Posted by Bensons for Beds on 1st Jan 2020
6 Bedroom Decluttering Tips
You know what they say, tidy room tidy mind! That’s especially important in your bedroom, which should be a place where you go to relax after a hard day. However, compared with the more public spaces in your house, decluttering your bedroom might not always be top of your to do list.
Clutter often builds up in our bedrooms, starting off slowly with a couple of extra items on top of a chest of drawers. Your bedroom often seems like a good place to put things which don’t seem to have a home - after all, not many people see your bedroom.
Before you know it, your bedroom has become a dumping ground and you’re trying to sleep amongst the chaos.
To banish the mess for good and bring a feeling of zen to your space, keep reading for six helpful tips on how to declutter your bedroom and stash away all that stuff.
How can clutter in a bedroom affect us?
Your bedroom is your sanctuary, and it should be a peaceful retreat. The last thing you want on your mind before you go to sleep is piles of mess and disorder. The purpose of your bedroom should be reserved for sleeping, rather than a place to store stuff.
Keeping your bedroom clean and free from clutter can also help to eliminate allergens and bacteria, helping to keep sniffles at bay. [1]
How best to declutter your bedroom
So now you know that a bedroom free from clutter is a better space for you to sleep, it’s time for you to tidy your room!
1. To keep or not to keep
It’s likely that you just have too much stuff in your bedroom so first thing’s first, let’s decide what’s staying and what’s going. For anything that you decide is staying, you’ll need to find somewhere to put it, so have a think about where it could go in your room.
For anything that you’ve decided to get rid of, there are a couple of options. For anything that’s in good enough condition, you could sell it online, on a local Facebook group, eBay or Gumtree.
If it’s in good enough condition but you don’t think it’s worth much, or you don’t want to list it online then you can donate it to charity. This way, your item gets a new lease of life and you’re helping someone out at the same time – win win!
2. Sort through your clothes
Much the same as above but with clothes. Go through your wardrobes and chests of drawers and see if there’s anything in there that doesn’t make the cut. Any clothes which no longer fit you or you haven’t worn for the last year should get the boot.
Speaking of boots, it’s a good idea to sort your shoes out too while you’re at it. Use the same rule as with your clothes and you’ll be thinning out your footwear pile in no time.
If you struggle with letting go of things, then pack them away in a bag first. Leave them for a month and if you’ve not needed them during that time then it’s time to say goodbye.
3. Store away seasonal clothes
There may be clothes that you want to keep but you know you won’t be wearing them for at least a few months, as they’re just not suitable for the weather or the season. These clothes will need a home but they can always be put somewhere which you don’t need to access regularly.
You may have reached the limit of how many clothes you can fit inside your wardrobe but why not store some seasonal bits on top of it instead?
Pop them in a classic vintage suitcase or a couple of baskets, for a stylish and practical bedroom storage solution that’ll stop your wardrobes from bulging and keep your floordrobe clear.
Alternatively, you can use underbed storage or vacuum packs to store your seasonal clothes. Or if you have room in a divan bed drawer (you can choose from lots of drawer configurations, including 2 drawers, 2+2 to make room for bedside cabinets, or 4 large drawers) or within the storage an ottoman bed provides (which is the whole divan base!) this could be the perfect home for seasonal items. This way they’ll take up less room, keep clean and can be stored out of sight.
4.Organise your clothing
Organising your clothing will make items easier and quicker to find, helping you to get dressed more efficiently each morning. Put the same items together so that t-shirts are with t-shirts and dresses are with dresses, etc.
In your drawers, try to layer your clothing when you’re folding and packing it away. This means that each item can be seen and you don’t have to rummage through a whole pile in search of your favourite black t shirt.
Stick to keeping certain items in drawers where other items can be hung up. For example, socks, underwear and jeans may be kept in drawers, whereas dresses and shirts can be hung up in your wardrobe. This means that you’ll instantly know where to find what you’re looking for.
5. Décor declutter
While you’re having a sort out, don’t forget to look at the décor items that you have in your bedroom too. Assess whether you really love each item and if you don’t then let them go. Removing unnecessary décor and ornaments can really help your space to feel instantly calmer and more spacious.
6. Keep up your good intentions
It’s ok clearing up the clutter once but how can you stop it from building up again? You’ll need to commit to keeping surfaces clutter-free. Keep only the most essential items out on surfaces and be sure to tidy other things away as soon as they appear there.
Scheduling in a regular time each week to clean your bedroom will help you to stay on top of the clutter while there are things that you can do each day too. Simply making your bed will help your bedroom to seem tidier.
Storage options to keep on top of the clutter
The best way to keep clutter at bay is to ensure that you have plenty of storage available so that there is a place for everything to go. A place for everything and everything in its place!
Here are some of our top storage solutions for clutter:
Bedside tables
Bedside tables are so useful aren’t they? Not only is it somewhere to put your book down before you fall asleep but they can also be used as additional bedroom storage. Choose styles with drawers underneath to give you extra space to put your precious things.
Ottoman box
Penelope Ottoman Storage Box - available in various colours
A blanket or ottoman box is a great piece for banishing clutter. Place it at the end of your bed and you can pop blankets, pillows, clothes and shoes in it. Add cushions and throws to create a makeshift seat. Well, you’ll need somewhere to put your feet up after all this decluttering!
Drawer dividers
Keeping your drawers organised can feel like a lifelong challenge. They soon get filled to the brim with different things, making it impossible to find what you’re looking for. Invest in some drawer dividers or boxes which you can place inside the drawers.
These will help you to group similar items together and you’ll be able to find what you need more easily.
Underbed storage
If you’re struggling for floorspace, then make the most of the area underneath your bed. Our divan beds come with options for built in drawers for easily accessed space, while the tops of our ottoman beds lift up so that you can use the entire space underneath.
Have a bed frame instead? Slide some storage boxes underneath and hey presto – you’ve got some subtle bedroom storage.
Ravenna Underbed Storage Box Available in 3 Colours
Make use of awkward spaces
If you’re living in an older house, chances are that you’ve got some odd alcoves in your bedroom. Awkward nooks and crannies don’t need to go to waste, you can even work around sloping ceilings with some clever furniture.
Try slim wardrobes and wall shelving to make use of any small gaps that might otherwise go unused. Sliding wardrobes are great for tight spaces too, because you don’t need to open the doors outwards. Don’t forget to measure your available space and any furniture before you buy it, to double check that it will fit.
A coat stand is a great way to make use of an awkward corner and free up room in your wardrobe. Zip coats and jackets away in a vacuum bag and pop them under the bed once the colder season is over and then you’ve got space on the stand for accessories and bags instead!
The best way to clean your room
Once you’ve decluttered your bedroom and you’re down to the essentials, it’s time to think about cleaning your bedroom. You should give your bedroom a thorough clean at least once a week, although you may want to do smaller bits of tidying each day. [2]
Each week you should aim to dust all surfaces, change your bed sheets, and have a good hoover round, including vacuuming your bed and mattress. For more tips, check out our article for advice on how to look after your bedding
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