Turning Your Bedroom into a Haven

Picture your bedroom as a serene place that lulls you to sleep and makes you feel relaxed. If your bedroom isn't there yet, maybe it is time to create that nurturing atmosphere.

Start by standing in your doorway and examining your room with a pad of paper and a pen. On your pad, list anything that annoys you, how you visualize your ideal bedroom, and any organizing ideas that pop into your head.

Now gather your giveaway, put away, and throw away boxes or bags. The first place to go is the bed. Have someone little take out all that stuff from under your bed. Then vacuum it. Start sorting the shoes, memorabilia and dirty clothes. Storing things under the bed is a good idea if you have one or two labeled under- the-bed storage boxes to keep things dust free. Everything else needs to find another home.

How about your bed? Do you need to change the sheets? Do you need new ones? What shape are your comforter and pillows in? List any dream purchases on your paper.

Let's look at the bedside table(s). Empty the drawers. Get rid of the clutter and sort and rearrange what is left. Does what is in your end tables help to give a sense of peace to your room? Now clear off the top of the bedside tables and dust or polish them. Now what are you going to put back that you really want? I like to keep a couple books, a notebook and a pen, a light (if you don't have those wonderful lights that go above your bed attached to the wall), and a little glass bowl to put my earrings in that I always forget to take off till I'm snuggled under the covers.

OK break time, have a drink of water, read a chapter in your novel and come back in a bit. Onto the dresser. Take out your drawers one at a time and sort through the clothes. You know what to do with the ones that you no longer wear, don't you? Any out of season clothes should be in a storage box to be put in a less convenient place. You might think of getting drawer dividers for your socks, underwear, jewelry or makeup. Put the rest of your clothes back in your dresser, it is best if you use one drawer per item so all your clothes aren't jumbled together.

Now clear off the dresser, all the way off. Dust and polish it. You can spray the mirror too while you are there. Sort through the things on the dresser. If you have a lot of knick knacks maybe you could put some in storage and take them out seasonally. After awhile you don't notice the pretty things in your house but if you switch things around your house can be fresher. You might also consider a tray for makeup, knick knacks or hair care. When you need to dust you just lift the tray and you are all done. What is on your dresser that helps make the bedroom a refuge? I have a little fountain, a picture of my husband and me when I was in college, a jewelry box, my alarm clock/CD player and some candles. That's it.

Do you have any bookcases or entertainment centers that need to be cleared out? You might even consider having them all the way out of your room. Personally we like our entertainment center in the bedroom that way we can watch a movie in there while the kids are watching a movie in the living room. It also gives me space for my many books, hidden behind the door. On top of it are tons of candles.

Do you have a desk in your room? Is there any way to get it out of your room? Your room will be so much more relaxing if you don't see paperwork when you are trying to rest. If not, maybe you can block it off with a pretty screen or a quilt on a clothesline.

Now to set the mood. Pretty flowers on the dresser. Meaningful pictures on the wall. Candles for romantic nights. A radio/CD player for playing soulful music. Handmade blankets. Lovely pillows piled high on the bed. Whatever your taste is, you can make your bedroom into a peaceful haven. Especially without the clutter.

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