A tidy bedroom significantly improves sleep quality. While organizing larger areas like closets is essential, giving attention to your nightstand is crucial for restful nights.
Nightstands can easily become clutter magnets, especially with current trends favoring decorative piles. However, a nightstand's primary function is utility, and keeping it organized offers both practicality and style.
Decluttering your nightstand is straightforward, and the benefits are notable.
Tips for Decluttering Your Nightstand
We consulted professional organizers for their top strategies to keep nightstands from becoming cluttered catch-alls.
1. Empty Everything Out
Begin by removing all items from your nightstand. Lay them out to get a clear view. Professional organizer Prerna Jain suggests sorting into categories: keep, donate, or discard. If unsure, grouping items by type, like electronics or personal items, can clarify your needs, according to Rachel Sicherman.
2. Clean the Surface
Cleaning your nightstand is often overlooked but essential. A clear space invites thorough cleaning rather than dusting around clutter. Ronnette Urbach recommends cleaning all surfaces, including inside drawers, while everything is out. Consider using a homemade dust-repellent spray to maintain cleanliness longer.
Ronnette Urbach has over 25 years of experience in decluttering and organizing, helping clients reduce stress.
3. Define Essentials
Deciding what to keep on your nightstand is key. Ideally, it should hold only essential items you use in bed. Amélie Saint-Jacques suggests keeping a lamp, a current book, a clock, and a glass of water. Use a drawer for items like moisturizer or tissues, but avoid excessive decor, as it can lead to more clutter.
When evaluating items, ask yourself if they serve your nighttime or morning routine, if they bring you joy, or if they are necessary. If not, consider donating or discarding them. Follow the 'No More Than Four' rule to limit items without sacrificing accessibility.
Amélie Saint-Jacques is a certified organizer dedicated to helping clients through professional tidying.
4. Ditch the Phone
Tech items like phone chargers can create visual chaos and disrupt sleep due to blue light exposure. Amélie Saint-Jacques advises against having work-related devices in your bedroom. Instead, use an alarm clock and charge devices in another area.
5. Accessibility Matters
Choose a nightstand with storage to avoid clutter. Professional declutterer Julianna Poplin recommends keeping frequently used items visible, but storing medications and other items in drawers. A small dish for jewelry can help keep items organized.
Julianna Poplin has guided numerous clients toward simpler and more intentional living through organization.
6. Use Drawer Organizers
Utilize drawer organizers to keep items sorted effectively. Prerna Jain suggests using dividers with various compartment sizes for flexibility. Ensure you create a system for using organizers correctly to prevent clutter.
Square One Organizer Set | From $120 at 2Modern
These versatile organizers come in various shapes, making it easy to create a tidy setup.
Importance of a Decluttered Nightstand
Many items on your nightstand can be discarded. These small tables are often overloaded with unnecessary items that detract from their function. Julianna Poplin emphasizes that a clean nightstand enhances the calming atmosphere of your bedroom, improving sleep quality.
Clutter can add stress, hindering relaxation and sleep. Maintaining an organized nightstand fosters a peaceful environment conducive to rest. Forming decluttering habits helps prevent overwhelming clutter buildup.
It's easier to manage a few items than to tackle a mess later. Returning empty glasses to the kitchen promptly is one small habit that can help.
Rachel Sicherman founded Tidy Made Easy, believing that organization can transform lives while balancing aesthetics.
Where to Buy Nightstands
Here are the top places to find stylish nightstands to enhance your bedroom:
Common Questions
What should be kept in a nightstand?
Keep essential nighttime and morning items within reach, like glasses, books, diaries, and medications. If you have space, use drawers for items like nightwear or extra lotions.
What to place at the bottom of a nightstand?
Store heavier items like books at the bottom to keep them stable. Alternatively, use a basket to contain miscellaneous items and prevent clutter around your bed.
Maintaining an organized nightstand not only enhances your home but also promotes better sleep and contributes to a more sophisticated bedroom look.
Decluttering your nightstand is a great starting point. Let's tackle it tonight!
