Your living room should be the place in your house where you can really relax. If it’s cluttered and disorganised, the less calm you’ll feel.

Here are our top tips for organising your living room and make it a welcoming space where you can unwind with family and friends.

Unclutter flat surfaces. When you clear flat surfaces in any room there is an immediate increased sense of calm, order and spaciousness. The more you can store away, the more organised the space will feel. And, going forward adopt a plan to not let things build up. As soon as you’re finished using something return it to its proper place and do your best to keep surfaces as free of clutter as possible.

Reduce the number of cords. If your television, computer, and/or stereo system are all in your living, you’re likely to have a tangle of electronic cords cluttering up space and making the room look disorganised. Reduce the clutter with a cord management system that works for you – even a nice box with openings on two sides is a great way to cover up as much excess cord as possible, and instantaneously make your living room look tidier and more organised.

Create zones. Most living rooms serve more than one purpose; they’re a place to watch TV, read a book, a playroom for the kids etc. So, why not set up different zones within the room for each function? Store all items you need for each one in separate areas within the room and designate a box or a bin to hold them if needed. Creating clear areas for like items or activities makes it easier to find stuff and makes cleaning, clearing and putting things away much easier.

Space overload. Too much furniture or furniture that’s too big can also make a lounge room look disorganised. Bulky entertainment consoles, couches or recliners take up a lot of space. Getting rid of bulkier items that you don’t need in the room will make it feel far more open and inviting.