A Professional Organizer’s Guide to Decluttering and Simplifying Your Sleeping Space
Your bedroom should be a place where you can retreat from the world at the end of the day and finally enjoy some rest, peace and quiet. Note the use of the word should, because, unless it is set up correctly it will never be able to do what it is supposed to; offer you a tranquil haven from the world.
As the average bedroom – even an adult one – can get pretty messy , decluttering your bedroom should always be the first task you tackle when creating an organized bedroom that really works. Clutter is more than just an eyesore it’s often a serious source of stress, so until it’s gone your bedroom will never be the relaxing space you want it to be.
What Science Says About Bedroom Clutter
It’s not just professional organizers like me that have negative things to say about bedroom clutter! Science has found that a cluttered bedroom can have negative effects on both physical and mental health. Here are some ways in which a cluttered bedroom can impact health according to science:
Poor Sleep Quality
A cluttered bedroom can lead to poor sleep quality. According to a study published in the Journal of Sleep Research, people with cluttered bedrooms reported poorer sleep quality and more difficulty falling asleep than those with clean and organized bedrooms.
A cluttered environment can cause anxiety and stress, making it more difficult to relax and fall asleep.
Increased Stress Levels
A cluttered bedroom can also increase stress levels. Clutter can make it difficult to find things, create a feeling of overwhelm, and increase the perception of chaos. Chronic stress can lead to a variety of negative physical health effects, including high blood pressure, heart disease, and weakened immune function, as well as all the damage it does to your mental health.
Negative Impact on Mood and Mental Health
Speaking of mental health, a study published in the Journal of Environmental Psychology found that people with cluttered bedrooms reported higher levels of depression, anxiety, and stress than those with clean and organized bedrooms. Clutter can create a feeling of being overwhelmed, which can lead to feelings of anxiety and depression.
Respiratory Problems
A cluttered bedroom can also lead to respiratory problems. Clutter can attract dust, which can exacerbate respiratory problems such as asthma and allergies. Clutter can also reduce air flow, making it more difficult to breathe.
Increased Risk of Accidents
A cluttered bedroom can increase the risk of accidents. Clutter can create a tripping hazard, and items that are piled up or stacked can fall and cause injury. In addition, clutter can make it difficult to navigate a space, especially in the dark.
So it’s not just about aesthetics. Poor sleep quality, increased stress levels, negative impact on mood and mental health, respiratory problems, and increased risk of accidents are some of the ways that science says a cluttered bedroom can impact health.
By keeping your bedroom clutter free and organized, you can create a peaceful and restful environment that supports your health and well-being.
Getting Started With Better Bedroom Organization
Plan Your Attack
Before diving into decluttering, take a moment to plan your attack. Make a list of what you want to accomplish, and determine the amount of time you’ll need to complete the task. Determine which areas of the bedroom you want to tackle first, such as the closet, dresser, or nightstand. This planning will help keep you organized and focused.
Start with the Easy Stuff
Begin your decluttering by starting with the easy stuff. This can include items that are obviously trash or things that you know you no longer want or need. These items might include old magazines, broken items, expired cosmetics, or clothing that no longer fits or that you no longer wear.
Use the Three-Box Method
To declutter effectively, use the three-box method. This involves using three boxes – or big bags – to sort items into three categories: keep, donate, and trash. This method helps you make decisions about what to keep, what to get rid of, and what to donate.
The “keep” box should include items that you use regularly or that have sentimental value. The “donate” box should include items that are in good condition but that you no longer use or need. The “trash” box should include items that are no longer useful, broken, or expired.
Tackle the Closet
The closet can be one of the most challenging areas of the bedroom to declutter. Start by removing everything from the closet and sorting items into the three-box method. Then, evaluate what you want to keep and organize items by category. This could include grouping clothing by type (shirts, pants, etc.), season, or color.
Invest in hangers that match, and consider using organizational tools such as a shoe rack or hanging shelves to maximize space. Store off-season clothing in vacuum-sealed bags to free up space in the closet. Remember to only keep items that you actually wear or use.For more on closet organization, check out this in depth guide I offered here
Declutter the Dresser
The dresser is another area of the bedroom that can become cluttered quickly. Begin by removing everything from the drawers and sorting items into the three-box method. Then, evaluate what you want to keep and organize items by category. Consider using drawer dividers to keep items separated and organized.
To maximize space, fold clothing in a uniform manner and store items vertically. This allows you to see everything in the drawer and avoids the need to dig through piles of clothing to find what you need.
Tackle the Nightstand
The nightstand is often a catch-all for items that don’t have a designated place in the bedroom. It’s where you tend to throw things when you are tired and just want to go to sleep. That’s understandable, but that much clutter right where you sleep is a bad thing.
To avoid clutter, only keep items on the nightstand that you use regularly, such as a lamp, clock, or book. Avoid using the nightstand as a place to store random items such as receipts or change.
Post Bedroom Organization Tricks to Create a Bedroom That Appeals to Your Senses
Ideally your newly organized bedroom should be as appealing as possible as a place to spend time – even if it’s just time sleeping – and to do that it needs to appeal to all five senses. Here are some quick tips to help you ensure that it does just that.
Sound
A bedroom should be quiet, whether you are sleeping or not. That means removing all those noisy electronics (sorry, TVs just don’t belong in the bedroom), muting your cell phone, covering up squeaky, creaky hardwood floors with a plush hardwood rug and adding a white noise machine – or white noise app for your phone- so that you can lull yourself to sleep with relaxing, calming sounds when it is time to go to sleep. No white noise machine? Running a small fan can have the same soothing effect.
Sight
Getting your bedroom lighting right is a must. A huge bright, overhead light should not be the focus of it, instead a layered lighting scheme should be your goal. A layered lighting scheme provides light at different levels for different purposes; add a bedside lamp for reading, consider a few elegant wall sconces for ambient lighting and then add good task lighting around your mirrors so that you can see what you’re doing when getting dressed and making up.
You also need to consider the wattage of the light bulbs you use in your bedroom when trying to create the most relaxing space possible. Most experts say you should opt for soft or dimmable LED lights for the bedroom as they offer a good range of adjustability to suit everyone’s needs.
Additionally, LED lighting is a favorite for its smart features and cost-effective performance. Power-saving LED bulbs last longer and require less electricity, which can save you a lot of money in the long run. You can also get LED lights that can be dimmed, change colors, or even be controlled by Alexa or Google Home- ensuring that the lighting in your bedroom is always perfect.
Scent
A bedroom should either have no scent at all or one that is light and natural. To achieve this keep your bed clothes nicely laundered, make sure you sweep and/or vacuum at least once a week and avoid using those cloying, overpowering aerosol air fresheners. Some are so strong and artificial smelling that they can cause a headache, and they have a tendency to make a dust problem worse to boot.
If you want to add a scent to your organized bedroom try essential oils. A number of manufacturers now offer essential oil diffusers at a very reasonable cost or, alternately, you can add a few drops of your favorite to cotton balls and place them in discreet, non-visible areas.
Touch
When organizing your bedroom make sure you leave behind a number of different textures. A soft rug on the floor near your bed, a chunky knit blanket on your reading chair, and a variety of different throw pillows can all do the trick nicely.
Taste
Most of us like to keep a glass of water at the side of the bed in case we wake up thirsty. Lukewarm water spilled everywhere by your sleepy self is no fun though. The answer? An elegant – but practically unbreakable – water carafe like this one that looks great, works well and even looks nice on the nightstand too!
Organizing your bedroom can be a great way to reduce stress, improve your physical and mental health, and create a more peaceful and restful environment.
By following the steps outlined in this article, you can start decluttering and organizing your bedroom and create a space that feels clean, organized, and inviting.
If you find that you need additional support or guidance, consider reaching out to a professional organizer for assistance. We can provide personalized advice and a wide range of services to help you create the bedroom of your dreams.
Don’t hesitate to contact us for professional organization help, offered in person in the Houston area or anywhere in the world via online virtual organization sessions and take the first step towards a more organized and peaceful bedroom today.
Working with Taya and her team is easy. You can book an appointment easily on her website, or contact her directly at 832-271-7608
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