Neat Bedroom Tips to Steal from Tidy People
“Floordrobes” be gone! Use these simple ideas to avoid a perpetual tip in your sanctuary
Lara Watson
29 June 2016
Houzz UK and Ireland Editorial Staff. My background is in creative lifestyle publishing and I'm currently a freelance writer/editor. I live in a converted dye factory in East London and am forever searching 'exposed brick' on Houzz.
Houzz UK and Ireland Editorial Staff. My background is in creative lifestyle publishing... More
It’s easy to ignore the mess in your bedroom when it’s tucked away upstairs and no one has to see it. As it isn’t often on show, you’d be forgiven for simply closing the door on a big shambles and concentrating on sprucing up your living room or kitchen instead. But if fleeting order brings you happiness, it might worth striving for it on a more permanent basis. Here are some ideas from (enviably) neat freaks for keeping your room spick and span.
Opt for an ottoman
A big blanket chest at the end of the bed, or anywhere in your room for that matter, can hide a multitude of sins. Whether it houses spare blankets, shoes or the paperwork you were doing in bed last night, a piece of furniture like this is a storage saviour – and, as seen in this Rendall & Wright-designed bedroom, can look really elegant. It’s so quick to chuck things in there, too.
This example is extra neat, and buttoned to match the headboard. For longevity, look for styles that go with everything and will fit most schemes in case you fancy a change or move house – wicker, wood and leather finishes have lasting appeal.
A big blanket chest at the end of the bed, or anywhere in your room for that matter, can hide a multitude of sins. Whether it houses spare blankets, shoes or the paperwork you were doing in bed last night, a piece of furniture like this is a storage saviour – and, as seen in this Rendall & Wright-designed bedroom, can look really elegant. It’s so quick to chuck things in there, too.
This example is extra neat, and buttoned to match the headboard. For longevity, look for styles that go with everything and will fit most schemes in case you fancy a change or move house – wicker, wood and leather finishes have lasting appeal.
Place items with precision
It’s surprising how much order you can introduce simply by lining things up in a row. The shoes are still on the floor in this room, designed by Rebecca Hayes Interiors, but they’re neatly placed under the wardrobe, with baskets for storage on top and books neatly stacked on the bedside table.
Be confident about your clutter and it can look carefully curated instead of messy.
Find an interior designer on Houzz today.
It’s surprising how much order you can introduce simply by lining things up in a row. The shoes are still on the floor in this room, designed by Rebecca Hayes Interiors, but they’re neatly placed under the wardrobe, with baskets for storage on top and books neatly stacked on the bedside table.
Be confident about your clutter and it can look carefully curated instead of messy.
Find an interior designer on Houzz today.
Catch it all in a tray
Tray-style bedside tables like these are a cunning way to trick the eye in a bedroom, as they can potentially hide piles of jewellery, reading glasses and other bits and bobs within deep-sided walls.
Be inspired by this look in a room byGabriel Holland Interior Design: opting for a non-symmetrical look to your bedside tables (less about the standard identical lamp each side, more about variety with framed pictures and vases, as here) creates a mismatched vibe that’s more forgiving for clutter-keepers.
Tray-style bedside tables like these are a cunning way to trick the eye in a bedroom, as they can potentially hide piles of jewellery, reading glasses and other bits and bobs within deep-sided walls.
Be inspired by this look in a room byGabriel Holland Interior Design: opting for a non-symmetrical look to your bedside tables (less about the standard identical lamp each side, more about variety with framed pictures and vases, as here) creates a mismatched vibe that’s more forgiving for clutter-keepers.
Hang up jewellery
If necklaces and bracelets typically get taken off at the end of the day and piled up in a tangled mess on a bedside table or chest of drawers, this is a pretty way to give them a more orderly space in your room. Plus, you can see what you have at a glance and getting ready in the morning suddenly becomes a lot easier and quicker.
If watches are more your thing, they look beautiful displayed in a neat row, face up, on a freshly polished chest of drawers.
If necklaces and bracelets typically get taken off at the end of the day and piled up in a tangled mess on a bedside table or chest of drawers, this is a pretty way to give them a more orderly space in your room. Plus, you can see what you have at a glance and getting ready in the morning suddenly becomes a lot easier and quicker.
If watches are more your thing, they look beautiful displayed in a neat row, face up, on a freshly polished chest of drawers.
Add a row of pegs
Go a step further and add a whole row of pegs, then display carefully selected clothing, bags, pictures and jewellery. This adds interest to your room and draws the eye up, while keeping surfaces and the floor – where these items often end up – clearer.
Go a step further and add a whole row of pegs, then display carefully selected clothing, bags, pictures and jewellery. This adds interest to your room and draws the eye up, while keeping surfaces and the floor – where these items often end up – clearer.
Make space for baskets
Baskets are perfect for stashing anything from scarves and belts to small bags and purses. Even craft materials, such as balls of yarn or lengths of fabric, look gorgeous in a bedroom when they’re stored but on show at the same time. Plus it reminds you to use those items more often.
Baskets are perfect for stashing anything from scarves and belts to small bags and purses. Even craft materials, such as balls of yarn or lengths of fabric, look gorgeous in a bedroom when they’re stored but on show at the same time. Plus it reminds you to use those items more often.
Buy a bed with built-in storage
For small bedrooms, this idea – well-illustrated here by Jigsaw Interior Architecture – is always a winner. It makes total sense to get as much hidden storage into a room as possible, especially when you know you have a lot of clutter to hide. You’ll thank yourself in the long run for investing in something so neat and sensible.
For small bedrooms, this idea – well-illustrated here by Jigsaw Interior Architecture – is always a winner. It makes total sense to get as much hidden storage into a room as possible, especially when you know you have a lot of clutter to hide. You’ll thank yourself in the long run for investing in something so neat and sensible.
Store it in something beautiful
Battered old suitcases, like the one here, in a room by id-homes, make great under-bed storage if the built-in option isn’t for you. Take an afternoon to look at the space you have and the belongings that typically end up strewn about and identify areas that could hold more storage. Use the space well with items you love and tidying can even become a joy!
Tell us…
How do you keep your room tidy? Do you find it a challenge? Share your ideas and photos in the Comments.
Battered old suitcases, like the one here, in a room by id-homes, make great under-bed storage if the built-in option isn’t for you. Take an afternoon to look at the space you have and the belongings that typically end up strewn about and identify areas that could hold more storage. Use the space well with items you love and tidying can even become a joy!
Tell us…
How do you keep your room tidy? Do you find it a challenge? Share your ideas and photos in the Comments.
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Hanging junk on pegs on the wall is just moving it from one visible surface to another. The best way to be clutter free is to chuck it out.
I think all the ppl who have made comments I share a room so these ideas has given me so much inspiration
As a soon-to-be first time buyer, I'm finding articles like this really helpful to bear in mind when I check out properties that are a little on the small side but fit into my budget! I'm now visualising all my storage options when looking around potential homes but finding the right place seems to take a lot of work.
In the meantime, I've already used the last tip and put some of my photography props and costumes into a pretty, vintage suitcase. The next job is to invest in another couple of pegs for the back of the door to prevent my coat from ending up in the floordrobe!