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Your nightstand can be a little bit of everything – part storage unit, part catch-all, part I’ll-deal-with-this-later pile.
Between books, hand lotions, receipts, random hair ties, and maybe even a sippy cup or two (hello mom life!), it can get out of control fast.
But here’s the good news: You don’t need a full day to tackle the mess.
You just need 15 minutes a day to declutter your nightstand, reclaim it and turn it into a peaceful, organized space that actually helps you relax at the end of the day.
Now this decluttering task is broken down into 7 days, each with mini tasks of each own until the whole nightstand is entirely free from clutter.
You can simply follow the tasks for each day. Or if you have more time to spare, you can do two or three days at once – it depends, okay? Do what your time allows.
Now before you declutter your nightstand, take a picture of it first, as it is right now. This will be your ‘before’ picture. You’ll compare this later with an ‘after’ photo when you’re finished decluttering.
Okay, so, let’s declutter your nightstand together!
Day 1: The Quick Sweep
Remove anything that doesn’t belong on your nightstand.
Trash, old receipts, empty water bottles, used tissues (no judgment), and random papers – toss or relocate them. Your nightstand isn’t a storage unit for the entire house!
Step 1: Set a timer for 15 minutes.
Grab your phone (or better yet, an actual timer so you don’t get distracted scrolling).
This isn’t an all-day project – just 15 minutes to make a noticeable difference!
Step 2: Remove the obvious clutter.
Start by clearing off anything that obviously doesn’t belong. Here are a few common culprits:
- Trash (old tissues, receipts, snack wrappers – again, no judgment!)
- Empty water bottles or mugs
- Random papers, mail, or notes you don’t need
- Jewelry, hair ties, or bobby pins scattered everywhere
- Any toys, books, or items your kids left behind
Toss what needs tossing and relocate what belongs somewhere else.
Step 3: Wipe it down.
Once the surface is clear, take a moment to wipe it down with a damp cloth or your favorite cleaning spray. It’s amazing how much dust and grime can accumulate on a cluttered nightstand!
Step 4: Admire your progress!
Step back and take a look – your nightstand already looks so much better!
See? That wasn’t hard at all.
Just by removing the unnecessary, you’ve made a huge difference.
Tackle the drawers next if your nightstand has them, but that’s for tomorrow. However, if you still have time to spare, well then, move on to the next task!
Day 2: Clear Out the Drawers
If your nightstand has drawers, they’re probably hiding more clutter.
Take everything out and do a quick sort: Keep, Toss, or Relocate.
Only keep the essentials – think bedtime must-haves like lip balm, a book, or a notepad.
Step 1: Empty it all out.
Set a timer for 15 minutes, open your drawers, and take everything out.
Yep, everything!
Lay it all out on your bed or a nearby surface so you can see exactly what’s been hiding in there.
Step 2: Sort into three piles.
Now, go through each item quickly and place it into one of three categories:
- Keep – Only items you actually need in your nightstand
- Toss – Trash, expired items, or broken things.
- Relocate – Anything that belongs somewhere else in the house.
Step 3: Only keep the essentials.
Your nightstand is prime real estate, so let’s be intentional about what stays. Keep only what truly belongs next to your bed.
Step 4: Wipe it down & organize.
Before putting things back, take a moment to wipe out the drawer. Then, neatly return only the essentials, using small dividers, trays, or even recycled boxes to keep things tidy.
Step 5: Enjoy the difference!
That’s it! Your nightstand is already feeling lighter and more functional. Celebrate the fact that you just took another step toward a clutter-free space!
Tomorrow, we’ll tackle those pesky cords and chargers. But if you already have time today, well, why not?
Day 3: Tame the Tech Chaos
Chargers, tangled cords, old devices – sound familiar?
If your nightstand is a mini tech hub, it’s time to simplify. Use a small basket or a cord organizer to keep everything tidy.
Bonus points if you keep your phone out of reach at night for better sleep!
Step 1: Gather all the tech items.
Take a quick look at your nightstand and gather all the electronics and accessories – phones, tablets, chargers, earbuds, smartwatches, or anything tech-related that’s cluttering up your space.
Step 2: Decide what stays and what goes.
Ask yourself: Do I really need this here?
A charger? Probably.
Three different cords, an old remote, and a phone you haven’t used in months? Probably not.
- Keep – Only essential items that you use nightly (like a phone charger, an alarm clock, or a reading light).
- Toss/Recycle – Broken or outdated tech, like old cables or dead batteries.
- Relocate – Anything that belongs elsewhere, like extra devices or chargers you don’t use in bed.
Step 3: Organize your charging station.
Now that you know what stays, let’s tidy up those cords! Some simple solutions:
- Use a small basket or tray to keep all tech in one place.
- Try a cable organizer or zip ties to prevent tangling.
- Consider a bedside charging station if you have multiple devices.
Step 4: Set a tech-free boundary (optional, but life-changing!)
This is the perfect time to rethink your bedtime tech habits. If scrolling at night affects your sleep, consider keeping your phone off your nightstand or using an alarm clock instead.
Step 5: Enjoy the clutter-free space!
That’s it – your nightstand just got a major upgrade!
No more tangled cords, unnecessary gadgets, or digital distractions.
Enjoy your neatly organized, stress-free bedside setup!
Tomorrow, we’ll focus on keeping only the bedtime essentials. But if you still have time to spare today, you can continue to the next day’s task.
Day 4: Rethink Your Essentials.
Your nightstand should serve you.
So, ask yourself: What do I actually use every night?
A lamp, a glass of water, hand cream, a book?
Keep only the essentials and find a designated spot for them.
Everything else? Find it a new home.
Step 1: Take inventory of what’s left.
By now, you’ve cleared out the obvious junk, the drawer clutter, and the tech chaos.
Now, take a look at what’s left.
Ask yourself: Do I actually use this every night or morning?
If not, it doesn’t need to be here!
Step 2: Keep only the essentials.
Your nightstand is valuable space, so let’s be intentional about what stays.
Here are a few things that make sense to keep:
- A book or journal
- A lamp or alarm clock
- Lip balm or hand lotion (if used nightly)
- A small tray for glasses, hair ties, or jewelry
- A notepad and pen for jotting down thoughts
Everything else? It probably has a better home elsewhere!
Step 3: Relocate the extras.
Take a minute to return misplaced items to their rightful homes.
That stack of unread magazines? Move them to the living room.
A pile of random receipts? Toss or file them away.
Extra beauty products? They belong in the bathroom.
Step 4: Enjoy a more peaceful nightstand!
By keeping only what you actually use and love, your nightstand now serves you instead of stressing you out.
Tomorrow, we’ll add a little style to make it even more inviting! But if you have time now, then move on to the next day’s task.
Day 5: Style It Simply.
Now that you’ve decluttered, let’s make it look nice!
A simple vase with fresh flowers, a framed photo, or a scented candle can bring warmth without adding clutter. Keep it minimal so it stays functional.
Step 1: Start with a clean slate.
Give your nightstand a quick wipe-down (again!). A fresh surface will make everything feel even more refreshing.
Step 2: Choose one or two decorative items.
Your nightstand doesn’t need to be bare, but it also shouldn’t be overloaded. Pick one or two items that make you happy, such as:
- A small vase with fresh flowers or a plant
- Framed photo that makes you smile
- A pretty candle or diffuser for a relaxing scent
Step 3: Use a tray or small basket.
A simple tray can instantly make your nightstand look more put together while keeping small items (like lip balm, a watch, or hand lotion) organized.
Step 4: Keep it minimal.
Resist the urge to add too much! The goal is to create a calming space, not a cluttered one.
If you feel like it’s too busy, remove one item and see if it looks better.
Step 5: Step back and admire your work!
You’ve now transformed your nightstand into a peaceful, clutter-free space that’s both functional and beautiful. Doesn’t it feel good?
Day 6: Create a Routine.
Decluttering once is great, but keeping it that way? Even better!
Take one minute every night to do a quick reset – put away stray items, wipe down the surface, and keep only what belongs.
It’s a small habit that makes a huge difference.
Step 1: Do a 1-minute nightly reset.
Before you go to bed each night, take one minute to quickly tidy up your nightstand.
Put away anything that doesn’t belong, wipe off any dust, and make sure everything is in its place.
Step 2: Set a “no-clutter” rule.
Decide what doesn’t belong on your nightstand and stick to it!
For example: No loose papers or mail, no food or drinks (except maybe a water glass), no piles of books you think you’ll read (keep just one!)
Step 3: Use small storage solutions.
If you tend to accumulate small items, keep a small basket, tray, or drawer organizer to corral them.
This keeps everything tidy without turning into a junk pile.
Step 4: Do a weekly declutter check.
Once a week (maybe every Sunday), do a quick scan of your nightstand.
Toss anything unnecessary, return misplaced items, and refresh your space so it stays peaceful.
Step 5: Enjoy the calm of a clutter-free space!
A clean nightstand equals a calmer mind before bed.
By keeping up with these tiny habits, you’ll never have to do a big decluttering session again!
Day 7: Enjoy Your Clutter-Free Space!
Step back and admire your work! Your nightstand is now a peaceful, organized space instead of a clutter magnet.
And doesn’t it feel so good to start and end your day with less mess?
Step 1: Take a moment to appreciate your space.
Stand back and admire your nightstand. Doesn’t it feel so much lighter and more peaceful?
A clean space can make such a difference in how we start and end our days!
Step 2: Reflect on the transformation.
Think about how your nightstand looked before this challenge. Look at your ‘before’ picture you took before you started.
What was the biggest change?
Did you find any surprise items you forgot about?
How does it feel to have a clutter-free bedside space?
Step 3: Snap an ‘after’ photo.
If you haven’t already, take a picture of your newly decluttered nightstand. Compare it to how it looked before such a satisfying transformation!
Step 4: Commit to keeping it clutter-free.
By now, you have a simple system in place: a nightly 1-minute reset, a “no-clutter” rule & a weekly check-in to keep things tidy.
Stick to these habits, and you’ll never have to deal with a messy nightstand again!
For more tips on how to always have an organized nightstand, check out our related post – 12 Simple Secrets to a Clutter-Free Bedroom Nightstand
And should you decide you need a new nightstand, take a look at these ideas – 25 Nightstand Ideas Perfect for a Small Bedroom
Step 5: Treat yourself!
You’ve put in the effort, and now it’s time to reward yourself!
Maybe it’s a cozy new candle, a fresh bouquet of flowers, or just a few minutes of quiet relaxation with a book.
You deserve it!
A decluttered nightstand is a small but mighty win.
It sets the tone for restful nights and peaceful mornings. I hope this challenge has inspired you to tackle other small spaces in your home!
Let me know – what was your biggest win during this challenge? (And did you find anything weird in your nightstand?)
Again, decluttering doesn’t have to be overwhelming, especially when you break it down into bite-sized steps. Remember this when you tackle other spaces in your home.
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