16 Bedroom Storage Ideas to Maximize Your Space

Organize your space once and for all with these expert-approved tips.

Your bedroom—the place where you begin and end each day—should be a personal oasis that's kept tidy and serene. But if your space doesn't have smart storage solutions, it can easily get messy with stray clothes, shoes, jewelry, and even items that belong in other areas of your home. If you're ready to learn how to organize your bedroom once and for all, consider these top storage tips—ultimately, they'll help you transform your room into the space you've always wanted.

Meet the Expert

• Melissa Maker, cleaning expert and founder of Clean My Space

• Darla DeMorrow, certified professional organizer and owner of HeartWork Organizing

• Meredith Goforth, the founder of House of Prim

Related: 20 Small Bedroom Ideas With Big Impact

Use the Top of Your Closet

Utilize the often under-appreciated area at the very top of your closet. "You can maximize that space by getting storage bins," says Melissa Maker, cleaning expert and founder of Clean My Space. "Or, if you're up for a DIY project, you can raise the bar to a comfortable height where you can still use it, and then install a lower bar and quickly double your closet space."

Related: How to Organize Your Closet in 6 Easy Steps

File Instead of Stack

When storing items in bedroom dresser drawers, they should be filed horizontally instead of stacked. "When you stack items, you can't see what's at the bottom and that stuff usually gets forgotten. When you file them, you can see everything so that it all gets even wear," says Maker.

Minimize Items on Surfaces

The best rule of thumb to organize your bedroom is to keep surfaces clear of unnecessary items. "For any tabletop surfaces in the bedroom (dresser, nightstand, and so forth), try to keep items on there to a minimum if you want your bedroom to be a serene space," Maker says.

Avoid Using Catch-Alls

While it might be tempting to leave items like jewelry or loose change in a catch-all, try keeping just your essentials on display. "I would say to have a 'zero catch all' rule. While trays, bowls, and baskets look nice, they encourage us to throw things in there that otherwise wouldn't have a home," says Maker. "For example: on my nightside table, I have a tray that holds hand and foot cream that I put on before bed, earplugs, and my jewelry. But I don't use it for anything else."

Buy Furniture with Storage Features

Like all furniture with multiple purposes, storage ottomans and storage benches are very useful. "They're great because they can go at the foot of the bed and double as a piece of furniture," says Maker. "They can be used to store bulky items too. If you want a more rustic version and you're looking to up-cycle, you can get a cedar chest."

Store Clothing Properly

It's important to store clothes properly to maintain their longevity. "Garment bags for dressier items like dresses or suits, and anything that requires breathability such as down jackets," says Maker. "Other clothing can be stored in air-tight containers or vacuum-sealed bags."

Buy the Right Dresser

Choose a dresser that works for your space and garments. "Underwear, socks, and bras really want to be in some sort of drawer, but not so deep that they get lost in there," says Darla DeMorrow, certified professional organizer, owner of HeartWork Organizing, and author of the best-selling book series SORT and Succeed. Drawers with a 4 to 6-inch depth are ideal. "Anything deeper, and things get piled on top of each other, making it hard to find your favorite socks, even with drawer dividers," she says.

Manage Out of Season Clothes

Try finding space in your closet for out-of-season clothes rather than storing them in a forgotten bin. "Use the very high shelves and the dark, awkward corners for storage," DeMorrow says. "You probably need less space than you think, though, since your fuzzy sweaters can occupy an eye-level shelf during the winter, while your shorts sit up on the high shelf, then swap them at the end of the shoulder season (spring and fall)."

Opt for Custom Storage

If it's time for a renovation or remodel, getting a custom closet is a great way to fit your storage options to your needs. "Maximize your closet from floor to ceiling and wall to wall, so you have space for things you own," says DeMorrow.

Use Under Bed Storage

Don't be afraid to use the area under your bed for extra storage. "Under-bed storage can be a transformative way to manage out-of-season items or shoes,"  says Meredith Goforth, the founder of House of Prim. Use a clear bin with wheels so it's easy to access and see all of its content.

Related: These 10 Bed Frames With Storage Will Help You Organize Your Bedroom Once and for All

Replace Your Hangers

Don't underestimate how much room bulky plastic hangers can take up in your closet. "I always suggest replacing them with matching slim velvet hangers for an instant difference," says Goforth. "They create more space and help keep clothes from slipping off hangers and ending up on the floor."

Keep Your Bedroom Strictly a Bedroom

Avoid making your bedroom double as an office, laundry folding room, or storage room. "If your bedroom is doubling as other rooms of the home, the most impactful thing you can do is move those activities elsewhere," says Goforth. "The solution
for your bedroom can actually lie in solutions in other areas of the home (move your workout gear to the garage, set up a folding table by your laundry room, etc.)."

Use Dividers

Keep your drawers tidy by using dividers. "I love using dividers to keep items accessible and neat," says Goforth. "They help when it comes to maintaining drawer organization over time, which prevents overfilling.

Maximize Vertical Storage

Utilize vertical space for storing jewelry, hats, purses, and more. "Of course you’ve seen hooks on backs of doors," says DeMorrow. "There’s often a tiny sliver of wall space inside closets where hooks can add organization for necklaces, purses, scarves, and even camisoles or bras."

Add Light to Your Closet

A dark corner of a closet can quickly accumulate with stray clothes and shoes. Eliminate this problem by adding a light to your closet. "When the entire closet is visible, it feels bigger, and even those corners are more useful," says DeMorrow. "The one-time hassle of hiring an electrician is nothing compared to the joy of always being able to see what’s in your closet."

Opt for a Captain's Bed

Turn your bed into a "captain’s bed" to maximize all the space underneath by swapping your bed for a base with storage drawers. "You can often get the equivalent of a full dresser underneath your mattress," says DeMorrow. "Make sure all the drawers open easily without bumping into a nightstand or other furniture."

Related: These 10 Bed Frames With Storage Will Help You Organize Your Bedroom Once and for All

Read the original article on Martha Stewart.