At the beginning of the year, like clockwork, I feel a sudden desire to get organized. There is a desire to rationalize everything before the madness of work and life takes over. Plus, there’s something strangely satisfying about a Closet on Kondo levela carefully edited article low tableAnd start the week meal prepared. But one space that is often overlooked is the one reserved for you: the bedroom. So today we turn to a master of intentional living, Shira Gil not only to share her best bedroom organization ideas, but also to elevate the start of each day.
An organizational expert, lifestyle blogger, and author of two books, Gill transforms the act of getting rid of clutter into an almost meditative act of self-care. Seemingly endless scientific studies found a correlation between a clean space and productivity (plus: less stress and sleep better). But for the Berkeley, Calif.-based mom, it’s not just about getting rid of stuff, it’s also about empowering herself in her space.
Featured image of our interview with Rémi Ishizuka.
Game-Changing Bedroom Organization Ideas
Before we dive into an exclusive excerpt from Gill’s book, here’s a look at the bedroom organization ideas that keep our spaces clean and, in turn, our energy calm.
- Think about the visual And mental disorder. It’s not just about what you see, but also the impact that clutter can have on you mentally and even emotionally. Piles of paper preventing you from using your desk productively? Sort them. Do you have tons of unread books piled up on your nightstand? Select a reading that you will achieve for each night. By getting rid of our clutter, we can use our space in a more aligned and productive way.
- Organize yourself around your routine. Is there furniture in your room that is part of your daily life? Give them priority. If there are other items that are part of your weekly or monthly routines, they don’t need to be within reach. For example, keep the hamper in your closet because you probably only do laundry once a week.
- Buy storage furniture. We love stylish and functional pieces. Opt for storage furniture (like a headboard, under-bed storage or a mirror) that allows you to tidy up clutter for an uncluttered space.
- Create an open closet. You’ve probably seen many style designers showcasing their outfits using a portable clothing rack. If you have space, follow them and create one yourself. This allows you to lay out all your outfits for the week, so you’re not constantly rummaging through your entire wardrobe.
Discover Gill’s bedroom organization ideas to give your most intimate space the dreamy, cheerful atmosphere it deserves. She outlines some easy habit changes, plus five things to ban from your bedroom forever. (Hint: don’t neglect your morning cup of coffee.) Prepare to wake up in your personal sanctuary.
Shira Gil
Shira Gill is an internationally recognized home organization expert, bestselling author, and speaker. Shira is the author of Minimalista and Organized Living and has been featured in over 100 print and media outlets including Vogue, Dwell, Better Homes & Gardens, House Beautiful, Architectural Digest, Domino, Forbes, Goop, Harper’s Bazaar, HGTV, Today, InStyle, Parents, Real Simple and The New York Times.
Tip #1: Don’t put it down; Tidy
I view disorder simply as a delay in action or decision-making. If you have a pile of clean laundry on a chair in your bedroom, that just means you haven’t folded or put it away yet. If you have a huge pile of dust-covered books on the floor, it just means you forgot to put them back on the living room shelf. Start noticing when you enter your home if you throw things at any available surface. Do you empty your bag or your pockets? Do you throw and run? Becoming aware of your current habits is always the first step.
When you enter your room today, pay attention. If you have something in your hands, think twice before putting it down. Practice putting each item you bring into your room back into its designated location instead of throwing it away or dropping it on any convenient surface. This may seem like overkill, but once you start getting into the habit, it can feel like a moving meditation. Treating your belongings and space with respect feels good, and waking up to a neat and tidy space feels good.
Tip #2: Put your clothes away
Want to know an inside secret? Most people don’t put their clothes away at the end of the day. Putting your clothes away takes about two minutes or less, and I promise it’s worth it. This small effort of tidying up each evening will have a huge cumulative effect. You’ll either be faced with huge piles of clothes when you wake up, or you’ll have a clean, comfortable space. Which would you prefer?
Tonight, when you get ready for bed, decide which clothes are dirty and which can be put away. I know many of you have concocted a new category of “half-clean, half-dirty clothes” that you don’t really know what to do with. Warning: this kind of gray area thinking won’t get you anywhere quickly. If an item is clean enough that you can wear it again, it is clean. If it’s visibly dirty or dirty, let’s call it dirty! Agreement?
Throw dirty items into your laundry bin; hang or fold those that can be worn again and put them back in your dresser or closet. If you have a watch, jewelry or other accessories, be sure to return them to their designated slot. It seems pretty simple and obvious, but I promise you the benefits will be huge.
Tip #3: Move and reset
Bedrooms tend to attract clutter, and it’s not uncommon for bills or mail, magazines, coffee cups and breakfast dishes to pile up. Take a few minutes during your day, or before bed, to move random objects around and restore the space to its former glory. Remember the rules and guidelines you created and stick to them. What is your room for? How do you want it to feel? I guess dirty dishes and work papers don’t create the ambiance you’re looking for.
Practice moving randomly for five minutes. Grab a trash can, box, or basket and fill it with anything that ended up in your room and needs to get out. Take a few minutes to bring bills and mail back to your home “office,” dirty dishes to the kitchen sink, etc. It’s like a quick reset for your room, and just a few minutes a day can prevent an avalanche and a weekend of cleaning and tidying. Do it for your future self!
Tip #4: Create Clear Boundaries for Other People’s Business
Do you have a partner or spouse, children or four-legged friends, or an Italian lover who visits you every third Thursday? If other people frequently throw things in your room, it’s best to create clear, consistent guidelines and rules.
I know this is the part where you want me to tell you how to get others to change. Believe me, as a control freak, I would love nothing more than to provide you with this secret formula. But the truth is that other people usually do what they want. . . even if you ask politely. Even if you remind them. Even if you threaten them, pout or get angry.
The good news? You always decide how you want to think, feel, act and react in any situation, so that’s what we’ll cover here.
Create a plan for how you will handle the problem when other people leave items in your room. Write down exactly how you want to react and what actions you want to take. It is important to think about this in advance in a calm place. Make sure you communicate this in a clear, respectful, non-threatening way to other people in your life. Use “if/then” statements. For example, you might tell your children, “If you leave your stuff in my room, I will always put it in a pile on your bed because it doesn’t belong in my space.” » Make sure whatever you decide feels good and is fueled by positive emotion, for example: “I’m excited to create a space that feels good” versus “Anyone who touches my boss- work collapses! »
5 things to ban from the bedroom
- Surplus furniture. The bed already takes up most of your prime real estate. If you have random side tables, end tables, stools, or benches, consider moving or donating them. Give your bedroom space to breathe, unless you have a huge bedroom and have created some sort of suite.
- Luggage. Unpack immediately when you return from a trip. Pack up your things then put your suitcase away (in its designated location, of course). Please.
- Dirty dishes. A question. For what? Slow down and take a minute to carry your dirty dishes and neglected coffee cups back to the kitchen. You can earn bonus points by washing and putting them away immediately.
- Garbage can. I say this because it’s more common than you think. Waste should go in the trash. Not on your nightstand, not under your bed, not on your dresser. Not on your bedroom floor! I think we’re on the same page here. Throw away your trash. Do it now. Like now.
- Technology. Ultimately, no matter what you decide to do, your bedroom should be a place where you can rest. Going to bed with computers or phones buzzing does not make for a good night’s sleep. Move your computers, phones, tablets, and anything else that’s stopping you from going to bed and staying asleep.
This is an exclusive extract from Shira Gill’s book, Minimalista: Your Step-by-Step Guide to a Better Home, Better Wardrobe, and Better Life. Reprinted from Minimalist by Shira Gill. Copyright 2021 by Shira Gill. Published by Ten Speed Press, an imprint of Random House, a division of Penguin Random House LLC.
This article was last updated on December 30, 2022.
