The living room is a little more ambiguous than other rooms.  If you live in a small space your living room might also be the office, dining room, craft space, etc. For us, more functions equals more clutter.  We just have SO MUCH STUFF.  It drives me (and those that live with me) completely insane.  My solution in the past is just to throw it all out, but now we’re at a point where that just isn’t possible.  I’m in a constant battle for organization, and I frequently fail at this. When I am organized, this is how it happens:

Identify the areas that collect clutter
These areas will be your enemy.  You must destroy them!  My biggest enemy are flat surfaces.  I have piles of paper and projects everywhere.  It makes complete sense to me, but it doesn’t leave much room for my husband.  You must be ruthless.  Do not have sympathy on these stacks.  Identify them and then get rid of them.

Attack the clutter by providing proper storage

• Books and Magazines – Bite the bullet and buy enough bookcases, or donate them and reduce the problem.  Recycle magazines, send them to the thrift store or buy enough magazine files to store them.
• Toys – Buy the largest bin you’re willing to deal with (everyone has their limit) and keep them all in it.  Clean up during nap time or at the end of the day.  Get the kids (and spouse) to help you with it.
• Crafts – I use a combination of bins and boxes for each type of project.  Scrap paper gets put into a bin until I can cut them all down to 4bar sized cards.  Ribbon has its own container, as well as tape, stamps and so on.
• Mail – Have a tray in a convenient location.  Sort through the mail as soon as you walk in the door.  See my office quick fix for more info.  Go through the mail at least once a week to pay bills and respond to letters and invitations.

Spend 5 minutes at the end of the day cleaning up
The most important step to not letting all your hard work go to waste.  Spend a mere five to fifteen minutes putting things in their proper place.  You’ll go to bed happier!