At the beginning of the year, the urge to declutter comes suddenly, like clockwork. There is a desire to streamline everything before work and life disruption occurs again. Plus, there’s something oddly satisfying about a Kondo-level closet, a carefully edited coffee table, and meal prep to start the week. But one space he often neglects is one that is purely his own: his bedroom. So today we turn to the masters of living intentionally. Shiragil She shares not only her best ideas for organizing your bedroom, but also how to start each day off to a better start.
An organization expert, lifestyle blogger, and author of two books, Gill turns the act of clearing clutter into an almost meditative act of self-care. endless scientific research We found a correlation between clean spaces and productivity (and more: less stress and better sleep). But for her Berkeley, Calif.-based mom, it’s not just about getting rid of things, it’s about empowering herself in her own space.
Featured images from Reimi Ishizuka’s interview.
innovative bedroom organization ideas
Before we get into special excerpts from Gill’s book, here’s an overview of bedroom organization ideas that keep our spaces clean and, in turn, our energy calm.
- Consider the visuals and mental confusion. It’s not just about what you see, but also about how clutter affects you mentally and even emotionally. Do you have piles of papers that keep you from using your desk productively? Organize them. Do you have a pile of unread books on your nightstand? Choose one book to read aloud each night. Clearing out clutter allows you to use your space in a more coordinated and productive way.
- Get your routine organized. Do you have furniture in your bedroom that is part of your everyday life? Make that a priority. If you have other items that belong to your weekly or monthly routine, they don’t need to be within reach. For example, you’ll likely only do laundry every week, so keep the basket in your closet.
- Purchase storage furniture. We love stylish and functional pieces. Choose storage furniture (headboards, under-bed storage, mirrors, etc.) that helps keep clutter away.
- Create an open closet. You’ve probably seen many style creators use portable clothing racks to show off their outfits. If you have the space, follow their tips and create your own. This allows you to lay out all your outfits for the week so you don’t have to constantly go through your entire closet.
Check out Gil’s bedroom organization ideas to give your most intimate space the dreamy, uplifting vibe it deserves. She outlines some simple habit changes and her five things to banish from the bedroom forever. (Tip: Don’t neglect your morning coffee mug.) Prepare to wake up in your own personal sanctuary.
Shiragil
Shira Gill is an internationally recognized home organization expert, bestselling author, and speaker. Shira is the author of Minimalista and Organized Living and has appeared in over 100 print publications and media outlets, including Vogue, Dwell, Better Homes & Gardens, House Beautiful, Architectural Digest, Domino, Forbes, Goop, Harper’s Bazaar, HGTV, Today, and more. It is featured in. She has appeared in “InStyle,” “Parents,” “Real Simple,” and “The New York Times.”
Tip #1: Don’t leave it alone.tidy up
I think of confusion simply as a delay in action or decision-making. If you have a pile of clean laundry on your chair in your bedroom, it means you haven’t folded or put it away yet. If you have a pile of dusty books on the floor, it means you forgot to put them back on the living room bookshelf. When you enter your home, start noticing if you are throwing things away where they could be used. Are you emptying your bags and pockets? Do you want to throw and run? Being aware of your current habits is always the first step.
Be careful when you enter your bedroom today. If you have something in your hand, think twice before you put it down. Practice returning all items you bring into the bedroom to a designated place instead of dumping or throwing them away in a convenient place. It may sound like an exaggeration, but once you get the hang of this habit, it can feel like a moving meditation. It feels good to treat your belongings and your space with respect, and it’s a dream come true to wake up in a space that feels hand-picked and cared for.
Tip #2: Put your clothes away
Want to know the secrets from inside? Most people don’t put their clothes away at the end of the day. It takes him less than two minutes to put away his clothes, and he swears it’s well worth the effort. This small nightly tidying effort has a big compounding effect. You either wake up to a huge pile of clothes, or you have a clean, comfortable space. Which one do you prefer?
As you get ready for bed tonight, decide which clothes are dirty and which can be put away. I know that many of you are making up a new category consisting of “half-clean, half-dirty clothes,” but I don’t know what to do with it. Warning: This kind of gray zone thinking won’t lead to quick fixes. If an item is clean enough to be worn again, it’s clean. If it’s visibly dirty or unclean, call it dirty. transaction?
Please throw dirty items into the laundry bin. Hang or fold items that can be worn again and return them to the dresser or closet. If you have watches, jewelry, or other accessories, be sure to return them to their designated locations. This seems very simple and obvious, but the rewards promise to be huge.
Tip #3: Relocation and Reset
The bedroom can be a messy place, often filled with things like bills, mail, magazines, coffee cups, and breakfast dishes. Take a few minutes during the day or before bed to rearrange random items and reset your space to its former glory. Remember the rules and guidelines you have created for yourself and stick to them. What is your bedroom for? How do you want it to feel? I don’t think dirty dishes and work papers will create the atmosphere you want.
Practice the 5-minute relocated shuffle. Grab a trash can, box, or basket and fill it with everything that has fallen into your bedroom that needs to see a way out. It takes a few minutes to return a bill and mail it to your home “office” or send dirty dishes to the kitchen sink. It’s like a quick bedroom reset, and all you need is a few minutes a day to prevent avalanches and avalanches. A weekend of cleaning and tidying up. Let’s try it for your future self!
Tip #4: Set clear boundaries around other people’s stuff.
Do you have a partner or spouse, children or furry friends, or an Italian lover who visits every third Thursday of the month? If the other person frequently dumps things in the bedroom, clearly It’s best to create consistent guidelines and rules.
I think this is the part where I would like to be taught how to get others to change. Trust me, as a control enthusiast myself, I want to share that secret formula with you. But the truth is, other people usually do what they want. . . Even if you ask politely. Even if you remind them. Even if you threaten me, pout me, or get angry.
Good news? You can always decide how you think, feel, act, and react in any situation, so that’s what we’re dealing with here.
Make a plan for what to do if someone leaves something in your bedroom. Write down exactly how you want to react and what actions you want to take. It is important to think about it calmly in advance. Try to communicate that to other people in your life in a clear, respectful, and non-threatening way. Use “if/then” statements. For example, tell your kids, “If you leave your things in my bedroom, I’ll always leave your things in a pile on your bed because they don’t belong in my space.” You can say, “Yes.” Whatever you decide, make sure it feels good to you and is driven by positive emotions. So instead of saying, “Everyone who touches my masterpiece goes down!” it means, “I’m excited to create a space that feels good.”
5 things to banish from the bedroom
- Excessive furniture. Beds already take up most of the prime real estate. If you have random side tables, end tables, stools, or benches, consider moving or donating them. Unless you have a huge bedroom and are creating some type of suite, give your bedroom some breathing room.
- luggage. Unpack it as soon as you get back from your trip. After you pack up your belongings, put away your suitcase as well (in the designated area, of course). please.
- dirty dishes. One question. why? Take your time and put dirty dishes and abandoned coffee mugs back into the kitchen. Earn bonus points just by washing and tidying up right away.
- garbage. I say that because it’s more common than you might think. Garbage should be placed in the trash can. Not on your nightstand, not under your bed, not on your dresser. Do not place it on the bedroom floor! I think we’re on the same page here. Please throw away your trash. Do it now. Well, now.
- technology. After all, no matter what else you decide to do, your bedroom should be a place where you can rest. If you go to bed listening to the noise of your computer or phone, you won’t get a good night’s sleep. Move computers, cell phones, tablets, and anything else that might disturb you or your sleep.
This is an exclusive excerpt from Sheila Gill’s book. Minimalista: A step-by-step guide to a better home, wardrobe, and life.Reprinted from minimalist Written by Shira Gill. Copyright 2021 by Shira Gill. Published by Ten Speed Press, an imprint of Random House, a division of Penguin Random House LLC.
This post was last updated on December 30, 2022.