It is said that we spend one-third of our life in bed. Whether it’s sleeping at night, having a nap, talking on the phone or eating breakfast in bed, the bedroom with its comfy mattress and cool calming shades invites you to hang out.

Our bedrooms become the place where everything is stored, either temporarily whilst guests are visiting or permanently because you want to keep it in a safe place. Whilst many of us try to keep our bedrooms clutter free, the daily deluge of everyday life can sometimes take hold. If you are fed up of tip-toeing across your floor avoiding yesterday’s clothes and the blankets from the living room then take a look at our top tips on how to de-clutter your bedroom. Let’s take a stand and take back your bedroom.

Wardrobes and rails

Unfortunately we all tend to buy more clothes than we have space for. Whilst we might have good intentions of throwing some stuff out to make room for the new, it is often hard to let go if we think we might wear it again. We are all guilty of draping the clothes we wear the most over the chair or in a heap next to the bed, smugly packing away the items that are rarely worn or might not even fit.

To clear the clothing mountain go through your wardrobe at least once every six months and get rid of anything that doesn’t fit or hasn’t been worn in the previous six months. Try to organise clothes seasonally and pack the garments you will not wear together. If you haven’t got space in your wardrobe pack winter/summer garments into a suitcase and place in the loft until you need them again.

Image: IKEA ALGOT series

Clear the clutter

It tends to be that we endeavour to keep the surfaces clean and free from clutter in the kitchen, bathroom, living and dining room but forget the bedroom. The last point of call when it comes to tidying, it is often the case that we don’t get time or forget to give our bedroom a little TLC. The best way to keep your bedroom tidy in general is to start with clear surfaces. Even if you have a sneaky pile of clothes in the corner of your room, clean sides will help to trick your mind that the whole room is neat and tidy.

Choose the right size furniture

New furniture is expensive and so we are often reluctant to splash out if we move home. If your furniture is too big for the room, it will make your bedroom seem cluttered and cramped, even if it is spick and span. You don’t always have to buy new furniture, sometimes simply taking out the extra chest of drawers you have can create enough floor space to give your room a whole new lease of life. Make sure to take into consideration how much storage you need before making any big decisions.

Don’t waste space

Many of us do not realise the space we have in our bedrooms. Try to make full use of otherwise wasted space under the bed with drawers and on top of the wardrobe with storage boxes. If you’ve got bulky blankets and spare duvets to store get yourself some vac packs to keep them clean and compact.

Keep it free from technology

If you have your computer or a TV set up in your bedroom, get it out of there. Not only will it make your room seem cluttered and busy, it will also prevent you from totally relaxing and getting a good night’s sleep. Keep the TV in the living room and set up a small home office under the stairs or in your living or dining room; keep your bedroom for sleeping, resting and pure relaxation.

Get rid of unwanted bed linen

If you’ve recently invested in new bedding, make sure to bin the old stuff. Old lumpy pillows, duvets and bedding that are past their best will take up valuable space making your bedroom seem cluttered. If you’ve got old bed linen that doesn’t match or is looking a little threadbare either give it away or bin it – don’t hang onto anything you’re not going use.

Invest in the best

Invest in the best quality linens that you can afford. Bed linen, pillow covers and curtains will last longer when they have been made from good quality fabric. Whilst the initial cost might be more, you will need to buy less of them over time, reducing cost and clutter in one fell swoop. We would say that you only need 3 sets of bed linen; one on the bed and two spare. There is nothing worse than spilling a coffee on your fresh bed sheets when the other set is in the wash.

Get into a routine

Make de-cluttering surfaces and tidying your bedroom part of your regular cleaning routine. At least once a week put some time aside to clear up the daily clutter. If your bedroom remains neat and tidy you are less likely to leave bits and bobs around. When you get in from a long day at work make sure to hang up your coat, put your shoes away and store washing in a hamper to prevent that unsightly heap forming next to your bed.  These simple steps will keep your bedroom feeling calm and relaxed.