You're likely familiar with the dreaded "clothes chair," where piles of unworn tops and washed laundry sit ignored. While it might seem innocuous, that clutter could be impacting more than just the tidiness of your home.
According to a study by IKEA, we spend about 5,000 hours in our lifetimes looking for stuff—especially clothing—in our homes. But those strewn-about socks can also start to affect a good night's sleep.
"We have to talk about decluttering as a way of enabling a good night's sleep, because it's actually not that complicated. If you can create a bit of order and you can find things, then you can relax and sleep better," says Nina Hughes, global range manager for bedroom furniture at IKEA of Sweden.
To ensure the most restful zzz's, we spoke with the experts at IKEA on the best ways to tidy your bedroom.
Top Bedroom Clutter Hot-Spots—and Tips for Tidying Them
"If we talk about decluttering as a movement, where did it come from? Well, it's sort of been simmering a bit, but during the pandemic, it really blossomed," says Hughes, who attributes the ongoing focus on organizing to the positive impact it can have on wellbeing. "We dealt with it, it felt good, and now we can relax, kick back, and finally sleep." Here, Hughes suggests easy fixes for bedroom clutter.
Closets
While every closet is unique in its size, design, and location, the need for storage is universal. Whether you have a spacious walk-in or tight under-the-eaves area, turn to storage accessories to keep your closet organized.
If space allows, add a hamper to curb pile-ups of dirty clothes. Over-the-door add-ons, like a row of hooks, can help contain scarves, hats, and other daily items to grab quickly. And for the ultimate personalization, consider a closet system, such as IKEA's Aurdal series, which Hughes calls the "pièce de résistance if you have a reach-in or walk-in closet."
No closet at all? No problem. Freestanding wardrobe units, like IKEA's PAX system, come in a wide range of sizes so you can find one that suits your needs, whether you need to store your collection of sneakers, swimsuits, or scarves. The most important thing is deciding what works for you. "It's very, very personal," says Hughes.
Nightstands and Dressers
Bedroom furniture is essential, but the surfaces of nightstands and dressers can quickly become cluttered with everyday use—think water glasses, jewelry, reading material, and more. Keep things tidy with a simple tray to collect accessories like reading glasses or earrings you wear daily.
Another simple fix? Boxes. Dedicate a container for each category of item to keep dresser drawers and open shelves orderly, suggests Hughes.
Floors
Pajamas, robes, slippers—it's easy to pile things on your bedroom floor until you're ready to deal with them. Luckily, decluttering these items can be as simple as a few wall hooks. "At least then you can hang things up and it's not on the floor where you have to look for it," says Hughes.
Or, if you have the space, consider multifunctional products that have a dual purpose, like a stool with storage underneath that doubles as a nightstand or a bed frame with drawers to help tuck away seasonal items like boots and sweaters, suggests Hughes.
Most importantly, though, consider what works for your family, how you live, and the space you have.
Sources:
- All photos used in this blogpost are sourced from the internet, and the rights belong to their respective owners
- Sole, Caitlin. “Clutter Could Be Ruining Your Sleep—Here's How to Organize Your Bedroom's Messiest Areas.” Better Homes & Gardens, November 10, 2024. https://www.bhg.com/clutter-sleep-ikea-bedroom-organizing-tips-8736508.