How to Organize a Teen’s Bedroom

Let’s face it: organizing a bedroom isn’t usually a teenager’s top priority. Between school, friends, and hobbies, it’s easy for their space to fall into chaos. Clothes pile up, dirty laundry mixes with clean, and the clutter seems endless. But a well-organized bedroom can make their lives easier and teach valuable skills they’ll carry into adulthood.

Teen Bedroom Organization Steps

If your teen’s room needs a little help, don’t worry, you can guide them through the process and turn their space into a clean, functional haven. With some teamwork and clear expectations, you can teach your teen bedroom organization skills and how to stay organized.

1. Closet Space: Maximize It!

A properly organized closet can make all the difference. Start by taking stock of the available space and investing in tools to make it more functional.

• Storage containers: Clear plastic bins are perfect for school supplies, seasonal clothes, or special projects.
• Shoe racks: These keep shoes neat and off the floor.
• Shelving: Shelves can hold jeans, purses, games, or whatever your teen needs easy access to.
• Upgrades: If your budget allows, consider adjustable shelving systems from home improvement stores for a more customized solution.

Tip: Encourage your teen to keep their closet neat by putting items back in their designated spots.

2. Dresser Drawers: Keep Clothes in Check

Dressers are essential for keeping clothes organized. Designate specific drawers for shirts, sweaters, undergarments, and pajamas. Help your teen develop good habits, like:

• Folding and putting clothes away: As soon as clean laundry is ready, it should go straight into the appropriate drawer or closet.
• Handling lightly worn clothes: If clothes are still clean, they should be hung up or folded, not tossed on the bed or floor.

By making these habits second nature, you’ll save your teen from “the chair” (you know, the one that always ends up covered in clothes).

3. Dirty Clothes? Use a Hamper!

Every teen’s room needs a designated place for dirty laundry. A simple clothes hamper can prevent piles of smelly clothes from taking over the room.

• Set expectations: Teach your teen to regularly bring the hamper to the laundry room.
• Avoid mildew: Remind them not to toss damp items in the hamper with other clothes.

Having a hamper makes it easy to keep dirty clothes off the floor and out of sight.

4. Storage Solutions: Think Outside the Box

Storage containers are a lifesaver for keeping things organized beyond the closet.

• Under-bed storage: Use shallow bins to hold shoes, sports gear, or art supplies.
• Decorative baskets: These look great on shelves, dressers, or nightstands and are perfect for smaller items like chargers, books, or makeup.

Encourage your teen to label containers so they can quickly find what they need.

5. Add More Shelving

If your teen has lots of collectibles, memorabilia, or other items they don’t use daily, install shelving around the room’s perimeter about 18 to 24 inches below the ceiling. This keeps their special items safe, organized, and out of the way.

6. A Functional Desk

If space allows, a desk is a great addition to any teen’s room. It can serve as a homework station, a spot for creative projects, or even a vanity for storing makeup and hair accessories.

• Choose a desk with storage: Look for one with drawers or shelves to keep school supplies, makeup, or other essentials organized.
• Keep it tidy: Encourage your teen to keep the surface clear for work or creative activities.

7. Food and Drinks: Set Ground Rules

If your teen eats or drinks in their room, lay down a few simple rules to keep things clean:

• Take dirty dishes back to the kitchen daily.
• Don’t leave open food items in the room.
• Avoid throwing partially filled drink cans or cups into the trash, as they can leak and create messes.

By following these guidelines, your teen’s room will stay fresher and more inviting.

8. Make Cleaning a Habit

Help your teen create a cleaning routine. Here are some easy habits to get started:

• Make the bed every morning: It instantly makes the room look neater and provides a clean spot to relax or hang out with friends.
• Tidy up regularly: Set aside a few minutes each day to put things back where they belong.
• Do a weekly reset: Dedicate time each week to vacuum, dust, and tackle any bigger messes.

9. Follow Up and Enforce Rules

Once your teen’s room is clean and organized, check in occasionally to ensure things stay that way. Create simple rules for cleanliness and stick to them. For example, no clothes on the floor or no leaving dishes in the room.

10. The Payoff to Teen Bedroom Organization

With your help, your teen’s bedroom can go from chaotic to calm. Once they experience how much easier life is with a clean, organized space, they might just keep it up on their own (fingers crossed!). And if they don’t, gentle reminders and some teamwork will help them stay on track.

These teen bedroom organization ideas can help your teenager organize their room. It isn’t just about cleaning, it’s about teaching them life skills they’ll use forever.