Chapter 5

Your bedroom is your sanctuary—and it’s also the place where you frantically try on every pair of jeans in your closet before tossing them all aside and deciding on a trusty black skirt as you run out the door. Your bedroom is where you keep some of your most precious items, such as that necklace that’s been passed down from your grandmother. And it’s the place that holds the one piece of furniture that offers true peace—your bed. But even though your bedroom is meant to be a place of serenity, it can often be where clutter piles up the most.

And, if you share a bedroom with a partner, that can mean double the pileup, so it’s important that everything have a designated place (no drawer overflow allowed), and there are systems at work to make sure things stay in those places, from the closet to the bedside tables. That way, neither one of you will have any trouble resting your sweet heads.

A see-through nightstand is a place you can store books and pretty objects without adding too much visual clutter. Stop your stack of books halfway up the space so you leave enough room to breathe.

A floating dresser is a brilliant solution in small spaces because it takes up less room than a traditional one. Tuck a basket of extra pillows or books in the space below.

IF THE BEDROOM IS JUST FOR SLEEPING, THEN HOW DID YOUR TENNIS RACKET GET IN HERE? FIRST, CLEAR OUT YOUR NON-BEDROOM CLUTTER SO YOU CAN MAKE SPACE FOR THE THINGS THAT DO BELONG THERE. YOU’LL REST EASY WITH THIS SOLID ORGANIZING PLAN.

You’re probably not shocked to be seeing this one here because it’s true. Making your bed every day declutters your room instantly, and some research even suggests that bed-makers get better sleep than those who don’t. Do it as soon as you wake up so you won’t be dreading it later. Even if laundry and stacks of books are piling up around you, a made bed clears your mind—and might even inspire you to tackle that laundry.

There are a few ways to find extra storage room in your bed. If books and magazines keep piling up around you, hide them in a headboard that doubles as a bookshelf for all your paged treasures. Similarly, lots of beds have built-in, under-the-bed drawers for storing extra sets of sheets or bulky clothing. Some even have mattresses that lift up so you can store off-season clothing or bedding underneath.

To keep the space next to the bed looking clean, choose nightstands that are the height of the bed or an inch or two lower. In general, a height of 24 to 27 inches looks best. If you want to try a mismatched pair of tables, make sure both are the same height or within two inches of each other. A surface that’s at least 18 inches deep allows you to fit a lamp plus an object or two, like a clock, stack of books, or vase.

Rather than lighting up things with a wide shade, go for a sleek desk lamp that takes up less space, is flexible, and is the right size for reading in bed. The light should be 13 to 15 inches above the surface of the mattress to give you the best light.

First, clear off the surface. Stash the odd items that normally clutter up the dresser landscape—sunglasses, occasional jewelry, nail polish, receipts, lotions—into a place-for-everything drawer divider tucked into a top drawer. When it comes to the rest of the drawers, start by giving each one a clear category (undergarments, shirts, bottoms). To create more room, move off-season items, like swimsuits or heavy sweaters, to a bin on a top shelf of a closet or some other out-of-the-way spot, like under the bed. It’s helpful to give the remaining pieces in the drawers some structure: Use dividers to segment socks, underwear, and bras. For T-shirts, consider this: You can fit about a third more T-shirts in a drawer by folding and rolling them and then filing them vertically. The best part is that this method keeps logos, patterns, or labels displayed, making it a cinch for you to hunt down the top you desperately need on a given day. And, if you’re unsure how to best split a drawer, default to equal quadrants. Then, sort by style or color, whichever makes it easier to spot that one pair of undies you need for those white jeans. If drawer space is still tight, try transferring other items to the closet (T-shirts and jeans, folded on shelves; workout clothes, grouped together in a bin).

Bottomless mounds of discarded jeans and tops on that seat make your bedroom a stressful spot. To give you a place to sit, put a freestanding valet behind the buried chair or in a corner of the room so you can neatly hang garments there instead. Or, make a rule that you’re not allowed to get into bed at night without clearing off the chair first.

Light sleepers who want to muffle things that go bump in the night can choose from 40-plus soothing sounds, like rain, fan, and grandfather clock. Or record your own (waves at the beach, say) to play on a loop. (99 cents, iTunes)

This “intelligent alarm clock” uses your smartphone’s accelerometer to monitor your movements all night so it can wake you up during your light sleep phase, leaving you refreshed, not groggy. (free, iTunes)

At night, this app dims the sleep-disrupting blue light of a screen automatically, allowing you to surf the web before you turn in without disturbing your circadian rhythms. (free, justgetflux.com)

Decorative pillows are great for, well, decoration, but when it comes to actually sleeping, sometimes you need to move them aside. Designate a spot in your room to store them when you’re actually getting shuteye—it could be under a floating nightstand, or on a bench at the end of the bed. Just make sure that you put all the pillows back in their pretty place on the bed once you’ve made it in the AM. You’re a person who makes the bed every day now, remember?

Reserve room for love notes or other keepsakes that make you smile when getting dressed—plus a packet of fashion tape to grab on the go.

Little bottles of lingerie cleaner and spray for delicates get lost in the laundry room; tuck them here to make it easier (and more motivating) to do your hand washables.

Pretty drawer liners are a visual cue to keep items neat and treat this spot like a special space.

Divide your underthings by category and color. The morning rush is less insane when this drawer feels like a boutique rather than a bargain bin.

Collapsible, movable organizers structure this open space, giving you an easy system to corral unmentionables (shapewear in one, sports bras in another).

Starting now, whenever you take out an article of clothing, put the empty hanger back at one end of the rod (the same end each time). Collecting them all in one spot keeps clothes neat and means never having to hunt for a hanger again. Avoid a chaotic jumble of wire, wood, and plastic hangers by choosing just one type and brand of hanger (slim velvet ones give you the most space) for your closet.

Attach a trapeze-style second rod to your existing rod to store pants below tops instead of squishing them in all together. For a standard-size closet, choose one that’s three feet wide to leave room for hanging dresses on the side.

You don’t have to hang everything that’s in your closet. Use hanging shelves and wire racks to organize folded shirts, sweaters, and jeans by color and weight. Purses or hats (like fedoras) also rest well on hanging shelves where they won’t get smashed.

Make sure all of your footwear is on display—otherwise, you’ll never wear what you can’t see. A space saver: Add inserts to boots to prevent toppling. For more special pairs of shoes, buy shoe boxes with windows or clear plastic boxes so you can see what’s inside. That said, it’s also a good idea to switch your stash every season so bulky snow boots don’t take up sandal space in the summer. If you are tight on space, try flipping one shoe in each pair so they sit toe to heel.

House your baubles in a roomy piece of furniture that allows you to keep everything spread out in single layers rather than clumps. Try a tall, skinny lingerie chest, and equip the drawers with flocked divided trays. Limit each drawer to a single jewelry type—bracelets in one, earrings in another. If you want to give some favorites a prominent spot, hang them on hooks in your closet. Prefer to keep all the jewelry out in the open? Pin each piece to a fabric-covered memo board mounted on the wall.

Install shelf dividers to keep purses upright and to eliminate pileups. If you can’t fit all your bags in that space, consider it your cue to downsize. And, you know those dust bags that come with purses? Don’t hide your bag inside of them, or you won’t be able to see your collection. Instead, use the dust bag to fill the purse when it’s not in use, which will help it stand up and keep its shape.

A clear shoebox can also double as a place to stash silk scarves, rolled belts, and other small items like neckties and pocket squares so that they’re always visible. Then, stack them with the shoes. Voilà!

Add an armoire or trunk to your bedroom to store off-season stuff, like sweaters or sundresses. Just make sure the clothes are clean before storing them. If you’re transitioning into summer, store cashmere sweaters in large zippered plastic bags, and stick them in the freezer for a few hours to kill off any bug larvae. Then store them in a breathable cotton garment box under a bed or on a shelf. For hanging items, swap foam-strip, dry-cleaner hangers for wood, plastic, or padded ones, because the foam can discolor a favorite shirt. The same applies to hangers flocked in a dark, velvet-like material—they can transfer color to garments over time.

Presort your linens with a three-part hamper that has a bin for lights, darks, and colors. This will help make laundry day less of a chore. Finding one on wheels makes it easy to transport it from closet to laundry room in a cinch. And, if the canvas bags need refreshing, toss them into the machine as well.

A smart closet addresses four key areas: hanging clothes, folded pieces, shoes, and accessories. There’s no one way to arrange your space, but to determine the setup that will work best for you, be realistic about the square footage you have and work within these guidelines.

Hinged full-swing or bifold doors give full access, whereas dual-hung sliding doors prevent access to the center. If every inch counts, consider replacing sliding doors with hinged ones or doors that slide all the way open on a rail.

MAKE SURE YOU MEASURE YOUR SPACE PRECISELY (TO THE NEAREST SIXTEENTH OF AN INCH) BEFORE BUYING RODS, SHELVING UNITS, OR OTHER HARDWARE.

If your closet ceiling height is at least 71⁄2 feet, you have room for two rods (one hung about three or four feet above the other), which can maximize space. A clothing rod should hang at least 42 inches above the floor so that clothes don’t drag. Position the rod at least a foot from the back wall, if possible. There should be at least 3 inches beyond the ends of your hangers.

The low rod can hold skirts and pants; an eye-level pole can hold dresses and tops. If you can, leave breathing room between garments—at least ¼ inch, if possible, with fabrics barely grazing one another. Again, seasonality and frequency of use can be a big factor in delegating space: That taffeta evening gown in the roomy garment bag may have to be stored somewhere else.

Leave some space in your closet for shelves, which are crucial for holding sweaters and delicate knits (or any clothing that will stretch out of shape on a hanger), accessories (totes, purses), storage boxes, and shoes. Shelves should be open and not deeper than 14 inches; otherwise, you’ll have to hunt around for what should be close at hand. Wooden shelves are sturdy and nice-looking. Metal and plastic-coated wire shelving units are solid options too, but those can potentially “rib” clothing. Acids in wooden shelves, including cedar, can deteriorate fabric, so line them with shelf paper or unbleached, undyed washed muslin (sold at fabric stores). If you don’t want to buy expensive custom shelving or are tight on space, consider adding hanging shelves.

Whether they’re mounted to the closet wall or part of a chest positioned inside the closet, drawers help you organize small pieces, like undergarments and accessories. If installing drawers is too costly or complicated, substitute baskets placed on shelves.

A CLEAN-SWEEP CHECKLIST

◻ Empty your closet of the past season's clothes, stashing rarely worn pieces in a box for charity.

◻ Wipe down the closet with a mild,fresh-smelling soap.

◻ Wash or dry-clean your clothes (insects and moths are attracted to dirt, not the clothing).

◻ Repair any tears, and replace buttons.

“I personally organize my closet by type, and then within each type, I organize by color. So, for example, in the area where I hang my dresses, my dresses are organized by color, which makes it easier for me to find pieces when I am looking for a specific item, like when I think, ‘I feel like wearing a red dress tonight!’”

Tuck a clean, empty plastic sandwich bag into your handbag. When you find yourself with a chunk of idle time—waiting in a doctor’s office, stuck on a long phone call—fill it up with nonessentials to trash or relocate later.

Bundle wires in this genius little piece of leather and you’ll never again face that annoying task of detangling earbuds or cables from your umbrella.

A holder that’s a substantial size keeps keys from getting buried in the bottom of your bag.

Stash makeup and jewelry in a lined, dual-compartment case for quick, no-thinking-required bag swaps when racing from the gym to the office to an evening out.

All this stuff in here, and there’s still room for a water bottle and sunglasses!

If an overstuffed wallet is always weighing down your bag, put a cap on all that change you’re hauling around. This little guy sets the limit for you.

Use a folding board to create uniform shirt stacks; then “file” them vertically into your dresser.

Ask almost any organizer and they’ll tell you: velvet slimline hangers are the most efficient way to fit everything—from suits to dresses to jeans—in your closet. We’re partial to these Real Simple ones (wink, wink).

IN A BEDROOM THAT’S ACTUALLY MORE BED THAN ROOM, IT’S IMPORTANT TO WISELY DIVVY UP THE SPACE YOU HAVE LEFT BY CHOOSING MULTIPURPOSE FURNITURE AND ARRANGING IT IN THE MOST EFFICIENT WAY.

Bed raisers are a genius way to give yourself more storage room underneath for larger items like suitcases and file boxes.

Opt for space-saving wall lamps or sconces. A floating nightstand or shelf visually elongates your space while creating an open area underneath to stash slippers.

Who says a desk can only be a desk? Assign it the role of nightstand and vanity when it’s arranged next to your bed. Or, if your space is even too tiny for a workspace, a breakfast tray with folding legs can hold a laptop when you’re sitting up in bed and can be neatly stashed under the bed when it’s lights out.

Hang a slim rod or small corkboard on a closet wall, and display necklaces and earrings so you can see everything and grab what you need in a flash.

In a super-tight space, push the head of your bed up against the windowsill as a makeshift “headboard.” You can store reading materials and a plant or two there.

White and creams can make a small space appear larger, lighter, and less cluttered. Plus, that often means no painting when you move in or out.

A: The way you store your shoes depends on the layout of your closet, but the first rule is that you should be able to see them all. (And not because they’re scattered on the floor.) Make a system that consists of visible shelving, as well as pretty boxes with windows reserved for your "most special" shoes. If you can see the shoes, you’re more likely to wear them. This may not be possible depending on the realities of your space and how many shoes you own, so do seasonal switch outs. You don't need to see your boots in the summer, and similarly, during the coldest months of the year, you may not want to have your sandals front and center.

◻ MAKE YOUR BED. In just one minute, you’ve decluttered the biggest piece of furniture in the room.

◻ CLOSE THE CLOSET DOORS. If you can’t see the chaos behind them, it’s like it doesn’t exist, right? In any case, it’s a quick fix that really works.

◻ CLEAR OFF THE DRESSER. Toss receipts and papers you don’t need, and put jewelry and beauty products back in their proper places. Create as much open surface space as possible—one stack of books or a few objects you enjoy is enough.

◻ PUT AWAY PILES OF CLOTHES. Toss dirty items into the hamper, and hang up or fold anything else. Set aside dry cleaning for your next trip. Ahhh, there’s that bedroom chair again!

◻ TIDY UP THE NIGHTSTANDS. Put books into neat stacks, and move water glasses or coffee mugs back to the kitchen where they belong.

◻ OVERHAUL YOUR CLOSET. Even if it’s not time to switch seasons, it’s probably time for a refresh. Remove everything from the shelves and rods so you can see what’s been hiding in there all these months. Divide clothing, shoes, and bags into three categories: Keep, Toss, Donate. Then put everything back according to your new decided-upon organizing system. Anything that doesn’t fit in the closet goes in a dresser drawer, assuming there’s room there, or goes in the Toss or Donate pile.

◻ DESIGNATE YOUR DRESSER DRAWERS. Make sure each drawer is organized by the type of clothing it contains, and place drawer dividers accordingly. Refold everything that’s going inside (even pants) so that they now sit vertically, and you can see everything that’s in the drawer.

◻ REPLACE OLD PILLOWS. When your head cushions start to lose shape permanently, it’s time to buy new ones. Or, refresh the old ones with a spritz from a spray bottle filled with vodka, which sanitizes, every time you change your sheets.

Mornings are usually not the time most of us want to be delicately folding sweaters and placing them back in drawers while searching for the right one. Here’s how to stick to a plan you can follow no matter how frantic your day gets.

You know those hanging fruit baskets that we mentioned earlier in the kitchen chapter? They’re also great for storing scarves, knit hats, and gloves. In the summer, swap in your bathing suits and cover-ups.

Every two months, take an hour or two to tidy up and edit out pieces that you no longer need; then donate them, or resell the good stuff. Also, organized people trick themselves with treats. Attach a reward to a tedious task: Tell yourself that you can get a pedicure after you’ve organized your closet or that you can watch a movie after you’ve sorted your underwear drawer. You’ll actually follow through.

More than any other room of the house, your bedroom is the most important one to follow the one-in, one-out rule. After all, there aren’t many places where a pair of jeans can go when they don’t fit in a drawer or have a hanger—and remember, that chair is not an option. Take that attitude with you when you’re shopping to avoid buying doubles. If you can’t remember if you already have a v-neck black sheath, closet inventory website and app Finery (finery.com) is like the computerized Clueless closet. It searches your past purchases and lets you upload images to help you create a virtual closet and keep track of what you want to purchase in the future.

You probably know what we’re going to say here, right? Make your bed. Yep, it’s the easiest way to feel put together in the AM, and some research has shown that people who make their beds are happier than those who let the sheets lie where they may.

Yes, it is possible to wash—well, freshen and deodorize—a mattress. Every six months, remove and launder the cover, and sprinkle the mattress with baking soda until the top has a thin coating on it. Let the baking soda sit for five to ten minutes, then vacuum it off using the upholstery attachment of a vacuum cleaner.

Tell yourself that you can’t start dinner (or watch This is Us) until you make it to your closet so that they go back into their correct bin, pocket, or shelf. If your shoes started the day in the bedroom closet, make sure to return them there as soon as you step in the door.

You’re more likely to keep everything in its place if you can see what you’re working with. Inexpensive, battery-operated motion-sensor lights turn on when you walk in the closet and turn off 30 seconds later. Mount them to the ceiling or on the side wall.

HOW OFTEN SHOULD I WASH MY…?

SHEETS AND PILLOWCASES

Every week

DUVET COVER

Every two weeks

COMFORTER

If it’s covered by a duvet, never! (Unless it gets wet.)

QUILT

Dry-clean twice a year

PILLOWS

Every six months. Spritz with vodka in between.