How to Declutter Your Bedroom to Create a Peaceful Space

Does your bedroom feel more like a storage room than a peaceful retreat? For the longest time, mine did too.

How to Declutter Your Bedroom

Every time I walked in, I felt overwhelmed by the piles of clothes, cluttered surfaces, and things stuffed into every corner.

I used to think I didn’t have the time or energy to tackle it, but the mess was affecting everything—from how well I slept to how I started my day.

After finally committing to decluttering, I discovered how much better a clean, organized bedroom feels, and it wasn’t as hard as I thought.

If you’re ready to transform your bedroom into a space that’s calm, functional, and inviting, I’ll walk you through the steps I used.

Trust me, it’s easier than you think, and the results are completely worth it!

Things You Need to Know Before Decluttering the Bedroom

Before diving into decluttering, there are a few things I learned the hard way that might save you some time and frustration.

These simple tips helped me stay focused and made the process feel less overwhelming.

  • Set a Goal for Your Space: Ask yourself, “What do I want my bedroom to feel like?” For me, it was about creating a peaceful, restful environment. Having that goal in mind helped me decide what to keep and what to let go.
  • Break It Down into Sections: I made the mistake of trying to tackle everything at once and ended up feeling exhausted. Instead, focus on one area at a time—like the closet today, the nightstand tomorrow. Even 20 minutes per section can make a huge difference.
  • Have a System for Sorting: Create three piles: keep, donate, and toss. When I first started, I tried to make decisions on the fly, but having clear categories sped things up and kept me from second-guessing every item.
  • Be Realistic About What You Use: I found clothes I hadn’t worn in over 2 years and books collecting dust on the shelf. If something hasn’t been used or loved in the past 6 months, it’s probably time to let it go.
  • Prepare for the Unexpected: Decluttering can stir up emotions. I came across sentimental items I hadn’t seen in years, like an old photo of my family, which made me pause for a while. Allow yourself time to process if this happens.

These steps helped me stay on track and made the process more manageable. Trust me, a little planning upfront can save you hours of frustration later!

Watch, How to Declutter Your Closet in Just One Afternoon

How Long Will It Take to Declutter a Bedroom?

The time it takes to declutter your bedroom depends on the size of the room and how much stuff you have.

From my experience, it can take as little as 1 hour for a quick refresh or up to 2-3 days for a full decluttering session.

When I tackled my bedroom, I split it into manageable chunks over 2 days. On the first evening, I focused on the closet for about 2 hours.

The next day, I spent 3 hours sorting through the drawers, nightstand, and under the bed. Breaking it down like this made the process feel less overwhelming.

If you only have 15-30 minutes a day, that’s fine too. Focus on one small area at a time, like a drawer or a shelf, and you’ll be amazed at how quickly progress adds up.

The key is to set realistic goals and give yourself enough time to sort through everything properly.

How to Declutter Your Bedroom

How to Declutter Your Bedroom?

So, it’s time to explore each and every step you need to follow when decluttering your loving bedroom.

1. Start with Obvious Trash and Remove Items That Clearly Don’t Belong

The first step in decluttering your bedroom is to tackle the easy stuff—the obvious trash and items that don’t belong.

When I started this process, I was shocked at how much unnecessary clutter had piled up. Old receipts, empty water bottles, and even a random screwdriver (still don’t know how that got there) were cluttering up my space.

I grabbed a trash bag and spent about 15 minutes just tossing anything that was clearly garbage.

Then, I made a quick pass around the room, collecting items that belonged elsewhere like books that should have been in the living room and shoes that belonged by the front door.

It’s amazing how just removing these items can instantly make the room feel more spacious and less chaotic.

Doing this first not only gave me a sense of accomplishment but also made it easier to see what I was working with. It’s like giving yourself a small win right out of the gate, motivating you to keep going.

If you’re short on time, even 5 minutes of trash removal can make a noticeable difference.

Trust me, starting with the obvious clutter is a simple but powerful way to kick off your decluttering journey!

How to Declutter Your Bedroom

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2. Declutter Flat Surfaces, Nightstands, and Dresser Tops

Flat surfaces are clutter magnets, and I realized my nightstand and dresser tops were the worst offenders.

Every time I walked in, I’d see stacks of unread books, random papers, and a pile of loose change staring back at me. It was overwhelming.

I set a timer for 20 minutes and started sorting through everything one by one. Anything I didn’t use daily, like old receipts or expired coupons, went straight into the trash.

Items I needed to keep, like my phone charger, found a permanent home in a drawer to keep the surface clear.

This simple cleanup made a huge difference. Waking up to a clean nightstand with just a lamp and my alarm clock felt refreshing, and it motivated me to keep the rest of the room tidy.

The trick is to keep only what you use or love on these surfaces.

A quick 15-minute refresh once a week has helped me maintain the clutter-free vibe I worked so hard to create.

How to Declutter Your Bedroom

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3. Sort and Organize Dresser Drawers and Closet Space by Categories

When it came to my dresser and closet, the mess felt endless. Clothes were crammed into drawers, and my closet had everything from winter coats to old shoes I hadn’t worn in years.

To make it manageable, I tackled one category at a time, starting with my dresser.

I emptied one drawer completely and sorted the items into three piles: keep, donate, and toss. It took me about 15 minutes per drawer to fold and organize what I was keeping.

For my closet, I used the same approach, focusing on sections like shirts one day and pants the next. Breaking it into smaller tasks made it less overwhelming.

Once sorted, I organized my dresser by grouping similar items, like T-shirts in one drawer and socks in another.

For the closet, I hung my clothes by type and color, which made finding outfits so much easier. I even added some labeled bins for accessories and shoes.

This step took me a couple of evenings, but the payoff was huge.

Now, getting dressed feels effortless, and I no longer waste time digging through piles of clothes.

How to Declutter Your Bedroom

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4. Clear and Organize Under-the-Bed Storage, Ensuring Only Intentional Items Remain

The space under my bed had turned into a catch-all for anything I didn’t know where to put.

Old shoes, random cables, and even a broken picture frame had been hiding there for months. I set aside 20 minutes to pull everything out and see what I was dealing with.

I sorted everything into three categories: keep, donate, and toss. Anything I hadn’t used in the last 6 months went straight to the donate or toss pile.

For the items I decided to keep, I used clear storage bins to keep things organized and easy to access. One bin is now dedicated to seasonal clothes, and another holds extra bedding.

By the end, I was left with a clutter-free and purposeful space under my bed. It felt so satisfying knowing everything there had a purpose.

Plus, the next time I need something, I won’t have to crawl around on the floor searching for it.

If you’re short on time, focus on clearing out just one section of under-the-bed storage in 10 minutes.

Small wins like this can help you stay motivated to finish the rest!

See, How to Declutter Your Dresser Top in 5 Simple Steps

How to Declutter Your Bedroom

5. Use Baskets, Trays, or Other Storage Solutions to Maintain Organization

Once I decluttered, I realized I needed a system to keep everything tidy. That’s when I turned to baskets and trays.

For example, I added a small tray to my nightstand for my essentials—like my phone charger, a book, and a glass of water—and it instantly made the space look cleaner.

In my closet, I used baskets to group smaller items like scarves and belts. I even added a labeled bin for shoes under the bed, which made it so much easier to find what I needed without creating a mess.

Each basket took less than 5 minutes to organize, and it felt great to have a designated spot for everything.

These storage solutions don’t just look nice. They keep things from piling up.

Now, when I finish my day, I can quickly put everything back where it belongs without much effort.

If you’re on a budget, don’t worry. I found a few inexpensive bins and trays that worked perfectly.

Trust me, investing just a little time and money into these solutions saves you from future clutter headaches!

Watch, How to Declutter Living Room Spaces and Keep Them Tidy for Good

How to Declutter Your Bedroom

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6. Establish a Daily Maintenance Routine to Keep the Bedroom Clutter-Free

After decluttering my bedroom, I realized the key to staying organized was a simple daily routine.

Every night before bed, I spend just 5 minutes putting things back where they belong like returning my book to the nightstand tray or tossing dirty clothes into the laundry basket.

I also make it a habit to clear flat surfaces every morning. For example, I fold any blankets on the bed and pick up anything left on the floor.

These small actions take less than 10 minutes but prevent clutter from piling up and turning into a big job later.

Once a week, I do a quick check of my drawers and closet to make sure everything is still organized.

I’ve noticed this routine keeps me from feeling overwhelmed, and my bedroom has stayed clutter-free ever since.

A few minutes a day is all it takes to maintain the peaceful, organized space you’ve worked so hard to create. Trust me, it’s a small investment of time with a big payoff!

Watch, How to Declutter Your Kids Room and Keep It Organized

Things That Make Your Bedroom Look Cluttered

Even after decluttering, I noticed a few things that still made my bedroom feel messy.

Identifying these sneaky clutter culprits helped me make my space feel truly calm and organized.

  • Too Many Decorative Items: I had more pillows on my bed than I needed and way too many knickknacks on my dresser. Reducing these to just a few favorites instantly made the room feel more open.
  • Clothes Left Out: Whether it was a pile of laundry or jackets tossed on a chair, clothes out in the open always made my room look chaotic. Adding a laundry basket and hooks for frequently used items solved this problem.
  • Messy Cords: My phone charger and lamp cords used to tangle under the nightstand. I spent 10 minutes organizing them with cable ties, and now they’re tucked neatly out of sight.
  • Overloaded Surfaces: Even useful items like books and beauty products can look cluttered if there are too many. Limiting what I keep on my nightstand and dresser to just a few essentials made a huge difference.

Addressing these common clutter sources doesn’t take long, but the impact is noticeable.

When every part of your room feels intentional, it creates a space that’s not just organized but also calming.

See, How to Declutter Bathroom in 30 Minutes

How to Declutter Your Bedroom

How to Keep Your Bedroom Decluttered

Once I decluttered my bedroom, the real challenge was keeping it that way.

I found that sticking to a few simple habits made all the difference in maintaining a clutter-free space.

  • Adopt a “One In, One Out” Rule: For every new item I bring into the bedroom—whether it’s clothes, decor, or books—I make sure to remove something I no longer need. This keeps my space from slowly filling up again.
  • Do a Quick Daily Tidy-Up: I take 5 minutes each night to put things back where they belong. Folding a blanket, clearing the nightstand, and putting clothes in the laundry basket helps prevent clutter from building up.
  • Set Limits on Stuff: I realized that having too much of anything, like decorative pillows or beauty products, made staying organized harder. Now, I stick to what I actually use and love, which makes my room feel lighter and easier to maintain.
  • Schedule Monthly Check-Ins: Once a month, I do a quick 15-minute scan of the room to get rid of anything unnecessary. This small effort keeps clutter from creeping back in and helps me stay ahead of the mess.

By following these habits, my bedroom has stayed clean and organized for months.

It’s not about being perfect. It’s about creating a space that works for you and feels good to be in.

Now that your bedroom is clutter-free, how does it feel? For me, it was like a weight had been lifted. I slept better, felt more relaxed, and actually enjoyed spending time in the space.

Also watch, 23 Stunning Bedroom Wall Decor Ideas to Make Your Room Pop!

What’s one change you’re most excited about in your own room?

Whether it’s clear surfaces or an organized closet, maintaining these small wins every day will keep your bedroom feeling like the peaceful retreat it’s meant to be.

References: Minimalist Living: One In, One Out

I'm the author of Happy Home Hour. This is where I provide the latest modern and classic interior designs that will take the appearence of your home to the next level. Happy Home Hour provide you with knowledge about the latest expert interior design tips, room design ideas, storage ideas, home decor and holiday decor ideas. Read More...

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