In your own case, maybe you like to relax in that room if it serves as a family room. Chances are, then, that you keep the books and magazines you’re currently reading right there handy. (Instead of having to hunt them down every time you get a little time to read.) Could be the daily paper lands somewhere in that room as well.

Perhaps a corner of the living room also houses one of the family’s computers, or even serves as the “command center” for the family finances and/or a home-based business. You have to work somewhere, right?

And children’s toys may lurk happily here and there as well, abandoned by your own kids or visiting tots. We won't even mention all the other stuff they leave in the room when they return home from school. Chaos!

Thus builds the living room clutter, gradually yet also inexorably. Before long, the issue of this clutter begins to be raised—along, perhaps, with some voices. Sure, the room may have a great “feel,” but it could be getting pretty messy as well. And certain family members may dislike this accumulation intensely. Better do something fast to keep the peace.

A Simple Solution
Actually, you already know what to do: just one thing. For example, maybe you find a basket for corralling the mags. Then you do another thing, perhaps even buying another basket—this one for books. That way, you can get them into one place, instead of three or four. Another basket, small chest, or cupboard for toys, and henceforth no child abandons the living room without putting away the toys. You have spoken!

Your next step might take the form of another decree: every person who enters the living room puts something away in its correct location. If certain objects don't have a location, you establish those. For example, if there isn't enough closet space for all the coats and scarves, put up hooks or pegs in a plausible spot. (Which would not be the living room, obviously.)

And on and on you go until the room is clear. You've done nothing dramatic, and you haven't exactly blitzed the room. But little by little things are shaping up in there. You'll have to stay on your toes for a while, though, to maintain your gains. But that's do-able if you stay alert. Plus, you can continue to make progress—a step here, a step there, another step somewhere else.

If much of your living room clutter stems from an overflowing desk, allow me to present a great secret weapon: the Finite Increment. This is a term I've coined to describe a set amount of time devoted to a specific task. To see this tool actually applied to a messy desk, click the link: Down with living room clutter!

However, the finite increment works equally well with other forms of clutter, too. Give it a shot, and get the neat-freaks off your back. In fact, get them to help you out; if you have clutter in your living room, they very likely helped put it there. Should they get a pass while you do the work? I don't think so.

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