For some reason, our kitchen table has become a catch all. Maybe it’s the placement of the table, maybe it’s the sheer size and we think a few things won’t take up too much room, but I’m really not sure. All I knew is that I had to do something about it. There were car keys, wallets, sunglasses, mail, stacks of papers that needed to be sorted, planners, headbands… okay you get the picture. It wasn’t a pretty one either.
So I decided to make my table look nice – really nice. Using this thought process, I figured we stop putting our stuff there because the table was making a statement. It was clean, fresh, and pretty just the way it was. It was a place to gather to eat food not to put down our things after running through the house or returning home from being out.
I grabbed a white tablecloth from the hall closet that my mom embroidered with pink and yellow flowers. I rolled up 2 cloth napkins that I received as a wedding gift (because these still aren’t complete), and I put my Pottery Barn bowl (that I got used from a friend) in the middle with fresh fruit in it.
I was right – it did the trick. We keep it clean now! 
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Glad it worked for you! I wish it had worked for us, lol.
Can’t wait til my children are a little bit older to try your trick. My 4 year old son would try to whip the table cloth of the table and leave the bowl still standing. Never a dull moment here! LOL & Blessings, Whitney
Wow…thanks for the inspiration. I actually jumped on the computer to ESCAPE the mess on my kitchen table! Maybe I’ll pop in the dining room to see what decorative items I can come up with…
Thanks! Maybe I’ll even have it set for dinner tonight….
I love that idea. I wish that would work for my kitchen counter!!!
I love this idea. Having a beautiful table just makes you feel good. Plus, gives you an excuse to get some cool organizer thing for the wallet/sunglasses/key issue. We got a wall-hung basket thing (I’m so specific!) which holds all that small stuff. THAT works for me!
Our kitchen table is a catch-all too! Size and placement is a factor! I’m constantly cleaning one end off. I’m not fond of tablecloths. Any suggestions?
Hugs!
Amy and Whitney ~ Sorry it hasn’t or wouldn’t work for you. Maybe you could make a space for the other stuff, so it wouldn’t clutter the table instead.
Sandwiched ~ You’re welcome! If you pop back in you’ll have to let me know what you figured out.
Troye ~ Good luck finding a solution. It is a hard thing to tackle!!
Marigold ~ I have a sectioned basket organizer for the counter now that I can put keys/sunglasses/dog leashes/pens/etc. It’s a great thing to replace the kitchen table/counter catch-all.
Shannon ~ What about placemats? Or just a pretty centerpiece? As Marigold said, a nice organizer for the counter or a small dresser or organizer with drawers somewhere near the table might help too? I hope it works out for you. Good luck!
Thanks to everyone who visited my blog today and for all the lovely comments!!
Well, I managed to get the table cleared off and wiped down. I found some bright blue placemats and a pretty blue glass mosaic candleholder as a centerpiece. Fed the kids an early dinner of cereal by candlelight, and hubby a late dinner of pasta with shrimp.
Thanks!
We’ll see how long it lasts….
FlyLady talks about doing this…It is a great idea!
My kitchen table has rarely seen the light of day – my husband uses it as his office…grumble grumble grumble. I’ve given him an office and he still uses the table. There’s only two of us at home, so we don’t ever really need the table, but still, I’d love to invite people over sometimes for dinner, but we’d have to move his office.
Great idea! I bet your table looks beautiful.
Thanks for stopping by my blog!
Blessings,
Michele