Clutter Control for Living Areas of Your Home

Assessment
Most of us wish our home was more inviting to extended family and friends. You want to be ready at a moment’s notice to say, “Come right on in. I’m so glad you’re here.” You want to really mean it because you know your home’s public areas are presentable and cleaned up, with less clutter and more order, especially for those that knock at our door unexpectedly.

Now, lest you think I’ve grown too far away from the every day needs of having young children and taking care of the demands of a busy family, know that toys on the floor and messes here and there are a welcome part of living in a home. What you are looking for is more of a feeling of control, especially on the good days.

To gain this confidence, make an assessment of several areas of your home, mainly the front porch, the entry inside the front door, the living room (sometimes called the front room), the family room, and the public bathroom (meaning that bathroom you would send company to should they need a rest room.) After assessing needs, go to work to improve the order in these areas. Finally, add bits and pieces of warmth and personality to make these public areas uniquely yours and more welcoming.


Porch
The biggest challenge with most porches is that they are neglected. In most cases, they have been built sturdy and they are in good repair. However, it is the little things that seem to make you blush.

As you assess your front porch, particularly look where your company is likely to look: the front door, the porch light, and the doormat. Usually, the door needs a bit of cleaning, the porch light needs some dusting, and the doormat could use a good spray with the hose and a sweep underneath. Of course, you won’t want to miss sweeping or spraying the whole of the front porch to make it look more appealing.

After your evaluation, go to work. Clean, dust, and sweep away. Remember, the front porch is not usually for storage. It is mostly for show. Make it shine.

Lastly, see what small addition you might add to your porch to make it lovely and inviting. Some choose a rocking chair, others keep several pots of live flowers during the summer months, and some update their mat to give the whole porch a face lift.

After your porch is properly prepared, make a note to keep it updated, usually about twice a month, so you are glad company can arrive at such an inviting home.


Entry
The entry to your home is a statement of your lifestyle. Keep this area free from most household items and instead plan to display your simple, stylish self.

Since people also live in your home, take a look at what seems to “live” in the entry and make plans for improvement. Does the front coat closet need to be cleared of non-seasonal items so that items left on the floor can now find a convenient home behind doors? Does the shoe basket need updating to accommodate the growing number of people in your life? Do Jon and Jodi need training so their personal items don’t land here when they get home from school and extra-curricular activities?

After making your assessment, go to work again. Clean out, clean up, and make the entry simply elegant with its order and reflection of your personal style.

Finally, the entry benefits greatly from a bit of light and greenery. Where can you add a spot of light to make it more inviting? What bit of silk greenery or grass will make the entry look homey and comfortable?


Living Room
The living room is not only for living in, but for keeping clean and neat for company. Assess the challenges you find in yours. Does Michael need to have an easier way to put away his clarinet after practicing so it doesn’t end up staying on the coach? Do you need a better shelving unit for the piano books so they don’t end up spread across the floor? What additional tools will make your living room easier to keep clean and tidy?

Again, go to work, updating and cleaning out your living room until you are satisfied. Discard or share outdated magazines, dust the window coverings, and simplify the items on your end and coffee tables. Remember, less is always more (because more is a chore).

The living room benefits from something to do while company is waiting or first arrives. That is why a couple of picture books, family photos hung on the wall, and interesting curios make this room more functional.


Family Room
The family room is less for formal company and more for casual use and the welcoming of good friends and family. It can usually be a little less neat and a bit more lived in. Still, as you assess your family room, look for ways to make it easier to keep in a state of order. Do you need to put away a couple of the blankets usually kept on the couch? Does there need to be a wastebasket hidden somewhere close for discarding aluminum soda cans and gum wrappers? Do you need to buy a bigger container for the children’s toys so they become part of your décor even as they are confined?

Again, go to work, cleaning out and cleaning up until you feel comfortable that this room meets your standards.

This room benefits from elements of warmth and comfort. That is why pillows, plenty of comfortable seating, and tables are so important. People live in the family room and need to be able to put their feet up, sit on the carpet, and set food and drinks down with ease and confidence. What does your family room need to make it more orderly and appealing?


Public Bath
Choose one bathroom to be your public bathroom. It is usually nearer the front door and can be spiffed regularly to keep it in good shape for company.

Walk into your chosen bathroom and take a good look. What needs to be stored elsewhere so this bathroom reflects the order you wish to acquire in the rest of the house (even if it isn’t going to happen today)? Are the taps shined and the counters cleaned? Is there plenty of toilet paper and a dusted windowsill?

Again, go to work to make this area of your home appealing and appropriate for any who might need a bathroom break. Stock up on items your company might need including wash cloths, towels, and toiletries.

And Again
Bringing the public areas of your home to a place of beauty and order might take a lot of initial work, but please don’t stop there. These areas need continual maintenance to be at their best. Depending on your stresses and other responsibilities, the entry and public interior areas of your home should receive a high priority on a frequent basis. Surprisingly, just a few minutes at a time can return these areas to the beautiful state you brought them to during your recent assessment, cleaning, and beautifying.

Remember, a beautiful home is first an orderly one, second one with areas having a touch of warmth, and finally a home where company is welcome!

Photos from sxc.hu. Used with permission.
©2010 Marie Calder Ricks/www.houseoforder.com