How to Organize Your Bedroom and Make it Smell Good

You walk into your bedroom at the end of a long day to throw yourself on a comfy bed. Yet, you’re greeted by piles of clothes on the chair and stinky socks waiting for you to pick them up. Clutter and foul odors, what a hellish combo, right?

Instead of relaxing, all you get is anxiety from the chaos in your sanctuary, taking away from your “me” time. But don’t worry, in this article, you’ll learn a scientific approach to bring order and freshness to your sanctuary. Through the combination of practical bedroom organization techniques with correct scent selection, you’ll have the perfect arsenal to conquer the chaos.

Your bedroom should be a place that restores you. You should create your own peaceful retreat where clutter and odors no longer steal your energy. This way, you no longer have to deal with clutter and a smelly bedroom every day after a long day of work.

Read on to learn how to organize your bedroom and make it smell good in ways that are both practical and easy to maintain.

Why organizing and freshening your bedroom matters

Do you think you can sleep peacefully amidst the piles of sweaty and dirty clothes? Of course not. A messy and stinky bedroom undermines its role as a key space to recharge your energy. You need to solve it.

And for creating a good bedroom ambience, you need both practical organization strategies and bedroom aromatherapy.

A tidy space supports mental clarity and relaxation

Remember what it’s like when you have dozens of browser tabs open on your laptop? Doesn’t it feel very unfocused?

Based on the study examining the relationship between home clutter and mental well-being among 501 adults, it’s proven that a messy home can significantly stimulate cortisol levels. This psychological condition can make you feel pressured when seeing clothes piled and disarrayed items in your bedroom. To address this, a study published in the Journal of Consumer Research found that decluttering can help reduce the sense of disorganization at home.

Thus, decluttering your bedroom helps you relax your nervous system after a stressful day, as you don’t have to look at scattered items and clothing around the bed.

This step-by-step approach also serves as a multifunctional tool for you to make your bedroom reflect your personality, as proven in a study on the effectiveness of decluttering in shaping individual self. Embarking on a journey of evaluating and discarding items mindfully in your bedroom gives you the chance to reflect on the items you genuinely need and capture your unique personality.

A fresh-smelling room enhances comfort and mood

If your bedroom smells stale and musty, you’ll want to leave as quickly as possible.

Studies among patients in intensive care units and a literature review on the effect of aromatherapy on sleep quality have consistently found that scent has a subtle yet powerful impact on improving sleep quality. Carefully selected scents have a proven effect on calming your nervous system; they can, for example, help you unwind before sleeping.

Oil perfumes and scented sprays are your best options if you like to spread the aroma more quickly and intensely. Meanwhile, if you want something gentle and spread slowly yet surely, you can try a lovely scented candle.

Your bedroom should feel like a sanctuary

Rest and recuperation are the primary focus of the bedroom.

A blend of order and calming scents is the combination that makes the bedroom function as it should. It beckons you to come and slip into a restful embrace, and that is the exact paradox you’ll hardly find in this busy world.

With constant stimulation from the outside world, the bedroom serves as the only restorative space you will have.

Practical insights into decluttering and aromatherapy for your bedroom

Multiple studies have shown that a messy room increases stress and disrupts sleep, while maintaining order helps to focus and promote emotional calmness. Meanwhile, psychological and aromatherapeutic research suggests that specific scents can help individuals relax and lower their heart rates.

Combining these two proven approaches offers a practical means to enhance both your environment and your mental state.

Discover how to apply these techniques to your bedroom below.

Remove items you don’t use or need

This might be the simplest way to clear clutter in the bedroom. The human brain tends to perceive the surroundings to be peaceful and organized when surfaces are uncluttered.

It’s useful to start small, so the tips below could be helpful to you:

Start from the most visible zones. You need to give each item its home. It could be your bedside table where you usually put small daily items haphazardly. Then, you can continue to declutter your dresser top, where you typically display decorative items that may need to be stored during the changing seasons.
Try the “one in, one out” rule. When you buy a new item, remove one item from your storage. If you’re still a beginner, this rule can help you by removing items that no longer add value before purchasing new ones.
Categorize in boxes. You can declutter by categorizing items into three different boxes. During the removal process, place items in boxes labeled “Keep” if they are still valid and valuable, “Donate” if they are no longer needed but still have value, and “Trash” if they have lost all value and purpose.
The floor should be the last. Close it by tackling the floor area, as it is the most likely space to hide dust and hidden clutter.

When you eliminate clutter with intention, you create an open environment that invites rest instead of restlessness.

Use smart bedroom storage solutions

Now that you’ve gotten rid of the excess, what do you do with the stuff that you actually want to keep? The perfect storage options ensure that everything has its place, allowing you to maintain both peace of mind and order.

Utilize your hidden space. Under-bed bins are one of the most practical ways to maximize hidden space. They’re not hard to retrieve or return, and offer ample space for your stuff. If you have one, you can stash out-of-season clothing, extra linens, and those other shoes you don’t wear every day.
Utilize vertical space. Over-the-door organizers are a lifesaver in small bedrooms, as they keep essentials visible and within reach without occupying extra space. You can use this organizer to hang your favorite shoes, scarves, and toiletries (especially for ladies).
Don’t forget the inside. Drawer dividers help manage the clutter in your dressers, allowing you to store various items separately and keep them organized. You can use dividers to organize multiple items in your drawer into tidy categories (e.g., jewelry, socks, and gadget accessories).
Be flexible with multifunctional furniture. A storage ottoman placed at the end of your bed serves as both seating and a spot to store blankets. Nightstands featuring drawers offer elegant options that seamlessly blend utility and aesthetics.

Utilizing these tools turns your bedroom into an environment where organization comes effortlessly and sustainably.

Use essential oil diffusers or scented candles

Essential oil diffusers and scented candles are two of the simplest and most effective tools for making your room smell good. The right scents have the power to uplift your mood in your sanctuary.

Lavender is one of the most extensively studied essential oils for relaxation, which can help decrease heart rate and blood pressure. This is your best option to diffuse in the evening to promote sleep.
Vanilla has a sweet and comforting nature that evokes warmth and calm to reduce restlessness. Using a vanilla-scented candle during the evening creates a soothing scent that helps you to reduce strain after a long, tiring day. For a romantic couple, this one is your perfect choice.
Sandalwood has a rich, grounding aroma that is particularly suited for meditation rituals. It’s suitable if you want more profound relaxation and to set up a more balanced energy within your space.

In addition to an oil diffuser, you can also use scented candles. Always ensure that a burning candle is never left unattended, and never forget to extinguish it before going to sleep. It is recommended to use them in your leisure time, such as when you’re still awake, for activities like pampering your skin and enjoying a movie night.

Placement is the second safety consideration to keep in mind when using a scented candle. Place them on a heat-resistant and stable surface. Avoid placing them near paper and linen products as these materials tend to be flammable.

When you prefer a safer alternative, opt for flameless candles or electric wax warmers that work similarly but without the risk of fire.

Refresh bedding and fabrics often

Even with clever storage and soothing scents, your bedroom won’t feel truly fresh if the fabrics in it are neglected. Bedding and other fabrics naturally trap dust, sweat, and odors over time. If you continue to ignore them, your fabrics can dull the atmosphere and negatively impact air quality in your bedroom.

Start with your bedding. It is recommended to wash your sheets and pillowcases weekly as they come in contact with your body every time you lie on your bed.
Continue with the comforter. Wash your comforters or duvets at least once a month. You can add a few drops of lavender or eucalyptus essential oil to the rinse cycle to infuse an extra layer of freshness.
Don’t overlook the curtains. Vacuum them regularly and wash them every few months, depending on fabric type. If laundering isn’t possible due to your busy schedule, a fabric refresher spray with natural essential oils can help keep them smelling pleasant.
Treat your rugs as a foundation for a fresh bedroom. Remove dust and odors that have settled in your rugs by vacuuming at least once a week. Sprinkle baking soda over the rugs and let it sit for 15 minutes before vacuuming for a deeper cleaning session.
Keep fabrics smelling fresh with linen spray. Lightly mist your sheets or curtains with linen spray made from distilled water and a few drops of your favorite calming essential oils before bed.

Integrate scent into your daily routine

Fragrances can be gentle reminders that lead your daily planning. Create a simple ritual to refresh your surroundings by incorporating smell into your routines.

A citrus or peppermint room spray’s subtle scent can herald energy and focus in the morning, serving as a portal to the day ahead. You may then diffuse calming oils, such as lavender or chamomile, during the night to facilitate a smooth transition to sleep.

You can also pair scents with regular tasks. Use a fresh linen spray while making your bed, or light a soothing candle while tidying up at night. Over time, these rituals become anchors to bring clarity and comfort to your everyday life.

In conclusion

Picture your bedroom as an extension of your mind. Tidying and fragrancing your bedroom is like clearing your head to release the tension you’ve been holding all day.

You can reclaim your sanctuary space with a few intentional choices. Every organization starts by removing items you no longer need and keeping only the most valuable to you. For items you choose to keep, organize them in order by utilizing a smart storage solution that fits with your bedroom. Then, give your routine a final touch by incorporating essential oils and using aromatherapy appliances.

You don’t have to correct everything at once. Start with minuscule, achievable tasks, because every small step brings you one step closer to an energy-rejuvenating bedroom.

A bedroom should be a tranquil haven after a stormy day. So, begin building a sanctuary that you will love returning to every day.

If you want to see more resources on bedroom organization or home decor, check out the Home Organization Science Labs. The lab uses the research of the Institute for Life Management Science to produce courses, certifications, podcasts, videos, and other tools. Visit the Home Organization Science Labs today.

Photo by Freepik

Esther Ananta Gracella