Welcome back to A Bowl Full of Lemons 14 Week Organizing Challenge. This week we are organizing the living room. Before you begin, do a quick 5-10 minute clean up of the space. Toss the trash and put things where they belong.
If this is your first time participating in the challenge, welcome! Each week, you will receive a new challenge & you will have 7 days to complete it. If you are not subscribed to my blog & want reminders for the weekly challenges, you can sign up here. The first thing you need to do is print out your 14 Week Schedule. You can hang it on your fridge and check it off as you go. Print it out here.
WEEK #6 TASK – The Living Room:
This week we are cleaning and organizing the living room. The living room is probably the most used room in the house so it can get cluttered fast! One of the way’s I’ve been able to keep our living room clean and organized is by purging as much as possible and only keeping the necessities in there. I don’t allow toys in my living room (we have a toy room). That has helped keep clutter away. I understand that some of you don’t have the space to put toys in other areas of the house. If that’s the case, use foot stools, baskets, large bins, etc. to keep them picked up & hidden when not in use. Once you purge everything down to a manageable amount, the clutter won’t seem so bad.
WEEK #6 CHECKLIST: (Print out the free Living Room checklist HERE)
- Keep
- Donate
- Trash/Recycle
- Other Room
- Sort through everything on all shelves, the floor, drawers, tables, etc. Divide it all into the 4 baskets listed above (or more if needed). If you are able to, place the 4 boxes in another room (close to the living room), so you have an empty space to clean and organize. Get rid of as much clutter as you can.
- Clean the windows, blinds, frames & mirrors
- Wipe down doors, baseboards, doorknobs and switch plates
- Wipe down furniture (dust)
- Remove couch cushions and vacuum
- Pull the couch away from the wall and vacuum under/behind.
- Vacuum/mop floors
- Clean ceiling fan & lighting
- Fluff throw pillows & wash if needed
- DVD’s & CD’s
- Aromatherapy: Candles, wax melts, essential oils, etc.
- Throw Blankets
- Remote controls
- Magazines
- Toys (I don’t keep toys in the living room)
- Books
Here are several blog posts that will inspire you to get your Living Room organized.
2. Organizing Heirlooms & Collectibles
HOW TO SHARE:
Share your progress on Instagram using the hash tag #abfolorganizechallenge, blog about the weekly challenges – sharing your before and after pictures and/or share over at my Home Organization 101 group here. Hold yourself accountable and finish all 14 challenges!
NEW TO THE CHALLENGE?
If you are just joining us, visit the challenge details page here, to learn what it’s all about.
CHALLENGES:
Week 1: The Kitchen
Week 2: The Laundry Room
Week 3: The Pantry
Week 4: Master Bedroom
Week 5: The Office
HAPPY ORGANIZING!
I’ll see you back next week for another organizing challenge.
Tags: home organization, home organizing, living room, organize, organized
14 Week Challenge, 2015 Home Organization 101, Blog, February 2015, Living Room, Organize Posted in
14 comments
14 comments on “Home Organizing Challenge Week 6: The Living Room”
I love your new decor ! The neutral colors are bright and warm, I prefer this version rather than the last one, which was white.
Yhan you for the inspiration !!
Amélie
Hi Toni,
This room is gorgeous! I love the simplicity, the light and brightness, the neutral colors, and the rustic feel. Using decorative containers to store in plain sight is a good technique for making the room look tidy, yet having everything you need within reach.
Great post and I’m totally in love with that room! Here is a tip from me :No matter which type of dust mop you choose, start the floor cleaning process by taking all runners and area rugs outside to shake or into the laundry room to wash. Place the dust mop on the floor against one wall. Push the mop around the perimeter of the room, keeping it on the floor and working your way to the center.
Best regards! Neasden Carpet Cleaners Ltd.
Thanks for the tips Toni. Cleaning and organizing may seem so simple but for busy moms like me, reading tips just like this greatly helps. I don’t have to think. I just have to follow 😀 Thanks a bunch.
I love your “home” pillow! Where did you get it?
Pottery Barn 🙂
Absolutely enjoy the simplicity and functionality of the design that make it so beautiful! Is the sectional Ikea I presume? Where is the chair by the train bulletin sign from? Your home continues to inspire me and keep me refreshed!
The chair is from TJMaxx
I love your website. Your taste is exquisite. A couple of questions if you don’t mind. What color is the sofa is in your living room and is it pretty comfortable? It looks like it is the IKEA Ektorp line but it doesn’t look like it is white. Also, how do you handle the cat hair? I have two cats that look like yours plus a black one. I can brush off enough cat hair off my sofas pretty much daily to make another cat. Any tips?
It is the Ektorp sectional with the tygelsjo slipcover. As for the cat hair, Toni stays on top of the fur by vacuuming regularly and also bathes her cats.
Toni
I love the clean yet stylish look of your rooms. Can I ask where I can find the wire basket and the plants on the picture of the coffee table? I love that look.
I love the color of your floors! What kind/color are they?
Omg i love your design, very modern. Do white and gray tone make it? or something else?