

Publication date: 17/04/2024

Volume: Early online

Publisher: Routledge

Publication country: United Kingdom

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/17406315.2024.2338019

Publication open access: Openly available

Publication channel open access: Partially open access channel

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/94441

Abstract

Over-consumption and the domestic abundance of things have become a problem in affluent Western homes, which are full of new commodities and layers of lived things. At the same time, the encounter with mess and clutter generates a strong moral charge. We should not approach clutter as simply meaningless or lacking order, but rather as a form of trouble-making materiality that forces people to engage with materiality due to a sense of discomfort. In this article, we focus on specific objects that are considered as clutter, asking thirteen people to introduce the materiality of their homes. Overall, we find three different viewpoints on clutter: stuff materializing social relations and family connections; stuff referring to personal memories; and stuff that constructs the feeling of home. We conclude that clutter is not a simple matter of disorder, but rather something affective that calls for attention and emotional work.

Keywords: materiality; things (physical objects); disorder; home; households (organisations); residence; family relations; emotions; affectivity