A Guide to Bedroom and Wardrobe Organisation: Clever Storage Ideas and Tips

There’s something so satisfying about a well-organised bedroom — it makes getting ready in the morning that little bit easier, helps you find things quickly, and creates a much calmer space to relax in.

But if your wardrobe is fit to bursting or your drawers are overflowing, knowing where to start can feel overwhelming.

The good news? We’ve pulled together our top bedroom organisation and wardrobe storage ideas so you can make the most of your space. Plus, we’ve got product recommendations from Carly Bullock, Buyer at Lakeland to help you find the best storage solutions for every corner of your bedroom.

Contents

• How to prepare for organising your bedroom
• Tips for organising your bedroom
• Storage ideas for small bedrooms

How to prepare for organising your bedroom

Start with a plan

Before you dive headfirst into organising your bedroom, take a step back. A little planning goes a long way when it comes to creating an organised space that works for you. Here are some things to think about:

• Look around. What’s working and what’s not? — Is your wardrobe bursting at the seams? Do you have a bedside table overflowing with books, cables, and odds and ends? Identifying problem areas first will make organising much easier, and you can figure out what extra storage you might need.

• How do you use your space daily? — Do you need a quick grab-and-go system for busy mornings, or do you want everything neatly tucked away for a minimalist look?

• How long do you have? — It’s tempting to just start pulling everything out — but that’s where things usually go wrong. So many of us start with good intentions, only to end up halfway through, surrounded by piles of clothes and wondering why we ever started!

Having a plan — whether it’s a simple checklist or a full room makeover vision (if you’re going all out!) — keeps you focused. It prevents that overwhelming ‘what have I done?’ moment when everything is on the floor and nowhere near sorted.

Declutter

Now, it’s time to roll up your sleeves and get started. Decluttering is the most satisfying (and sometimes the most daunting) step, but once it’s done, you’ll instantly feel more in control of your space.

Carly says: “When decluttering my bedroom, I always stick to the three-pile rule: keep, donate, and throw. Sorting everything into these three piles makes the whole process feel less overwhelming — you can actually see what you’re working with, rather than just shifting things around.”

“When deciding what stays and what goes, be honest with yourself. If you haven’t worn it, used it, or even remembered you had it in the last year, chances are you don’t need it. Ask yourself: ‘If I saw this in a shop today, would I buy it again?’ If the answer is no, it’s probably time to say goodbye!”

The best approach is to declutter, clean, and reorganise one area of the bedroom at a time. That way, if you need a break, you won’t be left with a half-finished room. We’ll let you know our top organisation tips and storage ideas in a little while, but for now, choose an area of your bedroom to start with:

• Bedside tables and drawers — These little spaces collect everything from old receipts to half-used hand creams. 

• Surfaces — Nightstands, dressers, and shelves should be clutter-free zones. Keep your essentials and rehome or chuck anything that doesn’t belong.

• Wardrobe — We’ll deep dive into wardrobe organisation later, but for now, a quick declutter will make the next steps much easier. Start by pulling out anything that you no longer wear, doesn’t fit, or belongs elsewhere.

“If you’re struggling to let go of certain clothes, try the hanger trick,” says Carly. “Turn all your hangers the wrong way, and after you wear something, place it back the right way. After a couple of months, anything still hanging the wrong way is something you don’t wear often enough to keep!”

Once you’ve sorted a section of your bedroom, deal with your piles straight away to keep your space clear and avoid second-guessing your decisions. Bag up what needs to go and take it straight to the bin or recycling. For donations, put everything into a separate bag and move it out of the room — whether that’s near the front door or straight into your car for a charity drop-off.

Clean the surfaces

Now that you’ve decluttered and sorted your piles, you’ll have an empty drawer, cupboard, or surface — and this is the perfect opportunity to give everything a proper clean before putting things back. Dust, crumbs, and general grime have a habit of building up in corners, especially in drawers.

Take a warm, damp cloth and some mild cleaning product and wipe down every surface. If there are a lot of crumbs, give it a quick vacuum first before wiping it down. And for stubborn dust in tricky spots, try using a microfibre cloth or an old toothbrush to get into the nooks and crannies.
To learn more, read our guide on How to Quickly Spring Clean Your Home.

Tips for organising your bedroom

Whether you’re tackling an overflowing wardrobe or just want a bit more breathing room, practical storage solutions can make all the difference. Here are our top bedroom organisation ideas:

Make the most of under-bed storage

Out of sight shouldn’t mean out of mind! Under the bed is a handy spot to store things away — but only if it’s done right. Use storage bags or organisers to keep everything tidy, protected, and easy to grab when you need it. That way, you won’t just be shoving things under and hoping for the best!

Here are some of our top under-bed storage solutions:

Vacuum storage tote bags

Lighter duvets and breathable sheets for summer, thick, cosy quilts for winter. But where do you keep the ones you’re not using? At Lakeland, our Vacuum Storage Bags make it easy to fold away your duvet and pillows and then shrink them down to a much more manageable size.

They’re not just for bedding; use them for out-of-season clothes, bulky jumpers, or even spare towels. To learn more, read our guide on How to Store Clothes With Vacuum Storage Bags. 

Plus, with a range of sizes to suit everything from single duvets to king-size bedding, there’s a solution for every item.

Underbed shoe storage

Our navy blue under-bed shoe storage bag is a stylish way to keep your favourite pairs neatly tucked away while freeing up floor space. It has room for up to eight pairs of shoes and has a sleek, wipe-clean design.

Carly says: “I love how this keeps shoes protected and clean — no more dust or creepy crawlies finding their way in! It’s roomy enough for all sorts of footwear, from ankle boots and heels to trainers and even men’s shoes up to size 11. Plus, the adjustable dividers mean you can fit everything neatly without any overlap. Just fill it up, slide it under the bed, and grab the handle when you need a pair.”

Create a daily essentials draw

We all know the feeling of rushing out the door, only to realise your keys, watch, or favourite earrings have disappeared into the chaos. That’s where a dedicated daily essentials drawer comes in handy. Use draw organisers or storage trays to keep everything in its place so you’re never scrambling to find them. 

Make use of the back of your bedroom door

Instead of letting your scarves and dressing gown pile up in a ball in the back of your wardrobe, put the back of your bedroom door to good use. Hooks are a simple way to keep your go-to accessories within easy reach, so you can grab your dressing gown in the morning or your favourite scarf on the way out.

That said, try not to cram everything onto the back of your door — it could end up looking a little chaotic! Stick to the things you reach for every day, and store the rest neatly in your wardrobe. But we’ll get onto that later!

Improve your bedroom layout

Sometimes, the secret to a more organised bedroom is about making better use of the space you already have. Rearranging your furniture can free up floor area, create better access to storage, and even make your room feel bigger.

Try shifting your bed against a different wall to open up room for a wardrobe or shelving. Moving a chest of drawers closer to your wardrobe makes getting dressed quicker and easier. If you’ve got an empty corner, why not turn it into a little storage nook? A slim shelving unit or a storage basket can help keep books, blankets, or everyday essentials tidy without taking up too much room.

You could move things around and live with the new layout for a few days. If it doesn’t feel quite right, keep tweaking until you find a setup that works for you.

Think about wardrobe storage

A tidy wardrobe makes getting dressed quicker, finding your favourite outfits easier, and stops that dreaded ‘I have nothing to wear’ feeling. If you’re constantly trying to squeeze in one more hanger or digging through piles to find what you need, it’s time for a rethink.

Once you’ve decluttered what you don’t need and you’re left with the pieces you love, it’s time to put everything back in.

Grouping similar items together — like jeans, dresses, or workwear — makes it easier to find what you need. And if you’re feeling extra organised, colour coding can make your wardrobe look as good as it functions (plus, it makes outfit planning a breeze!).

There are plenty of clever wardrobe storage ideas and products, including:

Sturdy hangers

Of course, if you’re low on hangers, you’ll probably end up shoving clothes at the bottom of your wardrobe — which isn’t exactly the best way to keep things tidy! Investing in good-quality wooden hangers is a great choice because they’re less likely to snap under the weight of heavier items like coats or jackets.

Carly says: “The Lakeland Beechwood Hangers are such an upgrade from plastic ones. They feel sturdy, look stylish, and the 360-degree swivel hook makes them so easy to use. Plus, the notches keep strappy tops and dresses secure, and the rubber grip on the bar stops trousers from slipping off.”

However, they can be quite bulky, so if your wardrobe space is on the smaller side, it’s worth also having some multi-layered designs, like Lakeland’s Suede Covered Trouser Hangers.

Carly says: “I love how these hangers hold four pairs of trousers without creasing them, and the soft faux suede finish prevents slipping, keeping everything neatly in place. They’re such a simple way to free up rail space and keep things organised.”

If you really want to take wardrobe organisation up a notch, try Lakeland’s Cotton Fresh Scented Hangers. They gently scent your clothes with a calming, just-washed fragrance — because a well-organised space should smell as good as it looks!

Hanger storage

Our survey into The Top Home and Cleaning Trends of 2024 found that half of consumers who don’t have a dedicated laundry room say they’d love one. While having that extra storage would be ideal, the reality is that most of us do laundry wherever we can — which often means hangers end up tangled in wardrobes or cluttering up the bedroom.

That’s where our Foldable Hanger Storage Bag comes in handy. Carly explains: “I never knew I needed a hanger storage bag until I had one! No more hunting through wardrobes. This clever little bag keeps them all in one place, ready to grab when needed — especially on ironing day.”

“It’s easy to carry and folds flat when you’re not using it. Such a simple idea, but it makes a big difference in keeping your wardrobe and laundry routine organised. Just tuck it on a shelf in your wardrobe to neatly store spare hangers out of sight but always within easy reach.”

A hanging handbag organiser

“With a hanging organiser, there’ll be no more handbags toppling out of the wardrobe every time the door opens”, explains Carly. “Lakeland’s Hanging Handbag Organiser keeps everything neat, easy to find, and dust-free.”

“The compartments are roomy enough for totes, clutches, and crossbody bags, so everything has its place instead of being piled on top of each other. And if extra space is ever needed, it folds away in seconds — so handy!”

Stackable shoe storage

Carly says: “Stacking shoes neatly in a wardrobe isn’t always easy, but Lakeland’s Stackable Shoe Storage Boxes make it simple. They sit one on top of the other without toppling over, making the most of vertical space — ideal for the bottom of a wardrobe or on a shelf. And because they’re transparent, there’s no guessing which pair is inside.”

Storage ideas for small bedrooms

Just because a bedroom is small doesn’t mean it has to feel cluttered. The trick is to make every inch work harder, and clever storage solutions can make all the difference. Here are a few of our tips: 

Don’t forget about vertical space

When floor space is limited, look up — there’s a whole world of untapped storage space on your walls, doors, and even inside your wardrobe. Walls are often left bare, but adding smart storage here means you can free up floor space for furniture, a laundry basket, or just keep things open so your bedroom feels bigger and less cluttered.

Floating shelves are perfect for books, plants, or those little bits that never seem to have a proper home, while stackable storage boxes make the most of vertical space inside wardrobes or cupboards.

Use multi-tasking furniture

In a small bedroom, every piece of furniture needs to earn its place — and multi-tasking designs are the way to go. Instead of squeezing in extra storage, choose furniture that doubles up as a home for your things and keeps everything organised without taking up more space.

Here are a few clever ways to maximise storage with furniture:

• Storage ottomans — Great for stashing away spare bedding or pyjamas while also giving you somewhere to sit.

• Beds with built-in drawers or lift-up storage — Make use of the biggest surface in the room by storing out-of-season clothes or anything you don’t need every day.

• Bedside tables with shelving — Instead of a simple tabletop, choose a bedside table with built-in shelves or drawers to maximise storage. Use the shelves for books, charging cables, or skincare essentials so they’re easy to grab but don’t clutter the surface.

Choose space-saving wardrobe products

If you’ve got a small bedroom, chances are your wardrobe isn’t exactly spacious either. That’s why space-saving wardrobe products — like slim hangers, multi-layered hangers, and hanger hooks — will be your go-to for making the most of every inch. These clever solutions free up rail space, keep things organised and stop your wardrobe from feeling cramped.

Lakeland’s Hanger Hooks let you double up on hanging room without needing a bigger wardrobe. Just attach a hook to the top of a hanger, and you can add a second item underneath. And at just £2.99 for a pack of 8, Lakeland’s Hanger Hooks are a simple, affordable way to make your wardrobe work smarter!

Step up your shoe storage 

Shoes have a habit of taking over the floor, whether they’re piled by the bedroom door or scattered at the bottom of the wardrobe. 

Carly recommends: “If shoes are constantly cluttering up your bedroom, Lakeland’s extending and stackable shoe rack is the answer. It holds up to 10 pairs, and because it’s stackable, you can add another layer when your collection grows. Plus, the wood-effect steel rungs look so stylish — it’s practical and great-looking, all in one!”

Get your bedroom organised with Lakeland

From clever wardrobe storage ideas to space-saving solutions for small bedrooms, a few simple changes can make a big difference when organising your room.

At Lakeland, we’ve got everything to help you tidy, store, and maximise your space — stackable shoe racks, vacuum storage, and multi-tasking storage boxes, to name a few. A more organised, clutter-free bedroom is just a few smart swaps away!

Looking for more advice and inspiration around the home or in the kitchen? Head over to our blog!