Your bedroom is your sanctuary, but if you've ever let your nightstand get out of control, you know how it can throw off any sense of calm. Whenever my own bedside table starts to get littered with too many lotion bottles, random piles, or days-old water glasses, I use this ten-minute decluttering and cleanup method to keep it tidy so I can sleep a little easier.
Cover Your Drinks
Cups on your nightstand are just begging to be knocked over. Skip the (breakable!) glass and opt for a spillproof insulated tumbler or bottle. Bonus: It’ll keep your H2O chilled all night long. Better bonus: It’ll prevent dust from settling into your drink while you snooze.
Edit Your Stuff
Only the essentials get to live on top of your nightstand—maybe a little dish for everyday jewelry, a lamp, water, the book you’re reading, and tissues if you need ’em. This is your sanctuary! A streamlined space will make for sleepier nights and calmer mornings.
Consider Drawers
Everything else gets tucked away in drawers. Eye masks, lotions, and other must-have sleep things are better off in closed storage so they don’t cause clutter or collect dust. Add a couple of small trays or bowls in the top drawer to corral any smaller stuff you might want handy.
Bring in Backup
If you need extra storage, slide a basket or bin under the nightstand or somewhere nearby. I have a couple I keep under the bed for miscellaneous odds and ends. Just get one that has a top. Your bedroom can be dustier than other spots in your home due to all the time you spend in it (dust is, yuck, partly dead skin), so you want to keep your stuff enclosed.
Do a Quick Vacuum
Using the handheld attachment, vacuum around the base, top, and inside the drawers of your nightstand. Then give 'em a quick wipe down, then put everything back. Even if you don't necessarily notice the dust or dirt, it's probably lurking somewhere, and the smell of nicely perfumed all-purpose cleaner (something with lavender in it, for example) is a lovely scent to fall asleep to!
Light a Candle
OK, so this one isn't really a part of the cleaning process per se, but a scented candle makes everything smell a little fresher and feel a little cozier. Just make sure you blow it out before you fall asleep!
Source: Baker, H. (2025, October 16). The 10-Minute Nightstand Refresh that makes your whole bedroom feel calmer. Real Simple. https://www.realsimple.com/10-minute-nightstand-refresh-that-makes-your-bedroom-feel-calmer-11830611