5 Surfaces You Should Declutter Today
Identifying and taking the time to blitz key clutter hotspots will restore serenity to your home
Amy Revell
10 December 2017
Houzz Australia Contributor. Declutter Coach and Founder at The Art of Decluttering. I'm based in the leafy suburbs of Melbourne, Australia and work with women to help them create the beautiful homes they've always dreamed of. As an author, speaker and podcaster, I love all things decluttering and embrace the freedom that minimalism brings.
Houzz Australia Contributor. Declutter Coach and Founder at The Art of Decluttering.... More
Worktops, tables and desks in your home are clutter magnets… and the biggest culprit is usually paperwork that belongs elsewhere. Clear your flat surfaces to restore calm to your home. Here are five key spots to tackle and maintain.
Kitchen worktop
Every home has a kitchen counter – some so small it’s hard to prepare dinner, and others so large you could seat a dozen hungry teenagers at them. Regardless of the size, there’s one thing all worktops have in common – they share a magnetic power to attract clutter.
Check out these 9 things you can do to kick-start being more organised
Every home has a kitchen counter – some so small it’s hard to prepare dinner, and others so large you could seat a dozen hungry teenagers at them. Regardless of the size, there’s one thing all worktops have in common – they share a magnetic power to attract clutter.
Check out these 9 things you can do to kick-start being more organised
A kitchen is the hub of family activity; it also becomes the place where we leave items when we either don’t know where they belong, or can’t be bothered to put them away.
Having a clear kitchen worktop will help you feel relaxed and in control in your home, so set aside 15 minutes today to completely clear it and make a decision to keep it that way with a daily blitz.
Having a clear kitchen worktop will help you feel relaxed and in control in your home, so set aside 15 minutes today to completely clear it and make a decision to keep it that way with a daily blitz.
Bedside table
Bedside tables are a beautiful addition to any bedroom. They create a space for storage as well as somewhere to display special or decorative items.
In interiors shots, there’s always a bunch of fresh flowers and a perfectly styled vignette on the bedside table. Truth be told, though, they rarely stay that intentional, and they quickly attract unread books, crumpled receipts and bookmarks made by our children.
Bedside tables are a beautiful addition to any bedroom. They create a space for storage as well as somewhere to display special or decorative items.
In interiors shots, there’s always a bunch of fresh flowers and a perfectly styled vignette on the bedside table. Truth be told, though, they rarely stay that intentional, and they quickly attract unread books, crumpled receipts and bookmarks made by our children.
Having a decluttered bedside table will help create the sanctuary you need in your bedroom to get a great sleep and feel properly rested. So tonight when you head to bed, take the time to clear the clutter from your bedside table and restrict yourself to the things you actually need to access every night.
Coffee table
When we moved into our house, we made the decision to abandon the traditional coffee table in our living room. We’ve found they take up a lot of space and are often covered in toys, books, magazines and papers.
What does your coffee table attract? Do you find that clutter not only gathers on top, but also underneath?
When we moved into our house, we made the decision to abandon the traditional coffee table in our living room. We’ve found they take up a lot of space and are often covered in toys, books, magazines and papers.
What does your coffee table attract? Do you find that clutter not only gathers on top, but also underneath?
My suggestion is to be very deliberate about what (if anything) you keep on your coffee table. Do you have the time or inclination to monitor it for clutter and to style it whenever you have someone coming over?
Have a look at your coffee table with fresh eyes and declutter it to reduce both the physical and visual clutter in your living room.
10 living room clutter culprits and how to deal with them
Have a look at your coffee table with fresh eyes and declutter it to reduce both the physical and visual clutter in your living room.
10 living room clutter culprits and how to deal with them
Laundry worktop
If you’re lucky enough to have a utility room, it’s likely the worktop has become a dumping ground. A cluttered laundry space will result in time being wasted, not only because you’ll put off doing the laundry, but when you tackle it, it will take longer, as you’ll have to clear a space.
If you’re lucky enough to have a utility room, it’s likely the worktop has become a dumping ground. A cluttered laundry space will result in time being wasted, not only because you’ll put off doing the laundry, but when you tackle it, it will take longer, as you’ll have to clear a space.
I suggest to all my clients that they keep their laundry worktop as clear as possible at all times. You want it to be a really functional work space for when your family needs to use it.
Consider fitting shelving in the utility room, so you can stash items you would otherwise keep on the worktop tidily out of the way.
Consider fitting shelving in the utility room, so you can stash items you would otherwise keep on the worktop tidily out of the way.
Dining table
I love it when I visit a home and see a clear dining table that’s easy to access and use for family meals.
Both my husband and I were brought up in families where the evening meal was always shared sitting around the table together. We do that now with our children, but I’m aware that eating meals together without the distraction of screens is no longer a given in our culture.
If you’d like to eat together more as a family, I suggest clearing the clutter from your dining table.
I love it when I visit a home and see a clear dining table that’s easy to access and use for family meals.
Both my husband and I were brought up in families where the evening meal was always shared sitting around the table together. We do that now with our children, but I’m aware that eating meals together without the distraction of screens is no longer a given in our culture.
If you’d like to eat together more as a family, I suggest clearing the clutter from your dining table.
Realistically, there are no items that need to live on the dining table, so aiming to keep it clear is a realistic goal. Now obviously during the day your table will get used for different tasks –homework, craft, work, board games etc – but all these things can be tidied away once the activity is completed.
Flat surfaces in your home will always attract clutter, so keeping them clear has to be an intentional decision, but it’s one I believe will reduce the stress in your home and increase your sense of freedom and joy.
Do you have clutter spots in your home? How have you tackled them in the past? Share your tips in the Comments section.
Do you have clutter spots in your home? How have you tackled them in the past? Share your tips in the Comments section.
Related Stories
Kitchens
10 Smart Storage Tips for Your Kitchen Bins
Keep kitchen rubbish stylishly tucked away with these clever solutions
Full Story
Gardens
How to Disguise Rubbish and Recycling Bins Outside Your Home
Need to hide unsightly bins in your garden or driveway? Take a look at these clever ideas for inspiration
Full Story
Storage
7 Ideas for Children’s Bookshelves
Need bookshelf or book storage ideas for your kid’s bedroom? Browse these stylish rooms for inspiration
Full Story
Housekeeping & Cleaning
How to Be More Green When You Clean
Refresh your cleaning routine as well as your home this year with these eco-friendly cleaning ideas
Full Story
Living Rooms
10 Excellent Ideas for Alcove Storage
By Kate Burt
Those spaces either side of your chimney breast – are you making the most of them? Read on to find out
Full Story
Bathrooms
How to Design a Bathroom That’s Easy to Clean
Want a clutter-free, sparkling bathroom? Follow this expert advice on how to cut down on cleaning time
Full Story
Housekeeping & Cleaning
10 Things to Remember While Decluttering
Fast-track the process and ease the stress by making a plan before you begin
Full Story
Storage
9 Things No One Tells You About Creating Storage in Your Home
By Kate Burt
Stuck for more storage? Look no further than our pros’ ideas for maximising space – beautifully
Full Story
Housekeeping & Cleaning
Organising? Don’t Forget the Essential First Step
Simplify the process of getting your home in order by taking it one step at a time. Here’s how to get on the right path
Full Story
Storage
7 Ideas for Acing Your Open-plan Room’s Storage
By Kate Burt
Open-plan living spaces come with their own specific storage challenges, but there are several ways to tackle them
Full Story
not a single shred of helpful instruction in this article, stating the obvious and preaching.
I find the one minute rule a great decluttering tool! Whist making tea in morning; during time bath is running;during an advert etc I clear a local area of accumulated debris put it back where it belongs or discard!
I think most people can relate to the description of the kitchen bench