Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Style

Survey: This is the messiest room in the house

Darcey Gohring
By
view of messy room
Motortion Films/Shutterstock

When you imagine which room is the messiest in most homes, probably the first one that comes to mind is the one you feel like you are cleaning the most. For a lot of us, this tends to be the kitchen or the bathroom. That is why the results of a recent Joybird survey may surprise you. When they asked over 1,900 people what their messiest home space was, the answer was—drum roll please—the living room.

That is right, the family hub of many homes narrowly beat out the kitchen and bathroom (albeit by less than a point) as the catchall for clutter. At the top of many homeowners’ list for the cause was laundry because, let’s face it, who doesn’t prefer folding it while catching up on the latest episode of your favorite show? Next up, was children’s toys followed by food and dishes.

Recommended Videos

A room that sees this much activity is bound to suffer a lot of wear and tear. After all, living rooms have a big job to do. Not only do they serve as the main entertaining and television viewing space in a home, for a lot of us, they are also a play space, a home office, and a casual eating area.

Related

Ideally, the living room should be a space that feels relaxed and inviting. When it becomes a place that is a magnet for mess and clutter, it is anything but that. If yours has gone the way of many, here are a few simple tricks to take it from sloppy to streamlined.

Declutter

The first step in regaining your living room is taking stock of everything in it. Have some of the things in it migrated from other areas of the house? It is time to return them to where they belong. Go through shelves, tabletops, baskets, and so on. Are there things you no longer use that can be donated or thrown away? Chances are, once you get the space into a more simplified state, you will be apt to keep it that way.

Clean

Now that you have paired down what is in the room, give it a deep clean. Before placing items back on shelves, thoroughly wipe them down. Vacuum rugs, under couch cushions, and behind and underneath furniture.

clean and tidy living room
Photographee.eu/Shutterstock

Rethink storage

If you have a lot of items to store, the best option is a cabinet with doors or drawers. When the items are not in use, they can be easily corralled and out of sight. For a small living room, always think vertical. Instead of wasting unused space, take advantage by going up with wall units or shelves. For children or pet toys, add large, covered baskets. Not only will they offer a designated place for storage, but they will be a chic design addition to the room.

Also, look for clever furniture pieces that perform double duty by providing a primary function and incorporating hidden storage. Why have a coffee table with an open bottom when you could have one that has a large inside that can hold many items? And don’t be afraid to think outside the box—a dresser that you would typically use in a bedroom can also serve as a place to house the television and has many drawers.

Use color and groupings

Love decorative accent pieces? The key to incorporating them into your room without it looking cluttered is grouping similar items and colors. How does that translate when you are bringing them into a design? If, for example, you have a collection of pictures, souvenirs from vacations, candles, coffee table books, or sports memorabilia, rather than spreading them throughout the space, display them in groups for a cleaner and more significant visual impact. Color is also a good way to unify and create a more cohesive feel. Try to choose two colors that will be the dominant ones in the room and run them throughout.

Living rooms may have been cited as the messiest rooms in most homes, but by implementing a few organizational and clever decorating ideas, yours doesn’t have to be one of them.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Darcey Gohring
Darcey Gohring
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Darcey Gohring is a freelance writer based just outside New York City. She served as the managing editor of New Jersey…
What a hardwood contractor says your wood flooring says about you
According to a hardwood contractor, the species, stain, and cut of your wood floors can say a lot about you
bleached light wood flooring in an entryway

The home is a canvas for your personality, and your interiors should reflect your personal aesthetics. A professional hardwood contractor on TikTok, @lumberjackwoodsupply, says your wood flooring may reveal more about you than you might have thought. Here is what the species, color, and style of your wood flooring say about you (though, of course, some of these are a bit tongue-in-cheek).

https://www.tiktok.com/@lumberjackwoodsupply/video/7296136450888846623
What your wood flooring species says about you
Pine
If you have lighter, slim, natural pine floors, this TikToker says you likely fall into one of two categories. “You definitely have an appreciation for old things,” says @lumberjackwoodsupply. Alternatively, “you most likely own an old house that had these floors underneath.”
Walnut flooring
Walnut flooring is classy, elegant, and often sold at a steeper price. The hardwood contractor says homeowners with walnut flooring “have taste.”
Red oak
“There’s a good chance you didn’t choose to install this. It was just already in your house,” says this TikToker. But if you did choose to install red oak flooring, “you are either on a budget or you like to go against the status quo.”
Brazilian Cherry
“You probably live in an upscale but slightly outdated suburban home,” says the hardwood contractor. “There’s a good chance you hate the red.”
Maple
If you favor the sleek light wood tones of maple flooring to curate an airy and uplifting aesthetic, “You either live on the beach, or you want to look like you live on the beach,” says this TikToker.
Hickory
Hickory flooring is well-known for its boldness. It’s a unique wood with a quirky grain and various hues. If you have hickory flooring, “you like unique things,” says the hardwood contractor. “You want to be different.”

Read more
Don’t celebrate Christmas? Try these winter decor ideas instead
Here's how to decorate in favor of seasonal winter themes
Christmas decorations in house with wall sign on floor

Not everyone celebrates Christmas. But that doesn’t mean you can’t join in on all the festive fun. Sure, you may not want a Christmas tree in your living room or stockings hung over the chimney with care, but who said you had to decorate solely for the holiday?

If you want to take part in decking the halls but prefer a more seasonal approach to your decor, then we have some amazing winter decor ideas. Decorating the home during the winter months can be a great way to celebrate the season and welcome in the new year. And even if you don’t celebrate on December 25, you can still make your home look fabulous without opting for classic Christmas tropes.

Read more
Want a luxe living room or bedroom? Upgrade your TV wall with an IKEA fave and this easy DIY project
Use this IKEA TV stand idea from TikTok to upgrade your entertainment center
Luxury beige wall living room, modern flat television on brown wood panel wall, gray leather sofa, mid century style shelf in sunlight from window white sheer curtain for interior design background 3D

 

There are several living room trends that aim to add a luxe touch to our interiors, especially when it comes to dressing up the TV and TV stand. TVs can be a bit of an eyesore in the home, especially in modern designs that beg for more simplicity and elegance. While there are several fantastic trends like the picture frame TV or the classic built-in consoles that hide the TV behind a cabinet door, this idea from TikTok helps dress up the space without draining your wallet.

Read more