clean surfaces

minimalist home tours often make me crave those clean surfaces.  i still haven't achieved empty counters (and i'm not sure i'm going to), but i'd like them at least to be clear of the extra clutter that gathers there.  here are my thoughts.  :)

like anything else related to minimalism, have less stuff 

the kitchen counters (my nemesis in the clean surfaces arena)
--need to start with as little as possible meant to be there...that way they look cluttered when they are 
--clean to zero each morning and/or evening
--deal with mail right away...recycle, read, and act (or have a home for mail that needs further action)
--don't set it down...just put stuff away right away...it usually takes less than a minute 
--each person is responsible for washing their dishes as soon as they are finished with them

the table is for food or whatever activity you are doing on it at the moment
--put it away/clean up when you are finished

have a place for everything, and put everything in its place

if there are surfaces, make them pretty
--and keep them that way :)

the easiest way to have clean surfaces is to have less surfaces  (in our home, it looks like this:)
--no coffee table or end tables (i can reach my drink on the floor + a basket for my current reading/notebook)
--no dressers (our clothes fit into our closets)
--no buffet in the dining room (everything fits into the kitchen cabinets)
--no entryway table (there's no room for one...hooks instead)

how do you do it?

love,
​jane