7 Genius Ideas to Declutter Flat Surfaces (and Keep It That Way)

Set the table

Really. Set it with full place settings. Having plates, glasses, and napkins arranged on the table leaves no room for clutter. The already full table will prevent you from just dropping stuff down and forces you to put items away. This will help you and your family break the habit of cluttering up the tabletop. Plus, you can skip the step of putting clean dishes away in the kitchen cabinet only to have to pull them back out later when dinner is served. Save time—and clutter—by setting the table with the clean dishes direct from the dishwasher (or drying rack). Here’s how to set an elegant holiday table for less.