An Easy Way to Organize Your Bedroom, According to Ikea Stylists

Having an organized bedroom can make your life feel more put together. But with busy schedules, it’s easy to let clutter build up over time. The good news is that it doesn’t take a major overhaul to get your bedroom back in order. In this article, we’ll share an easy organizing method recommended by Ikea stylists.

Start by Clearing Flat Surfaces

The first step is clearing flat surfaces like your dresser and nightstands. Place items into bins or baskets so these spaces look tidy and intentional again. This instantly makes your room look more pulled together.

Purge Your Closet

Next, tackle your closet. Try on or go through every clothing item. Be ruthless and donate or throw away anything you don’t absolutely love or hasn’t been worn in over a year. Arrange items by type and color for an instantly neater closet.

Invest in Storage Furniture

Strategic storage furniture can help you stay organized moving forward. For instance, a dresser offers plenty of drawer space for folded clothing. And a clothing rack adds hanging room. Measure your space first to ensure new pieces fit.

Use Bins and Baskets

Bins, baskets, and storage containers are affordable and versatile solutions for rounding up odds and ends. Use fabric bins for items like scarves and hats. Clear plastic bins work for out-of-season clothing. And woven baskets instantly neaten items like chargers and tech accessories.

The Benefits of an Organized Bedroom

An organized bedroom provides both physical and mental perks. You’ll waste less time looking for misplaced items each morning. And you’ll feel more relaxed in a clutter-free sanctuary environment each night.

Maximizing Under-Bed Real Estate

One of the most overlooked zones in any bedroom is the vast, dark expanse beneath your bed frame. Ikea stylists often refer to this as the “forgotten square footage.” Instead of letting this area become a graveyard for dust bunnies and stray socks, capitalize on it with low-profile rolling drawers or vacuum-sealed bags. For items you rarely touch—such as heavy winter duvets, formal wear, or keepsakes—vacuum-sealing is a game-changer. It compresses bulky materials, allowing you to slide them into shallow containers that glide easily on casters. If your current bed frame doesn’t allow for clearance, consider using bed risers to gain an extra three to four inches of vertical space. This simple adjustment can transform an unusable gap into a hidden storage hub for an entire season’s worth of shoes or linens.

The Art of Vertical Wall Utilization

When floor space is at a premium, you must shift your perspective upward. Walls offer untapped potential for organization that keeps surfaces clear without encroaching on your walking path. Install wall-mounted pegboards near your vanity or dressing area to hang jewelry, belts, and frequently used accessories. Unlike a closed drawer, a pegboard keeps your items visible, which prevents the “out of sight, out of mind” trap that leads to clutter. Additionally, consider floating shelves above your headboard or desk. These are ideal for books, ambient lighting, or decorative elements that would otherwise clutter your nightstand. By drawing the eye upward, you also create the illusion of higher ceilings, making a cramped bedroom feel significantly more spacious and airy.

Mastering Drawer Dividers and Micro-Organization

A drawer is only as organized as its internal configuration. Without dividers, even a neatly folded stack of shirts will eventually devolve into a chaotic “junk drawer” pile. Ikea stylists advocate for the use of modular drawer inserts that can be customized to the specific dimensions of your clothing. Use narrow, long bins for socks and underwear, and wider, shallower trays for t-shirts or pajamas. The secret here is the “file-folding” method: instead of stacking clothes vertically, fold them so they stand upright in rows. This allows you to see every single item in the drawer at a glance without having to dig through layers. For jewelry or small tech accessories, felt-lined trays prevent scratching and keep delicate items from shifting every time you open or close the drawer.

Optimizing the Nightstand for Daily Rituals

Your nightstand is the transition point between your day and your rest; if it is cluttered, your mind will be too. To keep this surface functional, apply the “Rule of Three”: only three categories of items should live here—lighting, a single book or journal, and a place for your phone or glass of water. If your nightstand has a drawer, use it to hide “hidden clutter” like charging cables, hand cream, and medications. For those using a small table without drawers, introduce a decorative tray. By containing your items within a tray, you create a visual boundary that prevents “clutter creep.” If you find yourself needing more than the surface allows, consider a wall-mounted sconce for lighting to reclaim the space taken up by a lamp base.

Creating a Dedicated “Landing Strip” for Daily Wear

We often drop our “in-between” clothes—those items that are not dirty enough for the hamper but not clean enough for the closet—onto the nearest chair or the floor. This habit is the primary culprit behind bedroom visual noise. To solve this, designate a specific “landing strip” in your room. This could be a stylish valet stand, a series of sturdy wall hooks behind the door, or a decorative ladder leaning against a wall. By giving these items a permanent home, you eliminate the “chair pile” and keep your room looking crisp until you are ready to do laundry. Ensure this area is tucked away from the main walkway to maintain a clean aesthetic while still providing easy access to your most-worn items.

The Psychological Impact of Lighting and Color

Organization isn’t just about furniture; it’s about how your space feels to the senses. A cluttered room often feels dim and cramped, whereas a well-lit, organized room feels expansive. Ikea designers recommend using warm-toned LED lighting to illuminate dark corners—such as the back of your closet or under your bed—to make these areas feel intentional rather than neglected. Furthermore, keep your storage containers consistent in color or material. If you have mismatched plastic tubs, they will look cluttered even when organized. By switching to uniform baskets or white bins, you reduce visual stimulation. This creates a cohesive, calming palette that allows your eyes to rest, reinforcing the bedroom’s primary purpose as a sanctuary for sleep and rejuvenation.

FAQ

What are the first two steps recommended for getting your bedroom organized?

The first two steps are: 1) Clear flat surfaces like your dresser and nightstands, and 2) Purge your closet by donating or throwing away items you don’t wear.

What type of storage furniture helps keep a bedroom organized?

Strategic storage furniture like dressers and clothing racks help keep bedrooms organized by offering dedicated spaces to store clothing and other items.

What are some affordable storage solutions for a bedroom?

Affordable storage solutions for organizing a bedroom include bins, baskets, and storage containers. These can neatly corral smaller items like hats, scarves, chargers, and more.

What are benefits of having an organized bedroom?

Benefits include wasting less time looking for misplaced items in the mornings and feeling more relaxed at night in a clutter-free space.

How often should I purge my bedroom to stay organized?

It’s a good idea to fully purge your bedroom once or twice a year. Try tackling this in the spring and fall when changing over your wardrobe. You can also do quick 10-minute pickups more regularly to maintain organization.