9 Things To Get Rid Of In Your Bedroom, According To Professional Organizers
Your bedroom should be a peaceful sanctuary where you can relax and recharge after a long day. Unfortunately, many of us let clutter pile up in this important space, creating stress instead of calm.
I’ve talked with professional organizers who all agree on these nine items that should be shown the door to transform your bedroom into the tranquil retreat you deserve.
1. Piles of Unread Books
Those towering stacks of books you’re definitely going to read “someday” are actually collecting dust and creating visual noise. I recommend keeping only your current read on your nightstand.
The rest belong on a proper bookshelf elsewhere in your home. Having fewer books in your bedroom reduces dust (great for allergy sufferers!) and eliminates the subtle pressure you might feel when seeing that unfinished reading list before bed.
2. Unused Exercise Equipment
That treadmill doubling as a clothing rack? It’s time to be honest with yourself. Exercise equipment takes up precious floor space and creates feelings of guilt when unused.
If you haven’t touched it in three months, consider selling or donating it. Your bedroom should promote rest, not remind you of unfulfilled fitness goals. Many organizers suggest keeping workout gear in dedicated exercise spaces instead of your sleep sanctuary.
3. Sentimental Clutter
Old greeting cards, childhood memorabilia, and sentimental trinkets can quickly overwhelm your bedroom surfaces. While these items hold emotional value, they gather dust and create visual chaos in your sleep space.
Select one or two truly meaningful items to display, then photograph and digitally archive the rest. For physical keepsakes you can’t part with, create a dedicated memory box stored elsewhere in your home. This approach honors your memories without sacrificing your current peace of mind.
4. Out-of-Season Clothing
Bulky winter sweaters in summer or shorts in winter just waste valuable closet space. Rotating your wardrobe seasonally makes getting dressed easier and keeps your closet from bursting at the seams.
Store off-season clothes in under-bed containers or vacuum-sealed bags. This simple switch can double your usable closet space! When you bring seasonal items back, it’s also the perfect opportunity to evaluate what you truly love and what might be ready for donation.
5. Excessive Decorative Pillows
You know the morning dance – tossing eight pillows off the bed only to put them all back at night. Professional organizers call this “pillow fatigue” and it’s a real time-waster!
Limit yourself to the pillows you actually sleep with, plus maybe one or two decorative ones if you must. Your morning routine will thank you, and you’ll gain valuable storage space. Plus, fewer pillows means less surface area for dust mites to call home.
6. Electronics and Charging Stations
The tangle of cords on your nightstand isn’t just unsightly – it’s disrupting your sleep! The blue light from electronics and even tiny charging lights can interfere with melatonin production.
Create a charging station outside your bedroom for overnight power-ups. If you must have devices nearby, use a drawer organizer to hide cords. Your brain will thank you for the darker, more peaceful sleep environment, and you’ll be less tempted to scroll through social media before bed.
7. Laundry on Display
That chair in the corner wasn’t designed to be your laundry sculpture! The infamous “clothing chair” or floor piles are stress-inducing visual reminders of unfinished tasks.
Invest in a proper hamper with a lid to contain dirty clothes. For clean items waiting to be put away, try the “one-touch rule” – handle each piece of clothing only once between laundry and proper storage. Your bedroom will instantly feel more serene without the clothing exhibition.
8. Mismatched Bedding Sets
Random pillowcases that don’t match your sheets, or that comforter you’ve been meaning to replace for years – these create a disjointed, chaotic feeling in your bedroom. Quality sleep deserves quality bedding!
Invest in two complete, coordinating bedding sets you truly love. This allows for rotation on laundry day while maintaining a pulled-together look. Many organizers recommend white bedding for its timeless appeal and the psychological association with cleanliness and hotels – instant luxury!
9. Under-Bed Jumble
The space under your bed shouldn’t be a black hole where random items disappear! This hidden clutter affects your subconscious and collects dust bunnies that impact air quality.
Clear everything out and decide what truly deserves this prime storage real estate. Use flat, labeled containers for items that make the cut – like off-season clothing or extra bedding. Some organizers even recommend keeping this space completely empty for better energy flow, especially if you struggle with sleep issues.
