A messy bedroom, often filled with piles of clutter, is something many people face but rarely address. Pro organizers strongly recommend tidying up your space as it’s crucial for creating a peaceful environment to relax in after a long day. Experienced organizers have observed a variety of common issues in cluttered bedrooms, and they share the first things they notice in these untidy spaces.
Clothes on the Floor
Many messy bedrooms are cluttered with clothing. Kat Duncan Campbell, the founder of UpTown Concierge, always notices piles of clothing on the floor in particular.
“This is usually because there are entirely too many clothes so the simple process of putting away is too overwhelming,” she says, noting that people have likely already filled their existing hangers or dresser drawers.
One might set out a sweater thinking they will likely reach for it again later in the week, only to forget all about it because it gets buried under more and more clothes each day.
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Piles on Chairs
People oftentimes create large piles of clothing and accessories on chairs in their bedrooms, seldom using these areas to actually sit down and read or work. As piles grow larger and larger, organizers can’t miss them.
“If you are using furniture like chairs and benches to collect mountains of laundry, time to ditch it and create new habits in the space,” Ria Safford, the founder of Riorganize, says.
Trash
Some people end up with piles of trash in the bedroom, too. Oftentimes, people do not take the time to properly dispose of things because they feel that there is already so much else scattered about, Campbell notes.
“One more piece of paper on the desk ‘doesn’t make a difference’ to them,” she says.
Make a habit of tossing things into your bedroom trash can (or adding one if you don’t already have a bin in there) and emptying your trash as soon as it’s full to prevent buildup.
An Unmade Bed
It’s rare to come across a properly made bed in a messy bedroom, Sarah Anthony, the founder of Organize & Design, explains.
However, many people overestimate how much time is involved in this simple task, as well as what kind of an impact it can have on the overall space.
“It can be done in less than 60 seconds and changes the way the room looks 100 percent,” the organizer says.
Kitchen Items
People have mixed views on eating in the bedroom. If you partake in this habit, though, you’re going to want to return your dishes to the sink post-snack. Anthony always notices when people have plates and cups on hand by their bedside.
Keep in mind that sticky cups and dirty dishes can lure in bugs and other critters, too, giving you even more of an incentive to clean up after yourself promptly.
No Storage
In some messy bedrooms, the issue isn’t that people’s existing storage systems are overflowing—it’s that they don’t have any of these systems to begin with, Safford notes.
“Without the ability to create ‘homes’ for your items, you are setting your space up for failure,'” she says. “The proper storage solutions not only add to the functionality of a space but can also elevate the aesthetic—win, win!”
Even if your small bedroom doesn’t allow space for a traditional dresser or you don’t have a closet, you can get creative. For example, make use of a tall, narrow corner by bringing a wardrobe or chest to take advantage of the vertical space present in the room.