We all find ourselves doing little things to improve our happiness and boost our lifestyles. But did you know that this satisfaction could come from something as simple as organizing your living room?
If you walk into your home and automatically feel more stress instead of less, there’s a problem. When you’re greeted by clutter and chaos, it drains your energy.
So how do you fix such an important problem? The answer could be easier than you think.
All it takes is incorporating a few organizational habits into your routine. With a living room that is always clean and orderly, the rest of your life will fall into place, too!
These five tactics will turn your chaotic living room into a calm environment that improves the happiness of everyone in your home.
1. Simplify the Space
Living rooms tend to accumulate stuff because families spend a lot of time there.
But there’s a fine line between “lived in” and “taken over by clutter.”
Your goal should be to minimize what you allow in the living room so it’s manageable to keep up with. The purpose of this space is to relax and unwind, not to congregate with clutter.
Get rid of anything you don’t need in the living room area. This might mean tossing or donating it or relocating it to another room.
Kids’ toys and your work or hobby tools, for instance, are better off in a bedroom or office. And do you really need all those magazines from 2020? Keep it simple, and it’s much easier to stay organized.
2. Buy Some Organizing Tools
Getting organized is an investment. The better the tools you use, the more return you’ll see on your investment.
Take stock of what you have after you’ve simplified the room. How could it be organized?
It’s hard to imagine the possibilities if you’re not sure what tools are at your disposal. Technology is amazing, though, and you’ve got plenty to choose from! Check out some of these ideas to get you started:
- A storage bench that doubles as a shoe rack holds your footwear and gives you a place to set your things down when you come home.
- A hutch, either as a large focal point in the room or tucked away in the corner for extra storage.
- A bookshelf that doubles as an end table to hold your favorite novels and your coffee mug.
- Wicker basket clutter catchers look pretty and hide a variety of messes.
- An entertainment center for design and organization. Find one big enough to store your devices, display your pictures, and hide your clutter behind doors/drawers. Don’t get one that dwarves the rest of the room, though. Wall-to-wall entertainment centers are hard to move and harder to get rid of.
Getting organized is simple when you have the right tools for the job!
3. Use Your Furniture as Storage
If you already have furniture with drawers or closed-storage functionality, it’s time to learn how to make better use of it.
Dump these spaces out and purge them of anything you don’t need. Then make these small areas more efficient.
There’s a lot of wasted space when everything is mixed together. Use drawer organizers, mesh totes, and baskets to take advantage of every inch of space.
4. Decorate With Purpose
There are so many totes adorbs decorative items in the stores and online today. And so much of it probably goes with your theme, too!
But if all it’s going to do is sit there and collect dust, it’s not worth it. Decorate with purpose by choosing decor that does double-work as an organizer, like these easy ideas:
- Cubbies are trending in style today because they are the perfect size for little baskets, photos, and knickknacks. They come in all sorts of sizes and colors, so you should be able to find one that matches your living room furniture.
- Large wicker baskets are cute and functional. They can hold your extra throw pillows and blankets.
- A beautiful aquarium with led aquarium light in your living space will be a center of attraction and offer many health benefits. Even though we are looking for the décor, we have to consider the theme of the house. So, if the theme matches the vibe of the décor, we can do a lot of good with it!
- Ottomans have come back in style, too. They’re extremely versatile, serving as a decorative piece of furniture, an extra chair, and a place for your feet to rest. Many ottomans have built-in hidden storage, too.
- Stylish calendar boards double as decor, but they’re also just right for organizing your family’s schedule.
You don’t have to stick with traditional decorations. It’s your living room; you can style it in whatever manner works for you. Mixing organizational features with fashion is in-demand, making it easy to find decor with a dual purpose if you know where to look.
5. Make a Five-Minute Decluttering Routine
Turning your organizational goal into a habit is going to take some work, but consistency will pay off! Five minutes each day before you go to bed is all you need to keep your living room organized.
Like any change in routine, it takes a little enforcement. Set a timer on your phone to remind you to clean up at a certain time each evening. Put it on repeat for at least 18 days.
If you slip up occasionally, it’s fine! According to research, it takes an average of 66 days for new habits to form. It could be as little as 18, but it also could be as long as 254!
Once you get into this habit, you’ll love the feeling of waking up to an organized room. That enjoyment will likely turn your new routine into a cemented habit in no time!
Conclusion
Your home shouldn’t cause extra stress in your day, but when it’s chaotic and cluttered, it usually does.
These organizational tactics will improve your overall lifestyle. When you turn your living room into a clean and orderly place, you’ll be able to relax and enjoy the atmosphere you created!
[Author Bio]
Leon Grundstein has more than 28 years of experience in real estate development, with over two decades of experience in the retirement industry. He founded Tacoma Point Ruston with a game-changing business model to promote a healthy and robust retirement lifestyle for older adults.
