7 Things That Make Your Bedroom Look Messier, According to Professional Organizers

Your bedroom should be the most serene space in your home, where you can lay back and unwind after a long day's work. Of course, this is only really possible if your bedroom is clean. A space filled to the brim with piles of clothes, random books, and personal items certainly won't feel very relaxing.

If your bedroom has started to accumulate clutter, though, it's often hard to know what to throw out—and what you should keep. Here, we spoke to professional organizers about the biggest things that are making your bedroom look messier. Read on to learn how you can clean up these various conundrums.

Unmade Bed

Many experts recommend making your bed in the morning for the feeling of accomplishment it gives you—but it's an important part of an organized, put-together space too. And it's important to keep your bedding washed, too.

"It's one of the easiest ways to make your room look cleaner," says Marla Mock, president of Molly Maid. "If you don't wash your bedding every so often—including pillowcases, comforters, and duvet covers—the chances of stains, like from sweat or hair, are more likely. This will make your room look dirty."

Mock recommends washing your pillowcases and sheets once a week, and your comforter or duvet cover every three months.

When is the best time to make your bed? Sometimes it can be hard to find the motivation, after all. "Right after you get out of bed [in the morning], make your bed," she says. "It makes such a big difference in the presentation of your room!"

Shoe Pile Ups

There's nothing wrong with having a large shoe collection, but if it's not properly organized, this stash can make your bedroom look very unkempt.

"They eat up floor space and create a tripping hazard," says Darla DeMorrow, certified professional organizer and founder of HeartWork Organizing. "They can also damage shoes, as they scuff and crush each other."

Instead, she recommends designated shoe storage. Under-bed shoe boxes work well, as do cubbies, racks, or even over-door shoe holders.

Unorganized Closets

Your closet may be out of view, but if it's not well organized, its mess can quickly spill out to the main bedroom. Not only is this an aesthetic nightmare, but it can make picking an outfit in the morning a real hassle. Instead, make use of other storage space.

"Take the extra time to fold your clothes nicely into drawers, and make sure they aren't hanging out of the tops or sides," says Mock. While you're reorganizing your closet, it's not a bad idea to get rid of any unwanted items too, which will help free up more space.

Another thing that can create issues is the hangers themselves. DeMorrow notes that different kinds of hangers can create tangles—and visual clutter.

Cluttered Surfaces

There are many personal items that find their way into a bedroom, so it's very easy for dressers, nightstands, and desks to get messy. In particular, DeMorrow warns against letting too much paperwork accumulate.

"If your home office is a corner of the bedroom, designate a box with a lid, a file cabinet, or a footstool with storage inside to hide the necessary papers, supplies, and cords," she suggests.

Clearing off surfaces will also give you more space for the things that really matter—or, if minimalism is your thing, you can leave them empty for a more serene, airy feel.

"Start in one corner of the room and work clockwise," Mock adds. "Clear off any dressers, nightstands, or desks and put the clutter in a designated basket, bin, or drawer."

Dirty Mirrors or Windows

One of the best things you can have in your bedroom is natural light—but if your windows are dirty, this amenity can be hard to appreciate. Fortunately, you can clean both windows and mirrors with relative ease.

"Dust off the mirror with a duster and then use a microfiber towel with glass cleaner to make it look good as new," says Mock. Windows, however, require an extra, preliminary step: "Make sure you dust the windowsill. Then, you can go in with your glass cleaner and microfiber towel."

Clothes on Doors

It's easy for clothes to accumulate where they don't belong—like on doors.

"They can make your room look like one big thrift store, and can make it hard to get through doorways," says DeMorrow. "They can prevent you from closing doors too."

There are a few solutions—if you want to hang clothes on a door before you get dressed, consider installing a valet rod in the closet so you can see your outfit. If you need to air dry clothes, you can use a screwed-in hook to hold just a few garments.

However, once you've chosen your outfit and your clothes are dry, put the rest of the clothes away and out of sight.

Dirty Floors

Dirty floors are unsightly in any space, but they can really make a bedroom feel messy—and less relaxing. Mock notes they can be particularly problematic in smaller rooms.

"Pick up any clutter on your floors and put it away where it should be," she say. "Next, vacuum if you have carpet in your room. If you have wood or tile, sweep up the dirt, hair, or debris."

If you want to do a deeper clean, try using a carpet shampoo or floor cleaner.