31 Days to a Clutter Free Life: Living Room (Day 4)

Day 4: Living Room

Your living room, by definition, is the central hub of your home. It should be a room where everyone can come together, relax, play games, read, convene, hang out, and even watch television. The living room should offer a space for each person in the household to relax. There should be plenty of seating, arranged in a way that encourages conversation, connections and family. There’s a tendency to point all seating towards the television, but you should also consider the other more interactive activities that go on in your family’s living room. Display items in the room that represent who you are as a family and items that you truly love. Obey the rule that everything should be something you use or something you love. Knickknacks and trinkets should be pared down to the most important items—don’t detract from them by letting them become dust collectors.

Display them proudly, like a museum of your family’s treasured artifacts. Give new life to older and damaged items with a fresh coat of paint, a good cleaning, new pillows or pretty throw blankets. Toss out old magazines, paperwork and other items that pile up. Pare down knick knacks, books, and even furniture that you no longer use or that your family has outgrown—perhaps that old piano? Old gaming consoles? Give these items new life by donating them to an afterschool program or to a charity. Give yourself permission to let go.  

Objective: An open, comfortable, and inviting room for guests and family to gather, connect, and relax.

Assess the current situation: How is this room used right now? List all the purposes of this room. What are the biggest clutter struggles in this room? (Toys, clothing, paperwork, garbage, etc.?) How is the layout of the room working for you? What would you like to change?

 Assignment:

1. Remove and put away any items that belong in other rooms. If necessary, use a basket to collect items, then distribute them to their proper homes. 2. Clear all flat surfaces—tables, desks, consoles, shelves, etc. Collect all items (picture frames, candles, decorative knick knacks) in one area, such as the dining room table or kitchen counter. De-clutter remaining items. Keep only the items that:

• Are currently useful
• Are in good working order
• You absolutely love and want to display

 Do not keep items that:

• You don’t use
• You don’t like
• You feel obligated to keep because it was expensive
• You feel obligated to keep because it was a gift
• Are constantly in your way

 3. Remove any furniture that is no longer working for your space, whether it is broken or damaged or simply not a good fit for the room. Either throw it away, donate it, or sell it on Craigslist or Facebook, then, if necessary, rearrange remaining furniture to make your layout more functional.

 

1. Sunny Mid Century (WestElm.com)

2. Simple Statement Living Room (RealSimple.com)

3. Elegant Living Room (HomeDIT.com)

4. Calm and Clean Living Room (RealSimple.com)

5. Bright Brownstone Living Room (WestElm.com)