Key Points
- Having a “dump” chair for clothes and other miscellaneous items is one of the major things that can make your bedroom look cluttered.
- Pros recommend keeping your work from home space separate from your bedroom to minimize clutter.
- If you’re a fan of electronics, you probably have a lot of cords around. The fewer chords, the better, for a clutter-free bedroom.
A bedroom is meant to be a relaxing oasis, but clutter can quickly get in the way of that. Whether it’s a pile of clothes at the edge of your bed or an abundance of artwork on the walls, it’s helpful to get rid of what’s not needed so you can achieve what you do need—namely, a calming environment to unwind in.
Still, the task of decluttering can feel daunting, and it’s better to start small than not start at all. So, we tapped two professional organizers for the top items you should avoid keeping in your bedroom so that every time you walk in the space, it feels like an exhale.
Meet the Expert
- Nicole Sachiko is a professional organizer and founder of Tidy Lifestyle.
- MaryJo Monroe is a professional organizer and owner of reSPACEd.
Excessive Throw Pillows
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Many reach for throw pillows to make a bed look more stylish and comfortable. But when there are too many, it can create clutter and end up becoming an eyesore, rather than adding to the design of your space.
“Although it looks nice when displayed, that extra step of work to ‘make the bed’ each morning prevents many people from incorporating this simple habit into their routine,” explains Nicole Sachiko, professional organizer and founder of Tidy Lifestyle.
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A “Dump” Chair
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If you’re a naturally organized person, a plush, overstuffed chair can be a welcome addition to the bedroom.
“But for a lot of people, chairs become dumping grounds for the dreaded ‘clothes I’ve worn once, so they aren’t clean enough for the closet, but aren’t dirty enough for the wash’ pile,” says MaryJo Monroe, professional organizer and owner of reSPACEd.
“So if this tends to be you, we suggest removing the chair from the room and getting an over-the-door hook system for hanging up that category of clothing instead.”
Medicine
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Your nightstand or credenza can feel like the easiest place to keep your medicine. However, Sachiko cautions that it can easily multiply, cause visual clutter, and even get lost when not properly organized.
“Typically, all those small bottles move around easily and make it difficult to find what you need when you need it,” Sachiko says. “Instead, store these in the bathroom or hallway closet where it is easily accessible and contained.”
Electronics
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It might seem obvious, but the bright lights and constant notifications from devices can quickly turn your bedroom from a relaxing oasis to a source of stress.
“Looking at a pile of cords and electronics is anything but relaxing! They can often be subtle (and stressful) reminders of work we have to do, emails we haven’t checked, and people we still need to respond to,” Monroe says. “It’s fine to use your tablet or phone while in your room, but we encourage clients to store them somewhere else in the house at nighttime and while charging them.”
Mail and Documents
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It’s easy to collect piles of paper, whether it’s event invites or your daily mail. However, stowing them in your bedroom will always make it look messier, and you might even forget or misplace important documents.
“They contribute to a feeling of anxiety in your room, because papers often serve as nagging reminders that we have work to do and bills to pay,” Monroe says. “So we like to set up vertical file sorters to corral mail and papers in the kitchen or hallway instead.”
Office Desk
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Many of us are still working from home, so office desks are necessary to have around. However, if you’re able to keep yours separate from the bedroom, it can be helpful, especially since desks tend to accumulate two of the top no-nos in a bedroom: electronics and papers.
“It’s just not a good idea to combine work with your bedroom. Looking at piles of papers and work-related items on your desk when you are trying to go to sleep at night is anything but relaxing,” Monroe says. “And desks can often become catchalls for clutter that also contributes to a cluttery, chaotic feeling in your bedroom.”