Living Room Decluttering Guide

Clear the Clutter: Simplify Your Living Room

The living room is often the heart of the home—a place where family and friends gather to relax, unwind, and spend quality time together. However, with so much activity, it’s easy for clutter to build up, making the space feel chaotic and overwhelming. From stray magazines and remote controls to toys and decor, living rooms can quickly become a catch-all for everything.

That’s where this guide comes in! Our step-by-step Living Room Decluttering Guide will help you take control of your space, streamline your belongings, and create a cozy, functional environment. Whether you’re looking to tidy up your entertainment center, sort through books and magazines, or simply restore a sense of calm to your space, these practical tips will help you achieve a clutter-free living room that you can truly enjoy.

Step 1: Define the Purpose of Your Living Room

Before you begin decluttering, consider how you use your living room. Is it primarily for relaxing and watching TV, hosting guests, or spending time with family? Defining its main purpose will help you determine what items truly belong in the space and which ones are unnecessary.

Step 2: Clear Out the Surfaces

• Coffee Tables and Side Tables: Start by clearing off all surfaces. Remove items like old magazines, mail, remote controls, and anything else that doesn’t belong there.
• Evaluate Decor: Look at the decor on your surfaces. Do you have too many decorative items crowding the space? Keep only a few favorite pieces that fit the room’s style and feel intentional. Consider storing or donating the rest.
• Contain Essentials: Place remotes, coasters, and other essentials in small trays or baskets to keep them tidy and easy to find.

Step 3: Tackle the Entertainment Center

• Sort Electronics: Declutter your TV stand or entertainment center by removing old electronics, unused cords, or outdated gaming consoles. Keep only what is in regular use.
• Organize Cables: Use cable organizers or ties to bundle up cords and keep them out of sight.
• Media Declutter: If you have a collection of DVDs, Blu-rays, or video games, consider going digital or storing them neatly in labeled boxes. Only keep physical media you love and regularly use.

Step 4: Declutter Furniture

• Evaluate Furniture: Look at each piece of furniture. Is everything serving a purpose? Bulky or unused furniture can make the space feel cramped. Consider rearranging or removing items that don’t contribute to the room’s flow or function.
• Check Under the Couch and Cushions: Don’t forget to check underneath couches and between cushions for misplaced items or trash.
• Pillows and Blankets: Limit the number of throw pillows and blankets. Too many can make the space look messy, so keep only the ones that add comfort and style.

Step 5: Organize Books and Magazines

• Cull Your Collection: If you have a bookshelf or stack of magazines, declutter by removing anything you’ve already read or no longer need. Donate books you’re not likely to read again.
• Organize Books: Arrange books in a way that feels visually appealing. You can sort them by size, color, or subject matter, but make sure it’s easy to access what you need.
• Magazine Storage: Only keep recent issues of magazines. Consider using a basket or magazine rack to keep them neatly contained.

Step 6: Contain Toys and Games

• Set Limits on Toys: If your living room doubles as a play area, keep toy clutter under control by designating a specific storage space. Use baskets, bins, or shelves to store toys and games.
• Rotate Toys: Consider rotating toys to keep the space fresh. Store some toys out of sight and swap them periodically to prevent overload.

Step 7: Manage Decor and Wall Art

• Simplify Wall Art: Look at your wall art and consider removing pieces that feel outdated or no longer fit your style. A few well-placed pieces can make a bigger impact than overcrowded walls.
• Minimize Trinkets: Evaluate any small decorative objects or trinkets. While they can add character to a room, too many can lead to visual clutter. Keep only a select few that hold meaning or enhance the room’s theme.

Step 8: Create a Storage System

• Use Storage Furniture: Incorporate furniture that doubles as storage, such as ottomans, side tables with drawers, or a TV console with closed storage. This helps keep clutter out of sight while maintaining a clean aesthetic.
• Add Baskets or Bins: Use decorative baskets or bins to store blankets, toys, magazines, or other living room essentials. This keeps them organized and easily accessible without cluttering the room.

Step 9: Establish a Daily Tidying Routine

• Quick Daily Sweep: Make a habit of doing a quick declutter every day. Return items to their designated places and straighten up the room at the end of the day.
• Set Limits on New Items: To maintain a clutter-free living room, establish limits on bringing in new items. Be mindful of what you introduce to the space and let go of things that no longer serve a purpose.