When researching tips to organize a bedroom, I found most bedroom
organization tips very lacking, and fall into 1 of 3 categories:
- Closet organization tips masquerading as bedroom organization tips. (I have a separate list for those below). Your closet is not your entire bedroom.
- Ridiculous, like using an old desk as a night table. Or even crazier, a full dresser. What? Sorry Martha Stewart and PopSugar, most peoples' bedrooms are not large enough to accommodate a desk (!) as a night table. I also really don't like the idea of, as she advises, to use the desk as another workspace. Does anyone ever sleep anymore? Your bedroom is not for sorting the mail. Unless you live in a tiny apartment and you are forced to organize your space into zones. Even then, I think your work space should be as far away from your sleeping space as possible.
- Focus
too much on decor and beautiful pictures and not enough on actual tips
to organize, declutter and maximize storage space in your bedroom.These bedroom organization tips focus on cutting clutter, organizing
small spaces so they are streamlined, and creating a serene vibe in your
bedroom. The following bedroom organization tips can be applied to
bedrooms large and small.
1. Use the space under your bed wisely.
Under the bed storage is great because it is not visible, but still very easily accessible. You can choose to store just a few items under there--I recommend things like gift wrap, or extra linens in an adult bedroom, and books in a children's bedroom--or you could be strategic and transfer the content of your dresser into rolling bin under the bed to free up space in your bedroom.
Here's a guide to How to Use Underbed Storage Wisely, and yes, I do incorporate some feng shui tips into this guide.
2. Artwork on walls!
Especially if you have a small bedroom, put your artwork on the wall and not on your dresser, nightstand, or vanity. Keep these spaces clear and your bedroom will have a more streamlined look.
3. Break the room down by major pieces of furniture and organize.
Organize the closet, under the bed (remember: always organize and declutter storage space first), dresser drawers, tops of dressers, night table drawers, tops of night tables, armoires, wardrobes, bookcases, etc.
Follow this guide: Bedroom Organization Projects. and check off each one as you complete it.
4. Get your closet under control.
Even if your bedroom is spotless, if your closet is spirally out of control, it will disrupt the calm, serene state of the bedroom.
First things first, tidy up your closet, either by doing a full closet organization, or by doing a quick closet clutter sweep.
5. Consider a blanket rack.
If you have a ton of throws and quilts that you use regularly, and you have the floor space, consider a pretty blanket rack. This will make making the bed, and getting the bed ready at night ("turn down") easier. You won't be tempted to just throw everything on the floor.
The best place to find one is an antique or thrift store.
6. Baskets for pillows.
Same goes for throw pillows. While I have never seen a man with too many things on his bed, women--myself included--like to make the bed as comfortable as possible with throw pillows. Use baskets to contain these while you're using the bed, stripping the bed and doing the wash.
7. Maintain a functional but clutter-free night table.
Rather than import a desk or a dresser (again - *eye roll*) choose a night table that suits your needs while taking up as little space as possible.
8. Make sure you have a hamper in your bedroom.
Either in the closet, next to the closet, or near the closet, a hamper will help clothes to stay in the closet and not spill out all over your bedroom.
Choose one whose look fits your decor - Zen Bamboo Laundry Hamper
- Rhombus Hamper
I personally use this basic white one, because it is just so easy.
9. Finally, a garbage pail.
Again,
locate a small attractive garbage pail to keep in the bedroom. I say
"pail" because a big bin won't work, but you do need a spot to throw
tissues, scraps of paper and all the other small pieces of trash that
make their way into your bedroom.
By Elizabeth Larkin
Personal Organizing Expert
