Ever notice that the flat surfaces in your home are the ultimate clutter magnets?

There’s just something about that flat surface that says, “Yes, set your stuff down here.” And then we do just that until we can’t see what was once our dining table or kitchen counter.

Let’s explore the ways to keep this from happening so you can declutter your flat surfaces and keep them that way!

Why are flat surfaces problem areas for clutter?

Flat surfaces are convenient places to set stuff down in a pinch. Once those items are down, it’s even easier to leave them there!

If you’re busy, taking the extra steps to put things in their proper home in another area of the house can get overlooked. After a while, you may even get used to your flat surface having those things on it.

The key to keeping your flat surfaces clutter-free comes down to defining your problem areas, the types of items that get left there, and setting up the right systems.

Common Flat Surface Clutter Hot Spots

The following is a list of examples of flat surfaces that might be collecting clutter in your home:

• kitchen counters
• dining tables
• coffee tables
• side tables / bedside tables
• desks
• dressers
• chairs / seats

How to Declutter Your Flat Surfaces… For Good!

Step 1: Focus on one flat surface at a time.

It’s a good idea to just pick one surface at a time to deal with. That means you can give the area the attention it deserves – even if it’s just in 10-minute bursts.

Once you’ve decluttered and organized this one area (after going through these steps), you’ll want to maintain that area before moving on to the next.

That area is officially decluttered and off-limits to being used as a clutter catch-all.

Step 2:  Analyze your flat surface clutter.

Take a good look at the types of things being left in these clutter hot spots.

Mail, keys, and handbags left on the kitchen counter could be a good sign that you need an organized and purposeful drop area for these items as soon as you enter the house.

Craft supplies left on the dining table could mean that a good storage area for them should be close by.

Step 3: Create a home for these items in a convenient place.

Everything needs a home.

The key to an organized and tidy home is to have these homes near where you use them. That ensures you find what you need and move about your home life more efficiently.

Another perk is that these same things will have a higher chance of getting put away – and not remaining flat surface clutter!

For example, add a basket for mail near the entrance of your house or in your household command center so that it’s not left next to the kitchen sink.

4. Clear the surface as part of your daily routine.

The art of long-term decluttering success comes down to building the right habits.

You’re probably wondering, “How do I make the habit of putting things away?”

If you created homes for your common flat surface clutter, then it will make this process so much easier.

Here are a few extra tips:

• Add it to your routine. If you’re washing the dishes, add clearing off the kitchen benchtop to the list of tasks that go along with doing the dishes. Clear off the bedroom side table (a common bedroom clutter hot spot) as part of your nighttime routine of putting your pajamas on.
• Don’t put anything down. Instead, put it away. Mentally reminding yourself that putting an item on a flat surface is off-limits will help you create a good habit.
• Don’t say, “I’ll do it later.” If you leave something for later on a flat surface, there’s a good chance it’ll stay there. Finishing what you start is so important.
• Take something with you. Every time you leave a room, take a piece of clutter with you and put it where it lives. Never leave a room empty-handed.

Tips for Specific Flat Surface Clutter Magnets

Dining Tables

Keeping the dining table set will give you less room to use it for other purposes. Plus, it looks a bit fancy, and you never have to waste time just before dinner getting everything ready.

Bedside Tables

Downsize to smaller bedside tables so you have less room to throw everything onto it. Or, get ones with drawers so you can stash things accordingly (in their proper home, of course).

Kitchen Counters

Utilize vertical wall storage and hanging racks to clear off normal kitchen clutter (like serving utensils). Getting a kitchen island with shelves for storage helps for small appliances.

For non-kitchen clutter, like mail and paperwork, make sure there is a dedicated basket or home for these in the area or just when you enter the home.

Dressers

Jewelry can be a common clutter issue for dressers, so be sure to get a good jewelry rack – or better yet, utilize some wall storage to hang necklaces and the like!

For clothes clutter, be sure to set up an organized closet/clothing system that makes it super easy to put them away. Folding in the laundry room is a good first step. Having a clothing “in-basket” may also keep that flat surface a bit clearer!

Bathroom Counters

If you lack good drawer and cabinet storage, you may need a good makeup storage rack or even a rolling cart to house your beauty items. The rolling cart is nice because you can put it in the most convenient and out-of-way place when not in use.

What are some methods you use to keep your flat surfaces clutter-free?