Organizing Your Bedroom

Studies have shown that you spend one third of your life sleeping.  I am sure if you are a new parent that statistic sounds outrageous because you feel lucky to get three hours.  A bedroom should be a place you seek you comfort, rest, relaxation, rejuvenation, and just all out that “awww” feeling.  Most bedrooms in America are cluttered, cramped, uninviting, and plain gross.  If I just described your room, have no fear, we have some easy steps for you to get started on to make your bedroom a retreat space instead of a hoarders fantasy.

Step 1: Determine How You Are Going To Use The Space

Our bedrooms have become a multi functioning room.  They are no longer your grandparent’s room with separate beds and tiny closets.  Rooms now have big, oversized beds, clothes falling out of drawers and closets, and piles in every corner.  We know you don’t mean for it to look this way, you try putting things back, but lets face it, at the end of the day you are tired and all you want to do is climb in that big oversized bed of yours.

Does your bedroom double as a work out space, an office, a laundry room, a filing cabinet, etc.  Ask yourself if there is any other space in your home that you can use for any of these activities.  Can a small part of your dining room be turned into a home office, can you set the ironing board up in another room.  Once you determine how you are going to use the space in your bedroom it will be easier to determine what stays and what goes.

Step 2: Clean It Out!

Now that you have decided on the functionality of the space, get to cleaning.  If you are going to buy a filing cabinet and put all that paperwork somewhere else, then move the paperwork out of your room.  Same with laundry, exercise equipment, kids toys, etc.  Only leave in your room what you are going to use on a daily basis.  Once you have taken care of the clutter, move onto the clothes.  This step can be a big job.  Break it up if you need to.  Maybe take one day to clean out the stuff, and one day to sort through your clothes, and shoes.  If you feel overwhelmed, literally take it hour by hour. 

A good rule of thumb for clothes and shoes is the year test.  If you have not worn it in a year, chances are you will never wear it again.  We all have exceptions to this, like a men’s tuxedo, or a ladies fancy dress.  Clearly keep these items if you feel like you will use them again and they still fit.  But for your common everyday shirts, pants, etc, get rid of some stuff.  It may be time for a rummage sale after you have cleaned out your kitchen, bathroom, and now your bedroom. 

Step 3: Make It Your Own

We all have visions of what relaxation looks like.  Maybe for you it’s a certain color, for someone else it may be a piece of art on the wall.  Whatever that looks like try and make it happen.  For me personally, relaxation comes in the form of organization.  I am more relaxed when things are in their place, nothing is thrown on the floor, and possibly my clothes hanging up for the next day all set to go.  Does this always happen?  No, not every night.  But if I can continue to keep my room organized and clutter free, I am setting myself up to win on the relaxation front. 

Do you find jewelry spilling out on top of your dresser?  Come up with a neat and creative way to display it, but also make it functional so you can get to that favorite piece when you need it.  Are your shoes in a pile?  Find a simple over the door shoe hanger to help, or get a rectangular plastic tub on wheels to slide under your bed.  Remember to rotate your shoes with the different seasons.  Older houses might have smaller closets, but there a lot of simple, inexpensive solutions to that problem.  If you can afford to buy a new dresser or an armoire, this may be the most appealing to the eye option, but if not, look around at some organizational stores or chain stores to find some racks to hang your clothes on.  Another option would be install a new closet organizer.  You may think your closet is too small, but you will never know unless you try.  Go to a home improvement store with the measurements of the space and see if they can help you.

Whatever you need to do to make your bedroom what you want it to be, just do it.  You might not be able to afford a big expensive makeover, so do it piece by piece.  Your bedroom should be a restful place where you can come at the end of the day to unwind, relax, and get a good night of sleep.