Permissible Use of Your Bedroom
Most people aren't using the bedroom as a quiet space for improving their emotional health or their relationships. The master bedroom has two proper functions:
1. Intimacy. In your bedroom you share your most imitate self. You gaze at the ceiling and ponder your place in the universe. You retreat to this room to develop plans that affect the rest of the family. Your bedroom can be a reliable refuge, or simply for escaping life's challenges.
2. Rest and sleep. It's the space where you replenish your body and spirit. Getting adequate sleep isn't one of those general niceties that you can take or leave without any harm. Sleep maintains a lot of important chemical processes in brain and your body. Maintaining a clean household and a healthy weight requires that you remain awake and aware.
When you take steps to set up a bedroom with only these two very purposes, you will improve your mental health and focus; your energy level, and perhaps even your weight.
That's it! The proper role of the master bedroom is not to be your home theater, home office or hub for checking electronics devices. Or your dining room. Your bedroom should not resemble a workout center. It should be your calm from busy days; your haven from chaos; and your dream space both while asleep and planning your life. Bring peace and calm into your life by rethinking how you've been using your bedroom.
Getting Started
Gather your declutter tools—timer, boxes and garbage bags—for a spring cleaning session that will leave your master bedroom beautiful, inviting and relaxing.
No hiding clutter from other rooms in the bedroom.
Set the timer for 10 minutes, and start by tackling the bed area. Drag everything out from behind and underneath the bed and inside the nightstand. Sort each item into one of the boxes:
- Put Away items that belong in other rooms
- Sell/Donate no-longer-needed items that are still in good repair
- Store items that belong in storage areas
(Quick Tip: Using the same strategy, move onto dressers and bureaus, and any clutter littering the floor.)
MORE: 4 Simple Ways To Spring Clean Your Kitchen
Inspect the Lower Third
Did you know most people wear just 20% of their wardrobe 80% of the time? The closet is perhaps one of the most challenging projects due to the struggle to let go of those items that you will fit into one day or items you just might need someday. Figuring out what to keep and what to toss is easier than you think. Take inventory of the piles you have in your closet and examine the lower third of each pile. Chances are they are the clothing you don't wear and can get rid of.
One less Stack of Stuff.
To have an organized and clutter-free bedroom, you need to decrease the volume of stuff in the room so that the room is not overcrowded. Nothing overcrowds a room more than piles lying on top of dresser, spilling from the book shelves, or invading the floor. Whether it's a stack of sweaters or books, only keep the items you use regularly and that you need to see on the dresser counter. Remember that bedside tables are not meant to be used as storage.
MORE: 4 Simple Ways To Organize Your Kitchen
Clear out Mismatched Linens.
Even if you store your bedding in a non-bedroom location, it is bedroom related, so now is a good time to sort through them. Go through the blankets and comforters sets, and make separate piles of each complete set you own. Peter recommends no more than two extra sets, fold them neatly and slip into its matching pillowcase. What about those inherited quilts? Go through the collection and pick out one or two, offer the rest to your family or Goodwill. Take satisfaction in knowing the someone else appreciate the artwork instead of being unseen in the dark closet.
The things you own should help you create the life you want.
While working on your bedroom, think about how it got this way and how you're going to keep it from happening again. In the United States, consumer spending makes up about 70% of the nation's overall economic activity. That's a lot of stuff to keep you cluttered, here are some tips to help maintain the space you envisioned well after spring has passed.
- The one in, one out rule. (For every item that comes into the house, get rid of a similar item.)
- No hiding clutter from other rooms in the bedroom.
- Hang clothes right away.
- Have fun. Make cleaning a weekly event, have the whole family participate at the same time. Keep it light by playing music 15 minutes before starting.
