For New Yorkers, where every square foot matters, the bedroom often pulls double or even triple duty as a home office, gym, or storage space. But to truly enjoy a peaceful retreat in the city that never sleeps, your bedroom should be a space reserved for relaxation. Clutter and distractions can quickly turn this sanctuary into a source of stress. Here are six things organizing experts agree you should remove from your bedroom—and how to tackle the challenges unique to NYC living.
Work-Related Items
If you’ve turned NYC resident your bedroom in NYC into a remote office due to limited space, it’s time to rethink. Keeping work-related items like laptops or documents in your NYC Resident bedroom can make it difficult to unwind and relax. For small NYC apartments, consider creative alternatives. Turn a corner of your living room into a makeshift office or repurpose shelving in your hallway to stash work essentials. Even clearing space on a kitchen counter can help move the workload out of your sleep space.
Nightstand Overflow
Nightstands in NYC often become catchalls for books, glasses, phones, and miscellaneous clutter, especially in tight quarters. While it’s tempting to shove everything into a drawer, remember that clutter—even hidden—can create mental stress. Edit down to essentials like a lamp, your current read, and maybe a water glass. Use small storage baskets elsewhere for items like jewelry or chargers and keep only what contributes to a calming environment by your bed.
Paperwork Piles
Paper clutter in the bedroom can overstimulate the mind, especially before sleep. Whether it’s unpaid bills, school forms, or receipts, these should have no place next to your bed. Instead, in often compact NYC spaces, set up a practical filing system in a shared area like a corner of the living room or entryway. Wall-mounted organizers or compact filing bins can help maximize limited square footage without sacrificing
accessibility.
Exercise Equipment
While it may be convenient to throw a yoga mat beside your bed or stash dumbbells in the corner, exercise equipment in your bedroom can feel distracting or even guilt-inducing. Look for creative storage solutions. Fold up mats and stow them under a couch, tuck weights into closets, or even designate a portion of a hallway or a corner of another room for workout gear. Separating your fitness zone from your
bedroom can help maintain its relaxing vibe.
Electronics
This one is especially hard in New York apartments, where bedrooms often double as living rooms. But cutting out gadgets like televisions, laptops, and even phones from your bedroom can significantly improve your sleep quality. Instead of binge-watching in bed, create a habit of relaxing with electronics in your designated communal spaces. This simple boundary will help ensure your bedroom feels like a true sanctuary from NYC’s hustle and bustle.
Unread Books or Magazines
It’s all too easy to accumulate stacks of reading materials that never make it past your nightstand. Not only do they create visual clutter, but they can also weigh on your mental to-do list. Keep a single book or magazine for bedside reading and relocate the rest to a bookshelf in the living space. Even better—if space is tight, consider wall-mounted shelves to house your “to-be-read” pile.
Why It Matters
For city dwellers, prioritizing the bedroom means creating a space where the chaos of NYC life pauses, even briefly. With its multifunctional demands, organization is key to making your space work. Decluttering your room can lead to better focus, less stress, and ultimately more restful sleep—an essential for thriving in the city that never sleeps. With a few thoughtful decisions, you can transform your bedroom into the serene haven every New Yorker deserves.
