Under the bed is a perfect and often used storage space for extra things in your bedroom. The trick is to use the space wisely by storing the right things in proper containers. The best stuff to store under your bed are things that have to DO with the bedroom; think seasonal clothes, duvet covers and blankets. You don’t want anything under there that you need to access on a regular basis nor do you want things that don’t belong to the bedroom - those stray items should likely find a home somewhere else. As for the containers, you need to find something that rolls, can be cleaned and has a lid!! You know how dust bunnies congregate under the bed - it would suck to have them party on your clean sweaters! I have been looking for a great bin for under our bed and I have found a couple that I think will appeal to you.

The first is a CUTE basket called the “DEGERNES” (pictured above) with a canvas tie on lid - perfect for those who don’t have a bedskirt and want something that will look good under the bed. You can still clean it by giving it a quick vacuum or wiping down the sides and the cover can just be thrown in the wash. It could be a bit tiresome untying it - so for this I recommend storing stuff that you would need to access a couple times a year. Find it here>

The next two are pure function. They are both plastic, and have plastic lids that can be easily put on and wiped off. I would recommend this only if you have a bedskirt hiding it - plastic containers/storage bins/ drawers are great, but look cheap sticking out in a bedroom! They are completely functional and great, but please hide them! Here are a couple that I found on line and liked - note the Ikea one is almost 1 1/2″ taller than The Container Store one - so measure your bed before you buy!

Ikea underbed storage>
The Container Store under bed storage>

Our tip today may seem obvious, but when we decided we were going to do a bedroom week, this HAD to be the tip. Drum roll please…. make your bed every day!!

This is honestly, one of the most important things you can do to ensure that your bedroom looks good. Have you ever heard of the “broken window syndrome”? It is a sociological theory that pretty much says, if one window in a neighbourhood is broken and is not fixed, it is only a matter of time before the rest of the neighbourhood falls into disrepair. This happens if you start letting things slide, just a little and it becomes contagious. This rule applies to every room in your house. Have you ever noticed that if you leave one dish on the counter, it soon becomes 20? Same thing for your bedroom. If you don’t make your bed, soon clothes will litter the floor and every available surface, empty cups will sit on your bedside table and paperwork will pile up on your dresser.

Best way to avoid bedroom chaos: always make your bed in the morning, tidy it before leaving the room and then SHUT THE DOOR!!! That way kids, pets, and stray mail will never find their way into your heavenly sanctuary.

If you find yourself in a chaotic state in your bedroom right now, never fear. Take a deep breath and use our Mantra “Top to Bottom, Left to Right, Focus, Focus, Focus”. You’ll be basking in a tranquil space in no time. Good luck!

Maja has been sharing some great tips and finds over the past week to make doing your laundry more enjoyable. I had to also share this fun and inexpensive find that I discovered today from Organize-It online.

These sweet little disks are called the “SockPro Wash Organizer Disks” and cost $3.99 for a set of 10. The great thing about them is you just slip a pair of dirty socks through the middle of the disk, then toss them into the washer or dryer…voila…your clean socks emerge from the dryer as a set! They come in several different colors, so you can even assign colored disks for each member of the family.

If you’re anything like me, our laundry room is the bermuda triangle vortex for matching socks. I’m really excited to give the SockPro disks a try. Happy Laundering - Daria.

Click here to view this cool product>

Maja shares her ideas and hints for putting away and storing Christmas decor. She also helps you to organize her holiday decorations so that it’s much easier to find what you need next year!

Step #1: Get Bins to store your precious ornaments and holiday things in (sterilite containers at Walmart etc.)
Step #2: Get your Labels ready, mark down contents of every single bin (Maja uses 3×5″ inch cards and a black marker)
Step #3: Use the Mantra (top to bottom, left to right, focus, focus, focus)
Step #4: Tape gun at the ready
Optional Step #5: Create a Binder or Master list with the contents of each bin for easy reference, don’t forget to number the bins if you choose this method.

Listener Poll: “When do you think is the best time to take down your Christmas decorations?”. Please leave your comments in our shownotes.

The Holidays are fast approaching and The Savvy Organizer is here to walk you through what a stress-free and organized holiday can be like.In this weeks show Maja shares her holiday plan for you including:- setting up your own Savvy Holiday Notebook- when to wrap- how to shop in crowds while still liking people…And much much more!This show is a great audio handbook for making the most out of the Christmas season and being able to give yourself fully to your family and friends. Enjoy the first of our Christmas shows, please leave your comments or questions - we want to assist you in making this a wonderful time of year. You deserve it, and YOU CAN DO IT!