While freeing up the dining room table makes eating with the family, visiting with friends, and simply looking at the room a much more pleasurable experience, making that happen can be nearly impossible when the dining room or eating area also doubles as a work area. If you want the dining area to also serve as a place to eat, keeping the table free of clutter is going to take some doing.
First, if you and/or your family use the dining area in the morning to have coffee and read the paper, place an attractive recycle bin nearby. This can be as
simple as a plastic bin, or as elaborate as a large, decorative bowl. Doing so will allow you to easily control the newspaper factor.
Next, add a “move” box. Place it under the dining room table or beside it, or, on a window sill nearby. You might consider a wicker basket or plastic bin too. Each day, place that anything that does not belong in the room in this box. This makes it easy for you and family members to move items to the room in which it belongs as time allows. You’ll want to encourage family members to remove items from the box daily. Have a rule in effect for items left in the move box for more than two days, such as dumping the leftover (and obviously unimportant) items in a cardboard box in the garage or in the newspaper or magazine recycle bin. .
Tip: If there’s a wet bar in the dining room area, a cabinet, or other storage area, put the move box there.
If small items, like coins, paper clips, keys, cell phones, and similar items are a problem, use jars or small, decorative containers to organize them. Consider placing those jars or containers in a carry-all case, similar to one you might get to carry cleaning supplies. Doing so will allow you to remove all of the items quickly should unexpected company arrive.
If you have the space, consider adding a filing system if the dining area permanently serves as an office or bill-paying area. A small filing system, especially a plastic collapsible one, can be hidden in a cabinet or hutch.
Finally, designate one drawer for pens, pencils, tape, a small stapler, stamps, envelopes, and other “office” items. You could also consider using an attractive utensil and napkin holder such as the ones made for picnic tables for these items if you don’t have a drawer.
Bonus Tip: Cancel subscriptions for magazines or newspapers you no longer have time to read. You won’t have to store them, find a place for them, or pay for them!