When is the last time you organized your bedside table? Not just what is on the top, but what’s on the inside as well? For me, it’s been several weeks. I occasionally tidy up here and there, but this week I spent an hour or so deep cleaning and organizing. If you haven’t cleaned your bedside table in a while, here are some simple tips to help you along the way.
Cleaning the Inside
1) Remove all items from the drawer. Wipe down the inside with a microfibre cloth and disinfecting solution. While that’s drying, it’s time to start making piles.
2) Create a pile for items that you frequently reach for, (i.e., lip balm, hair ties, medication, etc.) items that you use occasionally, (i.e., essential oils, headphones, book, etc.) and items that you haven’t touched in over 6 months. Whatever is left over should be recycled or thrown away.
3) Once you have your piles, it’s time to create a system that will ensure your drawer will stay clean and organized. Drawer dividers are perfect. Before you start shopping around, be sure to look around the house for any small baskets or paper boxes that you can reuse. Group like items together, such as jewelry, essential oils, and medications, so they’ll be easier to find when you need them.
4) Consider using a drawer liner. It not only helps with organization, such as keeping things in place with a grip, but it also protects the interior of your drawer. Should an essential oil bottle leak or lotion spill, clean up would be quick and easy, while keeping your drawer free from stains.
Cleaning the Table
When it comes to what I keep on my bedside table, I like to keep it very minimal. I currently have an agate crystal, a table lamp, and a diffuser. I make sure to keep things like cups, photos, books, or small items away from my bedside table as they usually get knocked over. If you are struggling with finding space to keep your items, here are some things to think about.
5) If you have a table lamp consider switching to a floor lamp, wall lamp, or stick-on LED lights. LED lights are easy to install and there are lots of options to choose from. There are strip lights, battery powered pucks, and rechargeable lamps. Although I have a table lamp, I’ve been using my rechargeable LED lamp a lot this month. It’s been very hot where I live, and the LED light doesn’t emit any heat. Once I’m finished using it, I can store it away in my drawer.
6) Rather than displaying personal photos or artwork on your bedside table, consider hanging them. Another option for smaller picture frames, books, or decorative accents, is a floating shelf. I have one installed above my bedside table and it not only looks great, but it creates more space for me to display items that I like, such as crystals and FunkoPops.
7) If you don’t like floating shelves or don’t want to install one, leaning wall shelves are another great option. They come in many different sizes, so you can find one that fits your space. If you are using a rechargeable LED lamp, you can place it on the leaning shelf along with a small humidifier, diffuser, and whatever else you may have!
Keeping your bedside table neat and free from clutter not only looks good, but it will transform into a functional space that works for you. No more knocking things over, no more digging through old items, and no more feeling overwhelmed by an accumulation of stuff. I hope this post will inspire you to clean your bedside table if you haven’t in a while, and also find some time to redecorate your space! If you have any suggestions and tips of your own, please share! For more posts relating to productivity, visit my tag here.
Love this! I’m generally a messy person LOL but I tidy up once a week. I would consider myself a minimalist-ish so I don’t have too many things! Thanks for sharing x
Lynn | https://www.lynnmumbingmejia.com
Thanks for reading Lynn!
Thanks for the reminder to give the bedside table a cleaning out! Thanks for making it sound easy and fun.
Thanks for reading Jodie!
You make it seem so simple! Any space I reclaim is instantly grabbed by my fluffy cat!
Hahaha fluffy cats always get a pass! Thanks for reading Susan!
Great ideas! I have my alarm clock, an Amethyst crystal, a small lamp and a table mat on top of mine (for bottles of water & tea in the morning). It’s definitely important to give it a clean every now and then – my alarm is very dusty 🙈
I love Amethyst! Crystals always add a nice touch. Alarm clocks get dusty so quickly it’s crazy! Thank you for sharing Caroline!
Great tips! These will be so helpful for when I next get around to organising my bedside table – I might just have to do it tomorrow now while these are still fresh in my mind! Thanks for sharing x
Wonderful to hear! Thank you for reading!
My bedside table is the messiest part of my room and this is some great advice, thank you! x
Lucy | http://www.lucymary.co.uk
Thank you for reading Lucy!
Honestly, I organise my bed side table once a month lol I have to have it clean and neat otherwise I feel likey room is a mess. These are great tips for anyone looking to spruce up their room a bit. Thanks for sharing.
That’s great you have a routine! I agree, a neat bedside table makes the entire room feel less messy. Thank you for reading, Jordanne!
I love this — anything that keeps me organized! Thank you for sharing!
Thank you for reading Molly!