Italy's La Bella Figura concept isn't just about maintaining looks – here's how to easily clear clutter in your home with it for better functionality

When you hear La Bella Figura, you might picture perfectly dressed Italians or elegant strolls through ancient piazzas. It's an Italian idea about making a good impression, presenting yourself beautifully, not just physically, but through your actions and manners.

But while La Bella Figura deeply influences personal style and social graces, its spirit reaches into every part of Italian life, including how homes are kept and presented.

Professional organizers reveal how La Bella Figura can work in tandem with the best decluttering tips to transform your home into a welcoming, harmonious, and beautiful sanctuary.

How 'La Bella Figura' applies to the home

Embracing La Bella Figura in the home is about presentation and respect. It means your living space is always ready to welcome a guest, even if they drop by unannounced.

The idea is that you're more deliberate about what you own, so there's no clutter or excess, making spaces feel light and beautiful, leaving you physically and mentally freer to be your best self.

Francesca Verri, owner of Verri Organized, explains, 'As a first generation Italian, I grew up hearing about La Bella Figura, and experiencing, though every trip to Italy to visit my family, the careful and specific way they prepare both a meal and their home for guests – minimally, yet filled with “enough" to feel welcomed and comfortable.

'The phrase La Bella Figura literally translates to “the beautiful figure”, and people usually think of it in terms of how a person dresses and presents themselves. While this is true in part, I think of it more as a way of living life with your best foot forward.

'It's about being beautiful inside and out, and having all aspects of your life reflect that beauty. And it's about living with enough, not too much, so you can more easily manage your space and life.'

La Bella Figura at home isn't about showing off, but about keeping a standard of neatness, warmth, and subtle beauty. It involves smart decluttering, ensuring every item has its place, and making cleanliness a priority.

It can be applied across many key spaces in the home:

1. 'La Bella Figura' in the kitchen

The kitchen is the heart of the Italian home, and La Bella Figura here means a space that's both practical and perfectly clean. Countertops are clear of extra clutter, letting the beauty of fresh ingredients or a simple espresso maker stand out.

Verri explains, 'In the Italian culture, the kitchen is the place where you gather, connect, and share stories over meals. But if you can’t find the counter to cook a meal or a space at the table to sit and enjoy it, you make it harder to do so. That's why you'll rarely see an Italian kitchen with crowded counters or tables. Everything is in its space – and there's always room to cook!'

To embrace La Bella Figura in your kitchen, Verri says, 'you want it to be more welcoming and functional. One at a time, focus on the two key areas – the countertop and the table. Set a timer for 25 minutes, then sort everything into four piles: keep, move, trash and recycle.'

This is known as the four-box decluttering method.

'At the end of the 25 minutes, take five to clear the decks,' Verri advises. 'Move the trash and recycling to their appropriate spots, and move anything that belongs elsewhere to its respective place. You should be left with just what adds beauty and practicality.'

Verri recommends using the 'Pomodoro Technique' – which our writer tried to great success. 'It's perfect as the Pomodoro time management method was developed by an Italian man: Francesco Cirillo,' explains Verri. 'The goal is to break work into intervals – usually 25 minutes – with a short five-minute break in between. This helps split large tasks into more manageable chunks.'

Much like the ODT method, this simple approach helps bring order to a task that can seem so daunting that it puts people off starting. Don't forget, also, to clear out the areas not so visible.

Maxed-out kitchen drawers and cabinets are likely the reason clutter keeps creeping back into your home.

2. 'La Bella Figura' in the living room

As a place for relaxing and entertaining, your living room shows La Bella Figura through comfort and quiet elegance.

Think neatly fluffed cushions, blankets draped artfully, and maybe a carefully chosen book or two on a coffee table, instead of a pile of old magazines. Remote controls are put away, and surfaces are free of dust. It’s about creating a welcoming atmosphere that feels effortlessly comfortable yet refined.

Karina Toner, operations manager at Spekless Cleaning, explains, 'Applying La Bella Figura to decluttering means focusing on quality over quantity. The goal isn’t sterility or perfection, but charm, intentionality, and pride in your surroundings. Living room bookshelves are perfect candidates for this approach, as they can either elevate or clutter a space.

'To declutter books with grace, first take everything down, dust the shelves and wipe down each item. Group similar items – books, frames, candles, decorative pieces – and remove anything damaged, dusty, or that no longer brings joy.

'Next, limit what goes back up. Choose pieces that align with your taste and create visual balance. Think symmetry, soft edges, and natural tones or materials. Finally, make sure to leave negative space. La Bella Figura appreciates breathing room.'

3. 'La Bella Figura' in the entryway

Your entryway is the first impression of your home, and La Bella Figura means it should be tidy and inviting.

Though there are many stylish entryway ideas, it will likely be clean, elegant, and minimalistic, showing the care you put into your home, making sure visitors step into an organized and welcoming space right away.

Toner says, 'The entryway is your home’s handshake – it should feel both welcoming and composed. Clear the space of shoes, bags, and mail. Wipe down surfaces and sweep the floor.

'Use concealed storage like a basket or drawer to tuck away items that disrupt visual harmony, and keep only what you use daily – one pair of shoes per person, a streamlined key bowl or tray, and a mirror or artwork to elevate the feel.'

Toner recommends Yamazaki's Home Tower 2-Tier Entryway Organizer from Amazon for its slick, white, minimalist design.

She adds, 'Finally, add a scented element – perhaps a reed diffuser or sprig of eucalyptus – to bring in beauty and aroma. Ask yourself: Does this entry make me feel proud to walk in?'

Having a seat for guests to put their shoes on easily will be a functional and vital addition.

4. 'La Bella Figura' in the bedroom

Even in this private space, La Bella Figura promotes a feeling of peace and order. The bed is made every day, surfaces are largely clear, and there is a feeling of calm.

Verri says, 'Similar to the kitchen, bedrooms in Italy only have things in them that are specific to that space. You won’t often walk into a bedroom and find clothes strewn around. All flat surfaces – such as the bed, the floor, and the tops of dressers – are clear.

'To begin enacting La Bella Figura in your bedroom, I suggest a quick tidy of anything that's out and visible but shouldn't be. Where clutter still lingers – perhaps at the bedside table or on top of a dresser, I would again apply the Pomodoro technique to sort and discard what you like and will use from what no longer serves a purpose.'

Verri recommends two key tools for keeping a bedroom tidy and clearing visual clutter from bedroom surfaces.

She says, 'The first is a basic laundry basket to provide an instant “home” for clothes at the end of the day. Having it in your closet makes you less likely to store dirty clothes on the floor! I like the Rubbermaid Large Hip-Hugger from Amazon.'

You can also add a secondary function with Joseph Joseph's handy laundry bin organizer, which comes with two or three sections and is available on Amazon.

'The second tool is more of a process,' Karina says. 'If you ever feel overwhelmed by clutter and don't know where to start, you really must make your bed. You'll start your day with your room feeling tidy, and feel welcomed when you return later.

'Remember that it doesn’t have to be perfect – La Bella Figura isn’t about perfection, just about keeping a tidy, practical space that allows you to more easily put your best foot forward.'

Meet the experts

Francesca Verri

Francesca is a holistic life coach and organizer with more than 20 years of experience using minimalist organizational habits and theories to empower clients to make lifestyle changes that produce real and lasting results.

Karina Toner

With extensive contributions in Homes & Gardens, Real Homes, The Spruce, and many more, professional cleaner Karina has extensive knowledge of both commercial and residential cleaning as operations manager at Spekless.

So there you have it – how to apply Italy's La Bella Figura concept to your home for a tidier, more mindful space.

By focusing on cleanliness, smart organizing, and subtle beauty, you don't just create a good-looking home; you build an atmosphere of calm and harmony that makes daily life better, reflecting the very best of Italian elegance.

Next, learn how to organize any space in six steps for maximum functionality and delve into the benefits of a tidy home.