Show summary Hide summary
- Why the bedroom closet is the best place to begin decluttering
- Quick, practical steps to overhaul your closet this New Year
- Designer rules to decide what stays
- Storage upgrades that keep clutter from returning
- How a tidy closet improves sleep and reduces stress
- Turning your closet edit into lasting habits
As the calendar turns, many of us pledge to simplify our homes and lives. Decluttering is a top New Year goal, but deciding where to begin can stall the whole project. Celebrity designer Nate Berkus suggests a focused starting point that yields fast, visible results: your bedroom closet. Streamlining this small but personal space can change how your room feels and how you face the year ahead.
Why the bedroom closet is the best place to begin decluttering
Your closet holds more than clothes. It stores choices, memories, and the daily decisions that shape your morning. When it’s crowded, it creates friction in your routine. Nate Berkus argues that a clean closet can transform a bedroom from chaotic to calm.
Michaels holiday finds under $25: 20 new gifts that look like $50
Target wall-mounted find frees up countertop space: timeless style for small kitchens
Starting with the closet gives quick wins. You can clear space in one afternoon and feel an immediate lift. That momentum makes it easier to tackle other areas later.
Quick, practical steps to overhaul your closet this New Year
- Set aside a focused block of time. Aim for two to four hours.
- Empty the space. Take everything out so you can see what you own.
- Sort into piles: keep, donate, repair, relocate, recycle.
- Ask the hard questions about each item before returning it.
- Organize what you keep with systems that match how you live.
Work in small sections if the job feels overwhelming. Finish one shelf, one section, or one drawer before moving on.
Designer rules to decide what stays
Think like a pro when you edit your wardrobe and closet contents. Designers don’t just remove things; they curate purposefully.
Three short questions to guide your edit
- Have I worn this in the last year?
- Does it fit my current lifestyle?
- Does it make me feel confident or comfortable?
If the answer is no to two or more questions, it’s time to move the item along. Be honest with yourself. Holding on to unused items only creates clutter and decision fatigue.
Storage upgrades that keep clutter from returning
Small investments can make a big behavioral difference. You don’t need a full renovation to create order.
- Uniform hangers tidy visual clutter.
- Clear bins keep seasonal pieces visible and accessible.
- Drawer dividers prevent jumble and speed dressing time.
- Floating shelves or a slim shoe rack use overlooked vertical space.
Labeling boxes or shelves helps maintain the system. When everything has a place, it’s easier to keep things in place.
How a tidy closet improves sleep and reduces stress
A bedroom should be a restful sanctuary. A messy closet leaks visual noise into that space. Nate Berkus notes that continual editing keeps a bedroom calm and functional.
A reordered closet supports healthier routines. You’ll spend less time searching and more time preparing for the day or winding down at night. That small change can lower daily stress.
Turning your closet edit into lasting habits
Make decluttering part of your annual reset. Schedule a short edit each season to prevent buildup. Use these practices across the home, starting with other closets and drawers once your bedroom feels settled.
Donate or sell items promptly so they don’t make their way back. Keep a box for repairs and a bag for donations in a visible spot to avoid procrastination.
