‘Clutter creates bad energy’ – Ways to declutter your bedroom for a happier space
We're sorry, but you might have too many throw pillows on your bed.
We’re not sure who first made the connection between a tidy space and a tidy mind, but they were definitely on to something. It's one of the main reasons it’s a good idea to keep on top of bedroom organization. After all, a calm, relaxed space is the best way to carry you into a restful night’s sleep.
Whether you’re trying to quiet your overactive brain or just want a neat room, one of the first steps toward achieving the clean and organized bedroom of your dreams is by decluttering a bedroom.
Sometimes, though, it’s nearly impossible to know where to start... or what to get rid of, but our bedroom decluttering rules are here to help.
BY ASHLEY CHALMERS
Give your closet more than just a clear-out.
In your plans to make space, it’s likely you’ve already realized you need to get stuck in with some closet decluttering. But Wiss says it’s not as simple as just removing items. She also suggests beautifying your closet with one simple trick: uniform hangers.
‘I think you get a huge bang for your buck by changing over to all matching hangers in your closet,’ says Wiss. ‘I love ivory-colored velvet hangers and firmly believe that matching hangers, all hung in the same direction, is a very quick and relatively inexpensive way to overhaul any closet for a calm and organized vibe.’
Stop storing clothes on that chair in the corner.
Anyone who has a chair in their bedroom knows how quickly it becomes a clothes dumping ground. It’s a near-impossible habit to break!
That’s why designer Breegan Jane says it’s important to not always find a home for everything, but actually make use of those homes.
‘Put your shirts in the right drawer instead of leaving them on that chair in the corner!’ she says. ‘Assigning spaces for your things and then being mindful about always placing them where they belong will keep the space free and clear.’
Toss (or donate) those throw pillows.
It’s possible someone in your life has already told you this, but you might have too many throw pillows. Wiss says less is more, and we tend to agree!
‘A few carefully chosen decorative pillows add texture and color, but at some point the scales tip and too many pillows just end up adding to the cluttered and chaotic feel,’ says Wiss.
Check under the bed.
When you think of decluttering, you probably think of all the spots you see regularly – inside drawers and closets, on top of dressers. But Wiss says there’s one highly ignored zone that deserves your attention: under the bed storage.
‘This is often a place where items go to die,’ says Wiss. ‘Make sure you know what lives under your bed, and go through what's there with a judicious eye. Do you really need it taking up physical and mental space in your home?’
Wiss also refers to this space as a holding area. ‘You know deep in your heart that these things can probably be thrown out or donated, but you're holding on to them just to be sure you don't need them, just one more time...’ she says, and the subtext is clear: donate or toss!
Assess your color palette.
Another way to declutter your room – at least visually – is to determine if you’re overdoing it aesthetically. Maximalism and its related aesthetics can be beautiful elsewhere in the house, but your bedroom might be a space where keeping it neutral pays off.
‘Go with white bed linens, a neutral color palette, and white walls,’ says Breegan Jane. ‘Bedrooms are our sanctuaries, and we want them to feel serene. Often adopting a neutral color palette helps to provide a calming effect to our systems. It’s everything you need to create a relaxing and peaceful atmosphere!’
Manage your cords.
We have all read the advice. It’s bad to sleep with tech anywhere in the room, let alone next to your bed. Unfortunately, it’s a habit many of us find hard to break, but Jenon Bailie, Design Director for Room & Board, says the least we can do is get all our cords under control.
‘Cord management helps reduce the feeling of unruly cords,’ says Bailie. ‘Using both closed and open storage can help to hide away the things you don't want to see.’
This is especially true if you’re using multiple chargers for multiple devices, and find your bedside table can’t handle all the clutter. Taking a minute to do a little cable organization will leave things more zen.
Ensure everything has a home.
This one might sound obvious, but creating a home for everything really is the key to keeping your room clutter-free. If you’ve done a full declutter, ask yourself if you really need the item that doesn’t have a home. If you do, does it need to stay in your bedroom, or can you keep it somewhere else in your home?
‘Clutter creates bad energy,’ says Bailie. ‘Reduce it by ensuring everything has a home!’
A look at easy ways to declutter your bedroom and create a more calming space for healthier sleep.