My clutter hot spot is the little bar that separates the kitchen from the living room, it's the first thing you see when you come through the door. I empty my coat pockets, set down my Pepsi or water bottle, etc....I have to clean it off about once a week but since I live alone I have no one to blame but myself. I have a SIL who, when her family was younger, if they wouldn't pick up their stuff or do their chores(like doing the dishes) would clean house by bringing in the garbage can and sweeping the counters and bar clean. Hubby and kids learned to clean up after themselves after a while after a few sets of dishes, pans, car parts, clothing items, etc. had to be purchased again. An extreme method to be sure but it worked.
Cari