The most serene bedrooms share several things in common: a soft color scheme, a pampering, luxurious bed, soft but adequate lighting, and growing greenery, to name a few. But one thing you’ll never find in a tranquil, calming bedroom is clutter. Disorganization is the enemy of relaxation; it’s hard to drift off into quality sleep when reminders of all the things you haven’t gotten to yet are surrounding you.
Your bedroom is the last thing you see before falling asleep at night, and the first thing to greet your eyes in the morning, so shouldn’t that space be as appealing and welcoming as possible? If your bedroom needs a little bit of help in the organization department, the following nine tips will help you whip things into shape.
Make Your Bed
It costs you nothing, takes only a minute or so in the morning, and is the most powerful tool in your organization toolbox when it comes to making your bedroom look better. When the bed is rumpled and unmade, even an otherwise gorgeous room looks messy. And conversely, when the bed is neatly made, your bedroom looks better, even if other areas of the room could use a little decluttering. So take those extra seconds each morning to straighten your pillows, pull up the sheets, and smooth out your comforter or duvet. Voila, your bedroom just became more organized.
Time for the Purge
You knew it had to be said; before you can get organized, you need to get rid of all those things that aren’t needed, aren’t loved, or aren’t usable. So gather up the clothes and shoes that don’t fit or flatter, the books you’ve already read, the collectibles that you don’t really treasure, the treadmill or exercise ball you swore you’d use every morning but now serves mostly to hold clothes that either belong in the dresser or in the laundry hamper.
Let the Goodwill benefit from your castoffs, because it’s to your benefit as well. Once you get rid of the things you really don’t need, it’s far easier to organize what’s left.
Take Advantage of the Space Under Your Bed
You’ve got several square feet of real estate underneath your bed – why waste it? That space is a prime storage area for shoes, seasonal clothing and sporting equipment, extra linens and other bulky items. Make it easy with under-bed storage boxes, preferably clear so you can see what’s inside without having to open the box, and with handles for easy access. If necessary, elevate your bed a few inches with bed risers. Now you have more clearance for storage.
Conquer the Closet
Make your mornings easier by sorting out your closet. First, get rid of anything that doesn’t belong in the bedroom, along with clothes and shoes you no longer wear. Then invest in a few closet organizers – a shoe rack is a must. Hanging organizers and shelf racks are also useful for sorting accessories, sweaters, and purses. Arrange your clothing by type or season – whichever best suits your needs.
Bedside Storage
While a nightstand that is basically a small table can certainly add a touch of beauty to a bedroom, it’s a waste as far as organization and storage go.
Save the table-style nightstands for the guest room, and choose a model with drawers for your own bedroom. Now you have a spot to stash all the sundries that tend to clutter up the bedside area: Kleenex, lip balms, books, pen and paper, hand cream and the like.
Give Jewelry a Home
A traditional jewelry box makes it easy to sort and store your bling, but it’s not the only option. If you have a large collection of jewelry, show it off on a small, framed piece of pegboard hung on the wall. Store rings and earrings in mismatched china cups, or on a pretty tray atop the dresser.
Don’t Forget the Doors
Install hooks on the backs of your bedroom and closet doors, and use them to hang your bathrobe, jacket, purse, scarves, hats, and belts.
Add a Trunk
If you have enough room, a trunk or storage bench at the foot of the bed is a great spot to stash extra linens or out-of-season clothing.
Plus, it provides a convenient spot to sit and pull on your shoes in the morning. But be careful; don’t let the top of the trunk become another magnet for clutter.
Style Your Dresser Top
Dresser tops have a way of becoming clutter catchalls. Nip the problem in the bud by placing a few baskets or decorative boxes on your dresser to corral small items. Watch for the tendency to dump folded laundry atop your dresser; it only takes a few minutes to put clean clothing away, so make it a habit.