Have you ever walked into your living room and felt like you were drowning in clutter? The first step to decluttering is creating an action plan. In this article, we’ll walk through each step of the process to help you get organized!
| Takeaways |
|---|
| – Decluttering your living room can create a more spacious, organized, and peaceful environment. |
| – Creating functional storage solutions is essential for maximizing space in small apartments. |
| – Incorporating soft textures and warm lighting can instantly make your living room feel cozier and more welcoming. |
| – Creative solutions such as color-coding your books or using floating shelves can help organize your book collection while also adding a stylish touch to your living room. |
| – Regular decluttering and organizing can help you maintain a clutter-free and peaceful living room. |
1. Arrange Everything Into Categories
You may be thinking, “Well, I just need to clean my living room.” I’m here to tell you that there is no such thing as cleaning your living room—only organizing it!
And if you want your space to become a peaceful, relaxing place that reflects the lifestyle and personality of who lives in it (i.e., YOU), then organizing is an essential step in achieving this goal.
The benefits of getting organized are endless:
It saves money on groceries because you won’t buy things that have been sitting around for months and get thrown out before their time has passed;
It reduces stress by creating a clutter-free environment where one can focus on more important things like spending time with friends or family members instead of having conversations interrupted by other people’s messes; and
It makes life easier since everything has its place so there’s no longer any excuse not knowing where something might be located if needed immediately (and sometimes even later).
Maximizing Storage in Small Spaces: Creative Solutions for Organizing Your Apartment: Creating functional storage solutions in a small apartment can be a challenging task. Our guide on maximizing storage in small spaces offers creative and practical tips for creating more space and organizing belongings in a small apartment without sacrificing style.
2. Create Piles
Create piles of like items. Think about what you use often and what you don’t use, then put those items into separate piles.
This can be as simple as “things that I use” and “things that I don’t use” or it can be more specific for example, if you have a lot of kitchen gadgets, consider creating a pile for each type (pans, pots/pans/dishes/etc.).
Feel free to also include some miscellaneous items in the pile (like odds & ends) if they seem like they belong there!
Once your piles are made, place them somewhere where they will stay organized until they are moved to their new homes: A closet or cabinet works well for this step because these types of containers offer plenty of space without taking up too much floor space themselves when not in use.
If possible, place similar-looking items together within each container so that everything is tidy when it comes time to put things away later on down the line!
3. Get Rid Of Clutter
Clutter is a constant presence in our lives, and it has the potential to cause more than just a little aggravation. In fact, clutter can have serious negative effects on both your physical and mental health.
The first step to getting your living room clutter-free is to determine what exactly is causing the problem in the first place.
If you’re having trouble figuring out where all of this stuff came from and why it’s still hanging around, consider other problems you may be having with your home: are there leaks in your roof? Are there cracks in walls that need fixing? Do you have pets who shed or need frequent cleaning up after?
Have any family members moved away recently? All of these issues could potentially lead to an increase in clutter over time as they make life harder for everyone involved.
10 Simple Tips for Organizing Your Living Room: A well-organized living room can transform your home into a sanctuary. Check out our 10 simple tips for organizing your living room to learn how small changes, such as decluttering your furniture or incorporating storage baskets, can make a big difference in the ambiance and functionality of your living area.
4. Recycle And Reuse
Recycle and reuse. There are many ways you can recycle items in your home, but the best way is to donate them to charity.
Your local thrift store will take almost anything, and if they don’t have a need for it, they’ll often be able to find someone who does. If your furniture is still in good condition but needs a new look, consider refurbishing it or making one of our DIY projects!
Get rid of it! If you haven’t used an item in the past year or two and there’s no chance that you ever will again get rid of it! Donate these items and make space in your living room so that it feels lighter and more inviting while also helping others!
5. How To Get Rid Of Things Before You Throw Them Away
The final step in decluttering your living room is to find a suitable place to dispose of the items you no longer want.
You should never throw things away just because they are old, dirty or broken. Don’t get rid of things simply because they are too small or otherwise not useful any more either.
You can always sell these items on eBay or Craigslist if you want; but if not, think about donating them to charity instead (many charities would love to receive some of your unwanted goods).
6. Organize Every Space In The House
Next, it’s time to tackle your bathrooms and bedrooms. If you haven’t already, take an inventory of everything that’s in your bathroom cabinets.
Are there any items that haven’t been used in the past year? Do the same with your bedside tables, closets and dressers.
Get rid of anything you don’t need or use regularly and don’t forget to look at the space itself! You might be surprised by how many things are lying on top of shelves or tucked into drawers that can be removed completely (or at least hidden).
Organize Every Space In The House
It’s important not only to declutter but also organize everything once it’s out of sight so that it doesn’t become clutter again.
To do this effectively, consider implementing a system for storing similar items together such as all kitchen utensils in one spot or all office supplies in another so they’re easier to find when needed.
If something is going somewhere specific (like clothes), label it as such with sticky notes so its destination becomes obvious at first glance: “Kitchen” for spatulas; “Office” for folders; etcetera.”
The Ultimate Guide to Organizing Your Books in the Living Room: Books can elevate any living room design, but organizing them in an aesthetically pleasing way can be a challenge. Our ultimate guide to organizing your books in the living room provides a variety of creative solutions, from color-coding your books to using floating shelves, to create an impressive display that complements your decor.
7. Find A Home For Everything Left
If you’re still struggling with how to store or organize your things, it’s time to start thinking about where they will live once they are gone.
As soon as you finish using something, put it away and don’t forget where! If there isn’t enough space in one area, clear out one drawer or shelf and make sure that everything has its own home.
This will help prevent clutter from building up over time as well as help keep things organized when needed (like during parties).
| Storage Solution | Description |
|---|---|
| Rubbermaid Cleverstore Clear Containers | Stackable containers that are transparent, making it easy to see what’s inside and which container to grab. |
| ClosetMaid Fabric Drawers | Attractive fabric drawers that fit neatly into Cubeical units for stylish storage in your living room. |
| The Container Store Elfa System | A customizable shelving and drawer system that can be tailored to fit your specific storage needs. |
| IKEA KALLAX Shelf Unit | A versatile shelf unit with customizable inserts, ideal for displaying and organizing decorative and functional items. |
8. Store Items That You Don’t Use Daily
Store items that you use on a daily basis in containers. This is important not only because it makes it easier to store items, but also because it will help you keep your living room clean and organized.
You should be storing your items in the following places:
- A place that is easy to access
- A place that can be easily cleaned (such as a drawer)
- A place where everything has its own space so that it’s easy for you to put things back into their appropriate spots after cleaning them or using them
9. Use Your Junk Drawer Wisely
A junk drawer is a great place to keep all those small items you no longer use or need, but don’t want to throw away. You can use it as a place for things that have become obsolete or broken, or simply as an extra storage space for small items such as screws or nails.
If you’re like me and have lots of stuff in your living room that doesn’t really belong there (like gift wrap from Christmas parties), then this is the step where we’ll get rid of most of it!
If there’s anything left over after getting rid of everything else, put them in either another drawer or on top of your dresser so they can easily be accessed when needed later on down the line
Creating a Cozy and Organized Living Room: A cozy and organized living room is essential for creating a peaceful and welcoming space. Our guide on creating a cozy and organized living room provides a range of tips, including incorporating soft textures and arranging the furniture to create a warm and inviting ambiance.
10. Toss Excess Paperwork
After you have purged all the other items in your living room, it’s time to deal with the paperwork. Getting rid of old documents is a great way to declutter your home and keep organized. It can also help save money by reducing the amount of filing space you need and helping prevent identity theft.
If you don’t know where to start when it comes to organizing your paper documents, here are some tips:
Start by sorting through all existing files that are in various places around your home and then put them into one central location.
This will make it much easier for everyone in the family who uses this space (and anyone else who visits) because everything will be easily accessible instead of being scattered throughout different rooms or cabinets.
Next, determine which documents need immediate attention – such as paying bills or tax returns – and keep them close at hand until they’re completed; then file them away once they’re done so they don’t end up back out again later on down the road!
(This is especially important if someone else likes browsing through papers while relaxing on their couch).
Recommended Tools for Tossing Paperwork
| Storage Solution | Description |
|---|---|
| Shredder Essentials 8-Sheet Paper Shredder | A compact shredder that can shred up to 8 sheets of paper at a time, making it easy to dispose of sensitive documents. |
| Smead Cascading Wall Organizer | A hanging wall organizer with six cascading pockets, perfect for sorting and storing important paperwork. |
| Fujitsu ScanSnap iX1500 | A scanner and digital organizer that makes it easy to digitize documents to reduce paper clutter. |
| Office Depot File Boxes | Lightweight and stackable file boxes to keep important documents organized and easy to access when needed. |
11. Clean Up Kids’ Rooms
Now that you’ve decluttered the living room and have an organized space, it’s time to move on to your kids’ rooms.
Kids’ rooms can be messy, but they’re also important learning environments that help children develop skills like responsibility and organization.
Kids will learn how to clean up after themselves when they see their parents doing the same thing in their own space so set an example by cleaning up after yourself!
You could also try setting a time for each child to clean their room (after school or before bed), which will give them something concrete to work towards in terms of getting things done.
If your child needs help with organizing their stuffs into containers or drawers, this is a great opportunity for you both to spend some quality time together while teaching them valuable life skills at the same time!
Maximizing Space in Your Living Room: Clever Storage Solutions: Whether you have a small living room or just need more storage, our guide on maximizing space in your living room offers practical tips on organizing your belongings, including using hidden storage and investing in multi-functional furniture. By adopting some of our clever storage solutions, you can create a more spacious and functional living room that suits your needs.
12. Organize Your Clothing And Shoes Space
A shoe rack is a great way to contain your shoes. It’s also a good place to store other accessories like purses, hats and scarves.
You may choose to store dirty clothes in a laundry basket and folded or hung garments in either a dresser or closet. (If you have an overstuffed closet, consider hiring someone who can create additional storage space.)
A hamper placed near the washing machine or dryer will help keep your home organized by collecting clothes that need laundering as soon as they are done wearing them.
Tips for Organizing Your Shoes
| Storage Solution | Description |
|---|---|
| IKEA TRONES | Can be hung vertically or horizontally for versatile storage options. |
| Over-the-Door Shoe Organizer | Maximizes vertical space and makes it easy to see all of your shoes. |
| ClosetMaid Stackable Shoe Organizer | Modular and stackable design allows for customizable storage solutions. |
| Whitmor Hanging Shoe Shelves | Hangs in your closet, maximizing vertical space, while also keeping shoes organized and visible. |
Tips for Organizing Clothing Accessories
| Storage Solution | Description |
|---|---|
| HAT-TAC | Easy-to-use fastener that allows you to create a wall-mounted hat display. |
| The Container Store Luggage Rack | Doubles as a suitcase stand and a handy spot to toss jackets, purses, and scarves. |
| Wayfair Adjustable Closet System | A fully adjustable system that allows you to customize shelves, drawers, and clothing rods to suit your storage needs. |
| HERSOO Hat Organizer | A rotating hat rack that can hold up to 12 hats or other accessories like scarves and purses. |
Conclusion
You’ve done it! You’ve decluttered your living room. Now, you can sit back and relax. You can spend more time with family and friends because now you have a space that is clean and organized.
Don’t forget to stay on top of things by cleaning up after yourself every day or every week. There will always be new clutter that needs to be dealt with, so make sure that you don’t let go of other areas in your home if they become messy again!
Further Reading
Here are some additional resources you may find helpful for decluttering and organizing your living room:
How to Quickly Declutter Your Living Room: This article provides straightforward tips on decluttering and organizing your living room in under 30 minutes, using a simple four-step process.
How to Declutter Your Living Room: This post offers practical tips and strategies for decluttering and organizing the living room, including rethinking your furniture arrangement and finding creative storage solutions.
Decluttering Your Entire Home: A Room-by-Room Guide: This comprehensive guide provides step-by-step advice on decluttering every room in your house, including the living room. It also includes tips on how to maintain a clutter-free home.
FAQs
How do I declutter my living room quickly?
One quick way to declutter your living room is to start by removing any obvious clutter, such as old magazines or unwanted mail. Next, clear off surfaces such as coffee tables and shelves. Finally, gather items that don’t belong in the living room and put them in a designated spot to be put away later.
What is the best way to organize a living room?
The best way to organize a living room depends on your personal preferences and needs. Some tips include using multi-functional furniture, incorporating storage baskets and bins, and arranging furniture in a way that encourages socialization and conversation.
How can I maintain a clutter-free living room?
To maintain a clutter-free living room, make decluttering and organizing a regular part of your routine. Tidy up daily by returning items to their designated spaces and putting away anything that doesn’t belong in the living room. Set aside a few minutes each week to do a quick decluttering sweep and donate or discard items you no longer need.
How do I decide what to keep and what to get rid of in my living room?
When deciding what to keep and what to get rid of, consider the usefulness and sentimental value of the item. If it no longer serves a purpose in your life or doesn’t bring you joy, it may be time to donate or discard it. Be honest with yourself about how much you really need and use each item.
Should I hire a professional organizer to help me declutter my living room?
Hiring a professional organizer can be a great option if you feel overwhelmed or unsure where to start. A professional can provide personalized advice and support to help you tackle your clutter and create a system that works for you.
Hi there! My name is Hellen James. I’m a professional decluttering expert who loves to help people get their homes in order. I’ve worked with people from all walks of life—from high school students to retirees and everything in between—to help them clear out clutter and make the most of their space so they can focus on what matters most to them.