9 Ways to Avoid a ‘Floordrobe’ in Your Bedroom
Repeat after me: The floor isn’t storage space for clothes! Tackle the ‘floordrobe’ effect with these smart tips
Jo Simmons
December 26, 2015
Houzz UK Contributor. I have been an interiors journalist since 1995, writing several books on design and numerous features for glossy homes mags over the years. For Houzz, I cover decorating ideas and trends and interview designers and professionals for their insights. My favourite pieces to write, though, are Houzz Tours, as I love exploring and learning about real homes. Call me curious — or nosy!
Houzz UK Contributor. I have been an interiors journalist since 1995, writing several... More
Clothes, like everything else, are subject to the laws of gravity. That must be why they tend to end up on the bedroom floor, rather than neatly folded in a drawer or hung in a closet. It can’t be anything to do with us being untidy or tired at the end of the day, can it?
Whatever the reasons, if your floor is home to half your wardrobe — becoming what’s known in interiors circles as a “floordrobe” — what should you do? Simply trying to be more tidy isn’t a reliable solution: Most clutter-bugs simply revert to their messy ways. Instead, give yourself better options with these clever tricks.
Whatever the reasons, if your floor is home to half your wardrobe — becoming what’s known in interiors circles as a “floordrobe” — what should you do? Simply trying to be more tidy isn’t a reliable solution: Most clutter-bugs simply revert to their messy ways. Instead, give yourself better options with these clever tricks.
Stick to a small chair. Few of us ever get out of the habit of dumping clothes on the floor or a chair at the end of the day, but you can subtly encourage yourself to keep the pile to a minimum by choosing a little chair. A large armchair can become home to layers of discarded clothing, whereas a trim chair can take only so much before you’re forced to tidy up.
Invest in a storage bed. If you happen to be in the market for a new bed base, choose one that will help combat your tendency to use the floor as storage. Consider a design like this, with a deep, wide drawer.
Help yourself to handy hooks. Hooks that are easy to reach are key weapons in the battle against your growing floordrobe. Hang up robes, cardigans and scarves to help keep the floor clear.
Say hello to shelves. A bookcase may be all you need to prevent your floor from resembling a junk heap. Use it to keep shoes, bags or jewelry neatly ordered. It will also act as a display space, so you can enjoy your pieces even when you’re not wearing them.
Add a bench. A bench at the foot of your bed can provide a temporary drop zone and a place to perch while you’re wrestling on your jeans. Clear it often to keep it from becoming a permanent home for tossed-off clothes.
Design a bench to fit an underused wall or tuck it into an alcove. It will provide temporary storage and create a handy place underneath for shoes.
A storage trunk can keep gear neatly out of sight. Being able to lift the lid and toss inside casual clothes, scarves, socks or any other pieces that can handle not being folded will help keep your floor space uncluttered.
Stand tall. Store hats and bags on pegs, or try a combination of hooks and a hat stand to cater for your accessories.
Drop the doors. Sometimes the effort of opening a closet door is simply too much after a hard day at work. This is when the floor often wins out. Remove this unnecessary hindrance and opt for a rail or open hanging system. This also makes choosing which clothes to wear the next day a breeze.
Prop a ladder. Wet towels can take their time making it back to the bathroom after a shower. Accept this fact and find a temporary home for them in your bedroom instead. A simple wooden ladder will let them dry before you relocate them to the bathroom.
Open up. If the strain of opening a closet door can put you off hanging up clothes, so too can the vast effort required to open a conventional drawer. Save yourself the bother and choose open storage cubes instead.
Admittedly, this requires you to channel your inner shop assistant and fold your clothes in a neat stack, whereas having drawers that you can stuff them in and shut lets you get away with a scruffier approach. The choice is yours.
Tell us: What are your tips for avoiding a clothes pile in your bedroom?
Find storage beds and benches in the Houzz Shop section
More: How to Tackle Your Closet’s Critical Mess
Admittedly, this requires you to channel your inner shop assistant and fold your clothes in a neat stack, whereas having drawers that you can stuff them in and shut lets you get away with a scruffier approach. The choice is yours.
Tell us: What are your tips for avoiding a clothes pile in your bedroom?
Find storage beds and benches in the Houzz Shop section
More: How to Tackle Your Closet’s Critical Mess
Scott Davidson founded Davidson Builders in 1998. Scott graduated from Michigan State with a BS in Construction... Read More
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do the 333 challenge!
pick out 33 pieces of clothing (excluding underwear, socks, shoes, gym clothes)and wear these for 3 months! Get creative!
nobody will even notice You have worn the same thing over and over??
at the end of this experiment, You realize just how much "stuff" You don't need?
that 10th pair of jeans You just spent $ on,could have, instead filled your car with gas, or bought You a bus ticket to go visit Your kids?
those (28th pair of )sandals You just purchased on sale, could have been Chinese Food that You picked up, to go share with Your brother?
Maybe that designer winter coat You're thinking of buying............
Living in an 80-year-old house has taught me to do without walk-in closets. So...we utilize hall trees to hang the oft-worn jackets and hats in the front hall. Works well in bedrooms to hang clothing to "air-out". Being visible helps me stay organized. Will I wear it again soon? Does it need to be cleaned or laundered? Is it time to hand it off to a charity? Love those hall trees. Could use one in every room. Great organizers. Oh, did I just create a demand for them?
I don't like to put clothes in the closet that I have just worn. I want them to air out a bit before hanging them up. Many times I will wear the same outfit some other time that week. (I don't see the same people every day.) So I have antique door knobs attached to a board mounted on my closet door. I'll hang them there first. On laundry day, I go through them and wash what needs it or could possibly need washing. Also, I don't like putting my clothes in a dirty clothes bin to get smelly.