How to Organize a Bedroom — 7 Steps to Clear Clutter for a Peaceful Retreat

The bedroom is a space where you go to unwind and catch up on a much-needed sleep. But having an unorganized bedroom can cause disruption to what should be your home's most restful space. I, for one, cannot sleep probably at night if I know my bedroom is cluttered and messy.

It's time to gather those bedroom storage ideas and put them to use. "Our homes should be a refuge from the chaos of the outside world, a place where we find peace and tranquility, not a space where we feel overwhelmed by excess clutter and stuff," organization expert Courtney Cummings from The Stylish Organizer says. "Having an organized home (with systems in place that work for you and your lifestyle) is the ticket to less stress and more quality time with those that you love. Plus, you’ll always know where everything is, and if that isn’t satisfying, then I don’t know what is."

Organizing your bedroom will change the way your spaces looks and feels. So let's get to work! Here's how you can organize your bedroom, according to professional organizers.

How to Organize a Bedroom

Rather than trying to hide clutter in bedroom, why not try to declutter and organize your space? Trust me, you'll feel a whole lot better knowing that your sanctuary is nice and tidy.

Here are 7 ways you can organize a bedroom — according to the professionals.

1. Reduce & Recycle

If you want to organize a room with too much stuff, it's best to start off by reducing and recycling items that may no longer be of use to you. It can be hard to let go of items, but once you do so — you'll feel so much relief!

"Take stock of your bedroom and think about how you use the space," says organization expert, Courtney Cummings, from The Stylish Organizer. "What items do you love? Which ones do you need and use? I would bet there are items in your bedroom or closet that don’t belong there, and some that happened to end up on top of your nightstand because you never made it back to the kitchen."

Courtney says in order to organize the bedroom, you'll need to remove all those items and return the ones that belong in other spaces. As for things you no longer use, the expert advises that you donate or give these items away. "This is a great approach for the clothes in your closet as well. Studies have shown that we wear 20% of our clothing 80% of the time," she adds. "So, if you are still hanging on to those evening gowns from high school, it might be time to pass them on to the next generation. By minimizing items down to the ones we love, we can eliminate extra visual clutter, free up space, and create a restful spot for relaxing and sleeping."

2. Sort Clothes Into Seasons

Don't forget to tackle your closet space in the bedroom. Those closet organization ideas may need revisiting. Courtney says sorting clothes into seasons will help maximize space and minimize waste. If you closet is overflowing with clothes, it will probably seep into your bedroom floor, bed and so on — and well, no one wants that.

"Closets can be a source of stress and feel overstuffed," explains Courtney. "One way to combat this is to divide your wardrobe into warm weather and cool weather items." If you're seeking small bedroom organization ideas, Courtney says you should consider designating an alternate location, like a basement or garage, to store off-season items in air-tight bins. She continues: "If your closet is large and dreamy, sort your two seasons so that the items you currently wear are closest to the front or center of the closet. Utilize higher shelves to store clothing from the opposite season, keeping quick access to your current threads. This way you can focus on clothing that is weather-appropriate and not be overwhelmed by too many choices."

The expert also strongly suggests you utilize the one-in, one-out rule. "Before bringing in any new items, take a similar one out that you no longer reach for," Courtney adds. "By following this approach, your closet will feel manageable into the future."

3. Discover Hidden Storage

Hidden storage ideas bring versatility and functionality to your bedroom. Your ottoman or beautiful nightstand can be a means of storing those everyday essentials and goods that you may need in your space.

Professional Organizer Melanie Summers, from I Speak Organized tells us: "Look for overlooked storage areas, such as under the bed, behind doors, or storage nightstands." Melanie says we should utilize these spaces for items like seasonal clothing, extra linens, electronics, and maybe even rarely-used accessories.

I mean, who doesn't love dual purpose furniture? Courtney says, "think creatively with your bedroom furniture. Why have a bench at the end of your bed that can’t also serve as a place to store your extra linens? How about a nightstand that also acts as your dresser? If you choose certain pieces wisely, you can get a double bang for your buck without sacrificing precious space."

However, the expert says you should be careful. "Don’t use these extra storage zones to add more stuff to your space," she notes. "Remember, the goal of your bedroom is to be a sanctuary from the outside where you can enjoy a deep and peaceful rest —and maybe a nice glass of wine or a good book."

4. Categorize Dresser Drawers

Your bedroom dresser may need a bit of attention if you're looking to organize your bedroom. "This might sound like an easy piece of advice, because it is," says Courtney. "Come up with categories for your dresser drawers that work best for how you get dressed in the morning."

The expert says designate one category of clothing for each drawer and create a flow that allows you to start at the top and move easily down a column of drawers to grab everything you need. "If your dresser is on the larger side or if your categories are smaller, use adjustable bamboo drawer dividers to separate your socks from your underwear or you tank tops from your t-shirts," Courtney adds.

5. Use Vertical Space

Another great way to organize a bedroom is to use vertical storage, this will allow you to get more from your space and use areas which are often overlooked.

Courtney says one of the most untapped spaces for organization systems is the wall. To get the most out of vertical storage, the expert says you should "use a series of hooks to display and store hats, add floating bedroom shelving to create a feature wall of art or collected items, install a blanket ladder to hold extra blankets for those colder nights. The possibilities are endless!"

She continues "You can also purchase taller furniture, like bookcases and wardrobes that extend up to the ceiling to maximize your vertical space and have the option to keep your items behind closed doors." Ensure you attach your furniture to the wall for safety purposes and follow installation instructions correctly.

6. Use Closed, Coordinated Storage

Storage baskets and bins is certainly a more chic and elevated way to organize a bedroom and organizing professional Courtney agrees.

She tells us that categorizing and containing items goes a long way as it will allow you to create systems that work for you. "However, seeing everything you own on display can be a bit much so opt for closed bins and baskets in the same or similar aesthetic for most of your daily necessities."

"The uniformity of the pieces adds to a sense of calm, and your items are no longer out for everyone to see," Courtney adds. To further organize your bedroom, you can label your bins and baskets for easy access.

7. Start Small

Organizing is by no means a simple task for everyone. Some may find it easier than others, and some might struggle to tackle even the smallest of tasks — and that's okay. Ultimately, you should do what feels right for you and what feels like an easy home organization method.

Getting your bedroom organized can be accomplished in small doses. "If organizing seems overwhelming to you, I recommend you start with something small — a drawer, a basket, a shelf — and then slowly branch out," advises Courtney. "These small spaces can have a major impact on our mood and well-being, plus they don’t take much time at all from start to finish."

As a first step to a clean and more organized bedroom, Courtney says you should take everything out of the space to start your assessment. "Use a countertop, bed, or table to lay out the items. You may be surprised at what you find hidden in the back of that drawer." And once you have decided on what to keep, you can "use appropriate containers, bins, baskets, or dividers to elevate your space and keep yourself accountable."

As a final note Courtney says: "Follow this advice, and I bet you will get the organizing bug. After completing a few little spaces and experiencing how good it feels, move on to larger areas or rooms."

FAQs

 I have too many things in my bedroom — how do i declutter?

The best way to tackle this is by minimizing, editing, or purging, according to Courtney. She says it is "the most important first step on any organizing journey. Once you embark on your path to a more organized you, asses the items in your space."

Courtney says you should ask yourself the following questions: What do you love? What do you use? What do you need? "The goal is that each item in your bedroom has a purpose and is something that you really like. If you don’t use it or need it, or if you really just don’t love it, then sell it, donate it, or give it away to a friend or family member."

She continues: "Once you decide to get rid of an item, make sure it gets to its new home as quickly as possible. Drive to the nearest UPS Store, make a trip to the donation center, or meet up with your friend. Don’t be one of those people who has bags of donations languishing at their front door for months. It will be too tempting to bring those things back into your room, landing you right where you started."

Why is it important to keep a bedroom organized?

"An organized bedroom is more than just a tidy space—it's a personal retreat that nurtures your well-being," says expert organizer Melanie Summers.

By maintaining an orderly environment, Melanie says you create a haven for rest and rejuvenation, fostering better sleep and mental clarity. She adds: "The 'aha' moment comes when you realize how much a serene bedroom can transform your daily life, making it easier to focus on what truly matters."

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