Bedrooms are meant to feel restful, but certain clutter habits instantly make them feel chaotic, impacting your sleep and forcing a rushed start to each day.
As a professional organizer, I notice the same seven trouble spots again and again in this space. Luckily, each one has a simple, and often quick, fix.
These easy ways to declutter a bedroom target these messy corners to help you restore order and get a better night's sleep.
7 things pro organizers notice in messy bedrooms
1. Clothes on the floor
Nothing screams messy like a 'floor-drobe', and nobody wants to look at piles of clothes on the floor as they start or end the day.
It's a common clothes storage mistake, but clothes on the floor usually mean there isn't an easy system for deciding what's dirty, clean or 'worn once but still okay'.
A simple laundry basket (such as the Joseph Joseph Tita separation basket with lid from Wayfair) and a few hooks or a valet stand (also from Wayfair) can make all the difference and can take some pressure off of your closet organization ideas.
Additionally, having a system in place will help you avoid wearing wrinkled clothing.
2. Full laundry baskets
It isn't just half-dirty laundry that can get in the way of a soothing bedroom. Clean laundry can have the same effect.
When baskets sit full of clean laundry, it often signals overstuffed clothes storage. If there isn't room to put clothes away, they'll stay in the basket.
A good declutter session is in order at this point, so your drawers and closet will be less packed, and you will easily be able to put away your fresh laundry.
If the problem lies in procrastination, consider trying the laundry heap hack and do away with your laundry basket altogether. This prevents doom piles from building.
Alternatively, a collapsing laundry basket, such as the Joseph Joseph Hold-All from Wayfair, can encourage you to put laundry away so that the basket can be hidden.
3. An unmade bed
An unmade bed makes the entire room look messy.
Most people skip it because they feel rushed, but with simple bedding, such as the classic precle sheets bundle from Brooklinen, making a bed takes under two minutes and instantly makes the space feel calmer and more organized.
Think about the joy you get when getting into a freshly made bed at a hotel or at a family member's home. You should have this same experience in your own home, ensuring a good night's sleep.
4. Overcrowded nightstands
When the nightstand becomes a catchall for everything – books, glasses, water bottles, electronics, and charging cords – it tells me there's no clear home for these items.
Limiting what stays on top and using a small tray, such as this marble tray from Target, or drawer organizer, from Walmart, to streamline the nightstand creates instant visual and functional order.
The only items that should remain on your nightstand are those essentials you might reach for in the middle of the night.
5. Items under the bed
When I see clutter under the bed, it usually means the bedroom is carrying overflow from the rest of the house.
Underbed storage ideas should be intentional – such as off-season clothing or bedding – not a dumping ground.
If possible, I try to guide my clients away from under-bed storage, especially if they live in a home with ample closet space.
If you must declutter and organize the areas under the bed, use containers to keep overflow protected and hidden.
These underbed storage bags on wheels from Walmart are ideal for easy access, while these woven underbed baskets, from Target, are perfect if you can see the storage clearly from beneath the bedding.
6. Too many pillows and blankets
Decorative pillows and extra blankets look great at first, and can even make a bed look more expensive when used correctly, but often end up on the floor.
That tells me the function has been lost to style. Paring back to just a few key pieces keeps the bed manageable and the room neater.
For those pillows and blankets you do keep for comfort, consider keeping a large storage basket, such as the handwoven Mercado Baskets from The Citizenry, beside the bed to collect them each night as you go to sleep, and get into the habit of putting them back every morning.
7. Surfaces hidden by stuff
Dressers, chairs, and benches are magnets for piles – mail, bags, or clothes, to name just a few. More often than not, it's a sign that the room lacks proper drop zones.
Clearing surfaces weekly and using small trays or bins, from Target, to corral daily items prevents buildup. When you tackle these common clutter zones, the bedroom quickly shifts from messy to serene.
A few intentional organizing systems go a long way toward creating a space that supports rest instead of stress.
Bedroom organizing essentials
Measuring 8x10x11 inches, these handwoven water hyacinth baskets are ideal for drop zones, shelves, and cabinets.
Vacuum storage bags are ideal for seasonal storage, keeping clothes and household linens safe from pests and moisture, without them taking up valuable storage real estate.
For items you cannot hang, such as sweaters, use zip-up garment boxes with clear fronts so you can still see and access items easily, while protecting delicate items from pests and damage.
These under-bed storage bags on wheels are easy to pull out, and maintain good ventilation for items to prevent mold or musty bedroom smells.
These sturdy wooden hangers support the shape of your clothing and allow for uniformity on the rail, keeping tops and bottoms neatly beside one another.
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These seven clutter traps may also be a sign you have too much stuff in your bedroom to start with, so consider a good declutter and rearrange to help restore balance and ensure good sleep.
