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When it comes to decorating my home, my poor bedroom was often one of the last places I thought to give my attention to. I used to pour everything into the shared living spaces—the living room, the dining room, the powder room—all places guests and loved ones would see. It’s just my husband and me in our bedroom, I thought. There’s no rush to make it a thoughtful, beautiful space, not when there are other places in my home that could use the attention more. Right?
With this mindset, the bedroom became a less-than-ideal spot to rest and recharge. Your bedroom is truly a sacred space. Out of all the rooms in your home, it should put you at ease and help you feel calm and relaxed. After all, this is the place you spend the most time in if you really think about it.
Featured image from our interview with Remi Ishizuka by Michelle Nash.
How to Keep Your Bedroom Organized: 5 Things to Remove for Peace and Calm
If you’re itching for a good declutter and have been wondering how to keep your bedroom organized, here are five things to remove from your space for good—with tips on how to design a calmer, more intentional space.
Visual Noise
I’ll never forget purchasing a TV console with drawers. It replaced one with open cabinets, and I had no idea how visual clutter affected my sense of calm. With everything behind closed doors, it was as if I could breathe a little easier. With this in mind, take a look around your bedroom. Notice where there’s visual noise—cluttered space, a surface with multiple items on top, or even decor that feels loud. Remove them from your space and enjoy a deep exhale.
Is your nightstand cluttered? Maybe the top of your dresser? If you know how to keep your bedroom organized, you know to keep only the essentials. Your nightstand especially doesn’t need to be filled with too much stuff. Make space for a lamp, a book, and a candle for a cozy glow. If you’d like to place items on surfaces in your bedroom, try a catch-all bowl to keep things contained. Remember to keep items that help you feel soothed, and put everything else away.
Screens and Distractions
Scrolling your phone or watching TV can be so tempting to do right before bed. But screens and algorithms do the opposite of helping you wind down. Instead, reclaim your bedroom as a space for rest. If you have a TV, try removing it for a week and see how it feels. The same goes for your phone. Try charging it outside your room and resist reaching for it as soon as you wake up. I’ve done both of these and feel so much lighter and clear-minded when the bedroom is free from screens and distractions.
If you use your phone as an alarm, try switching to a Hatch alarm, or even a basic analog clock. Isn’t it wild to think we didn’t use to rely on phones to help us wake up? Bring back the days of old-school alarm clocks!
Bad Lighting
Lighting is everything. If you only have overhead lighting in your bedroom, or perhaps all of your light sources are especially bright, consider softening. Replace harsh overheads with warm lamps or candles. If you have dimmable lights, always keep the intensity minimal, especially after dark. Soft light signals your body it’s time to slow down. Keep bright lights for spaces like your kitchen and living room, and incorporate soft lighting for your bedroom. It will improve your sleep!
Stale Linens and Rough Textures
If you’re sleeping on bedding that’s a little worse for wear, consider this your sign to freshen up. Fresh bedding and natural fabrics can shift the entire feel of your bedroom. Do you have a quilt that’s not as soft as it used to be? A blanket that’s pilling? Or maybe you’re just sleeping on bedding that doesn’t fit your personal style anymore. All of it matters, and surrounding yourself with soft textures, soothing colors, and natural textiles makes all the difference.
In addition to freshening up stale linens, notice if you have plastic or fast furniture in your space. If you can, always opt for natural materials like wood or glass. Not only will these items elevate your space, but organic material also helps us feel calm. They come from nature and aren’t man-made—fill your space with them!
Unfinished Projects
Laundry piles, unopened mail, or scattered to-do lists hold visual stress. If your bedroom has an unfinished project in sight, finish or remove it. It’s always a good idea to keep your work life out of your bedroom, so be sure to move laptops, notebooks, or other work-related items elsewhere. Keeping a laundry basket in the bedroom is often necessary, so pick one that has a lid to conceal a growing pile. I used to keep my laundry in an open basket, but my space has become much calmer ever since I swapped it for a hamper with a lid.
This post was last updated on February 24, 2026, to include new insights.