What is a tidy alternative to a kitchen table covered in bills, children's pictures, etc.?

[Thinkstoomuch]

Ideally I just want one thing, the family calendar, on the table instead of the piles of paper that seem to breed around it - bills to be paid, builder's quotes, stuff waiting to be filed, etc.

Is there a neat way to park this stuff until it's dealt with?

Yes, do what we do and park it on the dumping ground dining table.

god, i know the feeling, it's like someone's briefcase has exploded! Do you have a desk anywhere that could take a couple of in trays for 'pending'? Also any kitchen draws that could house/hide the mess while it's waiting to be dealt with?

I have a drawer in the hall for the paperwork that needs to be done and always do it on a set day. That way my kitchen table just has my laptop (most of the time) and the remote for the music player.

I also manage to keep the dinning table pretty clutter free - place mats, fruit bowl and wipes.

A dodo pad it has a pocket at the back for storing shite stuff in. Oh a warning though, if you are like me - this pocket will eventually become overflowing and everytime you pick up the diary it will explode in a menacing mocking way reminding you of every bill unfiled.

But really it is a FAB diary. I recommend.

Would a huge pin board help?

I think a drawer would be a bad idea - I need this stuff somewhere in my eyeline or it'll be forgotten about. Are there any good pinboard-y type things that can handle thickish wodges of stuff?

Kitchen table is also dining table for us so DH currently eats with paperwork under his plate.

Get an old church chair with a slot behind to put all your papers in or a wire basket that could be clipped onto the table edge.

Are some on here, the Forbo Nairn ones look good, are made from lino
www.pittspresentation.co.uk/

Bit ££ though (just saw the prices)...

We have an ikea magazine/filing rack thing-3 metal slots. It screws to wall. Tis good although ours has fallen down twice because of overloading. I also have top of fridge, top of cookery books and some of kitchen worksurface

sort of
this is it

Ah now yes, that sort of thing would definitely do the job. Hmm, both of those would look a bit wrong in my style of kitchen though. Will try a bit of Googling...

Top of microwave for things that are pending, tray next to microwave that has things in that are done/waiting to be filed away.

My dining table is used as a dumping ground for other things, like homework, books, jigsaws, list is endless.

Gawd this sort of thing is really hard to track down. Think I might get this - will do the job, fits the country style of the kitchen and I've got just the right spot for it.

Cupboard and replace pile with one piece of paper stuck to fridge on which you list TO DO items. Re-do TO DO list each week on Sun night/Monday morning.

I have a scary kitchen cupboard devoted to erm... family filing!

I do have a piles everywhere but have family calender where vital info written up so some bits of paper can be disposed of straight away.

I also have bulldog clips on hooks on the wall beside it, one for each child for school notes and one each for activities. Letters clipped in the order they are happening, write on in big marker whats to be paid when or date of activity or event, and mark when paid.

Also have aclip for envelopes for money due, fill in any forms and put in envelopes again in order to be paid with it written on in big pen, things like school trip money, scout subs, activity fees etc.

My bills and stuff well thats all over the place