To tell you I finally have a tidy living room and ask you for tips on keeping it that way?

[FlatteredFool]

My whole house has become a tip and it getting me down. I have 3dc who are naturally untidy, as am I. I've worked really hard this weekend and finally have the living room tidy. It happens about 3 times a year and I need tips on how to keep it tidy please. The dc are old enough to tidy up after themselves but don't. It's a never ending battle.

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Take a photo right now while it is how you want it, print it out on A4 and laminate it. Anyone set the task of tidying up is given the picture to refer to for the desired final result. You could blu-tak it on the back of the door for a few months to start with, to give everyone the idea...

I think no eating or drinking except in kitchen / dining room is fair personally. Or if you like a cup of tea in bed yourself you could set a time limit or just no food upstairs (which is messier anyway).

Have less stuff. Hard with 3 kids though!

I'm decluttering at least one thing a day, downloaded an app called the "minimalist challenge" and it's weirdly satisfying to tick off a day at a time and upload a photo of what I've got rid of.

Spent a whole day decluttering the kitchen the other week, took AGES, but it's so much nicer walking into a clear kitchen in the mornings. Such a big effect on my mood and mental health.

Aiming to gradually declutter the entire flat and just keep things that "spark joy" (or I don't find annoying). Hard getting DP on board though!

Ikea do delivery! Varying fees depending on the item size / weight but I always do a big shop in one go and swallow the cost, I think it's worth it. Beware the temptation to get too much storage, as it can encourage more clutter though.