DIY Bedroom Organization Ideas to Make the Most of Your Small Space
Do you ever feel overwhelmed when you walk into your bedroom and see clutter everywhere? Piles of clothes on the floor, accessories strewn about, mountains of stuff piled on every surface? You're not alone. Small bedrooms can easily become disorganized disaster zones.
The good news is there are affordable DIY solutions to help maximize every inch of space. With some decluttering, creative storage ideas, and smart organization systems, even the smallest bedroom can be streamlined into a neat, tidy oasis.
Assess Your Bedroom Storage Needs
Before diving into specific organization ideas, take some time to analyze your bedroom storage needs. This will help you identify the right storage solutions for your lifestyle and space.
Take inventory of items to store
Walk around your room and make note of categories of items you need to store, such as:
- Clothing - shirts, pants, dresses, shoes, accessories
- Bed and bath linens - sheets, pillows, towels, blankets
- Personal care products - jewelry, makeup, hair accessories
- Seasonal items - fans, hats, scarves, swimwear
- Hobby supplies - craft materials, sports equipment
Identify problem areas causing clutter
Pay attention to messy areas like:
- A crammed closet with no room to add items
- Under the bed crammed with random things
- Surfaces covered in little decorative items
- Floor with piles of clothes and shoes
Set storage goals and priorities
Finally, define your goals. Do you want to:
- Clear floor space?
- Free up closet rod space?
- Hide seasonal items?
- Display collectibles?
Knowing your priorities will guide your storage solutions.
Declutter First, Organize Second
When tackling any organizational project, it's critical to declutter first before finding storage solutions. Get rid of what you don't need so you have less stuff to organize.
Guide to decluttering your bedroom
Be ruthless. If you haven't used it in a year, toss it. Sort everything into donation, trash, or keep piles. Store sentimental items separately from everyday things. Undergo this process twice yearly - changing seasons when rotating clothing.
Storage tips for seasonal items
Pack up off-season clothing in labeled plastic bins under beds or in closets. Use breathable fabric bins for out-of-season bedding and linens. Vacuum storage bags are space-savers for bulky items.
Creative ways to repurpose or donate unused items
Old t-shirts can become rag rugs or kitchen rags. Turn favorite prints into throw pillow covers. Donate unwanted furnishings, household items, or clothing in good condition to charity.
Optimize Your Closet Storage
An organized closet seems like the stuff of fairy tales when yours is a disaster. But a few upgrades and new habits can make it reality.
Best practices for organizing closets
Categorize by clothing type and install double hanging rods. Use hanging shoe organizers on the back of doors. Add adjustable shelving for bags, sweaters, and accessories. Use slim velvet hangers.
Affordable closet storage solutions
Repurpose over-the-door racks or wall-mounted coat racks for extra hanging space. Arrange shelves neatly using boxes, baskets or bins for folding and stacking items. Try a tension rod with storage hooks to instantly double hanging space.
Tips to maximize hanging and shelf space
Only hang garments worn regularly and fold/stack others. Display collections uniformly. Group like categories together and label shelves. Store out of season items elsewhere. Pare down what you don't wear.
Use Wall Space for Extra Storage
Look up! Often overlooked vertical wall space offers prime real estate for storage options in small bedrooms.
Mounted shelves and rails for display
Floating shelves and mounted rails anchor visually around beds or clothing storage. Style with baskets, framed photos, artificial plants or decorative objects.
Wall storage for shoes and accessories
Mount a rail or slatwall system to neatly arrange hats, purses, coats or jewelry. Use wall hooks, mounted shoe shelves or over-the-door canvas holders to contain messy piles.
Tips for placing wall storage
Map layout ahead of time accounting for furniture locations, windows and doorways. Place taller storage first. Mix closed and open storage options at staggered heights for interest.
Under-Bed Storage Solutions
Under bed real estate presents prime hidden storage potential. Try these solutions to maximize the use of this often neglected space.
Options to lift or raise your bed frame
Bed risers or bed lifts instantly create storage space underneath. Consider replacing bed legs with a taller style. A high-profile bed frame or storage bed optimizes the space.
Under-bed bins and baskets
Plastic bins keep items contained and slide easily. Label according to category stored inside. Woven baskets look neat when stored items remain tidy. Use uniform sizes for a clean look.
Extend storage with under bed drawers
Roll-out drawers on casters offer easy access. Some have handles or can be stacked. Others mimic the look of nightstand or dresser drawers. These fully utilize all under bed space available.
Repurpose & Multifunctional Furniture
With small square footage, each piece of furniture should serve multiple purposes. Seek out these space-saving and budget-friendly options.
Benches, ottomans, and stools for seating and storage
Look for designs with lift-top, hinged lids or removable tops to stash items inside the hollow base. Some feature integrated organizational trays or open cubbies to neatly corral contents.
Desks and nightstands with organizing features
Seek furniture with vertical storage for hanging files or binders as well as small parts organizers or drawers. Style with matching desk accessories to conceal pens, notepads or small electronics.
Headboards, beds, and bed frames with storage space
Choose upholstered headboards with built-in shelving, cabinets with doors or open cubby style compartments. Trundle beds offer an extra mattress tucked underneath. Storage bed frames maximize space below.
Creative DIY Storage Ideas
Unleash your inner crafter and create custom solutions with DIY projects using materials you already own.
Fun ways to repurpose common household items
Turn a ladder, crate, or metal bucket into a one-of-a-kind shelving unit. Paint and stencil jewelry boxes, trunks or old cans for hidden storage. Macrame hangers from scrap fabric display wall art and accessories.
Quick DIY projects for custom storage
Make a fabric hanging organizer, scrap wood crate nightstand or rope basket for an on-trend look. Upcycle glass jars, tin cans or baskets from a craft store to corral small items.
Decorative storage bins and baskets
Woven baskets, fabric bins and personalized storage crates tidy up clutter in style. Label and categorize items stored inside each container.
Design and Decor Considerations
A thoughtfully designed, organized space looks pulled together but also functions optimally. Keep these tips in mind as you tackle projects.
Mixing decor with storage furniture and containers
Coordinate storage pieces with your existing furnishings for a cohesive flow. Play with color, texture and scale when combining functional storage solutions with decorative accessories.
Choosing items to match your style
Select organizational products aligned with your preferred aesthetic - whether modern, bohemian, industrial, mid-century or traditional. This ensures form and function in harmony.
Arranging items neatly and intentionally
Style collections uniformly for visual appeal. Use risers to stagger heights. Thoughtfully edit what's on display. Keep surfaces clutter-free.
No matter how tiny your bedroom, it can feel expansive with the right organizational systems in place. First, edit down possessions to just what you need and use. Next, incorporate storage furniture that does double duty. Finally, take advantage of vertical space and often overlooked areas like under the bed. With a little effort, even the most compact bedroom can convert into a serene, clutter-free oasis.