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.
Mara says
I feel your pain with the dining table! Our family room and dining room are one big room, so we use our dining table as a ‘workspace’ as well aka collection zone. I am obsessed with keeping it clean/clutter-free…now if only I could relocate my husband’s LCD monitor which seems to live there.
Gilit says
I have the same goals! I have been trying to clear the tabletop for almost a year now, but I find that I often let it slide until the end of the week. As for the bed, success! That is until my version of the bed destroyer comes along, my one year old son who does exactly what burger does. Not the first time a similarity has been drawn with a dog….hmmm
Also, I LOVE the bedding in the bottom video, where’s it from?
YoungHouseLove says
That’s from West Elm a while back. Maybe try eBay?
xo,
s
Michele says
A part of me winces at Burger messing up your beautiful beds but mostly I laugh. You’re right…what can ya do? lol He’s very skilled at it. Impressive really.
Kathryn W. says
Thank you so much for this post! I decided to try clearing off both the coffee table and the dining room table each night before I head to bed, and I’ve been doing it consistently for about 4 days. My husband has caught on and now does the same thing! It amazing how much better everything looks when tables are cleared off.
YoungHouseLove says
It’s the best when it catches on, right? Now we’re both in on it and it happens almost every night like clockwork!
xo,
s
Rachel says
I’m real proud of you and everything for your resolutions, but I gotta say. . .my favorite part of this post was Burger burrowing beneath the bedclothes! So aDORAble, with a capital DORA!!
~Rachel~
Lindsey says
Burger is hilarious. Seems to have a similar personality to our Pom, Bailey. Love the bedding on your guest bed, where is that from? Also, the blue/green and white pillow?!
YoungHouseLove says
That bedding is from Bed Bath & Beyond and the pillows are from Pottery Barn a while back. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Heidi G says
I definitely agree. I always feel better when I start the day when I come downstairs to a clean kitchen and nothing is on the table. It helps give each day a fresh start.
Kelly says
Haha, LOVE Burger!!! My Chihuahua Amore does the same thing while I’m trying to make the bed. It is so frustrating yet hilarious at the same time!
Kathleen says
These Burger videos are KILLING me! Haha!!!