How to Downsize the Bedroom – a Detailed List of a Minimalist Bedroom
Have you stashed things in your bedrooms to get them out of the main living areas? I’ve done it so much in the past that I was overwhelmed to see how much emerged from my closet, dresser, and chest and out from under the bed when I finally dragged it all out.
I had to declutter quite a bit before my cross-country move to where I now live. I’ll list here the basic essentials of a bedroom. If you have extra space in your bedroom(s) and want to use it as storage, that’s fine. Simply keep the spaces separate and clearly assigned so chaos doesn’t ensue.
In my studio apartment, I have an area that is about 16’ x 10’ to call my bedroom. This space also includes my office, which has a desk, chair, and file cabinet. I also have a 5’x5’ closet in my laundry/utility area for hanging clothes. It is the only closet in the apartment, so it also houses other items.
Here is my bedroom…
Furnishings:
Build in as much as possible.
- Lighting – Canned ceiling lights on a dimmer – Wall-mounted reading lights on each side of the bed
- Fan – Central ceiling fan with variable speed and reversible – Noisy portable fan if needed for white noise (or use a white noise maker).
- Windows and coverings – This area has two windows, and both have blackout shades.
- A wall-mounted wood slat wall is behind the head of the bed instead of a headboard. The slat wall also helps distinguish the bedroom area from the rest of the studio. Reading lights and bedside stand-type shelves are attached to these slats instead of having pieces of furniture in these spaces.
- Ceiling mounted track – Blackout curtain surrounding bed area hangs from here. I can fully open and close as needed.
- Closet: 5’ x 2’ area for clothes—hanging rod—upper shelf—shoe racks on the floor—All of my hanging clothes fit here—shirts, pants, sweaters, jackets, coats, and dresses.
- Narrow floating ledge shelves—Rotate wall art—Switch out for holidays or seasons—These ledges are also in the living room and entry areas.
Furniture:
Sized to the space. Avoid oversized pieces.
- Bed – Queen size – On frame with storage under the bed – Storage used for extra bedding and folded clothing – Down comforter for winter – Winter duvet cover and two pillow shams.
- Bench – End of bed with storage – Cat bed on top – Storage for extra cat and dog food, bag of litter, toys, and supplies – The bench can also be used for seating here or brought into the living area as needed.
Accessories:
Switch out some of these items with the seasons or for holidays for decor
- Duvet and cover – Change cover seasonally
- Bedding – Sheets – Blanket – Duvet and cover – Two pillows and cases – Mattress pad – Pillow protectors
- Two extra pillows and shams – Change shams seasonally – Use these as guest pillows
- Wall art – See ledge shelves above – Rotate art with seasons and holidays
- On bedside table – Phone charger – Journal – Pen – Mug warmer plate – Current book I’m reading
Clothing:
Use the limitations of your space to determine how many clothes you have.
- Closet – I have a 5’ long space with one rod, a shelf above, and space on the floor. The hanging space is used for four coats/jackets (winter, rain, jacket, cardigan), two dresses, five to seven shirts, three pairs of jeans, two pairs of dress pants, and two robes.
- Shelf above the rod – A bin of off-season clothes to switch out with what is hanging and a bin of accessories (hats, gloves, scarf, an extra purse).
- Shoe rack on the floor of the closet – Shoes, slippers, and boots (five to seven pairs) – Dirty clothes basket also here.
- Under-bed storage drawer – Folded clothes (undergarments, pajamas, workout clothes).
This is what works for me. What are your bedroom essentials? Let me know in the comments below.
See what Rebecca has kept for her other rooms:
