1. USE CLOSED STORAGE AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE
This is a golden rule for keeping a clutter-free space in most rooms of the house, and it certainly applies in the living room. Think of all the items that tend to collect in your living room. It could be anything from TV remotes and pet toys to kids’ knickknacks and books, and if all of those things are on a surface, the space will look cluttered quickly.
2. DESIGN YOUR SPACE BASED ON HOW IT IS USED
How do you use your living room? Do you have big, family movie nights when you need plenty of seating and surfaces for snacks? Do you need a cozy reading nook or a place to play games? Creating a living room based on how you use the space will naturally have much less clutter than a living space designed for someone else’s interests.
3. ENSURE DECOR DOESN’T TRANSLATE AS VISUAL CLUTTER
If you have a habit of buying the latest decor at Target and Home Goods, then this rule is for you. Make sure there isn’t so much decor in your living room that it looks more like clutter than beautiful, stylish objects. There is a fine line between home decor being beautiful and home decor translating as clutter, so evaluate your space regularly to ensure your room stays beautiful.
4. KEEP FLOORS CLEAR
This can be tough if you have kids and pets, but I promise it’s worth it. Items on the floor make even a tidy space look cluttered. We’ve outgrown kids’ toys on the floor in our house, but we used to keep a large basket in the living room so that we could do quick pick-up when the clutter became too much. We now have a small basket for pet toys…if only our dogs would put them away!
5. HIDE CABLES AND ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT
Visible cables and electronic equipment can clutter a living room in an instant. If your TV is on the wall, consider hiring an electrician to run the wires through the wall. It’s often not as complicated as it sounds. Many cable management products are available on Amazon for cables that aren’t easily hidden.