Clear Bedroom Clutter: Smart Ways To Streamline Your Space

A cluttered bedroom can be a source of stress and poor sleep. To create a calm and relaxing space, it's important to regularly declutter and organise your bedroom. This involves clearing flat surfaces, making your bed, getting rid of unnecessary items and utilising storage solutions. By committing to a few simple habits and making small changes, you can transform your bedroom into a peaceful and clutter-free sanctuary.

Clear flat surfaces

Clearing flat surfaces is a great place to start when decluttering your bedroom. It's all about tackling the small stuff, and it will make a big difference in the overall look and feel of the room. Here are some detailed tips to help you clear those flat surfaces:

Start with Nightstands and Dressers

Remove any items that need to be thrown away or recycled. Put things that are out of place in a "catch-all" bin and return them to their proper rooms. Place dirty clothes and linens in a hamper, and return any clean clothes to the closet. If you have time, go through the drawers in your nightstand and dresser, sorting items into the recycling and catch-all bins.

Clear Off Shelves and Tabletops

Paring down items on display and finding better storage solutions for items like keys, wallets, and jewelry will help create a more serene and restful space. Ask yourself if each item is necessary and contributes to a relaxing atmosphere. If not, relocate it to another room or find a better storage solution.

Keep Nightstands Clear

Your nightstand should be as clear as possible. It's the last thing you see before you sleep, so make sure it helps clear and relax your mind. Only keep essential items on the surface, such as a lamp for ambient lighting, your current book, a candle, and a small dish for jewelry and glasses. Don't forget to deal with cords by hooking them to the back of the nightstand to keep them out of sight.

Utilize Containers and Trays

Use trays, bowls, and lidded boxes in various sizes to corral loose items on dressers and grooming spaces. These can help decorate and declutter surfaces while keeping your personal items organized and hidden.

Make it a habit to quickly clear and wipe down flat surfaces in your bedroom regularly. This will help maintain a calm and relaxing atmosphere and prevent clutter from building up. It will also be easier to notice and appreciate the items you choose to display.

Make your bed

Making your bed every morning can make a big difference in how organized and productive you feel throughout the day. It doesn't have to be a time-consuming process, and it will immediately give your bedroom a sense of order and calm. Simply straighten out the sheets and fluff up your pillows to make your room look neater and more put-together.

When making your bed, consider each layer of bedding. If your top sheet always ends up on the floor, discard it. If you find throw pillows annoying, get rid of them. If you usually make your bed with two blankets but only need one, stick to one. Removing these steps from your bed-making process will not only help you declutter your bedroom but will also help you tidy it faster in the future.

If you're constantly struggling with wrinkled sheets or lumpy pillows, consider investing in some quality bedding. This might include upgrading to a more comfortable and practical material, or simply replacing old bedding that has passed its prime.

Making your bed every day will also encourage you to keep the rest of your space neat. It will motivate you to put dirty clothes in the hamper and return clean clothes to the closet or drawers. It will also inspire you to keep your nightstand clear of clutter, with only the essentials you need for switching off and getting a good night's sleep.

Remove unnecessary decor

When removing unnecessary decor, it's important to remember that less is more. Too much decor can make a room feel cluttered and cramped, so it's essential to be selective and only include pieces that enhance the space. Here are some tips to help you remove unnecessary decor from your bedroom:

Start by assessing the purpose of your bedroom. The primary function of this space is to provide a place for rest and relaxation, so any items that detract from this atmosphere should be removed or relocated. This includes paperwork, homework, or anything related to your profession or education. By keeping these items out of your bedroom, you create a calm and relaxing environment conducive to sleep.

Next, evaluate your current decor and ask yourself: "Does this item bring me joy or contribute to the calm atmosphere I want to create?" If the answer is no, it's time to let go of it. This may include outdated pictures, unused lamps, or any decorations that no longer serve a purpose. Be ruthless in your editing, and only keep the pieces that truly resonate with you.

To maintain a sense of minimalism, aim for one decorative item on each flat surface. This could be a statement vase, a framed photo, or a beautiful alarm clock. Any additional items should be stored away to create a sense of visual simplicity. Remember, you can rotate your decor periodically to keep the space feeling fresh and intentional.

When it comes to surfaces like nightstands and dressers, adopt a "less-is-more" approach. These areas tend to accumulate clutter, so be mindful about what you keep on them. Position a lamp for ambient lighting, and add only the essentials, such as a book, a candle, or a small dish for jewellery and glasses. Don't forget to tame those cords by keeping them hidden or tucked away.

Finally, consider the overall aesthetic you want to achieve. Choose decor that complements your style and creates a cohesive look. Beautiful containers, baskets, or boxes can be used to corral loose items while adding a decorative touch. Opt for pieces that offer both form and function, enhancing the visual appeal of your bedroom while providing practical storage solutions.

Organise drawers and closets

To organise drawers and closets, start by dumping out the contents of each drawer one by one onto a flat surface. Sort through the contents and divide them into several categories: keep, toss, and donate.

For the 'keep' pile, assign each drawer a purpose and group similar items together as you put them back. For example, you could have one drawer for socks, and another for underwear. Use drawer dividers to keep each category of item separate and easily accessible.

For the 'toss' pile, throw away any clothes that are past their prime.

For the 'donate' pile, bag up any clothes you haven't worn in a year and take them to a thrift store or charity.

Next, turn your attention to your closet. Take everything out and sort items into the same three categories: keep, toss, and donate. This includes shoes, handbags, jewellery, and other accessories. As you return items to your closet, organise them in a way that makes sense to you, such as placing similar items together or arranging them by colour.

Clean your bedroom

Step 1: Clear flat surfaces

Start with the small stuff. Begin by tackling all the flat surfaces in the room, including the tops of your dresser, nightstand, desk, and any shelves. Throw away all the garbage and move items to their appropriate homes. Ask yourself the following questions while decluttering bedroom surfaces:

• Do you use it every day? If not, move it to a new room.
• Does the item help you create a relaxing space? If not, relocate it.
• Does it belong in your bedroom? If not, relocate it.

Step 2: Make your bed

Consider each layer of bedding. Remove any layers or accessories that don’t add to your comfort while in bed. If the beauty of the throw pillows doesn’t outweigh their annoyance, get rid of them. Don’t put on a top sheet if it will end up on the floor later.

Step 3: Remove unnecessary bedroom décor

Take a look around your room. Do your decorations help you create a space that makes you feel calm? Collect any décor that doesn't serve this purpose, such as older art or an unused lamp. A good rule of thumb is to only have one item of décor on each flat surface.

Step 4: Organize drawers and closets

Starting with your dresser, dump drawers one at a time onto a flat surface, like your newly made bed. Sort through the contents and get rid of any clothes you haven’t worn in a year. Donate these to a thrift store or charity. Throw away clothes that are past their prime. Place items that don’t belong in your bedroom in a box to be relocated. If it doesn’t have a place in your home, consider getting rid of it.

Once you’re done with your dresser, continue your bedroom decluttering by following the same sorting and organizing steps for other drawers in the room, including your nightstand and desk. After clearing out drawers, move on to the closet and repeat the process. Sort items into keep, toss, and donate, including shoes, handbags, jewellery, and other accessories.

Step 5: Clean your bedroom

Once you’re done with your DIY bedroom organizing, thoroughly clean your bedroom. Dust and clean all flat surfaces, picture frames, and décor. Pull everything out from under your bed, sort, and return items to their correct homes. Wash windows and wipe blinds.

Keep your bedroom clutter-free

• Make your bed every morning.
• Take 30 minutes each week to focus on decluttering your bedroom.
• Keep the floors clean and clear of clutter.
• Weed out your clothes closet regularly.
• Use trays, bowls, and baskets to contain clutter.

Frequently asked questions