BONUS MATERIAL: Get Your Chaos To Calm Decluttering Guide Here
Life can get hectic, especially when you’re juggling work, family, and personal time. Keeping your living room tidy in the middle of all that can feel like a struggle, particularly if the space is small. But with a few simple, practical tips, you can easily keep things organised without spending hours cleaning or decluttering. Let’s dive into some quick and easy solutions to help you keep your small living room neat and functional, even with a busy schedule.
- Declutter in Just 15 Minutes
As a busy woman, you likely don’t have large chunks of time to dedicate to organising. A professional tip is to break it into manageable sessions. Set a timer for 15 minutes and focus on one specific area, like the coffee table or a single shelf. You’ll be amazed at how much you can declutter in just a few minutes a day, and it’s much less stressful than trying to do it all at once.
- Use Furniture That Works Hard
In a small living room, every piece of furniture should serve more than one purpose. Some pro organiser favourites include:
– Storage ottomans: These provide seating, a footrest, and hidden storage for blankets, toys, or books.
– Sofa beds: If you need to maximise space, a sofa bed offers seating by day and extra sleeping space when needed.
– Drop-leaf tables: These can be folded away when not in use, giving you more room during the day but extending for dining or work when needed.
- Create ‘Drop Zones’ for Daily Essentials
Busy women often come home with keys, bags, mail, and more. Without a system, these items can clutter up surfaces quickly. Set up a dedicated drop zone near your entrance. This could be a small tray for keys, hooks for bags, and a decorative bowl for loose change or headphones. Having a designated place for everyday items ensures they don’t end up scattered around the room.
- Embrace the Power of Vertical Storage
A professional organiser’s secret weapon is vertical space. When your floor space is limited, look to the walls! Here are a few ideas:
– Floating shelves: These give you space to display decorative items or store books without taking up precious floor space.
– Pegboards: Pegboards aren’t just for the kitchen or garage. Use them to hang art, plants, or baskets to store small items.
– Tall, narrow bookcases: Maximise your room height with a slim bookshelf to store items like books, baskets, and décor.
- Use Decorative Baskets for Quick Tidying
Sometimes, life gets in the way, and you just don’t have time to put everything away properly. As a professional organiser, I recommend keeping stylish baskets around for quick, temporary storage. You can toss in anything from toys and paperwork to blankets or magazines, keeping things tidy without needing to fully organise right away. It’s an easy and effective trick to make your room look neat in no time.
- Use the “One In, One Out” Rule
To avoid clutter from building up, a professional organising rule is to follow the “one in, one out” principle. Every time you bring a new item into your living room (a new cushion, book, or décor piece), aim to remove something old. This helps maintain balance in your space and prevents clutter from creeping back in.
- Organize Cables and Tech
Cords and cables can make even the tidiest room look messy. To keep your small living room organised, use professional tips like:
Charging stations: A small basket or box can hide devices and their charging cords, reducing visible tech clutter.
Cord clips: These attach to the back of furniture and keep cords hidden but accessible.
Cable organisers: You can group multiple cables together and run them along baseboards to keep them out of sight.
- Rotate Decorative Items
I would recommend to rotate decorative items seasonally or every few months. In small spaces, too much décor can quickly overwhelm the room. Keep a few favourite pieces on display, and store the rest. When you switch them out, it refreshes the space without adding clutter.
8. Keep Your Surfaces Clear
Clear surfaces are essential in small living rooms. Keep your coffee table, side tables, and shelves as clutter-free as possible. Stick to a few well-chosen items like a candle, a book, or a decorative tray. This helps your space feel more open and less chaotic.
- Create Zones for Functionality
In small spaces, creating functional zones is key to keeping things organised. For example:
Work zone: If your living room doubles as a workspace, set up a small desk or use a foldaway table. Keep your work items contained to that space so they don’t spill into your relaxation area.
Entertainment zone: Set up a specific area for remotes, magazines, and other items related to relaxing and watching TV. Keep these items contained in a basket or small tray to prevent them from spreading across the room.
By creating zones, you can easily switch between activities while maintaining order.
Busy women need simple and effective solutions to keep their small living rooms tidy. By incorporating these professional organising tips, you’ll be able to maintain a clutter-free space without spending hours cleaning. The key is to make the most of your space with smart furniture choices, easy storage solutions, and a bit of decluttering each day. A well-organised living room isn’t just more functional – it also provides a calming space to relax in after a long day.