A well-organized bedroom is essential for a peaceful end to your day and restful sleep. Yet, achieving this can be quite a challenge.
It's often easier to shut the door and ignore the chaos rather than dedicate a weekend to tidying up your bedroom. Many of us tend to accumulate excessive clothes and shoes.
Feeling like your bedroom is perpetually messy is common, and it may harm your sleep quality.
Organizing a Bedroom Filled with Clutter
The good news is that it doesn't have to stay this way. We reached out to experts for their top strategies on organizing your bedroom and creating a tranquil space.
Here's what they shared.
Step 1: Envision a Tranquil, Orderly Space
Meredith Goforth, a professional organizer and founder of House of Prim, emphasizes that the first step to organizing your bedroom starts outside of it. She believes that beginning with a clear vision is key to successful bedroom organization.
'Before diving in, take a moment to visualize what you want your space to be and the feelings you aim to cultivate,' Goforth suggests. 'What do you want to do here? How do you want to feel?'
Don't rush this process. Consider what you truly want from your room, and once you're ready, you'll be clear on what needs to change. Goforth assures that visualizing your bedroom as a sanctuary will help identify what doesn't align with that ideal.
Step 2: Clear Out Non-Bedroom Items
Goforth observes that many bedrooms have become multifunctional spaces, which undermines their comfort and relaxation potential and hinders better sleep. She advises that sorting this out is a crucial first step.
'If your bedroom is also serving as an office or gym, it's time to find solutions to relocate those activities to other areas of your home!' she explains.
After you've relocated non-bedroom items, consider investing in effective storage solutions to maintain an orderly environment.
Step 3: Sort Items into Keep, Donate, or Trash
Before you dive into organizing, decluttering is essential. This stage can be daunting, often leading to confusion about what to keep or discard.
Amanda Wiss, founder of home organizing company Urban Clarity, shares her approach. She acknowledges that this process can feel overwhelming but assures that it's completely normal.
'It's personal; what is sentimental to one person might seem like junk to another,' notes Wiss. 'Everyone has their reasons for holding onto certain items.'
As you declutter, work in sections. Create five categories for your items: keep out, keep stored, trash, donate, and maybe. Make quick decisions based on instinct when handling each item.
Wiss advises revisiting the maybe pile multiple times to refine your choices. 'Seeing everything together often clarifies what you should do, saving you time and stress,' she adds.
Step 4: Refine Your Keep Pile
Goforth follows a similar method, which she calls the 'Prim Process', focusing on organizing the items you've decided to keep. She emphasizes the importance of categorizing your belongings into groups to identify duplicates and seldom-used items.
'When you have the complete picture, it's easier to make confident decisions,' she says.
Step 5: Assign Homes for Your Kept Items
Once you've sorted your possessions, designer Breegan Jane advises that the next step is to properly store them. Avoid merely hiding items; instead, find designated spaces for everything.
'Designate specific areas for your belongings,' Jane says. 'For instance, place your jewelry in its box rather than on the dresser. Utilize your space wisely.'
Step 6: Establish a Cohesive Storage System
A straightforward yet effective way to organize your room is by implementing a streamlined storage system. Jane suggests that this doesn't have to consume much space. Measure your area beforehand and choose appropriately sized bins or baskets.
Remember, the aim is not just to create a dumping ground but to build an organized system for your belongings.
'Incorporate baskets into your bedroom and assign each one a specific purpose,' she says. 'This helps achieve order without needing a complete room overhaul.'
Step 7: Organize Your Bed Area
This may seem trivial, but organizing what's on your bed is crucial. According to Jenon Bailie, design director for Room & Board, it's not just about what's on your bed, but rather what isn't.
'For a calming bedroom, choose soft bedding layers,' Bailie recommends. 'Opt for blankets, throws, and pillows in neutral tones to create a serene atmosphere.'
'The way you style your room can greatly influence its ambiance,' Goforth adds. 'Even without clutter, a room can feel chaotic if styling lacks balance.'
Step 8: Utilize Small Trays for Surfaces
While storage solutions like bins and drawer inserts are vital, don't overlook the organization of your surface areas. Bailie stresses the importance of keeping personal items on your dressers and nightstands minimal and organized.
'Keep only a few meaningful items on surfaces, using small trays for organization,' she advises. 'This helps maintain a clutter-free environment.'
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Step 9: Rotate Your Closet Seasonally
If your closet is in your bedroom, Goforth emphasizes the importance of seasonal rotation. This practice enhances visibility and keeps your closet manageable.
'In summer, winter coats and sweaters can become clutter,' she points out. 'This method doesn't require you to discard items but simply provides your closet with breathing room.'
'Seasonal rotation is an effective way to reduce clutter without parting with items,' Goforth adds. 'I prefer to store off-season clothes in under-bed bins.'
Step 10: Choose Multi-Functional Furniture
In smaller bedrooms, opting for furniture with dual purposes is often recommended. Breegan Jane notes that this advice is beneficial for anyone looking to maintain an organized space.
'I love decorative ottomans that offer hidden storage,' Jane explains. 'They add color and texture while providing functional storage. Similarly, credenzas are great for additional storage hidden in plain sight.'
Additionally, a black wooden credenza from Anthropologie can anchor a room while offering surface space for decor or organizers.
This step-by-step approach to organizing your bedroom is effective at any time. If you have a specific area to tackle, start there and see how it transforms your space into a peaceful sanctuary.
