Welcome to Mission 10 of the Dare to Declutter Community Challenge! All year long, we are completing missions as a community to help declutter our lives!!

*~*~*It’s never too late to join the fun!*~*~*

We are here to help each other. Whether we are stumped and just don’t know what to do, need motivation, or just want to show off our hard work! Stay in touch over the next weeks as we complete this challenge together.

STEP 1: PRIORITIZE ROOM USAGE
Seriously think about the functions & purposes of your Living Room. Pick your top three priorities for the room. Some possible functions include:
- family gathering space, to rest, relax and converse with one another
- Entertain guests (both adults and kids)
- Watch television and movies
- Play video games
- Listen to music
- Read books, magazines and newspapers
- Surf the Internet (especially for young children that need supervision for this activity)
- Kids to do homework
- Play board games or other interactive, face to face games
- Work on craft activities
- Guest room (think someone crashing on the couch)

STEP 2: DECLUTTER – Move things out that DON’T BELONG!
- Move everything out of the room that doesn’t belong. The living room tends to become a dumping ground for the entire family.
- Rearrange furniture to accommodate room priorities (Check out Step 3 & 4 before doing any heavy lifting.)

STEP 3: STATIONS/CENTERS
The last time you thought about centers may have been in kindergarten, but really it works in your home too. Basically, you are making sure that you have all the right things, in a convenient place, for the activities you think should occur in your family or living room.

GATHERING SPACE
- Ensure sitting space that allows everyone to look at each other while they chat
- Develop a plan for adding/removing sitting area for larger gatherings
- Consider your other room priorities (watching tv, playing with the kids, etc.)

**Note: This is a GREAT chance to pull the sofa cushions off to vacuum and clean out any long lost toys, loose change, missing socks, etc.**

PLACE TO RELAX & READ
- Comfortable seating
- Side table “musts” for a reading station - good lighting/lamp; a place to put your favorite beverage; designated place for reading glasses & cleaning cloth for your glasses; bookmarks, post-its, highlighter; paper & pen for things you want to remember (This is an essential for relaxing. Jot down things that keep coming to mind as you try to relax. This will allow you to let go and relax, knowing they will be there for you when it’s time to engage again.)

WATCHING TV, VIDEO GAMES, LISTENING TO MUSIC
- Comfortable seating in direct line of site of TV
- Organized DVDs, CDs, games close to TV
- Gaming Center: Designated area for console, controllers, cables, etc
- Table for these TV “musts” - coasters for beverages; room for snacks, like popcorn; designated basket/holder for remotes; designated spot for headphones

FAMILY COMPUTER STATION
- Place the computer in a way that allows parents to see the screen
- Dedicated charging station with cords
- Timer for screen time

ADDITIONAL CENTERS FOR FAMILY PRIORITIES
We all know our families are unique. Maybe you like to play music together? Designate an area to store instruments, cords, speakers, stands, sheet music, etc. Maybe your family likes to craft together? Designate an area to store paints, papers, markers, glues, etc. No one knows your family better than you do. Just prioritize centers accordingly.

STEP 4: STORAGE

- Consider Furniture that Doubles as Storage

~ Replace a coffee table that only offers a flat surface with one that has drawers or shelves. Another option? A trunk or chest makes great storage for blankets, board games, game controllers, etc.
~Storage Ottomans
~ Sofa/Console Tables with drawers or cabinets

- Small Storage Containers for Like Items

Baskets or totes for remotes, gaming controllers, magazines, craft projects in progress, favorite toys currently in play.

- Use Wall Space
~ Mounting your tv to wall may allow you to get rid of a piece of furniture, freeing up valuable floor space
~ Consider wall-mounted shelves for books, DVDs, CDs, video games

STEP 5: DAILY PICKUP ROUTINE

Since this room is so heavily used by everyone in the family, it’s important that everyone is involved in keeping it clean. NOT JUST MOM and/or DAD! Once your room is freshly organized, decide as a family how you are going to maintain its new glory.

BASKET APPROACH
One idea that works well is the Basket Approach. Each family member has a small basket or tote. Once a day (at night before bed, during lunch, first thing in the morning – whatever works for YOUR family), each member of the family goes around the living room and puts everything that is theirs in the basket. This would be everything that doesn’t live in that room (cups, socks & shoes, toys, homework, etc.) They then take their basket with them thru the house and unload the items in their designated homes. In one quick trip, everything gets cleared! Everyone does their fair share!

**Note: You can adjust this as your schedule changes. For example, during holidays and summer vacation when the kids are home, you may need to do this more than once a day. Make quick clean up breaks during the day fun by putting on a fun song the family loves. Everyone has the length of the song to pick up the things they are responsible for. These quick sessions keep clean up from being overwhelming and make the room enjoyable for all, all day long.

STEP 6: TELL US HOW YOU ARE DOING!!

This challenge is designed to help us each do the dreaded- declutter. Having a friend (or 10k) help you thru the process is a HUGE MOTIVATOR! Post here if you get stumped, want ideas, need a specific item, or just want to share your progress!!!

Comment below if you are participating in this challenge. Remember, it’s NEVER too late to join the fun!!

HUGS! Hope & the Admin Team