Why is it that so often that the master bedroom gets neglected? It can quickly become a dumping ground with surfaces becoming piled high with clutter and clothes. Maybe it’s because the master bedroom isn’t generally a room guests see so it’s easy enough to throw things in and quickly shut the door or maybe it’s just last on the list because so many other areas in the house need tending to first.
Whatever the reason I’d like to challenge you a little bit on that today. We spend so much time in our bedrooms, and yes most of that time is sleeping, but it’s also a place we come to unwind and relax and eventually sleep after a long day. Tell me how a cluttered room can be relaxing? It’s a constant reminder of something that still needs to be done, it’s not so easy to turn that off when it’s all around you. You deserve better than that. I know everyone reacts differently but visual clutter could be why you are having trouble falling asleep at night. This is the case with my daughter and I always know when it’s time to organize her room again. I’ve posted about that before here and here.
It’s time to create a sanctuary in our bedrooms, a retreat clear of clutter and chaos, a place to settle in with a good book, a good rest or you know “whatever else” WITHOUT the distractions of crap stuff everywhere.
What better time then now during April’s Monthly Round-up. Challenge yourself to work on it a little bit every day, I can assure you that it will be worth the effort.
This weekend if you are still wondering where to start may I suggest starting with the clothes. Clothes do not belong on the floor so gather up all the stray clothes that are without a home right now and pile them on the bed. Quickly sort through them creating smaller piles as you go…..laundry, donate, toss, put away and relocate. Consider the possibility that if clothes are ending up on the floor it could be we have too many clothes for the amount of space we have.
Is your closet too full? Do you need to make room in there? Start by removing everything. I know, everyone things I’m crazy with this step but I can assure you that the sorting process goes so much more quickly this way. Keep the clothes you wear and love!
Some helpful guidelines to remember:
- If you haven’t worn it in a year, it goes.
- If you don’t like it, it goes.
- If it doesn’t fit properly, it goes.
- If it needs ironing and you never wear it because you hate to iron, it goes.
- If you don’t wear it because it’s stained or ripped, it goes (if you haven’t done anything about it by now chances are pretty good you never will).
- If you hate the color on you, it goes.
- Hang out of season clothes together on one side of your closet or keep them in totes on the shelf of your closet or under your bed.
- Face all your hangers the same direction.
- Throw out those awful wire hangers.
- Weed out any one item you have way too many of.
What you want to do is free up your closet space for the clothes that you wear regularly. If you have clothes that are too small in your closet that you hope to fit into again soon and don’t have the heart to part with yet may I suggest also boxing them up and storing them separately so they aren’t taking up valuable closet space.
Those fortunate people with bigger closets don’t have to be as ruthless but if you only have a small closet you are going to have to be tough with yourself. I’ve noticed that many people keep clothes because of an emotional attachment they may have to them, which is fine if you have the space, however if you don’t then you really need to think about the space you are sacrificing to keep that particular item and whether or not it’s worth it.
Once you set your mind to it and tackle those clothes I think you’ll be surprised at how quickly it actually goes. I’ve also found it’s especially helpful to have a friend working along side you to offer their opinion, where appropriate, to keep things moving along.
Good luck!
Related posts:
Mindy Said says
Just wondering… did you peek into my bedroom before you titled this post? 🙂
Lori says
Oh my gosh!!! This is my weakness big time!!!! I desperately need help in the clothes department. I’m really bad about trying something on, doesn’t fit, and then I throw it down. Oh lord, help me please;)
Avlor says
Working on my clothes and closet now, actually. So this was very timely. The closet isn’t too bad because we redid our closets last year as a “remodeling” project. Added in shelving systems and reworked the total inefficiency of the old style closet – 1 hanging rod with a shelf above it. I have all my clothes in my closet now – leaving the dresser and smaller closet for hubby.
Drawers are a bane for me to keep neat when it comes to clothing. The shelves have been a life saver this last year as far as keeping more organized.
I actually did box up my wedding dress. (I’ve only kept it in the closet for 15 years. What do I think I’m going to do with it? Will talk to hubby to see if we should donate it somewhere. Is there such a thing as a wedding dress quilt? Would be a much more useful thing.)
momrn2 says
How did you know I had already decided my bedroom was one place I was going to begin tackling next week??
Our room is a bit difficult as it is more of a large open attic room above the garage. I don’t even have a closet… just a bar hung in the room. I definately have a job set out for me!!
Thanks for the additional motivation to get going on it!!! 🙂
Andria says
Argh… the bedroom. It is the most annoying bedroom of the house. Mail, the husband, the dog, the kids, papers, clothes-everything seems to gather in there. Oh, and dust. Why is it the dustiest room of our entire house?!
Dawn says
I definitely need to work on the closets. We have three closets: my husband’s closet, my closet, and the floor closet where all of our clean laundry ends up. I’m tired of digging through a huge pile of clothes to find something for everyone in my family to wear each day. I will be so glad to get this room done.
~Amy says
I need help with my closet…I’m too embarrassed to post pictures. In the Fall when you did your room challenge. I took pictures of the closet for the “small space cat.” but I just couldn’t bring myself to mess with it.
Maybe I can do it this time. 🙂
~Amy
Laura says
I posted a walk through video of my bedroom this week on my blog [email protected] My closet is another story. Last week I went through some of my cloths and gave most of it away. Then I went to my husband’s side of the closet. I just finished doing his laundry and had no room to put his clean cloths. So What I did was I pulled everything off the shelves and thrown it on the floor. I put in his clean cloths in the cubbies I have in the closet and told him to go through his clothes on the floor as donation will pick up March 15. Well, do you think he picked up? OH, no! It’s still stacks of cloths on my floor in the walk in closet. It’s a never ending battle.
Mrs. Wilson says
THIS IS MY BIGGEST PROBLEM!!!!!!
Thanks Laura!
Mel says
You read my mind! This is actually on my to do list today. We don’t have that big of a master bedroom, but with thinking about moving and just being tired of all the clutter it is on my weekend tackle. I will keep some pix so I can join in the monthly round up!!
Becky@BoysRuleMyLife says
I just told dh that I wanted to work on my closet today! Thanks for the list of things to get rid of! I need the support! 🙂
Melissa says
I’ve worked on organizing my room so many times, it seems it will never be the way I want it! Our room is actually a master suite with a large open area and a sitting area. That is where I’ve gravitated to be on the computer (paper, books, CD’s, etc come with that!) and so the kids have gravitated here to play (toys, books, more toys)! Drives me nuts, but I can’t seem to stop this habit! I’m so IN on this round up! I want to be *healed* of my bedroom afflictions!! HeeHee 🙂
Susanne says
Okay what are you doing snooping around in my closet space, hmmm? ;v)
Sigh, the bedroom is definitely my worst area. I always swore I would never let that happen and yet it continuously is the clutter room of the house. I’m with Melissa, I want to be healed of my bedroom afflictions! Post on my friend. I can take it!
Scratchin' the Surfa says
Our bedrooms never really get to be a mess, but that chore of switching over the clothes is on my list for this week – great ‘how to’ and this is the best time of year to do it. Thanks for the nudge to dive in!
sms says
Don’t just throw your wire hangers out… most drycleaning places will reuse them.
Taleah says
You had to have been looking at my to-do list! Seems even when I put a hamper in the bedroom, hubby’s clothes end up on the floor! He’s gotten better since I only washed the clothes in the hamper and he ran out of his favorite sweaters!
Becca says
Oh the lovely master bedroom. My problem is that I just don’t have enough room…but I’ll be working on it this month right along with you guys! I’m actually getting excited!
Tina says
Thank you for the very specific list! I’m going to print it out for DH. He’s the clothes horse in our family!
Heather says
Good tips—I was hoping looking at my pre-pregnancy clothing hanging there would be inspirational but 13 months after giving birth I still can’t fit into them. UGH! I guess this is the month to box them up. Maybe I’ll miss them and that will be inspirational!
Diane says
I am working on my closet this Friday. I will also do the clothing thing . We will see how it all goes.
I can get it to look neat often but it just doesnt stay that way the clothing quickly gets put on the top of the dresser or on the post of the bed. Then it starts growing and growing till it looks like a huge pile of who knows what!
I need to do it and then keep up with it. I purchased a beautiful new bed set once the bedroom is all neat this time I going to put it on and hopefully that will give me motivation to keep it that way.
My bedroom feels so heavy and I want it to feel light. Maybe this is why I am not getting a good nights sleep. Keep the tips coming Laura.
Thanks so much
Sheila Gregoire says
I actually do weed my clothes quite frequently! My sister-in-law owns a second hand store, and I send tons of stuff her way every year, so my closet is quite streamlined.
BUT, I do have clothes on my floor all the time! It’s mostly laundry that needs folding. I try to get it done right away, but it doesn’t always work. And then, I invariably find a stray dishcloth or sock that made its way under the bed while it was waiting to be folded. Sigh.
Visit To Love, Honor and Vacuum today!
Amiyrah says
So glad you put this post up! I am doing a spring cleaning series on my blog and we are finishing up the bedroom on sunday. We are dedicating a week to each room and have already done the bathroom. I plan on posting a link to this page tomorrow when I put up the re-cap post for the week.
A Juggling Mum says
Clothes off the floor and sorted in the laundry….. check!
Only the clothes that I wear regularily in the closet….. check!
I have been trying to keep my bedroom as clean and uncluttered as possible but there are still days when I slip up and things start piling up 🙂
Thanks for the challenge 🙂
Rachel xxx
A Juggling Mum
Forgetfulone says
My master bedroom is looking nice and inviting. I still need to work on the bathroom and closets.
Tracy says
What a coincidence this is exactly what I have been doing. I hope you don’t mind but I will be away this week for tackle it tuesday so I will add my link which is relevant in both respects ~smile~.
http://manyhomeblessings.blogspot.com/2008/04/april-organising-roundup-master-bedroom.html
Can organisation count as an addiction? I think I might have a problem, lol.
Blessings,
Tracy
Stacey says
This is great, Laura! I agree that a peaceful bedroom is way more conducive to proper rest. We don’t even have toys in our kids room! Gasp!
Anyways, I did a major overhaul of our bedroom last spring for your 30 day challenge. (And won honorable mention, thankyouverymuch!) But this year I did a major overhaul of our closets and drawers – kind of like what you are saying. I got rid of a LOT! It feels good!
Now that we are home from vacation, though, I have to go put all our laundry away….shouldn’t take too long, but thanks for the encouragement to get it done before it grows a mind of its own!
Trixie says
Hello,
What perfect timing, thank you! Our bedroom tends to be the catch all place for “in process” laundry. And, by that I mean mostly stuff that needs to be ironed. It’s everywhere and it is so depressing to see it lying about all over every flat surface.
I’m going to spend a quick 15 minutes right this minute straightening and putting things away.
Take Care,
Trixie
AnneMarieZ says
what? are you peeking in my windows? lol!
I have so much to do… this is on my list of to do’s this week… just gotta make the time to create my sanctuary!!!
I think I am off to make my list, menu plan and prepare for a busy day!!!
melissa says
Working on the bedroom this month! Thanks for your many tips!
GiBee says
My first thought… “Get out of my room, Laura” — lol!
Got any ideas for a very cheap alternative for bedside tables/storage? We currently use plastic Sterilite plastic three drawer carts (one on each side) … but they are SO not working. None of the drawers on the one on my husband’s side will close anymore … they are too heavy. We need to replace them, and don’t have time to go to yard sales.
Any ideas? (CHEAP ideas)
BrownEyedGirl says
Oh how this post hits home. The current state of my bedroom is such that I have piles of clothes laying around. Partly because I haven’t had a chance to unpack from a weekend away and partly because my sister gave me 8 bags of clothes to keep or give away. Excuses aside… I have no excuses. Maybe I’ll get on that tonight!
Keeper of the Home says
Laura, great post. This is timely for me, and I’m glad April is the month for bedrooms. Mine is in need of some work, that’s for sure!
I actually was just given a huge pile of great hand-me-downs (for me, this time, not my kids!!!), and so I have a definite reason to need to sift through my stuff and get rid of everything that isn’t necessary or being worn.
We’re also terrible offenders for throwing clothes on the floor. Our closet door squeaks and is difficult to open (and it’s a rental house, and they don’t want to fix it), so we use that as an excuse to not bother with our clothes at the end of the evening. I need to find a solution… maybe we just need to fix the closet door anyways.
Thanks for the links, too. Can’t wait to check them out!
Stephanie @ Keeper of the Home
Leigh Anne Wilkes says
One rule I have that helps keep my closet somewhat under control (I use the word “somewhat” loosely) is that when something new comes in, something old must go out.
Jane says
I have to admit that it’s not the clothes in my closet that take up all the space. It’s the craft supplies!
I also have presents (hidden from the kids, boxes we haven’t unpacked (we moved in over 18mths ago) and general junk.
When I do clear it all out, there will be so much space in there, I’ll just have to go and buy some more crafty odds and ends for me & the kids!
Cheers, Jane 🙂
Marianne says
I’ve always had trouble with throwing away stuff, so I moved it into my son’s closet! He is 9 now, and wants the wedding dress and the 1970s shiny disco clothes OUT. Guess it’s time to make space in the basement! LOL. I will commit here to discarding 1 Hefty Bag of clothes. Most will be pre-pregnancy clothes…it’s a lost cause!!!
Aimee says
I posted my “before” pictures on my blog. I am slowly working on the room. I have to get it to look a bit better and NOT let it go anymore!
I tend to just throw things in the closet or on the floor, it is easy to hide things in the bedroom because guests don’t usually go upstairs!
Thanks for the motivation-I have to post the “after” pics so I have to do it!! I am trying to do this on a budget of $50.00 (already spent $30 on the closet rod) so it is not fancy or pretty but will be more organized!!
Brenda says
I too have let our Master Bedroom get completely out of control. I wasn’t always like this. I have seven children and only two of them are still home. My house was always neat and tidy when all seven of them were here. I had to be organized with that many kids. Even the Master was kept very organized and clean, and I used to go through and purge our clothing twice a year when the seasons changed. But lately its so bad that I just don’t know where to begin. Its not even just clothing anymore, its seasonal decorations, gifts I’ve bought ahead, papers, magazine, books, do-dads, etc. I’ve been crawling over my husband to get into bed for the past year because I can’t get in on my side due to all the boxes and bins that I’ve bought to contain all the pictures and stuff that is in our room. Everytime I think I’m going to finally get to it, I just get so overwhelmed that I shut down completely. Not quite sure where to begin. And I’m afraid too that it will take more than a day and that it will get worse when I get started before it gets better. HELP!
Debra says
I realize that this is an old post, but gosh the information is still so useful and current. I could swear that you wrote it for me! That pile of clothing on my dresser COULD FIT into my closet — IF I got rid of all the stuff that I never wear. So simple. I’m so happy to have found your site!!
handbag organiser says
Well that sounds like my wardrobe a few weeks back, i have now organised my wardrobe wooohooo it makes life so much easier, I was wasting too much time looking for things in my wadrobe and my handbag- i even brought a handbag organiser so i know were everything is in my purse too!!!!
saves me so much time each day 🙂