How to clear visual clutter in the bedroom in 5 simple steps – experts say decluttering will enhance your sleep
Transform bedroom chaos to calm with these decluttering tips


Visual clutter can make even the most spacious bedroom feel chaotic. Tackling it not only improves aesthetics and function, but also boosts your well-being by reducing stress.
For better quality sleep, our home organizing experts reveal the five simple steps to clearing visual clutter to transform your bedroom into a peaceful retreat.
Armed with our bedroom decluttering tips, you'll soon have a clutter-free and serene sleep space.
The impact of visual clutter in the bedroom
Things that make your bedroom look cluttered can add to a sense of overwhelm. Clutter takes our mental energy, creates stress and makes it harder to relax. Practically, that visual clutter translates to more unusable surfaces and therefore a loss of function in this space. Disorganization here leads to difficulty finding what you need, when you need it, too.
Bedrooms are quite functional spaces. We often get ready for the day or night in there, and crucially, unwind and go to sleep there. Any visual clutter in bedrooms that takes away your peace, makes you feel stressed or makes it harder to use the space well needs to go. Here's how.
Step 1: Remove unnecessary items
A streamlined, tidy and clutter-free bedroom
As with many of the best decluttering methods, the best starting point is to get rid of what's not needed. Whether it’s piles of laundry, unused decor, or forgotten knickknacks, bedrooms often accumulate items that belong elsewhere or serve no real purpose other than to overwhelm the space.
Karina Toner, operations manager of Spekless Cleaning, says, 'Start by taking out anything that doesn’t belong in the bedroom, such as dishes, old magazines, or laundry. Next, evaluate decorative items like photos or trinkets and keep only a few meaningful ones on display.'
Toner recommends using these Simple Houseware Foldable Storage Bins from Amazon to easily relocate household items that have wandered to the bedroom. When not in use, the bins can be easily folded and tidied away.
When considering unnecessary items, don't overlook the bed. Too many blankets, pillows, and throws can overwhelm it, adding visual clutter in the bedroom and making it look overly busy.
Professional organizer and founder of Let Your Space Bloom, Amy Bloomer, says, 'Consider donating any extra blankets and pillows to your local animal shelter or zoo. If you don't have a linen closet and need extra linen storage, try a storage bench at the end of your bed, which also provides extra seating.'
Finally, consider your bedroom walls. Choose a few favorite pieces on one wall, and keep other walls clean for a balanced, airy look.
Steven Ip, founder of Cleanzen Boston Cleaning Services, says, 'When posters, photos, or artwork are scattered across several walls, it can create a sense of clutter that distracts the eye. Instead, focus on arranging these items in one dedicated area or in a designated frame, such as this RÖDALM Frame for 5 Pictures from Ikea or these QDSSDECO White Wood Poster Frames from Amazon.'
Available in 10 colors, this elegant, upholstered, flip-top bench is ideal for the bedroom. The lift-up lid reveals ample storage – perfect for storing organizing blankets, books, or other essentials – while the tufted seat provides adds comfort.
Step 2: Clear surfaces
Keep bedroom chairs free from clothing and use nightstands for necessary items
Nightstands, dressers, and other surfaces are prime spots for clutter buildup. Books, water glasses, and random trinkets can make your bedroom appear untidy and overwhelming, reducing its calming potential. Unless you're reading the book at the moment, pop it in a drawer.
Jon Christensen, CEO of home improvement hub Bidmii, says, 'Relocate non-essentials, then identify items you use daily and keep these accessible. These Marie Kondo Calm Small Hikidashi Drawer Organizers from The Container Store are perfect for neatly organizing smaller items like jewelry or chargers.'
Professional organizer Francesca Verri says, 'The nightstand in particular tends to collect a lot of visual clutter. I recommend making it a goal to leave only the book you are currently reading out on the surface.'
Verri recommends these Poeland Drawer Organizer Trays from Amazon and this SANZIE Luxury Leather Tray Catchall Organizer from Amazon. She adds, 'Even if the items inside the basket or tray fit different categories, having them collected leaves the space feeling tidy.'
When it comes to relocating items that won't require regular access, under-the-bed storage can provide the ideal solution. Toner says, 'These IRIS USA Under Bed Storage Containers from Amazon are a perfect way to keep your bedroom clutter-free and your under-bed storage neatly organized.'
Step 3: Declutter closets
Organized closets cause little to zero over-spill into the rest of the bedroom
Overfilled closets can spill into the rest of your bedroom, creating more visual chaos. Clothes, shoes, and accessories stored in a disorganized manner contribute to a sense of disorder.
Ben Soreff, professional organizer at House to Home Organizing, says, 'Typically, clutter in the bedroom falls into two groups: clothes and everything else. So you can't organize your bedroom properly without first tackling the closet.
'People are tired when they get home and usually throw their clothes wherever. We want systems set up so that doesn't happen. An organized closet and proper hamper will go a long way toward keeping clothes off the chair, bed, or floor.'
Toner recommends the Seville Classics Premium Handwoven Portable Laundry Bin Basket from Amazon, and these Zober Velvet Hangers, also from Amazon, which boast more than 70,000 five-star customer reviews.
For more, check out how to aesthetically organize a closet, and these organizing tips to make laundry easier.
Punteha van Terheyden, Homes & Gardens' Head of Solved, tried and loved the Joseph Joseph laundry separator and says, 'This made keeping our bedrooms tidy a breeze and the laundry sorts itself.' It also comes in a 90-liter version.
Step 4: Hide electronics
Keeping wall art limited will help ease the feeling of clutter in your bedroom
Electronics like phones, chargers, and TVs can add to the visual noise of a bedroom. Their wires, screens, and blinking lights can disrupt the tranquil environment essential for rest.
Amanda Scott, founder of Amanda Scott Home, says, 'If a tangle of cords for lamps and chargers is creating a messy environment, consider using a cable management box – such as this Bluelounge CableBox from The Container Store – to conceal them. And if you keep your phone by your bed, use cord clips – such as these PRUNLLA Cord Anchors from Amazon – to keep the charging cable from falling down.'
Soreff adds, 'I always advise having no TV in the bedroom, as the room should be completely dark to ensure a restful sleep. Remember that every room in the house should be used for its intended purpose – the bedroom is for sleep.'
This durable rattan cable management box has a slot either side and flip-top lid for easy tidying and hiding of cables in your bedroom. Plus, it comes in four different colors: black, white, natural (pictured), and dark brown.
Step 5: Maintain the calm
Minimal, carefully selected decor creates a streamlined bedroom look
To ensure your bedroom stays clutter-free, focus on maintaining a serene environment.
Choose a minimalistic approach to decorating and avoid adding too many new items. Opt for a cohesive color palette that soothes the eyes and creates a sense of harmony.
Adopt habits like taking a minute each morning to make your bed – one of the things super-organized people do every day – and tidying up every evening before bed. This ongoing effort will prevent visual clutter from creeping back in.
So there you have it – how to clear visual clutter in the bedroom. By following these five simple steps, you can enjoy a haven of a bedroom that you'll look forward to returning to each evening.
Next, check out these bedroom layout ideas to make the most of your space.
Sign up to the Homes & Gardens newsletter
Design expertise in your inbox – from inspiring decorating ideas and beautiful celebrity homes to practical gardening advice and shopping round-ups.
With more than a decade of experience writing news, lifestyle, consumer and human interest articles for a wide range of national and international publications, Andy is a highly-qualified journalist writing features for the national press. From front porch to backyard, attic to basement, Andy has written about every area of the home. He specialises in bringing together the best industry expertise to answer all of your most pressing home and garden questions about cleaning, decluttering, and organizing and DIY.
You must confirm your public display name before commenting
Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.
-
How to grow marsh marigolds – the ultimate low-maintenance, moisture-loving plant that spring pollinators adore
Marsh marigolds can thrive in problem areas, including moist woodlands and boggy soils
By Thomas Rutter Published
-
Joanna Gaines and Victoria Beckham love this gorgeous forest green color – it's a favorite with designers, decorators, and color forecasters for 2025
Soothing, bold and rich, our love affair with this sumptuous shade is far from over
By Jennifer Ebert Published
-
I worked in retail for 6 years and spent 6000+ hours folding 1000s of garments – my fool-proof ‘air folding’ method tidies clothes into satisfying stacks in seconds
I spent years folding mountains of clothing and perfected my technique
By Punteha van Terheyden Published
-
'If it's gathering dust, it's the problem' – How to easily identify the clutter-tastic ‘accumulation pieces’ causing all your mess and banish them for good
Prevent clutter from creeping into your space
By Ottilie Blackhall Published
-
This easy ‘no pile’ rule from The Minimalists finally gave me the discipline to tidy up mess hot spots in my home – and banished the guilt holding me back
It's so simple, but changed so much for me
By Chiana Dickson Published
-
Slow decluttering instantly takes the anxiety out of the task – professional organizers love it for those who are 'overwhelmed to begin with’
Judge items based on their value to you
By Chiana Dickson Published
-
5 things you do not need to organize – save yourself time and stress by skipping these non-essential areas
It might feel counter-intuitive, but saving your time for the areas which really need organizing will benefit your space in the long term
By Ottilie Blackhall Published
-
7 signs you have too much stuff in your living room – and how to 'instantly' make this space feel more organized
Get the family room back in action with these quick decluttering tips
By Sophie Warren-Smith Published
-
Golden rules for a clutter-free basement – 8 tips from professional organizers to increase functionality and make this space easier to maintain
It doesn't have to be overwhelming, or done all at once
By Sophie Warren-Smith Published
-
The 5 eye-opening life lessons I learned from The Minimalist’s Netflix show Less Is Now have fundamentally changed how I feel about my 'harmless' shopping
I was a real wake-up call, and I feel 10 times better for it
By Chiana Dickson Published