You’re not the only one. That pile of half-opened mail on the dining room table, that random box in the corner you can’t even remember the contents of, the coat draped haphazardly over the back of a chair. The dining room somehow becomes grounds for all things miscellaneous, leading to a cluttered space that defeats its entire purpose: to provide a place to sit together and enjoy a meal.

Tiny habits can lead to a messy dining room quickly—but if you follow these pro tips, you can curb the chaos.

• Olivia Parks, professional organizer and owner of Nola Organizers
• Matt Paxton, decluttering expert and author of Keep the Memories, Lose the Stuff.
• Marissa Hagmeyer, NEAT Method co-founder and author of The NEAT Method Organizing Recipe Book

01 of 06

Using the Chairs for Storage

It doesn’t happen on purpose, but dining room chairs often become a landing place for purses, bags, backpacks, and coats. “This can instantly make a room look cluttered,” says Olivia Parks, professional organizer and owner of Nola Organizers. “It makes the space look messy and turns the dining room into a place where items are dropped instead of being put away.”

And once one bag ends up there, it’s easy for more to follow. Then things like paperwork, mail, homework, or shoes start collecting there, too. Before you know it, the dining room becomes a drop zone. She says that a great solution is creating a designated spot for these items by the door.

02 of 06

Keeping Grandma’s Entire Set

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Unless you absolutely treasure the heirloom dining set you inherited from a loved one, decluttering expert Matt Paxton says that it’s got to find a different home. “These items are [often] 100 percent emotional and are not functional for modern spaces. We all want to celebrate Grandma and our loved ones who have moved on, but we do not have to keep an entire room of bulky furniture that makes you not want to use that room,” he argues.

He says to keep a few choice items you treasure and will use, and to then outfit your space with more functional, modern pieces that fit your lifestyle. His motto: You can still love the person with only one of their items.

03 of 06

Open or Glass Storage Solutions

Open shelving or pieces with glass doors can look lovely when styled, but are not always effective at hiding clutter. Even when organized, stacks of dishes and glasses can visually overwhelm the space.

Instead, organizing expert Marissa Hagmeyer says to be strategic about what you store in open or glass solutions. “Reduce the amount of belongings stored there and style with one or two pretty opaque baskets to contain small items,” she suggests. “If that is not an option, select a sideboard or buffet with fully enclosed opaque doors. This allows you to hide the visual clutter.”

04 of 06

Having Too Many Serving Pieces

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From outdated china you never use (and don’t enjoy putting on display) to that high-maintenance tablecloth that requires dry cleaning every time it’s used, dining rooms are often stuffed with way too much.

Paxton says that editing is crucial so you can feel lighter and so your dining space functions better. "These items are usually seasonal and take up a lot of space and time," he says. "Your time is equally as valuable as your space. If an item takes up both, then get rid of it."

05 of 06

Visible Cords and Chargers

This is an issue across the house, but it can become an eyesore when trying to enjoy a nice meal at the dining table. "Visible cords or chargers, such as lamp cords, extension cords, or loose charging cables, stretched out along the floor or under the table, can make a dining room look messy and cluttered," Parks says.

"Use cord covers or adhesive clips along the backs of furniture," suggests Parks. "Any cords that are regularly used, but not permanently plugged in, can be stored in a decorative box or small drawer."

06 of 06

Spent Floral Arrangements

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The dining room is the perfect place for fresh flowers and pretty arrangements, but you’ll want to freshen these up once every day or two to keep things looking great. Parks says, “Dead flowers and dirty, cloudy vase water can instantly make a room feel less fresh and put-together. Even if the rest of the space is tidy, wilted flowers, fallen petals, and dirty vase water can give off a neglected, messy impression.”

Swap out the wilted flowers as soon as they start to droop, remove dead stems and crispy petals, and refresh the vase as needed. You can also swap in realistic faux flowers for less maintenance.