Declutter Diaries: The Nightstand

By Y.M. Lowy

Welcome back to Declutter Diaries. Today, we’re focusing on the nightstand. With the right organization, it can be a peaceful, tidy spot for things like a lamp, a book, and a glass of water, everything you need within easy reach. Let’s get it working for you.

Organize This:

Empty Everything: Remove all items from the nightstand drawer to assess the contents and identify unnecessary objects. 

Decide What Deserves VIP Status: Limit nightstand items to essentials such as a lamp, a charger, and an alarm clock. Additional items may serve as distractions during bedtime. Consider buying a multifunctional device so you save room.

Contain the Chaos: Utilize small bins, dividers, or repurposed boxes to keep items organized within the drawer, ensuring that similar items are grouped. 

Tame the Tangled Wires: Organize charging cords and cables to prevent them from becoming tangled. Consider using cable clips, a cord box, or twist ties for effective management. 

Make It Nice: Add framed photos, a jewelry dish, or candles to decorate your nightstand, but if it starts to look cluttered with your essentials, keep the decorative items on a different coffee table.

Did You Know?

Reading a book before bed—even for just six minutes—has been shown to reduce stress levels by 68%! Keeping a good book on your nightstand can help you relax, unwind, and fall asleep faster.

Myth Busting:

Myth: “Hitting snooze a few times in the morning helps me feel more rested.”

Reality: Snoozing disrupts your sleep cycle and can leave you feeling groggier instead of refreshed. Keeping your alarm (or phone) on your nightstand within easy reach makes it tempting to snooze. Try placing it across the room instead to help you wake up more alert and energized!

One Item Purge Challenge:

Do you have that one book on your nightstand that you haven’t finished in months? Challenge yourself to read it and get it over with so you can make room for a new read!

How Do You Do It?

Do you keep your phone charger on your nightstand, or do you prefer to keep your phone out of reach while you sleep? Does having it nearby help you stay connected, or do you prefer to disconnect for a better night’s sleep?