Most people store a lot of things in their bedrooms, but it's also pretty widely accepted that a tidy, organised bedroom is a vital part of stress reduction and good sleep hygiene. If you're feeling a little overwhelmed by this juxtaposition, never fear--there are a few things you can do to keep clutter under control and turn your bedroom back into the relaxing boudoir it ought to be.

#1: Clear out your closets every spring and every autumn.

It's all too easy to let your wardrobes and chests of drawers fill to overflowing with things you hardly even wear. Twice a year, as the seasons begin to change and you'd naturally move on to wearing things from the other half of your wardrobe, go through all your clothing storage, and pull out everything appropriate to the past season that you know you haven't worn once. It's okay to make exceptions for occasionwear and clothing with sentimental value, of course, but for ordinary, everyday clothes you should be as ruthless as possible.

#2: Be very careful about what you put underneath your bed.

Under-bed storage can be great, but it's all too easy to fall into the trap of letting things you'll never want again accumulate down there. Nip this problem in the bud with one simple rule: try never to store anything at all underneath your bed, and if you must do so, make sure it's in a proper under-bed storage box.

#3: Use dividers to keep your drawers in good order.

Drawers can turn into little pockets of disorganised chaos if you're not careful, but made-to-measure storage boxes and adjustable drawer dividers are great for keeping this at bay. If you bought your drawers from a large retailer, you may find that they sell organisers specially designed to fit inside them.

#4: Turn your favourite things into decorative features.

With a bit of creativity and a few attractive hanging storage solutions, you can decorate your walls with an ever-changing display of the things you love. Jewellery and scarves are especially good for this, as they're easy to hang. You're also more likely to remember to wear them if you can see them all easily!

#5: Embrace the philosophy of the Arts & Crafts movement.

William Blake famously once said: "If you want a golden rule that will fit everybody, this is it: Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful." It was also an important tenet of the Arts & Crafts movement that the everyday should be as beautiful as possible: that the normal, ordinary stuff of life could be rendered extraordinary simply by choosing your things with care and surrounding yourself with attractive versions of essential objects. Nowhere does this philosophy apply more usefully than to the bedroom, the one room in your home that is supposed to be your own private and personalised retreat away from the rest of the world.