Tips For Keeping Your Surfaces Clear after Decluttering and Cleaning Up (Part 3 Summer Series)

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In the third installment of this blog series, I’d like to offer some tips on keeping dresser tops, countertops and surfaces cleared of the piles that tend to accumulate.

Every Organizing project starts the same:

·         Plan how you want the space to look and function

·         Purge the clutter (getting rid of it most easily by donation or trash),

·         Sort like with like

·         Containerize Like with Like and store so items can easily be retrieved

Items should now be in their proper homes, easy to locate. Your surfaces should be clear of randomly placed items.  Now, how to keep them that way?

One tactic is to strategically place knick knacks on a clutter hot spot.   A good place for this would be a bedroom dresser.  If you had piles on it and now it’s clear, chances are you might start dumping there again.  Maybe you like the newly cleared and minimalistic surface but it is not likely you will maintain it. It would be easier to maintain order by setting up some sort of display on the surface, like photos, souvenirs, or items given to you as gifts, made to look nice and act as a deterrent for dumping. 

Decorative Trays can be useful:

·         Put a few knick knacks on a decorative tray and put the tray on the surface so the display can be moved easily.

·          Another good way to utilize a decorative tray is for corralling items someone is using near the clutter hot spot.  For example, the large coffee table in my family room is where my daughter works on some of her art projects.  The items are kept on a tray instead of across the entire table.  Keeping a few items on the tray keeps the inventory smaller and more reasonable, and when it’s time to dust the table, the tray of items can be removed quickly.  It really doesn’t look cluttered.  It doesn’t look catalog perfect either, but that’s ok because people live here.  I’ve included a picture. 

Defend against “The Dumping Ground!"

One kitchen counter in my home is the inevitable dumping area when family members come in. It’s natural to have one in the home.  It may be natural to have a number of them but I only allow one. :)  As long as I address the items that land there once a day, it only takes 5-10 minutes to completely clear that spot.  It’s really not bad!  Again, as a Mom living in a busy household I’d rather allow one spot as a quick landing spot and address it a few minutes daily than allow the whole house to be treated as a dumping spot and get frustrated with it all. 

This does not include mail.  Mail is sorted immediately upon entering the house and junk mail is discarded right away.

In many homes I work in, people hold onto empty boxes.  Fill the boxes with donate able items and give them to charity!

All that being said, the # 1 way to keep surfaces clear, and toys and other items in check?  Do not accumulate so much stuff.  Shop based on need.  Live resourcefully, knowing you are able to get what you need when you need it, and don’t over prepare unreasonably.

The #2 way?  Do not slack off on the above tactics and start cutting corners.  Every corner cut makes the next one easier to cut.

My final two posts in this series will address toys and kids rooms, and then everyone’s favorite, laundry. ;)  If you’d like to receive the other posts from this series (past or future), please visit www.jeanlinderorganizing.com, go to Contact Me, and indicate you would like them sent to your email address.  Happy Organizing!

 Jean Linder is a Professional Organizer living in East Quogue and works in homes and offices throughout Suffolk County, Long Island.