2018 Home Organization Challenge Week 5: Living Room

February 3, 2018

 

Hi friends. If you are here today, that means you haven’t given up and you are pushing through the chaos. Good for you! We are in full swing of the 2018 Home Organization challenge and you are doing an amazing job! If you’re new to the challenge, so far we’ve organized the kitchen, pantry, dining room, and created a launch pad. This week, we’re clearing the clutter and organizing the living room. If your living room is well lived in, you probably have a lot to do this week. Set aside a few hours and concentrate on purging things you no longer use or need. I’ve set up a simple process for you to follow. Have a great week!

 

 

If you’re new to the challenge, print out the schedule and checklists below and begin on the current week. You can work your way back, as time allows. For encouragement, join our Home Organization Facebook community to share your progress, or struggles, or questions. Or simply look through the photos and read how others are doing.

 

PRINT –>  Free Challenge Kit

 

For the perfect companion guide to our challenge, purchase The Complete Book to Home Organization. It includes all 14 weekly challenges as well as a ton of inspiration and tips about the spaces we will be organizing. No need to log onto the computer for ideas, this manual has it all!

 

 

If you need more guidance on cleaning your house, be sure order my book The Complete Book of Clean.  It has tons of tips and checklists that will teach you how to get your homes sparkling clean.

 

 

This week, I challenge you to purge as much as you can in your living room. When purging, ask yourself these three questions: Do we use it? Do we need it? Can we live without it? Clear the clutter and begin with a clean slate.

THE ORGANIZING PROCESS

PREPARE:  Gather 4 bins or boxes, one for each of the following.
  • Keep
  • Donate
  • Trash/Recycle
  • Other Room
SORT:
  • Sort through everything on all shelves, the floor, drawers, tables, etc.  Divide it all into the 4 baskets listed above (or more if needed).  If you are able to, place the 4 boxes in another room (close to the living room), so you have an empty space to clean and organize.  Get rid of as much clutter as you can.
CLEAN:
  • Clean the windows, blinds, frames & mirrors
  • Wipe down doors, baseboards, doorknobs and switch plates
  • Wipe down furniture (dust)
  • Remove couch cushions and vacuum
  • Pull the couch away from the wall and vacuum under/behind.
  • Vacuum/mop floors
  • Clean ceiling fan & lighting
  • Fluff throw pillows & wash if needed

ORGANIZE:   It’s time to go through everything in the “keep” box. Put the other boxes where they belong. When organizing things in the keep box, remove one item at a time, categorizing it.  Below are some examples of what to organize together in the living room.  You can use a different shelf, basket, or drawer for each category.  Keep similar items together.

  • DVD’s & CD’s
  • Aromatherapy: Candles, wax melts, essential oils, etc.
  • Throw Blankets
  • Remote controls
  • Magazines (Only keep what you are currently reading)
  • Toys (I don’t keep toys in the living room)
  • Books (Consider going digital)

Our living room is a super cozy spot that everyone loves to unwind in, at the end of a stressful day. It’s free from clutter and messes. One of the way’s I’ve been able to keep our living room clean and organized is by purging as much as possible and only keeping the necessities in there.  I don’t allow toys in my living room (we have a toy room).  That has helped keep clutter away.  I understand that some of you don’t have the space to put toys in other areas of the house. If that’s the case, use foot stools, baskets, or large bins, to keep them picked up & hidden when not in use.  Once you purge everything down to a manageable amount, the space won’t seem so cluttered. When sorting through the room, ask yourself if you really need all the stuff that’s in there.

 

 

We honestly don’t have much to organize in our living room. Under the ottoman, I sometimes keep coffee table books and a few magazines.

 

 

I store candles and pet items in the bins below. You can see more about what else I put in my bins here.

 

 

 

I store 2 baskets with lids on the sofa table. They are perfect to tuck away throw blankets, when not in use.

 

 

I don’t have a wide angle lens to take a full shot of the living room but you get the idea of how it’s organized.

 

 

I am in love with throw pillows. I’ve purchased these from Sugarboo Designs, Farmhouse on Boone, Pottery Barn, and TJ Maxx.

 

 

Here are several blog posts that will inspire you to get your Living Room organized.

 

Sort through your living room this week. Purge all of the things that don’t belong. Follow the step by step process I’ve laid out for you. Share your progress on Instagram using the hash tag #abfolchallenge, blog about the weekly challenges, and  share your before and after pictures over at my Home Organization group here.  Hold yourself accountable and finish all 14 challenges! I can’t wait to see what you accomplish.  Good luck. I’ll see you back next week for the week 6 challenge. Happy Organizing!

~Toni

 

9 comments on “2018 Home Organization Challenge Week 5: Living Room

  1. Ashley says:

    I haven’t the same side table- where did you get the baskets with the lids? Tia!

  2. Audrey Johnson says:

    Our kids are all grown up so toys have not been an issue for awhile now. Once the grandkids started coming we had to have some on hand. I use a large wicker bin with a lid. When they come in the door they know exactly where the toys are. They also know where to put them when they’re finished with them. This has helped us to keep things tidy. Thanks for sharing yours.

  3. Cheryl Boyanowski says:

    I am getting started a bit late. I just got the books 2 weeks ago and dove right in. I love the books. I did my kitchen and I love the station areas. I made one for baking, drinks, cooking. Oh how I love it. I just found this site now so I will begin now and go backwards and forwards at the same time. I will post pics tomorrow. All I can say is Thanks for an amazing game changer of a book(s). My living room is almost done.

  4. Julie says:

    We store some of my girls’ toys in the living room. I have two sets of 6-cubed shelves with cloth baskets. Plus couple other 3 drawer containers. Once our basket is complete, we’re going to make a toy room down there so that toys don’t need to be on the main level.

  5. Andrea Johnson says:

    Thanks for this helpful article! It is necessary to keep our house neat and clean for a healthy family. Keeping the whole house clean is a difficult task you can even make it easy through a website called Onata, they are offering Home cleaning services and much more.Visit their page for more information https://onata.com/oip

  6. moggie says:

    I think the throw pillows could go in the “donate” box. Don’t you have to move them all to sit on the couch? Looks very cluttered and uncomfortable

  7. Stephanie Albert says:

    I truly loved your Tuscany living room I’m not sure you still do. Tuscany?

  8. This is such a wonderful article!
    Your design style is breathtaking, very inspiring! I also really liked that you included cleaning as well, it’s super helpful!
    Thank you!

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