6 Ways to Declutter and Free Up Space in Your Bedroom

A well-designed bedroom should encourage you to unwind and unplug from the chores and activities of the day and enjoy a deep, restful sleep—but that’s not always the case.

Bedrooms can quickly get messy as clothes, books, bags, and wires take up precious space. Here are six ideas to help you declutter and free up space in your bedroom so that it exudes a sense of serenity and calm that befits a place of rest and rejuvenation.

Customized Wardrobes

Consider having your wardrobe custom-made with just the right number of hanging rods, compartments, and drawers to accommodate the items you want to store.

Consider having your wardrobe custom-made with just the right number of hanging rods, compartments, and drawers to accommodate the items you want to store.

The trouble with store-bought wardrobe systems is that they don’t always meet your needs or fit your space. Rather than purchasing a standard wardrobe, think about the clothing, shoes, accessories, bedding, towels, and blankets that you own. Then, consider having your wardrobe custom-made with just the right number of hanging rods, compartments, and drawers to accommodate the items you want to store. This way, you can find an area that will easily allow for storage without taking up valuable space that you may need for something else. It will also maximize wardrobe space and keep all apparel out of sight.  

Beds With Built-In Storage

Drawers located under your box spring or mattress will not only help keep your room tidy, but they also help free up floor space that would otherwise be allocated for a separate freestanding dresser.

Drawers located under your box spring or mattress will not only help keep your room tidy, but they also help free up floor space that would otherwise be allocated for a separate freestanding dresser.

Instead of letting the space under your bed go to waste, why not design or buy a bed frame with a smart storage system? Drawers located under your box spring or mattress will not only help keep your room tidy, but they also help free up floor space that would otherwise be allocated for a separate freestanding dresser.

Shop the Look
Design Within Reach Line Storage Bed
A customer favorite since its debut, the Line Collection features geometric frames made out of precisely crafted oak or walnut. It's distinguished by its strong horizontal lines that reflect natural landscapes and lend a sense of restfulness and calm.
Design Within Reach Nest Storage Bed
Designed to meet the need for extra storage in compact spaces, the Nest Storage Bed (2014) also holds its own in larger ones. With a mattress platform that rises on smooth-operating gas pistons built to withstand daily use, Nest keeps its storage compartment inconspicuous.


Storage Benches and Ottomans

A storage bench or ottoman at the foot of your bed provides a good place to keep your bed linens, towels, or your duvet in the summer.

A storage bench or ottoman at the foot of your bed provides a good place to keep your bed linens, towels, or your duvet in the summer.

An effective way to introduce seating and extra storage is with a storage bench or ottoman at the foot of your bed. This can be a good place to keep your bed linens, towels, or your duvet in the summer.

Make Your Bedroom a Tech-Free Zone

Unsightly wires, electrical plugs, and chargers that accompany computers and entertainment systems can make your bedroom feel more like an office than a soothing snooze zone.

Unsightly wires, electrical plugs, and chargers that accompany computers and entertainment systems can make your bedroom feel more like an office than a soothing snooze zone.

Make rest a priority in your bedroom by removing your tech devices including televisions, computers, and laptops. Unsightly wires, electrical plugs, and chargers that accompany computers and entertainment systems can make your bedroom feel more like an office than a soothing snooze zone. If you move your technology out of your bedroom, there’s a good chance you’ll be falling asleep quicker than usual. 

Keep Furniture and Decor to a Minimum

Avoid an excess amount of built-in shelving or cabinetry as these can make your room look small and cramped.

Avoid an excess amount of built-in shelving or cabinetry as these can make your room look small and cramped.

Reduce the number of built-in and loose furniture items in your bedroom. Keep small lamps to a minimum—all you need is one desk lamp or a floor lamp, which can double up as a reading light at night. If you want to include a writing desk, choose a small, lightweight piece that you can easily move to another part of your home if needed. Avoid an excess amount of built-in shelving or cabinetry as these can make your room look small and cramped.

Murphy Beds and Stow-Away Furniture

Stow-away furniture is particularly useful if you live in a tiny space and want to use your bedroom for other purposes during the day.

Stow-away furniture is particularly useful if you live in a tiny space and want to use your bedroom for other purposes during the day.

Murphy beds, sofa beds, writing desks that can be hidden away, and nesting side tables are good choices if you want to free up as much space as possible while keeping your bedroom neat and streamlined. Stow-away furniture is particularly useful if you live in a tiny space and want to use your bedroom for other purposes during the day.

Related Reading:

16 Modern Murphy Bed Designs That Magically Create More Space

Michele Koh Morollo
Dwell Contributor
Michele Koh Morollo is a journalist who has been writing about design, lifestyle and travel for the last twenty years.

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