In a lot of homes the living room will be the middle of the home – in which family and friends gather to talk, unwind and entertain. It is however one of the most cluttered areas, collecting everything from toys and magazines to remote controls and blankets. A cluttered living room is chaotic and overwhelming and hard to relax in.
It’s about more than a tidy living room. It’s about creating a space that reflects your lifestyle – functional, inviting. Decluttering, organizing and preserving your living room can make it a cozy spot for both you and your family to take pleasure in.
We walk you through six steps to a clutter free living room. From decluttering to choosing the right furniture to smart storage solutions and keeping order – these tips will help you design a functional living room. Let’s dive in!
1. Declutter and Simplify
A clutter-free living room starts with decluttering and simplifying. Clutter can make a space feel crowded and chaotic. Eliminating unnecessary items creates much more physical and mental space so you can concentrate on what matters.
First sort things by category: Keep, donate/sell, trash & relocate. Be honest with yourself about what you use frequently and what fills you with joy or serves a purpose. Lose things that no longer fit your lifestyle or your health.
For things like magazines, books and DVDs, save only those you will use/love. Wherever possible, digitize media to reduce physical clutter. For decor, pick a few meaningful pieces without overwhelming the room.
Once you get decluttered, clean up your living room. A clean space will be easier to organize and maintain.
Decluttering and simplifying will make a foundation for a clean living room.
2. Choose the Right Furniture
You choose the furniture to make your living room clutter free. Buy functional pieces that are also right for your space. Oversized furniture makes a room feel tight and too many small pieces create visual clutter.
Start with a sofa that won’t crowd your living room. Look for a sofa with built in storage – a pull out bed or hidden compartments – to maximize function.
Choose a coffee table with storage – drawers or shelves – for remote controls, magazines and other small items. For small living rooms, nesting tables or ottomans have hidden storage too.
Consider armchairs or accent chairs that you can move or fold away for extra seating. Don’t stuff the room too full with pieces and leave plenty of room for flow and openness.
You will build a stylish living room with enough space to move and relax with the appropriate furniture.
3. Implement Smart Storage Solutions
Keeping a living room organized requires smart storage solutions. Creative storage options make the most of every inch of space.
Start with storage furniture – media consoles, bookshelves, side tables with drawers or shelves -. These pieces can hold books, games and electronics.
Place small items inside decorative baskets or bins like toys, blankets and remote controls. Place these baskets on shelves, under tables or in corners – out of sight but easily accessible.
Install floating shelves or pegboard for wall storage. These options add storage without taking up valuable floor space. You can use them to display decor, store books, or hang things like hats and bags.
In small living rooms, buy multi-functional furniture – a storage ottoman or sofa bed – to maximize storage and function.
Smart storage solutions will make an open living room more organized and efficient.
4. Zones for Activities Create Zones for Each Activity
Creating zones for different activities defines each area and makes the living room feel more ordered and intentional.
Start by naming the main activities in your living room – relaxing, entertaining and working. Furniture, rugs or room dividers can divide these zones up.
For example, you might have a sofa and a coffee table that define the seating area and a rug underneath that anchors the space. Separate the seating area from the workspace or reading nook with a bookshelve or console table.
In a tiny living room, use a fold down desk or wall mounted table as a workspace. Make the area functional and inviting with a chair and small lamp.
Zones for different activities will make your living room functional and organized, and give it order and purpose.
5. Maintain a Clutter-Free Environment
Then you can declutter and organize your living room, but the real work begins – maintaining the space clean. This takes effort and mindfulness but with the right habits it becomes second nature.
First, make it a one in – one out rule. For each new item you put into your living room, toss an old one away. That stops the clutter from gathering and encourages more deliberate spending.
Review your belongings periodically and declutter as necessary. Make a point each season to go through your books and decor to see if they still make sense or make you happy.
Lastly, have a gratitude and contentment mindset. Focus on what you have instead of always seeking more. Appreciating what you have will make you not as likely to buy unnecessary items and keep your house less cluttered.
You’ll have a peaceful, functional living room that reflects your best self by keeping things clear.
6. Personalize Your Space
A tidy living room need not be stark and impersonal. Adding individual touches can make a space both organized and reflective of your style and personality.
Pick out a color scheme that suits you first. Add accent pillows, throws and rugs for some color and texture.
Hang sentimental decor like family photos, art work or travel souvenirs so it doesn’t overpower the room. Show them off on shelves, mantels or gallery walls.
Add plants or fresh flowers to the space. Choose low maintenance indoor plants such as succulents or snake plants.
Your personalized living room will be clutter-free but warm, inviting and all yours.
Conclusion
It’s about more than a tidy living room. It’s about creating a space that reflects your lifestyle – functional, inviting. By decluttering and simplifying, selecting the right furniture, smart storage solutions, zones for activities, a clutter-free space and personalizing your living room, you can turn it into a relaxing space for you and your family.
No clutter means no comfort or style loss in this living room. You can have a beautiful space that works – with planning and organization. Using these strategies, you can make the very best of your living room and design it to suit your lifestyle and your joy.
Now it is time to roll up your sleeves, gather your materials and tackle that living room organization project like a pro. Take what you learned in this guide to make your house cleaner, more structured and more inviting.
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