Bill Greene/Globe Staff

Jessica Pohl of Weston has kids who have largely outgrown their toys, but she can’t give them away.

Bill Greene/Globe Staff

“I’m saving them for my grandchildren,” Pohl said of the toys in her Weston home.

Bill Greene/Globe Staff

New research by UCLA-affiliated social scientists shows that American families are overwhelmed by clutter.

Bill Greene/Globe Staff

The researchers also found that three out of four garages are too full of items to hold cars.

Essdras M. Suarez/Globe Staff

Kathy Colthart of Watertown (with her children Logan and Lucas Pelegrin) said prepared foods "give me the illusion of saving time."