There is something about the turn of a season that compels us to reassess our surroundings. After shedding the heavy fabrics and closeted layers of winter, it seems only natural to cast an eye around our homes in search of things to toss out.
Most of us, when seized by the impulse to declutter, make a bee line for our kitchen cupboards or wardrobes, but some experts suggest redirecting that energy toward the living room. It is, after all, where the home’s most serene and sociable moments coalesce – evenings lost to a good Netflix series, Sunday afternoons spent with friends and family – and it’s all too likely that it gets filled over time with lots of stuff.
We consulted a number of experts on the items they consider most urgently dispensable – from the modems and cables crowding your surfaces, to the slow accumulation of decorative objects. Attending to these, they assure us, is the work of a single weekend.
1. Electronics (and cables)
The living room has become something of a command centre for family tech, home to the Wi-Fi router, endless TV cables and a games console or two.
“Even beautifully designed rooms can feel unfinished when cords and electronics are exposed,” says interior designer Cathleen Gruver of Gruver Cooley.
The difficulty with electronics, unlike surplus cushions or an ill-chosen side table, is that many can't be removed. But instead of leaving everything out in the open, Cathleen encourages thoughtful ways to hide them in plain sight. Millwork, built-in storage, or even simple cord management systems "can make your space appear clean and polished.”
2. Paperwork
Paperwork is, in many respects, the most insidious form of clutter – arriving uninvited and multiplying quietly. Add in piles of old birthday cards, magazines, newspapers and receipts, and it’s easy to find yourself buried.
“File what’s important and shred what isn’t," Adam Oakley, a decluttering expert from Door to Store, tells Country Living. "If a document hasn’t been touched in six months, it’s probably not essential and can be safely discarded."
A slim letter rack in the hallway or kitchen, a lidded box or a dedicated drawer can be used to impose order.
Palm Leaf Storage Basket
3. Extra cushions
We love a smattering of cushions as much as the next person, but it is possible to have too much of a good thing. “Cushions are a great way to add colour and texture, but too many can make a sofa impractical to use,” Cathleen says. “I like to keep the number intentional and focus on quality fabrics and beautiful details rather than quantity.”
For a healthy balance, follow a one-to-one ratio for chairs. For example, an armchair that seats one person would look great with a single cushion.
4. Toys
Few things test the resolve of even the most committed declutterer quite like a pile of toys. Whether the culprit is a child or a dog with an inexhaustible enthusiasm for squeaking things, toys have a way of taking over the living room.
We cannot, in good conscience, dispose of them – the protests from either party would be wholly disproportionate – so the best solution is usually containment. A well-chosen ottoman with internal storage, a row of wicker baskets tucked beneath a console table or a dedicated cupboard that closes firmly can absorb an extraordinary volume of chaos while preserving your room's composure entirely.
5. Oversized furniture
All too often, we grow accustomed to squeezing past oversized living room furniture that can leave a space feeling perpetually diminished.
Whilst a corner sofa can certainly seat a crowd, Cathleen considers it can an “overwhelming” addition. “It makes a living room feel cramped and limits how the room functions,” she explains. “Consider a well-scaled sofa paired with lounge chairs instead. This creates better circulation and allows the room to feel more inviting for conversation and entertaining.”
6. Coffee table clutter
Maintaining visible surfaces is crucial to ensuring a room remains functional and calming, according to Magdalena Gierasinska, head of product at Barker and Stonehouse. She recommends leaving at least 50 per cent of a coffee table clear so it can still be used comfortably.
A lovely trick from interior designer Sophie Robinson is to add trays on coffee tables to corral lots of objects and contain them to a single spot – maintaining clear surfaces without sacrificing decorative accents.
“Glass-fronted cabinets, shelving units and bookcases allow treasured items to remain visible while preventing a room from feeling messy," adds Magdalena. "I would prioritise pieces with genuine emotional significance, such as souvenirs from meaningful trips, inherited objects or items tied to milestone moments, to preserve a sense of nostalgia and individuality.”
Kelsey Mulvey is a freelance lifestyle journalist, who covers shopping and deals for Good Housekeeping, Women's Health, ELLE Decor, and Country Living among others. Her hobbies include themed spinning classes, Netflix, and nachos.
Rachel Edwards is the Style & Interiors Editor for Country Living and House Beautiful, covering all things design and decoration, with a special interest in small space inspiration, vintage and antique shopping, and anything colour related. Her work has been extensively translated by Elle Japan and Elle Decor Spain. Rachel has spent over a decade in the furniture and homeware industry as a writer, FF&E designer, and for many years as Marketing Manager at cult design retailer, Skandium. She has a BA in French and Italian from Royal Holloway and an MA in Jounalism from Kingston University. Follow Rachel on Instagram @rachelaed
