How to declutter a living room

Tackling a cluttered home can feel like an overwhelming challenge, especially if it's been some time since your last major tidy-up. However, by breaking your decluttering project into manageable chunks – from decluttering your wardrobe to tackling the kitchen – you can focus on one room at a time in what is often the most effective approach.

Here, we focus on how to declutter your living room – often the heart of the home and a space that can quickly accumulate items.

How to declutter a room in one day

The living room serves as both a personal retreat and a space to welcome guests, making it particularly prone to collecting clutter. With the right strategy, however, you can transform this space in just one day.

Here are our top tips for efficiently decluttering your living room.

Plan ahead and set decluttering goals

Before diving into your living room decluttering project, take a few minutes to create a simple plan. What specific areas need the most attention? Perhaps it's overflowing bookshelves, a coffee table buried under magazines or entertainment units filled with outdated technology.

Set clear, achievable goals for your day. For example, aim to reduce the number of decorative items by half, or commit to clearing all surfaces completely before reorganising them with only essential items.

If you share the living room with family members, consider involving them in the process. Not only will this make the work lighter, but it also ensures everyone has input on shared possessions. For items belonging to others, create a designated box for them to sort through later rather than making decisions on their behalf.

This collaborative approach helps establish new habits that will keep your living room tidy long after decluttering day is finished.

Start with surfaces like coffee tables and shelves

The most visible areas of your living room have the greatest impact on how tidy the space feels overall. Begin your decluttering session by clearing coffee tables, side tables and shelves completely.

As you remove items, sort them immediately into categories: items that belong elsewhere in the house, items to keep in the living room and items to donate or discard. This prevents you from simply shuffling clutter from one surface to another.

Pay special attention to items that tend to accumulate, such as:

• Remote controls (do you really need five?)
• Magazines and newspapers (consider keeping only the current month's issues)
• Decorative objects (select only those that truly bring you joy)
• Electronic devices and their cables.

Once surfaces are cleared, clean them thoroughly before deciding what deserves to return to that space. A good rule of thumb is to leave at least one-third of each surface empty to create a sense of spaciousness. Chums offers a wonderful selection of practical and attractive home accessories perfect for displaying on your newly decluttered surfaces, combining both style and functionality to keep your living space looking its best.

Have a system for sorting items (keep, donate, discard)

Creating a simple sorting system is essential for efficient decluttering. Prepare three containers: one for items to keep but relocate, one for donations and one for rubbish.

When deciding what to keep, ask yourself practical questions:

• Have I used this in the past year?
• Does it serve a specific purpose in the living room?
• Would I buy this again today?
• Does it bring me genuine happiness?

Be particularly ruthless with items like DVDs, CDs, old electronics and unused hobby supplies. These categories often consume significant space but may no longer serve your current lifestyle.

Be particularly ruthless with items like DVDs, CDs, old electronics and unused hobby supplies. These categories often consume significant space but may no longer serve your current lifestyle.

For items you're hesitant about parting with due to sentimental value but that don't enhance your living space, consider taking a photograph before donating them. This allows you to preserve the memory without the physical clutter.

Don’t forget hidden clutter inside drawers and cupboards

Once the visible areas are under control, tackle the hidden spaces in your living room. Pull everything out of drawers, cupboards and storage ottomans so you can see exactly what you're dealing with.

Sort through entertainment media, board games, blankets and other items that tend to be tucked away. Remove duplicates, broken items and anything that hasn't been used recently.

As you replace items in storage areas, group similar things together and consider using labels if it will help maintain organisation. Remember that just because something is hidden doesn't mean it should be exempt from your decluttering standards.

Use storage solutions to maintain organisation

The final step in your living room decluttering journey is implementing storage solutions that work with your lifestyle. The right storage helps prevent future clutter and makes it easier to maintain your newly organised space.

Consider these practical options:

• Baskets for blankets and cushions
• Media storage for remote controls
• Attractive boxes for small items like reading glasses or craft supplies
• Floating shelves to display a curated selection of books or decorative pieces.

Chums' range of clever storage solutions - from stylish ottomans that double as seating to multi-purpose side tables with built-in storage - are ideal for keeping your newly decluttered living room looking pristine while adding comfort and character to your home.

Remember that the best storage solution is one you'll actually use. Choose options that make it just as easy to put items away as it is to take them out.

Creating a clutter-free living room isn't just about aesthetics – it's about crafting a space where you can truly relax and entertain with confidence. By following these steps and dedicating just one day to the process, you can transform your living room into an organised, welcoming haven that better serves your needs and reflects your personal style.