0111 DIY Tips to Declutter Your Bedroom and Sleep Better

Clutter in the bedroom doesn't just look bad — it affects how well you sleep. Visual disorder keeps your brain in a low-level state of alertness, making it harder to fully relax and unwind. The fix doesn't require a renovation. A few focused organization changes can make your bedroom feel like a genuine sleep sanctuary.

Here are 11 practical, DIY-friendly tips organized by area.

03Closet Organization (5 Tips)

1. Do a Full Wardrobe Purge

Empty the entire closet. Everything out. Then only put back what you've worn in the last 6–12 months. Anything that hasn't moved in a year is taking up physical and mental space. Donate it.

This sounds drastic but it's the most effective starting point. You can't organize excess — you have to reduce it first.

2. Hang with a System

Random hanging is the enemy of an organized closet. Group clothes by category: pants together, shirts together, dresses together. If you want to go further, break it down by occasion (work, casual, formal) or season. The goal is to open the closet and immediately find what you need.

3. Color-Code Within Categories

Once you have categories, arrange by color within each. It feels tedious until the first time you're running late and can find exactly what you need in under 10 seconds. Well worth the 20 minutes it takes to set up.

4. Use Shower Rings for Scarves

Grab a pack of cheap shower curtain rings, loop your scarves through them, and hang the whole set on one hanger or the closet door rod. Fast, free, and way better than a tangled pile on the floor.

5. Hang Suitcases on the Back Wall

Suitcases stored upright on the floor eat up valuable closet real estate. Hang them on large hooks attached to the back wall of the closet. They stay accessible but out of the way, and it frees up significant floor space.

04Dresser Organization (3 Tips)

6. Use Drawer Dividers

Dresser drawers are where organization goes to die. A handful of cheap drawer dividers (or even small cardboard boxes) completely change how usable each drawer is. Separate socks, underwear, t-shirts, workout clothes — whatever the drawer holds. Everything has a place, nothing gets shoved in randomly.

7. Freshen the Drawers

If your dresser has a stale or musty smell, place a few cedar blocks, a sachet of dried lavender, or a bar of unscented soap in each drawer. It's a small detail that makes opening the dresser a slightly nicer experience every morning.

8. Create a Home for Sentimental Clutter

Most dressers collect shirts and items that are too sentimental to toss but too worn to actually wear. Rather than letting them occupy prime drawer space, move them to a trunk, bin, or storage box that lives under the bed or in a closet. Out of the daily rotation, but not gone.

05Bedroom and Bed Area (3 Tips)

9. Use Under-Bed Storage

Under the bed is some of the most underused storage in any bedroom. Flat storage bins or bags work well for seasonal linens, extra pillows, shoes, or off-season clothing. Keep it organized — a junk drawer under the bed defeats the purpose.

If your current bed frame doesn't allow under-bed storage, consider upgrading to one that does. Many bed frames are designed specifically with storage in mind.

10. Choose Furniture That Does Double Duty

Every piece of furniture in a bedroom should earn its space. A storage ottoman at the foot of the bed provides seating and hidden storage. A headboard with built-in shelving reduces the need for a separate bookcase. When you're selecting new bedroom furniture, prioritize pieces that serve more than one function.

11. Clear the Surfaces

Nightstands and dressers collect clutter by gravity. Books, chargers, receipts, half-empty water bottles, random accessories — it accumulates fast. Make a rule: only essentials stay on the surface. A lamp, a glass of water, and your phone. Everything else gets a drawer or a designated spot elsewhere.

This single habit has a disproportionate impact on how calm your bedroom feels.

06The Big Picture: Why a Cleaner Bedroom = Better Sleep

Research consistently shows that people who describe their bedrooms as cluttered report worse sleep quality than those who describe them as calm and organized. The relationship goes both ways — clutter creates stress, and stress makes clutter worse.

Start with one area. Finish it. Then move to the next. You don't have to tackle everything in one weekend. But once you start, you'll feel the difference immediately in how you fall asleep and wake up.

07Frequently Asked Questions

Does bedroom clutter really affect sleep quality?

Yes. Visual clutter keeps the brain in a low-level alert state, making it harder to wind down at night. A cleaner, more organized sleep environment signals to your brain that it's time to rest. The effect is real, even if it's subtle.

What's the fastest way to declutter a bedroom?

Start with surfaces — nightstands, dressers, the floor. Clear them completely, then only put back what belongs there. This takes less than an hour and creates immediate visual relief. The closet and drawers can come later.

How often should I declutter my bedroom?

A full purge once or twice a year works well. Light maintenance (clearing surfaces, keeping things put away) should be a weekly habit. The key is having a place for everything, so things don't pile up between sessions.

What if my bedroom is small and I don't have much storage space?

Small bedrooms benefit even more from decluttering because visual clutter shrinks the perceived space. Focus on under-bed storage, vertical storage (shelving above doorways or on walls), and multi-function furniture. A storage bed frame can be a game-changer in a small room.

08A Great Bedroom Starts with a Great Mattress

Once the clutter is gone, you'll notice everything else about your sleep setup more clearly — including whether your mattress is still doing its job. If it's not, come visit one of our five LA showroom locations and try some options in person. We'll help you find the right fit without the pressure.