Clearing Clutter in a Dining Room: Allow for Comfortable Meal Times at the Table as Intended
Looking to make your dining room less cluttered and more inviting? Here are six easy steps to declutter and streamline the space:
- Identify your vision: Before you start decluttering, think about how you want to use your dining room. Is it for formal dining, a workspace, or even a homework station? Understanding the room's primary and secondary functions will help guide your decluttering decisions.
Cara Palmer, founder of OrganizeEveryRoom.com, suggests taking photos of the room from various angles to help you visualize your goal and see the space objectively.
- Move items to their proper places: Keeping your dining room clutter-free means everything in it belongs there. So if you have craft supplies or paperwork piled up, take the time to sort, review, and distribute the items to their appropriate places.
Decluttering expert Ben Soreff from House to Home Organizing recommends using the "library cart method." This technique involves designating a cart or bin for misplaced items and temporarily moving them to your chosen location. Once you've sorted and assessed the items, you can return them to their designated spaces.
- Edit your tabletop: Dining tables are often adorned with decorative items, but too much can make the space feel cluttered. Remove everything from the table and sideboard surfaces, keeping only items that enhance the room's function and aesthetic. Aim for no more than three decorative groupings, and vary their heights for visual interest while maintaining simplicity.
- Assess your serveware: Dining room storage units, such as cabinets and cupboards, often house serving dishes, platters, and special occasion items. To declutter, be honest about which pieces you actually use. Consider keeping only one complete set of dinnerware for most occasions, and utilize the "one in, one out" rule for future acquisitions.
- Address your table furnishings: If you have a collection of table linens, you may find that they contribute to the clutter in your dining room. Sort through tablecloths, runners, placemats, and cloth napkins, keeping only those you genuinely use and love. Donate or recycle outdated or stained linens.
- Maintain a clean space: Once you've decluttered your dining room, make maintenance a habit. Do a quick 'surface scan' after meals and entertaining, and return the dining room to its clean state before bedtime. This simple routine will help keep the clutter at bay and ensure your dining room is always ready for guests.
MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR SPACE:
- Maintain a minimal aesthetic by opting for a hanging centerpiece instead of table-bound decor.
- Store less frequently used items like seasonal dinnerware in harder-to-reach spots.
- Utilize wall-mounted shelves or hooks for additional storage or decorative items, making the most of your room's vertical space.
For more tips on decluttering and organizing your home, check out these books:
- Mind Over Clutter by Nicola Lewis
- The 10-Minute Declutter by Lindsey Davis
- The Secret Life of Clutter by Helen Anderson
Happy decluttering and bon appétit!
- To give your living room a fresh look, consider reevaluating its decor, replacing outdated art with new pieces that reflect your current lifestyle.
- If you're seeking to upgrade your kitchen's decoration, think about exploring home-improvement stores for modern appliances and stylish kitchenware that can elevate the room's aesthetic.
- To create a cohesive home-and-garden design, consider replicating the decoration style from your living room in outdoor spaces such as patios or gardens, ensuring a harmonious flow between indoor and outdoor areas.
- For those looking to maximize storage in their home-improvement projects, consider installing wall-mounted shelves in various rooms like the kitchen, living room, or bedroom to take advantage of vertical space, reducing clutter in your living areas.
