Phase 1: The Entryway and Living Room – Creating a Welcoming First Impression
The entryway and living room are the first spaces you and your guests see. When they are cluttered, it can set a tone of chaos for the entire home. By tackling these high-traffic areas first, you get a significant and immediate boost of motivation. Our goal here is to create clear pathways and systems for things that are constantly coming and going.
Taming the Entryway “Drop Zone”
The entryway is often a magnet for clutter because it’s a transition space. We can fix this by creating specific “zones”—a term organizers use for an area dedicated to a single purpose. A well-organized entryway needs a zone for keys, mail, and outerwear.
The Action Plan:
1. Empty and Clean: Remove everything from the entryway floor, console table, or bench. Vacuum and wipe down all surfaces.
2. Sort Items: Use your 4-pile method. Piles of mail, old shoes, forgotten bags—sort them all. Be honest about the shoes you actually wear. If you have 10 pairs by the door but only wear two, relocate the other eight to a closet.
3. Create Your Zones:
Keys and Wallets: Place a small decorative tray or bowl on a table near the door. Make it a habit to drop your keys here the moment you walk in.
Mail Processing: A simple wall-mounted or desktop mail sorter is a game-changer. Label three slots: “Action” (bills to pay, RSVPs), “To File,” and “Shred/Recycle.” Process mail as soon as it comes in—don’t let it pile up.
Outerwear: If you lack a coat closet, use a few sturdy wall hooks. Limit them to one or two items per person. Store out-of-season coats elsewhere.
Crafting a Calm Living Room
The living room should be a space for relaxation, not a storage unit for miscellaneous items. The primary culprits here are often stacks of magazines, blankets, and remote controls.
The Action Plan:
1. Focus on Flat Surfaces: Clear the coffee table, side tables, and mantel. These surfaces have the biggest visual impact. Use the 4-pile method for everything you remove.
2. Contain and Consolidate:
Reading Material: Keep only the current month’s magazines. Place them in a single, neat basket. When a new one arrives, the old one goes into the recycling bin. This is the “1-in-1-out” rule in action.
Remotes: A small, attractive box or a caddy with dividers can house all your remotes in one predictable spot.
Blankets: A large woven basket or a storage ottoman is a perfect home for cozy throws, keeping them accessible but tidy.
3. Safety Check: Ensure all electrical cords are tucked away and secured to prevent tripping hazards. Check that walkways are at least 36 inches wide, especially in main traffic patterns. Ensure tall, heavy furniture like bookshelves is securely anchored to the wall, a key safety tip from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).
