How to Organize Your Bedroom to Make It a Sanctuary

Even the smallest bedroom can become more relaxing with some smart organizing strategies.

Bedrooms tend to be the resting place of a lot of clutter—which can make figuring out how to organize a bedroom a bit tricky. Whether you have a crammed-full closet, or a paper problem in a home office tucked into your bedroom space, all that clutter can make it hard to relax and get a good night's sleep.

We tapped organizational pros Joanna Brumberger of An Edited Space and Jennifer Truesdale of STR8N UP Professional Organizing Services to share their best strategies for cleaning up your bedroom and turning it into a sanctuary where you can relax and unwind.

Keep out clutter that doesn't belong

When you're sorting through stuff in your other rooms, stuff that doesn't have a home has a tendency to wind up in your bedroom. "This space can become a catchall," Brumberger says. "Bedrooms are often filled with clutter, dirty clothes, confiscated toys, and so much more."

So make a rule about what belongs here—is it just clothing, a few books, and a few personal care products? Or do you need to include paperwork and your home office in the space? Knowing exactly what does—and doesn't—belong can help you more easily sort your stuff.

Related: 7 Things to Declutter in Your Bedroom Before Fall

Understand your (and your partner's) organizational styles

"One of the biggest challenges I have seen over the years with bedroom organization is when two people share a space that don’t have and maintain a common vision for it," Truesdale says. Have a sit-down with your partner to discuss how you plan to use the bedroom, and what it'll take to keep it in shape.

"Defining the challenge or problem, creating a solution, and setting up a maintenance plan is key to a successfully organized space," she says.

You may need to use multiple bedroom organization strategies to meet both your needs and your mate's, and keep your clutter under control. "Do you prefer to fold your clothes, hang your clothes, or just throw them in a drawer willy-nilly?" Truesdale says. "Create your solutions based around what will work best with what you’re willing to do for maintaining the organization."

Purge your closet ruthlessly

Clothes take up the bulk of the bedroom space—and can easily end up tossed over a bedside bench or crammed into the closet. So the first order of business: Get rid of everything you can.

Start by getting rid of anything that's torn, stained, and unrepairable—or anything that doesn't suit your current lifestyle (like office wear if your work's gone casual or fully remote).

"Only put things in your closet or drawers that currently fit you, that you love, and that would be a good option to wear," Truesdale says. "If you don’t really like the way they fit or you always choose something else instead, then these items should be considered as an option to let go." If you have items that don't fit, but you are hoping to fit into someday, move them out of the closet and into bins that you can store under your bed or in your attic or basement. (Though make sure you put a time limit on how long you're going to store those too-tight jeans—after a year or two, it's time to part with them.)

Related: How to Organize a Walk-In Closet—So You Can Live Out Your Tidiest Fantasy

Clear the floor

The floor can tend to be a last-resort stash spot for piles of clothes (clean or dirty), stacks of paper, or a jumble of shoes. Tending to these messes can make a big impact on the serenity of your space. "An empty floor breeds a feeling of space and movement," Truesdale says.

Consider your personal care products

While beauty products often find their home in the bathroom, many end up in the bedroom. The solution: Take a moment to purge out anything that's expired, that you don't use, or that belongs in the bathroom, then find a home for everything that's left—ideally, not on your bedroom dresser top. "Keep what’s on the surfaces very minimal to feel less visually distracting," Truesdale says.

Related: The 12 Best Makeup Organizers of 2023

Choose organizational products carefully

Once you know what you're keeping, it's time to figure out how to store it. Sticking with a single color scheme or type of organization can help your room feel more put-together and a whole lot more serene. "Matching hangers, shoe racks, and bins and baskets always lead to a more zen feeling," Brumberger says.

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Opt for closed storage

The quickest way to add a little zen to your space? Keep all that clutter out of sight. Closed storage is great for reducing visual noise and creating a more relaxing bedroom. "Some storage should be behind closed doors," Brumberger says. "This way you don't have to see everything you have." That's especially important if your bedroom is doubling as a home office. Choose a desk that offers drawers and cabinets for storage—and even, ideally, a way to hide the computer (such as an armoire desk or one that can be tucked away in your closet) so you don't have that constant reminder of your work to-dos.

Fight nightstand clutter creep

Your nightstand can quickly become a clutter magnet, as you pile on books and magazines you're reading, beauty products, water glasses, and other essentials. Truesdale recommends paring your reading pile down to a maximum of three items, and reviewing what's on your nightstand every month to see what can be stored elsewhere.

Choose multitasking furniture

"Eliminate unneeded pieces from the space whenever possible to make your room feel bigger," Truesdale says. You'll find plenty of clever furniture pieces that can serve double duty, like a storage bench at the foot of the bed that can store blankets, extra bed linens, or sweaters; a nightstand with drawers to hold your nighttime essentials; or a desk with enough storage that you can clear the surface every night and use it as a side table.

Use vertical space wisely

If space is at a premium in your bedroom, find ways to use every inch—such as featuring a wardrobe, dresser, or shelving unit that's on the tall side.

Make regular purging dates

Once you have your bedroom in tip-top shape, you'll need to maintain it. Brumberger recommends seasonal surveys of the clothing situation, and regular reviews of other items in your bedroom. "Even purging a small bagful of clutter from the top of your dresser will make a difference in how your space feels."

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