Bits of clutter: That nail file there, a random glass here, two pens on the table, yesterday's mail. It all adds up to a junky look.
One way to tackle small junk is to adopt the motto: Full hands in; Full hands out.
According to Homes & Gardens, this is called the Fhi Fho method of continually moving things to places they belong.
You don't even have to place the items exactly where they live. Just get them to the right room. Next time you are there, put them away.
Even if you don't have hands completely full, just taking one thing to its rightful home, tends to add up when you consider the number of trips you make through your house. When you see something, take it with you and put it away, or at least in the right room.