We’re glad to get back with this little series this week!
If you’re anything like us, the bedroom … your bedroom {and bathroom, really} probably comes in last on the list.
When it comes to where to start with home revamps, people often rationalize that the main living area is the most important, because everyone spends the most time there. Or the kids’ rooms, because they’re getting bigger. Or the kitchen, because it’s the heart of the home. {I think our kids scored about two room revamps each, along with a homeschool room per trying to get them settled before we decided to tackle our own bedroom. Okay fine. Those little boogers even had a playhouse before we touched our space.} Those choices are great and actually make a lot of sense. I’m still up in the air about where to officially start in a home, because personal needs and preferences be different for everyone. But sometimes those master bedrooms {and bathrooms} are left by the wayside, and totally forgotten.
Ours certainly was.
And it was more than just the design.
Our space had become a total catch all. A confused arena of I’m-not-sure-I-want-this-but-let’s-keep-it-here-for-when-I-do-because-I-have-no-idea-what-I’m-doing, kinda place. The things I felt guilty about basically went there to die.
I couldn’t be bothered. And then I was drowning. Help me.
And before I knew it, I kind of hated our space. It wasn’t a place for relaxation or escape or anything other than cosleeping and snack crumbs and laptop meetings. That was fine, but when that phase passed, I needed space to rest.
Cue beercanmoldpocalypse14, because it actually took mold growth and a leak of epic proportions to make us consider it. And when we started to rethink it all we realized how important it is to have our very own sanctuary.
A place to escape work, and even the kids. {No judging. Sometimes, mama needs a break.} We tend to save our spaces ’til last, when in reality, they can be the most important in ways we never realized.
So when we took the time to redo this room, and purge and organize, and think through what we were really using it for, we realized how rewarding it can be.
And here’s a little secret: It doesn’t have to be some huge transformation. It can start small with a few things just to give you a peace of mind for your escape, and making your space really count. It’s all in the importance of editing.
So here’s a few of our favorite ground rules for purging the bedroom:
1. If you’re not using it, get rid of it
Even after all of that makeover stuff, some things we haven’t touched have still found a way to reside in our space. Maybe we don’t watch all those DVD’s from our early married days – Jamin we once had a serious penchant for vintage movies {Rambo? Seriously?} and maybe I only did Zumba like, once, and then gave up because I look more like a drunk chihuahua trying to keep up with those steps. I was kicked off the dance team for good reason in high school, and it just brought back painful memories.
Let it go. It’s time to clear it out already.
2. Assign a space for everything, and clean it out often
I don’t know how my clothes breed when I’m not looking, but they do. By the time I’ve finally done the laundry, I realize I actually have to put it away, and I kind of just want to toss it all in a drawer and never look at it again. I have a special collection of paint covered frocks, probably more than cute ones because it’s how I roll and yogapantsforeva. And then I don’t even wear my clothes. The other day I was wearing Jamin’s shirt when I looked down and realized I’d bleached it out when cleaning our house. I’m his very favorite sometimes. {I feel kinda bad and still need to replace it} so keep it minimalized and controlled and clean. You’ll be so glad when you do.
3. Clear the floors
You’ll be amazed at how much larger your room feels when the floors are clean and clear. No boxes, remnants, or anything out and about. Simply put it away. And have a rule that you won’t keep anything under your bed. {If that’s unrealistic, because you live in a small space, we totally get it. Just make sure it’s intentional, in an orderly fashion. We were finding long lost pacifiers and window blinds under our bed and it was time for them to go} Clear the floors, and you’ll be amazed by how much better you’ll feel.
4. Keep surfaces to a minimum
Only have out what you absolutely love, and dedicate a space to a functional area. Like jewelry organization that doubles as eye candy, if it’s sitting out. We’ve found over the years that frames were kind of our vice, and got rid of most table top ones because to us, they felt like dust collectors and were always falling over. It made a big difference with how we felt about clutter, and keeping it free and clear.
5. Let go of guilt because it breeds
And before you know it, you’re living in a cesspool of self pity and bitter distain. No seriously. The initial purge is the hardest part, and we’re on round 52 or something. Just like your laundry, it multiplies and feels never-ending and suddenly you want to live in a tiny house off the coast of Nova Scotia and go off the grid forever. It’s like this thing that comes with purging and donating.
If that big dark piece from the 80’s your mother “gifted” you {but it would deeply offend her to the core if you did anything with paint and a makeover} is taking up valuable real estate, maybe it’s time to peacefully part ways. You wonder how on earth you came to be the proud owner of that amazing hot pink cheetah print sweater with fur cuffs you no longer wear. You still question if toe cleavage is really bad or not, which is kind of like being skinny fat, because people have stupid expectations and write about them on the internet.
Donate and move on. It’s part of the game.
We have a few more free printables for gettinerdone:
If you love lists like us, here’s a fun little group of printables to go with it all! {donation sheet, organization-masterbedroom blank, organization-masterbedroomblank}
They go really well with our free 2015 planner, so check it out!
As always, share with us on insta with the #lazygalsguide – you guys are inspiring! We want to see that progress!
Once you clear it all out, you’ll find it makes such a huge difference, mentally. Sanctuaries are the very best, no matter which order they come in. You’ll just wonder what took you so long.
Eva says
I’m actually in the process of moving, so I’m purging rooms by default. Ironically, our master bedroom has yet to be touched. I’ll be thinking of your tips as I finally move over to our neglected bedroom.
Susan says
I have to know more about the sliding “barn” door…LOVE IT! Where did you get it/hardware? Is it easy to install?
ashley @ the handmade home says
Hey Susan! You can read all about our barn door how to here!
Juliana says
Clear the floors! That’s definitely my favorite rule! It makes a huuuuuuuge difference. When someone complains it takes too long to vacuum I almost wanna tell them: “well, if you didn’t have that much crap on your floors maybe it wouldn’t take forever”! I mean, be decent and hide it somewhere else like everyone else! Hahaha
Christa Threlfall (@BrownSugarToast) says
& now I really need to know what toe cleavage is.
đ great post and excellent points. at long last (probably due to my husband’s prayer life), I have finally learned not to love clutter. It’s still something I create – but on a much smaller scale. And I actually am working and succeeding in getting rid of it. booyah.
ashley @ the handmade home says
LOVE THIS! And in my world, toe cleavage is just something else I don’t need to worry about! ;}
Ali says
“and suddenly you want to live in a tiny house off the coast of Nova Scotia and go off the grid forever” — YES PLEASE! đ Seriously though, I think I need to hire a professional organizer to come in and fix my (zero storage) house because we are about at a breaking point.
Sharaya D'Anna says
Where is your headboard/ bed frame from? It’s absolutely gorgeous!
ashley @ the handmade home says
Hey Sharaya! The bed is from Joss & Main one of our curator’s collection sales. I have seen a lot of them in different colors, though… You can read all the details from our bedroom reveal here – hope that helps!