evaluate THE SPACE
Bedrooms come in many sizes and configurations—but they all should be sanctuaries of sleep. Paring down is a first step to keeping your personal space more tranquil; troubleshooting with smart and stylish storage is the next.
strive for serenity
Keep the bedroom’s primary purpose front and center when organizing it.
- With your head propped on a pillow, take in the view from your bed. Is there anything that interferes with your peace and enjoyment? If so, move it elsewhere.
- Also picture what you’d like to see from this perspective, such as a view outside a window, inspiring artwork, or a favorite collection—even houseplants.
- Keep the bed itself free and clear of anything other than bedding and throws.
- Curate the nightstand to hold only items that provide comfort and create bliss (see page 136 for more tips).
refine the space
Besides a sleep sanctuary, ask yourself what else you’d like your bedroom to be.
- Do you long to have a reading nook (even a cozy chair) or a quiet place to meditate? Think of ways to arrange the furniture to make that happen, even if that means forgoing a dresser.
- Is a TV really necessary here? It takes up space that could go to something else—and is a sure invitation to binge-watch until the wee hours.
- If the bedroom must share space with the home office, look for ways to hide the work when you’re done. A secretary or converted armoire looks lovely when closed. Or keep only personal and decorative objects in plain sight on a desk.
TAKE INVENTORY
Devote due time to edit your wardrobe at least twice each year, preferably with someone whose opinion you trust.
- Working with one drawer or category at a time, comb through every item of clothing and all the accessories.
- Then donate, gift, or sell anything you haven’t worn in the past year (and likely never will) or that no longer fits. Toss anything that’s beyond repair.
- Lastly, sort the keepers into categories so you know what will need to go where.
expand the storagE
Clutter has no business here. Use stylish solutions to achieve a sense of calm.
- Underbed bins and baskets can be used for storing extra bedding, shoes, or scarves (but nothing from other areas).
- A bench or chest at the foot of the bed offers a place to sit while getting dressed and to store spare blankets.
- For a hardworking headboard, find one with a built-in bookcase (see page 134), which puts space behind a bed to good use (in place of bedside tables).
- Shelves next to or above the bed also replace the need for nightstands.
- Dressers or writing desks make excellent use of bedside square footage.
- Wall hooks and rails let you hang scarves, sweaters, bags—even jewelry.