7 Things Professional Organizers Say Don't Belong in Your Living Room

As a professional organizer, I've seen firsthand how the living room can quickly become a dumping ground for all sorts of clutter. This space should be your sanctuary for relaxation and entertainment, but too often it becomes overwhelmed with items that don't belong there. After consulting with fellow experts Jill Moore and Meghan Cocchiaro, I'm sharing the seven biggest offenders that should never find a home in your living room.

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1. Children's Toys and Games

Let me be real with you—this one might sting if you have little ones, but hear me out. Meghan Cocchiaro firmly believes that toys have no place in the living room if you want to maintain an adult-friendly relaxation space. "When kept in the living room, toys create clutter easily due to their size, color, and quantity," she explains. I totally vibe with this approach because let's face it, nothing kills the chill atmosphere faster than stepping on LEGO bricks at 10 PM.

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Pro tip: If toys must make a temporary appearance during playtime, establish a system where they're returned to their proper storage area in a playroom or nearby toy closet immediately afterward. No exceptions!

2. Outerwear and Shoes

OMG, this is such a common mistake! When we come home from work or running errands, our first instinct is to shed our jackets and shoes right at the entrance to the living room. Jill Moore calls this out as a major contributor to that cluttered look we all want to avoid. "If you don't have a coat closet or mudroom, a few well-placed hooks on the wall and a shoe rack will be a huge help," she suggests. This isn't just about aesthetics—it's about hygiene too, since outdoor items track in dirt and debris that can damage your furniture.

3. Out-of-Season Holiday Decor

I get it—holiday decorations bring joy, but there's nothing more depressing than seeing Christmas decor in March! The living room might be the perfect showcase for your seasonal bling, but Moore is adamant about timely transitions. "Unless you're one of the small percentage of people who change the decor on the Christmas tree to reflect the current season and holiday, it's time to pack it up," she insists. Keeping out-of-season decorations around just makes your space feel stuck in the past.

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4. Cluttered Open Shelving

Open shelving can be totally Instagram-worthy when curated properly, but let's keep it 100—most of us end up using it as random storage. Cocchiaro warns that "open shelving can be pretty when curated well, or else it just looks cluttered and messy." The pressure to constantly maintain picture-perfect shelves can actually increase stress rather than create the relaxing environment your living room deserves.

5. Mail and Paperwork

This is the silent killer of living room peace! If your entry flows directly into the living room, you've likely experienced the paper pile-up phenomenon. Both experts agree that mail and paperwork create instant visual clutter. Moore's genius solution? Create a "drop zone" with a wall-mounted mailbox or filing system near your entry point. This simple hack prevents the paper avalanche from ever reaching your relaxation space.

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6. Crafting Supplies

As someone who loves DIY projects, this one hits close to home! But Moore delivers some tough love: "This room is the last place you want to have a glitter explosion." Craft supplies like crayons, paint, glitter, glue, and beads should stay far away from your nice living room furniture. If you don't have a dedicated craft space, she recommends using the kitchen table with an easy-to-clean tablecloth instead.

7. Laundry (Clean or Dirty)

Okay, guilty as charged! We've all been there—folding laundry in front of the TV seems efficient until the clean clothes sit there for days. Moore calls this out perfectly: "Whether the clothes are clean, dirty, or somewhere in between, keeping laundry in the living room does not contribute to the relaxing atmosphere." The solution? Make it a habit to put clothes away immediately after folding, or better yet, fold them in the room where they'll be stored.

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Quick Reference Table: Living Room No-Nos

My Personal Organizing Philosophy

At the end of the day, your living room should be your happy place—a sanctuary where you can truly unwind. As someone who's helped countless clients transform their spaces, I've seen how removing these seven categories of items can completely change the energy of a room. It's not about having a perfectly sterile space, but rather creating an environment that supports your wellbeing.

Remember: organization is a journey, not a destination. Start with one category at a time, and don't beat yourself up if it takes a while to establish new habits. The goal is progress, not perfection. Your future self will thank you when you're lounging in a clutter-free living room that actually feels like the relaxation haven it was meant to be!

What's the one item you're most guilty of keeping in your living room? Share your biggest organizing challenge in the comments below!