Your bedroom should be a sanctuary for rest and rejuvenation, not a chaotic storage space. A cluttered bedroom can contribute to heightened stress and anxiety, making it difficult to achieve restful sleep. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the disarray, it’s time to take action. Here’s a detailed guide on how to declutter your bedroom efficiently within a single day.
Do you find yourself tossing and turning at night, struggling to find sleep? If you do manage to drift off, are you unable to stay asleep for long? The source of your sleep troubles may lie in the clutter surrounding you. Research indicates that increased clutter can exacerbate sleep issues, not just for hoarders but for anyone. As highlighted by Lisa Esposito in her article for US News, clutter can trigger a phenomenon known as the ‘dosing response.’ The more clutter you accumulate, the more likely you are to experience sleep disturbances.
This compelling information should motivate you to take the first step toward decluttering your bedroom. Are you ready to reclaim your space? Here’s a structured process to guide you through the decluttering journey.
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Decluttering Strategies
Before diving in, consider these helpful tips to streamline your decluttering process:
- Document your starting point with a before photo to track your progress.
- Identify potential roadblocks that may hinder your decluttering efforts and devise strategies to overcome them.
- Create a list of decluttering questions to aid in decision-making.
- Set aside sentimental and memorabilia items to deal with later, allowing you to focus on the task at hand.
- Have a clear plan for disposing of items you choose to let go.
- Work systematically from top to bottom and left to right within the room.
- Remember, your goal is decluttering, not deep cleaning or organizing—focus solely on removing excess items.
1. Assemble Your Supplies
Begin by gathering all necessary supplies and bringing them into the bedroom. Having everything at your fingertips will help you stay focused and minimize distractions. Here’s what you’ll need:
Trash Can
Grab a sturdy trash can or a garbage bag for discarding items you deem as trash. A kitchen trash can placed just outside the door can be particularly convenient, allowing you to toss items without frequent trips back and forth.
Basket
Collect a basket (or several) for items that belong in other rooms. I often use one large basket for all misplaced items, but if the room has contributions from various areas of the house, smaller baskets for each room can be helpful. Place these baskets in the hallway to keep them accessible yet out of your way.
Box
Gather a few cardboard boxes (or even garbage bags) for items you plan to donate, sell, or give away. If your space is particularly cluttered, you may need several boxes. PRO TIP: When a box is half full, replace it with an empty one to avoid feeling overwhelmed by the contents, which may lead you to keep items unnecessarily.
Entertainment
Consider playing some music or listening to a motivating decluttering podcast to keep your spirits high while you work. Music can boost your energy, while podcasts can provide inspiration.
Water
Keep a couple of glasses or bottles of water nearby to stay hydrated during your decluttering marathon. Proper hydration will help you maintain focus and energy.
2. Dispose of Obvious Trash
With your supplies ready, grab your garbage bag and make a quick sweep of the room. Look for any obvious trash—old boxes, empty containers, or any items that don’t belong. Remember to check under the bed, as hidden items often contribute to clutter. This initial sweep should be swift and focused on visible surfaces.
3. Remove Items That Belong Elsewhere
Once you’ve cleared the obvious trash, take a moment to look for items that belong in different rooms. Quickly gather these items and place them in the designated basket in the hallway. Avoid taking them to their proper locations just yet to maintain your momentum and focus.
4. Clear the Flat Surfaces
Now, armed with your decluttering questions, start tackling flat surfaces—dressers, nightstands, shelves, and any other exposed furniture. Clearing these surfaces will create more space to work with and alleviate some of the visible stress caused by clutter. Dispose of old magazines, unfinished books, and any items that no longer serve a purpose, such as broken clocks or dried-up candles.
5. Declutter All Drawers
Next, focus on your bedroom drawers. Begin with one drawer at a time, ideally starting at one point in the room and moving in a circular fashion. Consider laying out a towel on the bed to empty each drawer onto it. Once a drawer is empty, sort through its contents on the towel. Start with obvious trash, then remove items belonging in other rooms before evaluating what to keep or toss.
6. Tackle Storage Furniture
After addressing the drawers, apply the same method to any storage furniture, such as entertainment stands or armoires. Begin by discarding garbage, followed by items that belong elsewhere, and finally, make your keep or toss decisions. Be sure to go through linens and clothing, ensuring you only keep what you truly need.
7. The Closet Challenge
Now, brace yourself for the closet—this is a major decluttering task! Start by emptying everything from your closet onto your bed. This includes hanging clothes, folded items, and anything else stashed inside. Quickly discard any obvious trash and place items that belong elsewhere into the basket. After clearing the closet, methodically sort through each drawer as you did previously.
8. Under the Bed
Don’t forget to clear out everything lurking under your bed. Discard any trash you find, and sort through any storage bins or boxes tucked away in this often-neglected space.
9. Handling Sentimental Items
Sentimental items can complicate the decluttering process. While I recommend keeping these items out of your bedroom, if necessary, set them aside for a later date. Schedule a specific time to address these items when you can fully engage with the memories they hold.
10. Wrap Up and Clean
With the decluttering complete, it’s time to tidy up. Dispose of the trash bag and return any borrowed items to their rightful places. Take the box of donations to your car, and begin returning items to their respective rooms.
Your Bedroom Decluttered in One Day
Congratulations! You’ve successfully decluttered your bedroom in just one day. Now is the perfect opportunity to take an “after” photo to celebrate your hard work. If you find yourself with some extra time, pour yourself a glass of wine, unwind, and share your before-and-after photos with us. What’s next on your decluttering agenda? Perhaps it’s time to tackle the kitchen or bathroom!
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