No, that’s not my dining table! You see, that is what I’d like my dining room table to look like but instead it is covered from one end to the other with clutter because it has become my go-to space to put…well…everything. I know I’m not the only one that has this issue.
Dining tables and kitchen tables are notorious places where clutter accumulates. Organization expert Peter Walsh (one of my faves!) addressed this issue on Oprah and explained that attacking the clutter in your kitchen or dining room isn’t as hard as you’d think.
In this article on Oprah.com titled “Kitchen and Dining Room Clutter Checkups“, Peter gives readers step by step instructions on how to attack the clutter.
I love his analogy about cleaning cycles. Much like a washing machine, he says, your cleaning cycles must be complete from start to finish. If you stop a load of laundry mid-cycle, you get wet and smelly clothes. If you only leave the mail on the table after opening it but don’t put it away, the cycle is incomplete and mess will accumulate.
He also stresses, in regards to general cleaning for the entire household, to turn off the tv 15 or 20 minutes earlier than usual and do a clean sweep of the messiest areas every night. I think just these two tips alone could go a long way to keeping my dining table clutter free.
Another tip I learned the hard way – opt for wooden dining tables when possible – I had a glass one for years and even when there was nothing on it, it still looked like a mess because I could never ever keep the fingerprints and scratches at bay!
OH MY GOSH….SOOOOO needed to read this….My poor dining room table too has become the go-to spot…and with the week we have had around here, it seems even crazier then usual!!!
Looks similar to my table, though my chairs have olive seats, plush and luxurious.
My husband would like to use our kitchen table as a place to empty his pockets but I won’t let him. I think it annoys him when I insist he puts all his stuff away. I’ve left a basket by the door for him to leave stuff in if he wants. Its full now though and probably won’t be emptied anytime soon.
You are definitely right with the wooden table. I have always had a wooden table because even as a single person with a roommate the glass always looked dirty. But our wooden table has seen better days. Nicks, dents (from banging cups and forks), scratches….you name it. My husband says it adds character 🙂