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The messiness of old age!

(16 Posts)
olderme Tue 23-Jun-26 13:08:21

Hello, as I get older I find I need more and more things close at hand. I feel that my sitting area is becoming more like an hospital ward than a sitting room.
I am really looking for any hints/tips to keep it reasonable looking as well as modern.
Many thanks.

Cossy Tue 23-Jun-26 13:10:35

Oh don’t ask me, I’m bordering on being a hoarder and I’m messy as hell!

Look forward to others more helpful responses.

Fallingstar Tue 23-Jun-26 13:13:53

Cossy

Oh don’t ask me, I’m bordering on being a hoarder and I’m messy as hell!

Look forward to others more helpful responses.

🤣🤣🤣🤣

aonk Tue 23-Jun-26 13:20:22

Why not get a box or basket which will look attractive in your sitting room and put all your essentials in it?

Jaxjacky Tue 23-Jun-26 13:36:08

A side table with drawers?

Aldom Tue 23-Jun-26 13:41:05

I have several spectacle cases, given each time I change my glasses.
I use one or two to keep small items tidy ie: pens, nail clippers etc.
Every other day I tidy away odds and ends and put away books if I have finished reading them.

henetha Tue 23-Jun-26 13:43:02

Instead of a little side table by my reclining chair where I mostly sit, I could do with a little cupboard instead, as I'm the same, - loads of little things I need near me. But I have never found a suitable one.

specki4eyes Tue 23-Jun-26 13:52:11

Oh my! How true. Currently I am looking at :
Two remotes
A landline
A mobile
A tablet
A diary
My knitting project including balls of wool
A notepadconfused
A pack of tissues
An emery board
My eye drops
A glass of water
A napkin
Two biros.
What madness IS this?!!

ROMILO Tue 23-Jun-26 14:14:40

I recently bought an ottoman/footstool with an opening lid. Inside there is plenty of space for lots of essentials. When lid is closed all looks tidy and it is very comfy for putting your feet up. 😄

shysal Tue 23-Jun-26 14:19:16

I started with one lidded basket and now also have another, open one. As well as those I have in/out trays, a letter rack and box of medication including pill box for the week, on my dining table. If anyone visits I hide it all in the cupboard under the stairs, which is already full to bursting.
I only have one reception room and a tiny kitchen in my 2 bed terraced house with no garage. The shed is stuffed full and the spare bedroom a dumping ground. Whenever a try to de-clutter I think I need all the 'stuff'.

Lona Tue 23-Jun-26 14:24:17

I have one of those big pocket things that hang over the arm of the sofa, really useful for all those items you need to hand.

Casdon Tue 23-Jun-26 14:29:56

We bought my mum a three tier metal trolley on wheels from Hobbycraft, and some wooden lids for each layer. She’s quite immobile, so it’s good because when she’s looking for something she can wheel the trolley round so it’s in front of her and she can see everything in it.

Nandalot Tue 23-Jun-26 14:31:22

I have a remote control holder which holds the remotes but is also useful for popping in emery boards, pens, pencils and my inhaler. Phone is too big unfortunately.

kittylester Tue 23-Jun-26 14:33:01

I have a basket on the table next my chair - in it are a pad, 2 pens, a square tissue box, hand cream, nail file, cough sweets and ¹glasses wipes.

The remotes are on the sofa between Dh's seat and mine.

MiniMoon Tue 23-Jun-26 14:38:16

I have one of those cushioned tablet stands. It's adjustable, so in the space made behind it I have a pen, three crochet hooks, a stylus, pair of scissors, emery board and a couple of doctor's letters which I really must dispose of since they are no longer needed. I also have beside me on the sofa a ball of wool, mobile phone and a microfiber cloth for cleaning glasses and screens.
I think I'm relatively tidy.

Doodledog Tue 23-Jun-26 14:39:51

I have the Laura Ashley Garrat coffee table, that has 12 drawers and a large storage space at the back. It's really useful, but I still end up with 'stuff' all over the top of it.