Looking for ideas to keep "flat surfaces" in my house uncluttered.?

Dining table, kitchen counters, coffee tables all seem to catch clutter. Any ideas to remedy this?

Use cute baskets.

It's almost impossible not to have items pile up on tables, etc. so rather than try to fight it, contain it in a stylish way. you can put decorative bowls or baskets on the surfaces so at least everything goes into one spot.

choose one item that goes well with it's surroundings. I've found that in removing cluttered nic-nacs and placing one great item in their place looks very clean and classy. Simple is better.

Buy a pair of kittens.
oh.. alright...
Every time you pass one of these surfaces, pick up as much as you can carry that goes in the direction you are going and put it away. (or throw away). on the way back, pick up things going that direction. do this especially first thing in the morning.
If you make this a habit, they will be clear.

make good use of the phrase "junk drawer" and put all the little stuff in a drawer until you find a long term place for it or throw it out.

if it is not your things but your childrens and husbands take their stuff and throw it out in front of them a few times of this will break the habbit but you must do it everytime you see sopmething or else it will be noneffective i have done it to my children and it broke the habbit good luck

well what i do is clean every day. you should file all your bills, keep all unpaid bills in a holder until you pay. i will take everything that doesnt belong on the counters, tables and i put it all in a big pile and i sit in the middle of the living room and i go thru each and everything and i put it away. my motto dont use it get rid of it!!!

Looking for ideas to keep "flat surfaces" in my house uncluttered.?