Bedroom Storage
Of all the rooms in a home, the bedroom can easily become one of the most cluttered. Clothes find a resting place on exercise equipment, shoes become misplaced under the bed or a chair, and everyday items seem to collect wherever there is an open space. For busy families, the bedroom can quickly become a room that is always in need of organization.
Because the bedroom isn't seen by everyone who enters the home, it can be easy to put organization off until later—usually after a long, busy day. But the bedroom deserves to be as organized and well-kept as every other room in the house.
The bedroom is more than a place to sleep. It is where the day begins and ends. It can be a quiet place to finish a favorite book, relax, or get the restful sleep needed for the next day. Having the right storage and an organized space can help create a better start to the day. Finding the sweater you want to wear or the shoes that complete an outfit is much easier when everything has a place and is within reach.
Before adding storage, however, it is important to make a plan. Start by decluttering the bedroom, but don't feel that everything has to be done at once. Work in sections so the task stays manageable and you don't become overwhelmed or exhausted.
Your plan may include several different storage needs, and not everything may be accomplished at once. It doesn't have to be a perfect plan—it simply needs to work for you. Taking the time to plan, declutter, and organize will bring you closer to the comfortable and functional bedroom you want to achieve.
Multipurpose Furniture
Before thinking about adding storage, look at what you already have and ask,“Can this serve another purpose?” Look at existing items differently. A bookshelf can become basket storage, an older piece can gain a new purpose, or a childhood item can become useful again.
Furniture that serves more than one purpose can provide valuable storage in a bedroom. Beds with built-in drawers, nightstands with open storage for baskets or totes, chairs with storage pockets, and ottomans with hidden compartments can all provide additional places to keep belongings organized.
Repurposing furniture you already own is one of the simplest ways to improve a room while staying within your budget. For example, a small or medium-sized bookshelf can be rearranged to make better use of its existing space. Adding baskets or totes can create additional organized storage without requiring another piece of furniture.
Over-the-door organizers are another example of multipurpose storage. Although they may commonly be used in closets, bathrooms, or other areas of the home, they can also provide convenient storage for personal bedroom items when the space and door design allow.
Before purchasing another piece of furniture, take a look at what you already have. A piece may be able to serve a second purpose with a little rearranging or a simple storage addition.
Making the most of every inch of your bedroom doesn't mean filling every available space. The goal is to increase useful storage while keeping the room comfortable, accessible, and free from unnecessary clutter.
Under-the-Bed Storage
If your bed is designed with built-in storage drawers underneath, you already have a great storage advantage. Once the drawers have been decluttered, the items you decide to keep can be placed back inside in an orderly way, making them easier to find and access.
If your bed does not have built-in drawers, you can still make good use of the space underneath. Totes and sturdy baskets can provide convenient storage while keeping belongings organized and out of sight.
There are creative ways to make under-the-bed storage work for your bedroom. Depending on what you need to store, this space can be used for everyday items or things that are not needed as often. Seasonal clothing, craft supplies, and sports equipment are a few examples.
Storage containers with wheels can make items easier to pull out from underneath the bed, especially when the containers are large or the items are used regularly. Whether wheels are necessary depends on the size, weight, and design of the storage container.
The goal is to use the space beneath the bed intentionally rather than allowing it to become a place where items are simply pushed out of sight.
Closet Organization
Decluttering the closet is an important first step toward creating more usable storage space. Items that have been sitting in the closet for a long time without being used should be considered for removal. Clearing out what is no longer needed gives you a better idea of the storage space you actually have available.
A closet has more storage possibilities than just the hanging area. Consider the shelves, doors, floor, walls, and space above the door. Each area can provide an opportunity for additional organization.
Totes can be used on shelves to group belongings together. Labeling the totes with their contents can make it easier to find what you need without having to search through each container.
Over-the-door organizers are another useful storage solution. Although they are often designed for closets, they can be used in other areas of the home whenever additional storage is needed. Depending on the design of the door, an organizer may hang inside the closet while still allowing the door to close properly.
The key is to match the organizer or container to the items you plan to store. Floor space can also be used for totes and baskets to organize shoes, toys, games, sports equipment, or other belongings.
This is where planning with your specific storage needs in mind becomes important. Instead of simply filling every available space, decide what belongs in each area and make the storage work for the way you use your bedroom.
Nightstand Storage
Nightstands are among the most frequently used storage areas in a bedroom, along with the closet. They can provide useful storage without taking up much additional space.
If your nightstand has an open storage area, a basket or tote that fits the space can help keep belongings together and organized. After decluttering the drawers, the available space can be used for items and personal devices that you use regularly, keeping them within easy reach.
Depending on the size and design of the drawers, they may also provide a convenient place for personal papers, reading materials, or other small items that you need to access regularly.
Drawer dividers can help separate everyday belongings and prevent small items from becoming mixed together. Personal-care items and other frequently used necessities can be kept organized and easy to find.
Remember to consider safety when storing medications or other items that need special care. Keep them in their appropriate storage conditions and out of children's reach when necessary.
A nightstand doesn't have to hold a lot to be useful. The goal is to keep the items you use most often organized and within reach without allowing the nightstand to become another source of clutter.
Vertical Wall Storage
Installing vertical wall storage can add both function and visual appeal to a bedroom. Wall shelves can provide useful storage while also giving the room a comfortable and personal appearance.
Shelves can hold books, photographs, keepsakes, decorative items, and flowers—whether real or artificial. These personal touches can make the bedroom feel organized while displaying the things that are important to you and your family.
Vertical storage can be installed at different heights depending on the available wall space and what you plan to store. However, placement should be considered carefully. Avoid positioning shelves where someone could easily bump into them, particularly beside the bed or along a frequently used walking path. Shelves should also be properly secured to the wall and installed according to the weight they are expected to hold.
A shelf can extend straight across a wall or make use of a corner by extending along two adjoining walls. Either approach can turn unused wall space into useful storage while adding character to the bedroom.
The goal is to use the wall space thoughtfully—adding storage without taking away from the comfort, safety, or flow of the room.
Making Use of the Space Behind Doors
Most bedrooms don't usually have storage on the back of the bedroom door. But when storage space is limited, this overlooked area can become a useful part of your organization plan.
The space behind the door can be a storage gem. It can provide additional organization without taking up valuable floor space or becoming a noticeable part of the room. The key is choosing a storage solution that is the right size for the door and the items you need to organize.
For example, a small organizer can hold craft supplies or bedroom items for a baby, such as diapers, creams, lotions, and wipes. Depending on the needs of your household, the same space could be used for accessories, personal-care items, shoes, or other small belongings.
Before adding anything, make sure the organizer does not prevent the door from opening and closing properly. Also consider the weight of the items and whether the door and organizer can safely support them.
This is another opportunity to let your creativity work for you. Look at the space behind the door and consider what could be stored there without interfering with how the room is used.
Conclusion
Make every inch count after decluttering, clearing, and cleaning your bedroom. Whether the room belongs to one family member or is shared by several, the goal is to make the bedroom as functional, comfortable, and enjoyable as possible.
Creating a more organized space doesn't always mean purchasing more items. Start by looking at what you already have. Some of the furniture and belongings already in your home may be able to serve a different purpose or be rearranged to meet your present storage needs.
Repurposing something familiar can also bring a personal touch to your bedroom. A childhood piece that is given a new purpose may provide useful storage while bringing back pleasant memories. It can be comforting to look at something you've had for years and remember where it came from and why it is meaningful to you.
Take inventory of what you already have, be creative, and make the space work for you. Money doesn't always have to be spent to create a bedroom that is organized, comfortable, and enjoyable. Sometimes the best storage solution is something you already own.
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Before spending money on additional storage, take a careful look at what you already own. You may find useful ways to repurpose what you already have.