How To Declutter & Clear Off A Flat Surface {And Keep It That Way}

Today's mission is to declutter a flat surface in your home that seems to accumulate clutter, quickly.


We all seem to have one, or more, flat surfaces that for whatever reason we can't keep clear. Instead, these surfaces can get cleared off, and then boom, within a short period of time, stuff is all over it again.

Some people call these hot spots, some clutter magnets, and I call them plain aggravating. :)

So today I want you to do two things during the mission. The first is to identify what flat surface you will work on for at least 15 minutes, removing clutter and putting away things back into their rightful places. This will make the spot look better right now, and give you a sense of accomplishment.

The second thing I want you to do, while you're decluttering though, is to think about what types of stuff you're finding there, and to analyze what habit or circumstance causes you (or a loved one) to place stuff there on that flat surface over and over. Once you do this you can brainstorm a solution for that issue so you can try to prevent the clutter from re-accumulating there again.

Finally, we'll also discuss building the habits necessary to stay on top of these clutter hotspots so that they never get quite as out of control in the future, and instead stay more consistently clear.

What Is Your Flat Surface Clutter Problem Area?

The first question you need to ask yourself is, "what is the flat surface (or surfaces) in your home that seem to accumulate clutter?"

You can't deal with the problem, after all, until you identify it.

One reader, Marlo, was kind enough to send in a collage showing some of her own personal flat surface clutter hotspots, which you can see on the right, and she explained, "These are four flat surfaces that are currently bugging me!"

You need to figure out for you, just like Marlo did, which surfaces are bugging you the most.

I have compiled a list of some of the most common and typical flat surface clutter problem areas that many people have (so don't feel alone). All of these I've written a specific Declutter 365 mission article for, so I've linked to the articles within the list, so you can read more about that particular hot spot area if you want recommendations for dealing with it, particularly.

Then, you can read below for more general suggestions that will work to help conquer the clutter on any flat surface!

So, some of the most common problem areas include:

• Kitchen counters


• Kitchen islands


• Kitchen table


• Dining room table


• Top of refrigerator


• Bathroom counters


• Desk top


• Dresser top (either in an adult or a kids bedroom)


• Nightstand

Once you've identified the areas that are a problem for you, below I've provided advice on how to fix the problem and stop accumulating clutter in these spaces from now on.

Top photo courtesy of ewen and donabel

3 Ways To Keep Clutter From Piling Back Onto Your Flat Surfaces

Decluttering your flat surface isn't that hard, at least in theory. All you need to do is remove the stuff from the surface that you don't want there, discarding clutter and putting things you do want to keep in your home, but don't really belong there, where they need to go.

Depending on how much stuff is on that flat surface it may take one, two, three, or more 15 minute decluttering sessions to get the job done, but it can get done.

In fact, when it does get done, like it did for Regina, a reader who sent in the photo above, it looks much better. She decluttered her flat surface clutter nemesis, as she called it, in 15 minutes, and you can see the difference.

The problem, is however, that it is a never ending job. As she said, when she sent in the photo, "This is my problem area. Everything gets dumped here. I loved how big this was for when we have parties but for the everyday function it's a collect all. Then when we have company all the junk gets thrown on the side of my bed. So that's my next mission these two places are never ending."

In fact, this is a really common problem. Here's another photo from a reader, Michelle, where she asked me a question, saying, "I keep clearing this off and then it keeps getting junked back up. What can I do to keep this space clear and items put away?"



So here's my attempt at an answer to this really common problem. I've thought of 3 things you can do to help you stop clutter from accumulating on these flat surfaces again in the future, or at least deal with it more quickly so it doesn't get so overwhelming.

1. Make Sure You Have A Storage Space For The Stuff That Normally Piles Up There

The first thing you need to do, as you clear the clutter off your flat surface, is evaluate where all the stuff goes that you (or a family member) has been putting there.

Sometimes, when we lay things down on these flat surfaces it is because it is too difficult to put the item away, maybe because the place it should itself go is very cluttered and overstuffed, or because we've never actually designated a place for it.

If this is a problem the general process of following the Declutter 365 missions will eventually help you, because as you clear out unneeded and unwanted stuff, you'll have more space in your home to designate a real home for everything.

You know the phrase, "a place for everything, and everything in its place." Well, having that as your goal really will help with a lot of this surface clutter you deal with regularly. Once it is easy to put something away then you'll reduce the amount of flat surface clutter you've got in your home.

2. Address Any Habits Or Circumstances That Are Causing Things To Get Placed There Regularly

As you are removing clutter from these flat surfaces you may also notice something interesting about some of the clutter items. They are things that, for a variety of reasons, you or a loved one is placing on this space as part of a habit.

Some examples of this include placing your keys somewhere when you walk in the door, or putting your change from your pocket on the dresser top as you change clothes at night.

To the extent that you've got these types of "clutter" accumulating on these flat surfaces see if you can work with people's habits. Either designate a new place for keys, or maybe put a bowl onto the entryway table that can hold the keys, or a jar for pocket change on the dresser top, to contain that "clutter" in a specific area.

3. Make A Habit Of Clearing These Spaces Consistently As Part Of Your Routine

Finally, we all know that despite having a real storage space designated for stuff, there are times we and others in the household still don't put it there, at least not right away.

Yeah, some of that may be from laziness, but it could also be because we're in a hurry right then, or are hands are full, or whatever else.

This happens a lot on the kitchen table, for example, but it can happen on just about any flat surface. The key to dealing with this type of clutter is to get in the habit of routinely clearing the space so it never gets really out of control.

Dealing with a few hours worth of clutter on the kitchen table that accumulated during the day, before dinner when you (or someone else in the house) routinely clears off the clutter, putting things away, doesn't take too long at all, and never makes the space be too inconvenient for too long.

How often you need to clear the space depends on how much you use the surface, and how quickly clutter accumulates on it. Some surfaces, like your kitchen counters and table I suggest habitually clearing of clutter, daily. Others, like a dining room table may be less frequent if you don't use the table often, or could also be daily if you want to use the table to eat each evening.

You can learn more about how and why you should adopt a daily tidy up routine here.



I would suggest, for your peace of mind, purposefully clearing clutter from your hot spots at least weekly, if not daily. The reason is that a clear surface is much more mentally calming rather than seeing junk everywhere, so keeping things tidy really does help you feel better about the space you're living in.

Below I've provided some before and after photos from readers who've taken on this mission to get you inspired, and to let you see the great results that can happen when you clear the clutter from your flat surfaces!

Before & After Photos For Decluttered Flat Surfaces

A reader, Sandra, sent in the photos above, explaining that while her child was sick she had to stay home and so she tackled this problem area for herself, and that the after photo "has stayed like this all week!"

These photos are from a reader, Teresa, who tackled her kitchen hutch. She did a great job, didn't she?


Finally, Michelle sent in these before and after photos of the flat surface she worked on, which is in her living room.

Want To Do More Decluttering Missions? Get Started With Declutter 365 Today!

Once you declutter one type of item in your home I bet you'll want to declutter some more. After all, decluttering gives you a great reward for even a small investment of time and energy.

The Declutter 365 system is designed to help you declutter, over the course of a year, your entire house, with just 15 minutes of decluttering each day!

Hundreds of thousands of people use this proven system to get rid of their clutter, and bring peace and calm back to their homes.

Declutter 365 works to guide you to clear the clutter without overwhelm, focusing on just one small area at a time, and without making a huge mess in the process, so you see consistent forward progress without all that "messy middle" that makes it even harder to function in your home than before you started.

In addition to building a daily decluttering habit, the Declutter 365 program, along with the accompanying 52 Week Organized Home Challenge, teaches you the skills, habits, routines, and mindsets necessary to maintain the clutter free and organized state of your home from now on, so it'll never be as messy and cluttered as it is right now, ever again.

If you haven't already, make sure to get your copy of this year's Declutter 365 annual calendar here (it's FREE!), find today's date, and do 15 minutes of decluttering on the day's mission. Then, repeat again tomorrow, and again and again. Over the course of the next year, if you do this 15 minutes per day, you'll declutter your whole house!

Related Pages You May Enjoy

Getting Clutter Free 15 Minutes At A Time Hall Of Fame

Join The 52 Week Organized Home Challenge

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