Nightstands have a way of attracting clutter: Books, jewelry, your laptop, random lip balms, receipts you pulled out of your pocket, you name it. Professional organizer Shaniece Jones shares her tips on how to declutter a nightstand correctly.
"One of the biggest mistakes people make is treating them like another junk drawer," Jones says. "Your nightstand sits right next to where you lay your head, and it shouldn’t be used as a drop-all or cluttered space."
Your bedroom is meant to promote rest and relaxation, but it's difficult for your brain to unwind when your space is filled with clutter. Even if your clutter is contained within drawers, most people can agree that it's frustrating to have to dig around to find the item you need.
Luckily, your nightstand is generally one of the easiest spots in the home to declutter. It's generally compact and serves a specific purpose, so it's easy to identify items that don't belong there. Set a 10-minute timer and see how much you can declutter in that time — you might be surprised!
Keep reading for expert tips on decluttering your nightstand. If you're looking to keep things going, read Jones' tips on how to declutter your bookshelves and your closet.
How to Declutter Your Nightstands
✔️ Consider your evening routine. Jones suggests writing down your nightly routine before tackling your drawers. This will help you identify what you need to keep. “What do you typically do before bed? What do you reach for once you’re in bed? If you don’t have a routine yet, set a vision for how you’d like your evenings to end,” Jones says.
✔️ Eliminate clutter. Now it’s time to empty the drawers. Nightstands should only be used to store items that support your evening routine and a good night’s rest, whether that’s a book, essential oils, or your favorite hand cream. Everything else must go, Jones warns.
“Items related to work don’t belong in a nightstand. The goal is to wind down at night, not keep your brain in ‘go mode.’ The key is that everything in the nightstand should support rest, reflection, or relaxation,” Jones explains. She also recommends keeping the space free of items like food, vitamins, and medication.
✔️ Find the right organizers. Rely ondrawer dividers or organizing trays to give every item you want to keep a dedicated spot. “This makes the space easier to maintain and prevents clutter from creeping back in,” Jones says.
✔️ Decoratewisely. Once your essentials are organized, there’s room to have a little fun with decorative items. Don’t go overboard, though. It could be as simple as a small plant, a stylish tray for jewelry, or a framed photo. “Pinterest can be a great source of inspiration here, but the key is to look for nightstands that are similar in size to yours so the ideas translate realistically,” Jones says.
✔️ Maintain it weekly. Unlike other spots in your home, you be able to get away with sprucing up your nightstands on a weekly basis. However, carve out time to declutter every month. “I recommend checking in on it during a Sunday reset. If the space hasn’t been disrupted and your week hasn’t been chaotic, decluttering once every other month is a great maintenance rhythm,” Jones says.
Monique Valeris is the home design director for Good Housekeeping, where she oversees the brand's home decorating coverage across print and digital. Prior to joining GH in 2020, she was the digital editor at Elle Decor. In her current role, she explores everything from design trends and home tours to lifestyle product recommendations, including writing her monthly column, "What's in My Cart."
