Personally speaking, I would say this is key - it is both straightforward and simple because if I keep things off, it will only accumulate (referring to both clutter in physical and emotional space) so I deal with them fairly quickly -

I also like the idea of clearing flat surfaces although I haven't been very successful with my kitchen counter tops so far - a blender, a juicer and a nutri bullet - yup three of those and let's not go to the coffeeeeeeee....