Messy house help!

[TeaDr1nker]

Following from a thread about keeping on top of things, i thought i would ask how people keep their homes tidy (or reasonably so).

We are lucky to have a cleaner (worth her weight in gold) so the house is not dirty just MESSY!

I feel like i am living in a pig stye!

I have boxes for the childrens toys (4 and 1)

But it is the general clutter that is getting to me, you know the paperwork that you can't throw out - just incase.

Any top tips greatly appreciated.

TIA

I just have to add it does bother me and i don't want to accept that having small children means that i live in a messy house.

Can you clear everyone out of the house and have a big de-clutter one weekend?

And do you have adequate storage, i.e. a place for absolutely everything? That's the key to maintaining it once you've had a major clear-out.