Setting up your sanctuary

It’s cold and gray outside. I don’t want to get knocked over by an arctic blast so, of course, I’m staying inside. But inside there’s clutter staring me in the face. I can only bury my nose in a book for so long. And TV is surely rotting my brain so I should put down the remote.

Well, nothing else to do but go room-by-room and make some tweaks. Wanna tag along for some easy tips to creating a more functional and clutter-free home? Great! Let’s start in the bedroom.

A bedroom should feel like a sanctuary. A safe space where you can relax at the end of the day. Rest and recharge, read a book, or catch some zzz’s. But a cluttered bedroom doesn’t allow for any of that.

Piles of laundry, stacks of unread books, hangers on the floor, drawers overflowing with clothes that may (or may not) fit, dust bunnies, dead plants, and more. Any of this sound familiar?

1. Begin by clearing the floor. Place dirty laundry in a hamper and clean laundry in drawers or the closet. Anything you find that doesn’t belong in the bedroom should be placed in a ‘re-home’ box to be put away in another part of the home.
   

2. Next, clear the horizontal surfaces like the dresser and nightstand. Put away jewelry, toiletries, hair accessories, tech gadgets, loose change, and anything that is taking up valuable space. Use a tray or shallow basket to contain needed items like a phone and charger, keys, and other valuables. Leave room for a lamp, book, and some water.  

3. Time to look in the closet. Remove anything you no longer love or need. If you don’t like the color or the way you look in it, it has to go. Clothes in the bedroom closet should be your current size. Smaller and larger sizes can be stored in another closet or a storage bin. Use the same type and color of hanger throughout to minimize visual clutter. Sort clothes by type, color, or season. Whichever way works best for you!  

4. Finally, get out the dust cloth and vacuum cleaner.

A cluttered bedroom doesn’t allow your mind and body to relax, which impacts your quality of sleep. Which then affects the next day: your mood, your skin tone, your relationships, your work performance, your desire to exercise or socialize, your . . . well, you get the point.