Clutter-Free Zones: Create and protect clear zones around your home with these easy decluttering tips

You know the feeling, You tidy it. You admire the clean surface.

And then—somehow—mail, water bottles, homework, and random bits of life start creeping back. Sound familiar? This is a constant in our house.

Dining tables, kitchen counters, and coffee tables are definitely the clutter hotspots of every busy home. They attract everything that doesn’t have a place yet. But here’s the good news: with a few small changes, you can keep these spaces clear for good (I promise!)—without constant effort.

A no-clutter zone is a clearly defined surface that you’ve decided stays clear—always.

Choose one or two areas that matter most to you, like the dining table or kitchen island.

Tell your family, “This space is our calm zone.” Make it a shared rule, not a solo mission. By naming it, you turn it from just another surface into a space with purpose.

🪶 Pro tip: Keep a small vase, candle, or bowl in the centre. When there’s something beautiful there, clutter tends to stay away. What better excuse to buy a new scented candle?

Clutter doesn’t appear out of nowhere—it’s usually just items without a home.

So instead of fighting that, give them a landing spot.

• Keep a basket or bin near each hotspot for quick drops (mail, keys, toys, etc.).
• Empty those baskets once a day or every other day.
• Label them if needed: “Mail,” “To Put Away,” “Toys,” “Returns.”

This simple step prevents piles from forming on your visible surfaces and keeps the mess contained—literally.

One of my favourite hacks for keeping homework (and random bits of paper or worksheets from their school bags) is wall-mounted racks. I have these on my wall opposite the kettle, and it’s so easy just to pop letters, mail and homework books in them. They keep the surfaces clear, but they are visible, which means I don’t forget to action them or (even better) the kids don’t forget their homework. (Ok, I’ll be honest, it prompts me to remind them to do it).

Forget the idea of a “big tidy-up.” I don’t know about you, but this is unachievable in most family homes. Even when you do have a few hours to spare, you only get to enjoy the hard work for a mere few hours, and the house is a mess again – especially with children and animals occupying the space!

Instead, do short, 30- to 90-second resets throughout the day.

After each meal, or before bedtime:

1. Clear the table.
2. Wipe it down.
3. Return the centrepiece or candle.

That’s it. You’ve reset your clear zone. I try and use these resets as chores for my children; they are great bite-sized chores for them that don’t feel too overwhelming.

These small resets keep clutter from ever reaching “overwhelm” mode again. I find my favourite quick reset is emptying the dishwasher as close to hearing the beep as possible. It’s a pain, it’s one of my least favourite household chores but it feels so satisfying when I’ve done it. Especially coming down in the morning to clean pots and pans!

I feel extra smug if I’ve managed to empty it just before bedtime and the final few bits of cups and plates from the evening can hide away in the dishwasher ready for the next day. There’s no better feeling than coming down to a clutter-free kitchen in the morning.

Sometimes, all it takes is a simple cue to remind everyone to keep the space clear.

• Add a “nothing lives here” sticky note at first.
• Or take a photo of your tidy space and print it—visual motivation works wonders.

When everyone knows what “clutter-free” looks like, it’s easier to maintain it together. Instead of feeling like you constantly have to verbally remind your family (“nagging”), you can save your voice! You won’t have to keep the reminders there forever. I promise the change will happen if you persevere at the start of your journey.

Your clutter-free hotspots will always try to fill up—it’s just part of busy family life.

But when you define your clear zones, give overflow items a home, and reset daily, your home starts to feel lighter, calmer, and easier to enjoy.

Because clarity on your surfaces brings clarity to your mind—and that’s a habit worth protecting.

Be inspired by my top storage solutions for every space in your house — packed with simple, realistic tips to tackle your biggest home-organisation frustrations and manage your clutter-free zones.

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