As tedious as it is, decluttering is a necessary task that can make your space look and feel bigger. However, figuring out where to start can be difficult, especially when the clutter gets overwhelming.
For tips on the process, Business Insider asked two professional organizers who cofounded the organizing service Uncluttered Spaces what people should get rid of in their bedrooms.
Here’s what the experts said.
Exercise equipment should be kept outside the bedroom.
Although home workouts are popular, Uncluttered Spaces’ Tina Horan said having equipment in your bedroom could create more clutter and make you feel less relaxed.
She recommended moving the equipment to a designated area for working out in order to make the bedroom feel more organized, relaxed, and spacious.
Dishes should either be kept out of the room or cleaned up right away.
Sometimes a snack in bed is comforting — but Horan advised against letting a pile of dirty dishes build up in your bedroom.
“I’m sure we’re all guilty of bringing dishes into our room, but don’t wait too long to declutter and remove it to ensure a constantly clean room,” Horan said.
Mismatched socks can take up valuable drawer space.
Uncluttered Spaces’ Nancy Yerkes told BI that having a graveyard of mismatched socks takes up a lot of useful drawer space.
“It’s time to buy a new pack of matching socks — let go of the misfit ones and reclaim that drawer space,” Yerkes said.
Collecting old clothes minimizes useful closet storage.
Keeping items in your closet that no longer fit you is one of the easiest ways for clutter to accumulate.
“Instead of collecting clothes, keep a good routine of trying your pieces on so you know what to keep and get rid of,” Horan said.
By routinely trying clothes on, you can stay on top of organizing and maximizing your closet space, she added.
Mismatched hangers are a no-no.
For a better-looking, more put-together closet, Yerkes suggested getting rid of mismatched hangers.
“If possible, buy uniform and sturdy hangers. It’s the secret to a visually satisfying closet,” Yerkes said.
Keeping bills, mail, and other documents in the bedroom can make your space look messy.
Horan advised against opening mail and keeping documents inside your bedroom.
“Having a buildup of mail can cause stress, but it’s also messy to have a pile of documents laying around your room,” she said.
Instead, she recommended designating a drawer or basket for your mail to keep the collection nice and tidy.
You don’t need a huge collection of extra bedding.
Having extra bedding sets with different designs is a nice way to decorate, but having too many takes up an annoying amount of space, Yerkes said.
“Two sets of everything is all you need — one to use while you wash the other and to switch out when necessary,” she added.
Move empty boxes and storage containers outside your bedroom.
Horan said breaking down extra boxes is a tedious but necessary step in decluttering your room. This includes old appliance boxes, packaging, and storage bins.
“The boxes might look important, but they also are an eyesore and waste of space you could be using for something else,” Horan said.
Instead of keeping them in your room, she recommended stacking and packing them away in a storage closet, crawl space, or basement.
She also suggested throwing away smaller boxes, such as packaging from phones or computers, because they don’t offer much storage space.
This story was originally published on August 13, 2024, and most recently updated on November 20, 2025.
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