5 ways to conceal clutter in the bedroom, for the illusion of an orderly space

A clutter-free bedroom, or at least one that appears clutter-free, requires clever furniture and good habits. It pays to find ways to conceal clutter in your bedroom because the reward is being able to find what you need when getting ready in the morning, and a calming and nurturing sleep space for when the day is done.

There are a few things that will help maintain a tidy bedroom, such as avoiding clutter magnets, and things that will make it a whole lot harder, like failing to put some kind of bedroom organizing system in place.

We turned to professional home organizers and interior designers for the best ways to create order without actually decluttering a bedroom. They shared hardworking bedroom storage solutions, visual techniques to create the illusion of tidiness, and hacks for quick tidy-ups.

5 ways to conceal bedroom clutter

There are various ways to declutter a bedroom with too much stuff and even items in your bedroom you can get rid of right now, but for now, here's how to conceal the clutter.

1. Banish the clothes chair

An antique wooden chair in the corner of the bedroom is a lovely touch but will inevitably attract piles of not-quite-dirty clothes. Amy Tuntasood, designer and real estate agent at Salem Home Designs agrees: 'Avoid having a sitting chair in the bedroom if possible. It's just going to be a magnet for unfolded laundry. Instead, keep a basket inside the closet to dump any unfolded clothes in case a quick cleanup is needed.'

'The floor or chair-drobe is lethal!' echoes professional home organizer Stephanie Rough. As Stephanie suggests, declutter the bedroom clothes chair or get rid of it altogether. 'Having a designated place to put "in-play" clothes (those that aren't dirty enough to wash) is key. A shelf, or a specific area in the wardrobe, should be assigned to these items to avoid dumping on the chair or floor,' says Stephanie. 

2. Invest in storage furniture

Be clever with storage and thank yourself later – a good rule of thumb is to ask yourself if the item of furniture you're considering purchasing will fulfill more than one function. Opting for pieces that have built-in storage will make it so much easier to keep your bedroom neat day to day, simply because you have more space to stow things away.

'It can be very easy to start building up clutter on your bedside tables,' says interior designer Sophie Clemson. 'If you choose a bedside table with drawers, you can hide anything away, leaving enough space for a table lamp and a couple of accessories to style the tabletop.'

'Use storage furniture, like beds with built-in drawers or ottomans with storage space,' advises Barbara Martinuzzi, CEO and interior designer at Martinuzzi Interiors. A storage bench at the foot of the bed will hold everything from throw pillows and blankets to shoes, bags, and coats.

Sophie Clemson

Sophie Clemson is the co-founder of The Living House, an affordable online interior design company that helps busy families transform their homes easily, online and within their budget.

Barbara Martinuzzi

As the founder of Martinuzzi Interiors, Barbara has brought together a team of talented designers who share her passion for interior design. With her  creativity, technical expertise, and commitment to quality, Barbara has built a reputation as one of the most sought-after interior designers in the industry.

3. Group like-items together

Home organizer Sarah Dunn shares a simple visual trick that can make a space feel less 'busy' without actually decluttering.

'Any space, whether it’s a bedroom or the kitchen, will feel cluttered when we see the same item in multiple places,' she says. 'Try grouping like items and designating one home for that grouping.' Gather makeup items, chargers, blankets, clothes, and decor into groups to instill a sense of calm and order and make your bedroom better for sleep.

Sarah Dunn

A few years ago, Sarah Dunn started helping friends declutter and organize their own spaces. Realizing that transforming one’s environment leads to much greater and more consequential transformation, she founded Ready Set Organize, a team of eight organizers in San Diego, CA.

4. Schedule a weekly tidy-up

Clutter attracts more clutter, so a weekly tidy-up is key. 'Dedicate one day per week to reset your bedroom,' advises professional home organizer Ema Di Monte. 'This will prevent clutter from building up and allow you to address items that are lurking around.'

'Start small: begin by making your bed. This is an easy task with big rewards as it will already create quickly a sense of calm and accomplishment,' says Ema.

'Collect items that are out of place and put them on the bed. Items that don't belong in the bedroom can be piled up outside the door to avoid distractions. Categorize the items on the bed and tackle each category separately. Set a timer to avoid exhaustion and stay focused.'

Ema Di Monte

Ema is the founder and owner of Pretty Damned Organised. The home organizing company was first established three years ago when the Covid pandemic sparked the desire for a career change for Ema, who previously worked in hospitality. Ema has been helping people to declutter and organize their belongings ever since, and has slowly discovered that hoe organizing is not a quick fix or makeover but can leave a profound impact on clients' lives and wellbeing.

5. Create a system

When everything has a home, there's no need to conceal bedroom clutter – professional home organizer Sarah Dunn shares some simple home organizing tips to keep on top of the doom piles:

• Work with the limitations of your space and try to give a home for everything in your closet or dresser. The less visual clutter we see, the more tidy the bedroom will feel.
• If you can’t conceal everything in your closet or dresser due to size limitations, try using matching baskets, bins, or trays to give things a designated home. Baskets and bins are great for things that don’t have a home in the closet, like bathing suits, scarves, and hats. 
• Trays are a great place to store perfumes and lotions, or accessories like jewelry and sunglasses. Try to get into the habit of putting items back where they belong.

FAQs

What makes a bedroom look cluttered?

'A bedroom might look cluttered due to excessive furniture, too many decorative items, or simply because things are not put away,' says Barbara Martinuzzi. 'Lack of organization and storage solutions often lead to clutter. Also, I believe not having a designated place for each item can cause a room to look messy.'

How can I make a small bedroom look less cluttered?

A smaller space requires more discipline and consistency when keeping things organized. 'Organizing is not a one-time task, it's a continuous process,' says Barbara Martinuzzi. 'Once you've decluttered, put things back in their designated places after use. If not, the room can easily fall back into chaos.'

Finally, take note of Amy Tuntasood's home staging techniques used in real estate photography and showings: 'Clear the top of the dresser and stage it with decor, like lamps, a vase, and books, and ensure curtains are open wide to let natural light flow in.

'An unfolded comforter will always make a bedroom look cluttered and untidy, so make sure to stretch out the comforter so that it's free of wrinkles,' Amy continues.