Sleep, Dream, Bedroom, Clutter

Quick – which word in that headline doesn’t belong? If you don’t know, you need some serious help, because clutter in the bedroom is not conducive to good sleeping, and it’s certainly not something to dream about.

If your bedroom is too crammed with everyday stuff to be any kind of respite from, well, everyday stuff, consider Nealey Levi’s services at On Track. She recently sent us some handy tips for organizing your bedroom so it becomes a proper getaway – not something to get away from, as she puts it. (And for added inspiration, I’m including some dreamy bedrooms we’ve featured recently in Washington Spaces).

Photograph by Geoffrey Hodgdon

Purge

Start with one section of the room and work your way around. Get rid of any items that are unwanted, never utilized, or no longer usable. Don’t forget to go through the nightstands, under the bed and any other out-of-sight storage areas.

Pick up ONE item at a time, and decide if it is worth keeping. In order to accomplish this, ask yourself appropriate questions (Is it still usable? How often do I use it? Do I have more than one of this same item?).

As you make decisions, put the item in the corresponding pile/bag/box - Keep, Donate, Distribute To Others, Distribute Around The House, Trash. Don’t forget to record your donations for tax purposes.