The Best Items to Maximize Your Bedroom Storage Space

One of the most important parts of decluttering you home is the subsequent organizing of what remains. No matter how you approach the task, you need to ensure every item you decide to keep has a designated storage space, lest you fall back into your messy, cluttering ways.

I recently shared my best recommendations for adding storage space in your bathroom, but your bedroom is a less obvious spot that will benefit from storage and organization solutions. Here are some ideas to get you started there, too.

The best storage solutions for your closet

Closet storage solutions are a world unto themselves. The way you go about this task should depend on what you have to store. For bags, consider hanging them vertically on a chain. You have a ton of options to organize your many pairs of shoes, from vertical shoe trees to over-the-door units. Even your clothes can be stored more smartly. (Here are the space-saving hangers I recommend for that purpose.)

In general, closet storage should be customized to fit your needs. I have small closets, so I've added small bookshelves like this one that I use for extra clothes storage:

I put two of these shelves on the floor of my closet, and I let everything on my hangers drape over them—if I need to access the shelves, I just push the clothes aside. It makes use of space that would otherwise be wasted, plus the small sections within the shelving units allow me to designate spots for all kinds of clothes: Bodysuits, wide-strap tank tops, spaghetti-strap tanks and tube tops, sweatpants, yoga pants, leggings, hooded sweatshirts, crewneck sweatshirts... each of these gets their own cubicle, making organizing much more efficient.

I can't overemphasize how important maintaining a designated home for every kind of item is, whatever it is, so the more small shelves or cubes you can add, and the more you can separate your stuff into different categories, the better.

Also consider these tools for neatening up your closet:

• Metal cascading hangers utilize vertical space to let you fit more on your clothing rack, all without warping under the weight like plastic ones eventually do ($7.69 for four)

• Over-the-door storage units make use of space that would otherwise be wasted, so try this one ($22.98) that has a variety of pocket sizes and shapes for things like shoes, products, bags, or whatever else

Other bedroom storage solutions

I'm a big proponent of storage furniture, or dual-purpose pieces that mask their storage capacity, and can come in handy all over your bedroom. And my first recommendation is a storage mirror—mine revolutionized the way I get ready for the day.

With lights inside and outside, plus storage space for earrings, bracelets, makeup brushes, necklaces, bottled products, and other self-care essentials, this mirror hides all the small stuff I struggle to keep looking neat, without making it inaccessible. It's one of the most useful pieces of decor I've ever bought.

Another option is upgrading your side table. You need a nightstand with multiple drawers and compartments so you're less likely to let the top of it turn into a messy pile. Try something like this:

Other storage options to consider

And don't forget other storage solutions, which aim to make the most of your usable space

• Under-bed storage is great for out-of-season items or big things like coats and duvets—and you really need ones with wheels, like these (two for $35.99).

• A storage ottoman at the foot of the bed is nice for shoes, blankets, or just random items that don't have any other obvious spot ($39.97).

• If your shelves are looking jumbled, grab a bunch of little boxes or baskets to keep everything organized and out of sight; start with this set of three ($32.39) and your room will be looking neater in no time.