Declutter Your Living Room
Simple Steps and Stylish Storage Ideas
9/25/20253 min read
The living room is often the heart of the home – a place for relaxation, entertainment, and family gatherings. But it can also be a magnet for clutter, from stray remotes and magazines to toys, throws, and that ever-growing pile of mail. A cluttered living room can feel chaotic and stressful, detracting from its purpose as a sanctuary.
The good news is that reclaiming your living room from clutter is achievable! With a few simple steps and the right stylish storage solutions, you can create a serene, organized, and inviting space that you’ll love spending time in. Let’s get decluttering!
1. The Purge: Declutter Ruthlessly (But Smartly!)
Before you can organize, you need to get rid of what you don’t need. This is the most crucial step for lasting change.
Why it Matters: You can’t organize clutter; you can only move it around. Decluttering creates space and makes organizing much easier.
The Process:
Start Small: Don’t try to tackle the whole room at once. Pick one area (e.g., the coffee table, a bookshelf, a corner) and focus on that.
Four-Box Method: Get four boxes or bins labeled: Keep, Donate/Sell, Trash, Relocate.
Ask Yourself: “Have I used this in the last year?” “Do I love it?” “Does it serve a purpose?” Be honest!
Relocate Items: If an item belongs in another room (like mail or dishes), put it in the “Relocate” box to deal with later.
Remove Immediately: Take the “Trash” and “Donate/Sell” boxes out of the room (and ideally out of your house) as soon as possible to avoid second-guessing.
2. Embrace Stylish Storage Baskets & Bins
Once you’ve decluttered, you need smart places to store the “Keep” items. Baskets and bins are your best friends.
Why it Works: They hide visual clutter, group similar items, and add decorative texture and color to your room.
Ideas:
Woven Baskets: Perfect for storing throws, magazines, toys, or even remotes. They add a natural, cozy feel.
Decorative Totes: Fabric bins can be great for organizing shelves or for corralling items that tend to pile up.
Ottomans with Hidden Storage: A dual-purpose piece that provides extra seating and a place to stash blankets, games, or toys out of sight.
Magazine Holders: Keep your reading material tidy and accessible.
3. Maximize Vertical Space with Shelving
Don’t let your walls go bare! Shelving is essential for displaying decorative items and storing essentials out of the way.
Why it Works: Utilizes vertical space, drawing the eye upwards and freeing up floor and surface areas.
Ideas:
Floating Shelves: Minimalist and modern, great for displaying photos, small plants, or books.
Bookcases: A classic for a reason. Choose a size and style that fits your room – open shelving for display, or closed cabinets for hiding less attractive items.
Wall-Mounted Cabinets: Ideal for storing electronics, games, or collections while keeping them dust-free.
Corner Shelves: Maximize often-unused corner space.
4. Cable Management Solutions: The Invisible Organizer
Tangled cords from electronics can be a major source of visual clutter. Taming them makes a surprisingly big impact.
Why it Works: Hides unsightly wires, creating a cleaner, more streamlined look.
Ideas:
Cable Sleeves/Wraps: Bundle multiple cords together neatly.
Cord Covers: These can be run along walls or floors to conceal wires.
Cable Boxes/Organizers: A box where you can tuck away power strips and excess cords, with cutouts for cables to exit.
Adhesive Cable Clips: Keep cords attached neatly to the back of furniture or along baseboards.
5. Designate Zones and “Homes” for Everything
Once you’ve decluttered and have storage solutions, the key to staying organized is giving everything a designated place.
Why it Works: When every item has a “home,” it’s easier to put things away and prevent clutter from accumulating again.
Ideas:
Remote Control Caddy: A small organizer for remotes, often fitting on a coffee table or side table.
Magazine Rack: Keep your current reading materials tidy and off surfaces.
Toy Bins: If you have children, dedicated bins make tidying up toys quick and easy.
Designated “Mail Spot”: A specific tray or basket for incoming mail, and a designated spot for outgoing mail or items needing action.
Reclaiming your living room from clutter doesn’t have to be a daunting task. By following these simple steps and incorporating stylish storage solutions, you can create a more peaceful, organized, and enjoyable space for you and your family to relax and connect.