How to Declutter Your Living Room
Is your living room somehow constantly full of random stuff (of no specific category) no matter how hard you try to organize and tidy? You’re not alone!
To be honest, before I had a kid our living room was typically pretty spotless. Once I had Quinn though, it seemed like I would get so overwhelmed every time I walked into it. Between her random toys, multiple blankets, and the stack of unread magazines and books, it was far from the relaxing space I knew it could be. After implementing a few simple habits and storage solutions, I finally turned it into a space I’m proud of—even with a kid and without spending hours every week cleaning.
If you’re wondering how to declutter your living room in a way that actually sticks, this post is for you!
Why Decluttering the Living Room Matters
The living room is one of the most used (and most visible) areas of your home. It’s where we relax, entertain, and unwind after a long day. When it’s cluttered, it can feel stressful rather than calming and I don’t know about you, but this tends to lead to a crabby me.
Decluttering your living room can:
- Create a peaceful, welcoming environment
- Improve your home’s appearance instantly
- Reduce visual stress and anxiety
- Save time on daily cleaning
- Help your entire home feel more organized
How to Declutter Your Living Room: A Step-by-Step Guide
1. Start with a Clean Slate
Before you begin sorting, clear off all flat surfaces: coffee tables, console tables, bookshelves, and side tables. Don’t try to declutter around clutter—you’ll just end up rearranging instead of removing.
Pro Tip: Use laundry baskets or bins to quickly collect out-of-place items and sort them later.
2. Sort to Keep, Toss, or Donate
Next, go through everything you gathered and assign each item to one of these categories:
- Keep: Items you use regularly or truly love. To me this looks like a daily devotional or drink coasters
- Toss: Broken, outdated, or worn-out items. This might be old blankets with holes in them or magazines from years ago
- Donate/Sell: Items in good condition that no longer serve a purpose. Think throw pillows or books you’ve already read.
Ask yourself, “Would I buy this again today?” and “Have I used this in the last 3–6 months?”
3. Give Everything a Home
Once you’ve narrowed down what stays, assign a “home” for each item. Here are some ideas:
- Baskets or bins for toys and blankets
- Trays for remotes, candles, and coasters
- Decorative boxes for chargers and accessories
- Closed storage like cabinets or ottomans for anything visually distracting
When items have a designated place or “home”, it’s easier to keep the space tidy every day.
4. Limit Decorative Clutter
Remember your grandma’s kitchen with a zillion things hanging on the wall and little trinkets in the glass cabinetry? Loved her, but too many decor pieces can make even a clean space feel chaotic. Instead, display only a few statement pieces per surface. I usually only have a candle (shorter item), a special plant (tall item) or a picture frame (personal piece) with a favorite photo. I have found this is a great balance for decor in rooms. Rotate them seasonally or as your style evolves.
5. Tame Cords and Electronics
Electronics can make a space look messy fast. Use cord covers, under-rug cable organizers, or stick-on clips to manage wires behind your furniture. Keep chargers, remotes, and gaming accessories in designated spots. A small basket on a shelf or in a cabinet works great for loose tech.
6. Maintain with Daily Habits
If you’ve read some of my previous decluttering posts like THIS ONE, you might remember that decluttering isn’t just a one time job—it’s about building routines and habits that prevent re-cluttering. Once it does become a habit though, it’s so much easier to maintain.
Try these simple tips:
- Do a 10-minute reset each night before bed. Make sure your spouse helps out!
- Have kids put toys away after playtime if they’re old enough
- Use the “one in, one out” rule for purchases
- Avoid letting mail or random items land on tables
Common Living Room Clutter Traps (And How to Fix Them)
So what if clutter keeps creeping back? These are some common reasons why:
Too Many Throw Pillows and Blankets
Stick to 2–3 pillows per seating area (I need to take my own advice on this) and fold or store extra blankets in a basket or storage ottoman.
Mail and Paper Piles
Designate a spot for incoming mail—ideally outside the living room. We have ours in a basket in a cabinet in the kitchen. You can use a paper tray or wall file if necessary.
Kid and Pet Gear
Toys, books, and pet supplies can multiply. Use low baskets or cubbies to store these within reach but out of sight. If you don’t have a specific playroom, does the basement work? If not, I would get some tall shelves to hide the toys if they do stay in the living room.
Overstuffed Shelves
Bookshelves aren’t just for books. Mix in decorative objects to create a clean, curated look—and donate books you’ll never reread.
Living Room Decluttering Checklist
Use this handy list to guide your process:
-Clear off all flat surfaces
-Empty and sort drawers and cabinets
-Remove or rotate excessive decor
-Tidy electronics and cords
-Donate or toss unused books/magazines
-Organize blankets and pillows
-Put away toys, games, or pet items
-Vacuum and dust for a final touch
FAQ: Decluttering Your Living Room
How often should I declutter the living room?
A light reset daily and a deeper declutter once a month can keep things under control. Seasonal purges (every 3–4 months) help you stay ahead of clutter buildup.
How do I keep the living room decluttered with kids?
Involve your kids by giving them responsibility for their toys. Use labeled bins or baskets and make tidying a fun daily routine. Limit the number of toys in the living room and rotate them regularly. Ask yourself when the last time they played with the toy was. If over a couple of months, consider donating it.
What’s the best way to declutter a small living room?
Maximize vertical space with shelves or wall hooks. Use dual-purpose furniture like a storage ottoman or nesting tables. Keep decor minimal to make the room feel more open.
Is it okay to have “stuff” in the living room?
Absolutely! The goal is intentional living—not perfection. Keep what brings joy or serves a function, and organize it in a way that keeps your space feeling calm and welcoming.
Final Thoughts
Decluttering your living room isn’t about having a picture perfect home—it’s about creating a space that feels good to be in. Whether you have five minutes or a full weekend, these tips will help you reclaim your space and simplify your everyday life.
Start small, stay consistent, and let your living room be the peaceful retreat you deserve.
Perfect to have refresh before summer vacation! Thank for all the helpful tips!
This was such a refreshing read! I’m in a big throw it away phase, lol!
Terrific post! I know we try to declutter all the time, but it always seems to cluttered.
If there is anything I need in my life, it is advice on how to make decluttering easier! Thanks for a great post!
An excellent guide to decluttering your living room and keeping it that way. I went through a giant declutter phase a couple of years ago, and you are absolutely right that decluttering is not a one-and-done task; you need to keep up with it regularly, but it’s absolutely worth it.