How to Create a Joyful, Clutter-free Dining Area
Some tidying tips – and a focus on what makes you happy – will help you get control of the dining room drop zone
The dining room is a place to gather for good food and conversation, but, between meals, it can also become a free-for-all drop zone for random clutter. In this series, we’re approaching each room in the house by identifying what sparks joy there, to borrow a term from famed tidying expert Marie Kondo. Here, we look at ways of clearing the clutter and creating a warm and welcoming dining room or dining area.
More in this series: How to Achieve a Blissfully Clutter-free Bathroom l How to Create a Welcoming, Clutter-free Hall l How to Create a Blissfully Clutter-free Bedroom l How to Create a Joyful, Clutter-free Space for Children
More in this series: How to Achieve a Blissfully Clutter-free Bathroom l How to Create a Welcoming, Clutter-free Hall l How to Create a Blissfully Clutter-free Bedroom l How to Create a Joyful, Clutter-free Space for Children
Take action: Keeping in mind how you’d like to use the room, slowly go through everything and remove any items that don’t move you forwards towards that vision.
If you find yourself keeping items “just in case”, challenge yourself to be really honest about whether you’re likely to use these things, or whether you’re just keeping them because it seems easier than letting them go.
If you find yourself keeping items “just in case”, challenge yourself to be really honest about whether you’re likely to use these things, or whether you’re just keeping them because it seems easier than letting them go.
Set the stage for peaceful meals
Part of creating a serene atmosphere is about reducing clutter, but it’s also about knowing what to keep. A clean, cleared table set with fresh linens, a vase of flowers, comfortable seats, good lighting, art or photos you love – these are some of the simple things that work together to create a harmonious dining experience.
Part of creating a serene atmosphere is about reducing clutter, but it’s also about knowing what to keep. A clean, cleared table set with fresh linens, a vase of flowers, comfortable seats, good lighting, art or photos you love – these are some of the simple things that work together to create a harmonious dining experience.
Take action: Choose your favourite dishes, linens and other tabletop accessories and bring them front and centre. If you want to encourage more family dinners around the table, consider keeping a tray stocked with table-setting essentials, so it will be easy to put them together at the last minute.
Tap into the colours and details you love
Whether you want to use your dining area for a different purpose between meals or just want to incorporate more of your personal style, bringing in the colours, textures and details you love will help to personalise the space – and make it more tempting to use.
Whether you want to use your dining area for a different purpose between meals or just want to incorporate more of your personal style, bringing in the colours, textures and details you love will help to personalise the space – and make it more tempting to use.
Take action: From big projects to small additions, the choices you make when it comes to style and colour can have a huge impact on how your dining room looks and feels.
- Paint the walls a rich, saturated hue you love.
- Fill shelves with your favourite books.
- Incorporate a special art piece, pottery or basket.
- Swap the overhead light fixture for one you love.
Protect your refreshed space between meals
A big, blank dining table is an open invitation to deposit armloads of clutter. A freshly made table, on the other hand, acts like clutter repellent.
Alternatively, if you’re using your dining room for work or homework, keep it neatly arranged with a few books and a vase of fresh flowers to encourage tidy habits.
A big, blank dining table is an open invitation to deposit armloads of clutter. A freshly made table, on the other hand, acts like clutter repellent.
Alternatively, if you’re using your dining room for work or homework, keep it neatly arranged with a few books and a vase of fresh flowers to encourage tidy habits.
Take action: To avoid re-cluttering your dining room, consider how you can “set” the table between meals.
How do you keep your home tidy and organised? Share your tips in the Comments.
- Keep a runner or tablecloth on the table.
- Place a vase of fresh flowers or a bowl of fruit in the centre.
- Keep a tray stocked with cloth napkins, cutlery and plates on the table.
How do you keep your home tidy and organised? Share your tips in the Comments.
Would you like to make it a more comfortable spot for enjoying everyday dinners or a special space just for larger gatherings?
Or perhaps you’re happy eating at the kitchen table and would rather reinvent this space as a study or craft area? Take some time to honestly reflect on what you want from your dining room before forging ahead.