Yup, it’s another random weekend post about stuff on tables (remember this one from a few weeks back?). I have a new mission in life: to keep our kitchen table clear of junk.
Okay, maybe “mission in life” is a bit strong. This goal ranks far below real life missions like to be a good husband and father, put food on the table, and avoid aspartame (I’m mildly allergic). But just like my resolution last fall to make the bed everyday for a month, I recently decided I was fed up with how our kitchen table was increasingly becoming a not-so-temporary landing pad for shopping bags, unread mail, sewing supplies (notnaminganynamessherry) and other clutter. Meaning it was becoming less and less functional as a dining spot (and less and less pleasant to look at).
So without even telling Sherry (she’ll probably learn about this goal when she notices this post at some point this weekend) I’ve taken on the task of clearing off the table each night before heading to bed. Since keeping it clear 24/7 would be unrealistic (not to mention counterproductive – what’s the use of a table that you can’t put things on?) I decided if I could just clear it at the end of each day it would avoid becoming overrun with random items. And in the morning it would look nice. At least for a moment.
I’ve only been doing it for about a week (and I’ve already fallen off of the wagon a couple of nights) but so far I’m liking the results. For one, it’s forcing us to actually deal with some of our clutter (i.e. sort the mail, unload shopping bags, put away dishes). And I’m no psychologist, but there’s gotta be some mental health benefit to starting your day off with a cleared-off, ready-for-anything table. If nothing else, at least I’m enjoying the fact that I don’t have to push aside magazine piles to feed Clara breakfast first thing every morning.
Do any of you have nightly cleaning routines? Or are you currently planning your own cleaning resolution? I’m proof that they can stick. Yep, believe it or not, I still manage to make the bed every single day since last fall’s resolution.
misa says
i have a very similar routine; every night before bed i “reset” the downstairs: fluff up the couch and the throw pillows, clear the coffee table, clear the kitchen sink, and put away shoes and dog toys. it really only takes a few minutes but it’s so nice to get up in the morning and have everything in order.
Emily says
Love Burger in the bed video. Glad to know my Boston Terrier isn’t the only dog who has something completely against made beds. She also refuses to leave folded piles of clothes alone and insists on hiding half eaten raw hides in them. :) Totally going to do the clean the table every night thing. I’m typing this on my laptop and in the background is a dining table full of misc. items….sigh.
Megan says
I saw these and thought of John’s love for maps!
http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/1izZwb/www.marthastewart.com/how-to/map-coasters
YoungHouseLove says
So much fun! Love them.
xo,
s
Kelly @ cornerofmain.wordpress.com says
I totally try to do the same thing! My husband always wants to leave dishes till later and not worry about making the bed. I feel like I can relax better if things are tidy =)
I made mention of your post on my blog and added you to my blogroll (hope that’s ok)…if you get a second check it out! My site is definitely a work in progress. I absolutely love reading your site!!
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks for the link love! Off to check it out…
xo,
s
Diane says
My nightly routine is to sweep the floors in the entry hallway, bathroom, and kitchen. It’s amazing how much dirt gets tracked in every day, even with a no shoe policy, combined with crumbs and what all that gets spilled in the kitchen.
Kylie says
Hey guys… I live in Richmond and just listed through the site you used for FSBO. I’m freaking out a little bc they have now handed me off to another site, Housepads that they contract with. I’m feeling less than confident for a few reasons so far. Tell me that it’s not a scam and that everything went well for you… did they pass you off to Housepads too? thx!
YoungHouseLove says
Oh yeah, ours went through Housepads too – and it all worked out great. The customer service for Housepads was really good, in my experience at least.
Good luck with the sale!
-John
jenny says
LOL at his little tail sticking up above the pillows in that last video!
priscilla says
Burger is hilarious! For those who have a comforter or duvet on the beds, a super quick way to make them up each morning it to just reach down, pull up the sheets and comforter, slide out the side, and throw on extra pillows. Voila – it’s done! I taught my 3 kids that too, and from about age 3 on, they can do it themselves. Easy peasy, as Sherry says!!
Colby says
I have a chihuahua, and she does the exact same thing as Burger. Me and my husband come home everyday to either find her under the covers of our bed or mixed in with the pillows on the couch. Too funny!
Becky@Organizing Made Fun says
I understand the frustration…my hubby tends to drop stop wherever it lands when he gets home from work. So, I made an entry dresser to hide all his junk and organize the rest:
http://organizingmadefun.blogspot.com/2010/11/organizing-entry.html
It works pretty good – he hides his stuff on his drawer and I’m a happy wife :)
Becky B.
http://www.organizingmadefun.com
Organizing Made Fun
Becky@Organizing Made Fun says
Drop STUFF…not drop stop! Sorry :)
Becky B.
http://www.organizingmadefun.com
Organizing Made Fun
YoungHouseLove says
So smart! Love it.
xo,
s
Kristen @ Popcorn on the Stove says
Aren’t allergies annoying? I’m allergic to the cold (it makes me break out in hives) as well as eggs & dairy. It’s frustrating so I know how you feel.
We have a basket where we keep mail that has basically become a dumping ground for everything. We have to spend a day every few weeks cleaning out the things we don’t need. Oh, and we have more plastic bags than we know what to do with. We keep forgetting to drop them off at the grocery store so our pile keeps growing.
Kara says
I think this is a great idea. My mom says if you keep your beds made and your sinks clean, the rest will fall into place. I think this is the same idea. Also, unclutterer writes about two concepts that deal with this–the keystone demise and the broken window theory (OK, I’m actually linking to wikipedia’spage on the broken window theory).
http://unclutterer.com/2011/06/20/the-keystone-demise/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fixing_Broken_Windows
YoungHouseLove says
So interesting!
xo,
s
Maggie Roberts says
I have the same problem with stuff that never gets put away, but in my case it’s tools. There are collections of tools spread throughout the house. Now I’m trying those five gallon buckets, maybe that will contain things….
I don’t have a canine bed weasel, but I do have a feline bed weasel — he also goes underneath the sofa slipcover, making a squishy lump. You have to check before you sit down….
Mary Ann says
I read that feng shui says if your horizontal surfaces are cluttered, there’s no room for new things to come into your life. Great goal, I wish I was better at it!
Natalee says
I have to tidy up my bathroom EVERY night. I don’t know why but I can’t fall asleep knowing that my counter may be dirty and the shower curtain isn’t closed.
Melanie says
I actually like to do my tiying up on saturday morning, right as I get out of bed. For example I tend to put my clothes on a chair at night and so by the end of the week ther’s quite a pile. So on saturday mornings, I go around the apartment and pick up my shoes and clothes and tidy up the place, and it’s kind of a non brutal way to slowly wake up and then I can start my week-end in a de-cluttered space…
Kim says
Couldn’t help but notice the “p” artwork in the dining room. What else does it say? Looking to do something with our “m” cake topper from our wedding.
YoungHouseLove says
Here’s the post about that for ya: https://www.younghouselove.com/2009/10/how-to-make-a-magazine-monogram/
xo,
s
Skooks says
I try to give the flat surfaces a quick clean and put away before bed . . . I’m 95% good at sticking with it. I’m also 95% effective at getting the kitchen cleaned completely before bed each night . . . it seems to fall apart sometimes on the weekends, but generally it’s done nightly. Something I’m 99.999% right on with is the bed-making. Never used to be a bed maker as a kid/teenager/college student/person in my 20s, but for the last few years I’ve been on top of it.
Probably way more info than anyone wanted to know. Stopping now.
Brandi says
Hey again! Stupid computer may have double posted :(
Firstly, I wanted to say thanks to Sherry for the sewing inspiration. I’m working on finishing up my first quilt and getting ready to start a new one :D
But secondly, I think Burger and our yorkie Zea may know each other. Both of them seem to have a thing with made beds in the middle of the day. Z generally doesn’t even get out of bed until noon anyways. Silly puppies!
Tina B says
OMG, I try to do this every night too. With my 12 year old stepdaughter around with her millions of school things, soccer things and my hubby who loves to eat on the table, drop mail on the table, and me who loves to shop for random un-needed bt but fun stuff for the house…our table gets so messy so fast. I have installed a “clean up” time every night for 15 minutes where we all have to gather stuff off the table and around our first floor and put it away in the right spot. It makes life so much easier now! I agree, it’s nice to start off each day un-cluttered!!!
Donna Huebsch says
What a riot to watch Burger! Our chihuahua does the same type of thing – I think they’re natural “burrowers”.
Marie-Ange says
HAHAHA, love that post John! I don’t feel as guilty anymore for our mess on our kitchen table when I surfing YHL… Thanks for keeping it real as well!!!
fd says
i think this must be a dad thing… my dad used to clear our kitchen table and set it for breakfast every night. actually when we visit, he still does it. :-)
glenda says
thanks for the idea!
i have been on the clean kitchen sink/counters/floors + toys-on-their-assigned-places for months now but i still slip sometimes, what with having a full time job and a 2yo. now that’s something to add to my to do list before hitting the sack. to wake up to a even brighter home the next day! :)
cindy says
I have real issues with clutter and piling items on both the coffee table & kitchen table…I made an effort to finally clear the kitchen table off but the coffee table is still a mess…I need a place to put mail…any suggestions?
YoungHouseLove says
We have a three tiered cubby box for mail that we have to respond to (letters to write back to, bills to pay, and invitations to events). Seems to work.
xo,
s
Jill says
I have 2 nightly things: the kitchen has to be completely clean (I HATE waking up to dirty kitchens) and all 3 kids’ rooms have to be clean before their heads hit the pillows. When they were smaller, it was that they had to take all their toys from common areas and move them back to their proper homes (if they didn’t, the neighbors got whatever it was the next day…it worked). Now it’s the battle against clothes, towels and swimsuits on the floor!
Elizabeth Horn says
The dining room table is my spot for all the crap I bring downstairs to work on projects, too. I tend to shuffle it to the breakfast table if we want to eat in there and then move it back again. It’s horrible, but I guess I’m too lazy to do a nightly clean up.
Brandan WH says
I have been having a losing battle with cleaning of the kitchen AND dining room tables since we moved into our townhouse 2 years ago. I bought a “mail organizing wall thingy” and it helps but stuff still ends up on the table. It’s so bad that when it’s time to cook, I have to push papers aside to actually use my table. Need to figure out something as it’s beyond annoying!
And the video of B is entirely too funny!
Cheryl says
My mini dachshund does the same thing! It drives me nuts and secretly makes me smile!
I have to do a “10 minute tidy up” every night. Nothing major just clutter control. Our apartment is small so the efforts have more impact. If I don’t, when I get up in the morning I immediately feel behind and defeated.
Paige says
I recently just decided to start making our bed every morning. I’ve been doing it for maybe 3 weeks now (missed a few mornings) but I’m really enjoying it. I work from home too, and I honestly think having a “made” bed makes me more productive! Every time I walk into the bedroom I feel really good about the day…aaaand it prevents me from wanting to curl back in under the covers. I have a black lab/boxer mix who loves to mess up the bed–not in the cute, crawl-under-the-covers way that Burger does, but more of a thrash-all-over-the-bed, fling-the-pillows-around kind of way…usually when he’s bored and in desperate need of attention.
Shaina says
I’ve recently learned it takes 21 days to form a habit…so if you can keep the kitchen table clear for 21 days in a row you’ll just keep it up automatically :)
My first baby is due on July 16, so with about 3 weeks to go I’ve been trying to form some habits around my house that will help minimize housework when baby arrives.
Our goal right now is to make sure all dishes get washed as soon as we are finished eating to avoid the dreaded pile up in the sink. (Dishwasher is broken and we are waiting to buy a new one until we can afford something really nice).
Ashley says
I’m so glad to know that I am not the only one this happens to. It is like all items in the house are a magnet to the kitchen table. We (well the hubs) try so hard to keep things off the table, but it never fails – it fills up with junk.
carrie says
another way to remove a little clutter (and be a bit more eco-friendly) would be to do away with using the plastic bags altogether. I figure you already have some, but if not, both baggu and envirosax make awesome ones! It can make a world of difference when you’re not bringing home plastic bags, AND they come in cute colors and patterns!
as a clutter person myself, I just might have to try this. our dining area serves as a clutter holder, but I love having it clean!
YoungHouseLove says
We love envirosax! I blogged about those a while back (we even got lucky and got to do a giveaway with them). Great suggestion!
xo,
s
Priscilla says
I think that’s a great resolution! My problem area is the kitchen sink/dishes. I am going to resolve to do the dishes every night this week – by hand – no dishwasher :( Wish me luck!
p.s. those videos of Burger made me chuckle…makes me want a dog :)
Maggie says
Where did you find the dining table set? I love the chairs specially.
YoungHouseLove says
Target a while back.
xo,
s
pattilouwho says
We have the exact same problem with our dining room table. But even worse is between our kitchen and playroom, there is an opening and what I have deemed “the high counter”. It is a raised “bar” area that is a little too high to sit at – but wow, it is a great junk collector! It comes in very handy when we have a party and works great as an extra food serving area, but beyond that, it is the catch-all for mail, magazines, kid art, spare change, and anything else that just decides to make a home there. You have inspired me though, so today I am going to clear it off and see how long I can keep it clear! :)
Robyn @ Imperfect Nest says
Love the Burgermeister! Our ‘landing strip’ is a counter in our kitchen. This just may push me over the edge to try keeping it picked up, too. Thanks for the example. I may not want to thank you later if it proves to be a pain in the rear.
Sara says
Hi,
A recent fan of your blog. Love it! I was interested to learn more about the art piece in the kitchen that looks like a 3D art (the one on the opposite side of the big P picture). Did you make that one? If yes, please provide the link.
Thanks,
Sara
YoungHouseLove says
That’s actually a print we got from allposters.com a while back. Hope they still have it. Don’t remember the name of the photographer, but it’s a photo of a shelf with some fresh fruit/oil/etc on it.
xo,
s
Eli says
This is our night routine: After dinner my fiance washes the dishes and cleans the stove (I hate the dishes). Before bed, I make sure all laptops go into the office, and not just left on the dinning table or coffee table. I put all the sofa pillows in place and the sofa throw nicely folded. If this things are not done before bed, I will HAVE to do them in the morning which will make me late. Every morning I have to make the bed, growing up my parents had a rule “the only place in the house you could be with your bed unmade was in the bathroom” so to this day I have to make it. We have a minpin and she loves to get under the covers but she manages it without unmaking the bed, just a little lump in the corner.
I love all your DIY stuff.
Barb says
Just saw this post and good for you, John. I used to tell my kids this:
IT IS FAR EASIER TO BE NEAT THAN IT IS TO BE MESSY…and I think it sunk in. Both of my children are meticulous about being tidy….doesn’t mean they don’t make a mess sometimes….like I said, it is just easier to be NEAT!!!
Keep it up….love the new look of the table….CLEAR AND TIDY!
B.
Beth C says
I have the same problem with my kitchen island. It starts the week all neat and tidy, and by the time Friday rolls around I can hardly see the countertop because of all the junk that has accumulated. I usually clean it up then, when I’m giving the kitchen its weekly scrub-down.
Kacie says
Man, you all are too freakin’ cute! Love the clutter. ;-)
Kacie
http://www.acollectionofpassions.blogspot.com/
Emily says
What are your plans for the beams? Will they stay?
YoungHouseLove says
For now they definitely will (we’re afraid they’re hiding some transition between the kitchen since it used to be two rooms). Perhaps someday we’ll get ’em down- but for now we’ll paint them white like the trim and let them blend in.
xo,
s
Christine Scott says
Our pom/chihuahua mix does the same thing – especially the pillows. he’s not satisfied until they are all on the floor. not necessarily a problem with the bedroom, but our sofa has 10 cushions that make up the back portion. it is a rare day that we come home and do not find them scattered over the formal living room floor.
Jill says
I’m slightly anal when it comes to the kitchen, the table and our family room. Everything is picked up, wiped down and put away before I go to bed. I get crabby when I wake up to a messy house. I also get crabby if I come home to an unmade bed or messy bedroom, so that gets picked up and the bed made before I leave for work in the morning.
Bella Daylight says
I try to leave the appartment somewhat tidy every night. However the one thing I just can’t seem to keep clear is my desk. It’s almost usually cluttered which is something that bothers me a lot but I just can’t seem to find an organizational scheme that works for me.
jja says
Burger for president! :-))))
Sarah M. says
I love this post! I actually just read it this morning, and it’s so timely for me b/c last night I managed to bring in the stack of mail and sort ALL of it right there. That does NOT happen in our house!
Sadly, I admit that I am the clutterer in our relationship. It’s funny, because I’m a neat freak and a perfectionist, and I can’t stand clutter, but somehow I manage to be the source of most of it. Ugh, those flat surfaces…they’re the first place we toss our mail, laptops, work junk, shopping bags, purses (ok, that’s just me) when we walk into the door. Such a bad habit!! I am now making it a goal to straighten up every night for at least 10 minutes (ok, let’s start with 5 nights per week… I’m realistic!) And I’ll be checking out Flylady, thanks to all the replies on here!
One thing we are pretty good about is dish duty. We have a deal, I wash and load the dishwasher, my hubby dries and unloads. It’s a great system, because he’s not so great at getting the dishes really clean when he washes, or at loading the dishwasher (I was always going in behind him and rearranging all the dishes to fit more in). And I absolutely loathe drying dishes, and unloading the dishwasher. I would leave the drying rack FULL of dishes for days if I had the choice. So we came up with splitting up the jobs, and so far so good.
Good luck, John!
Mika Anna says
I really needed a little cheering up today. Thanks, Burger!
Jennie says
love this! and love making the bed too. you’re inspiring me to attack my own tables tomorrow!