The living room is where everything ends up: remotes, mail, chargers, blankets, toys, books and bags. Because it's shared and used all day, it gets cluttered fast. Organizing it isn't about owning less, necessarily, but about giving every item a home near where it's used. This guide explains how to organize a living room step by step, with storage ideas and simple habits that keep it tidy.
Step 1: Clear and Sort
Work one zone at a time: the coffee table, the TV area, the shelves, the side tables. Sort everything into four groups:
- Keep here: Things used in the living room.
- Belongs elsewhere: Mail, shoes, dishes, toys from other rooms.
- Donate or sell.
- Trash or recycle.
Step 2: Define Zones
| Zone | What lives there | Storage |
|---|---|---|
| Entertainment | TV, devices, games, remotes | Media console, remote tray |
| Relaxing | Blankets, pillows, books | Basket, side table, shelves |
| Display | Decor, photos, collections | Shelves, glass cabinet |
| Kids | A few bins of toys | Closed cabinet or lidded baskets |
| Drop zone | Keys, mail, bags | Ideally the entryway, not the sofa |
Step 3: Choose Closed Storage for Clutter
Open shelves look great with a few books and objects, but everyday clutter belongs behind doors or in drawers. Use closed storage for games, cables, paperwork and kids' toys. Glass doors are a good middle ground for things you want to see but keep dust-free.
The Storage Cabinet with Glass Doors and Metal Frame (31.2"H × 60"W × 15.7"D) has glass-door cabinets with built-in lighting, a tabletop that holds 88 lbs, and anti-tip hardware. See our living room storage ideas.
Step 4: Organize the TV Area
- Keep only the devices you use; recycle old cables and remotes.
- Store game controllers and remotes in a tray or a drawer.
- Hide routers and boxes in console cabinets, with ventilation.
- Bundle cables behind the console. See how to hide TV cords.
A TV console with drawers and cabinets does most of this work. The Orbis Streamline Edge TV Console is 86.6" wide with drawers and cabinets.
Step 5: Use the Coffee Table Wisely
Keep the top for a tray, a book or two and something living. Everything else goes inside. A coffee table with drawers swallows remotes, coasters and magazines. The Orbis Sculpted Edge Coffee Table has drawers with a 22 lbs capacity. See how to style a coffee table.
Step 6: Corral Blankets and Pillows
Keep two or three throws on the sofa and store the rest in a large basket or a cabinet. See our blanket storage ideas.
Step 7: Edit the Shelves
Mix books with a few objects and leave empty space. Put things you don't use often in closed storage or another room. See how to style open shelves.
Step 8: Contain Kids' Toys
Give toys a defined spot: one cabinet, one shelf of bins, or a couple of baskets. Rotate the rest from another room. See our toy storage ideas.
Step 9: Create a Drop Zone Elsewhere
If keys, mail and bags keep landing on the sofa, give them a home at the entry instead: a console with a tray, hooks and a basket. See our entryway storage ideas.
Daily and Weekly Habits
| When | Habit |
|---|---|
| Every evening | Five-minute reset: fold throws, fluff pillows, return items to their homes |
| Weekly | Clear the coffee table, sort mail, dust and vacuum |
| Monthly | Edit shelves and drawers, rotate toys |
| Seasonally | Swap textiles and decor, donate what you don't use |
Small Living Room Tips
- Use vertical storage: tall cabinets and wall shelves.
- Choose furniture with hidden storage: coffee tables with drawers, storage ottomans.
- Keep surfaces mostly clear so the room feels bigger. See how to make a room look bigger.
Once it's organized, see how to decorate a living room and how to reduce dust in your home.
FAQ
How do I organize a cluttered living room?
Clear and sort one zone at a time, give every item a home near where it's used, and use closed storage for everyday clutter.
Where should I put remotes and chargers?
In a tray on the console or in a drawer in the coffee table or TV console.
How do I hide toys in the living room?
Use a closed cabinet or lidded baskets, keep only a few bins out, and rotate the rest.
How do I keep my living room tidy every day?
Do a five-minute reset every evening and keep a drop zone for keys and mail at the entry.