Your bedroom should be a sanctuary, a place to unwind, recharge, and enjoy quality sleep. But certain everyday items could be quietly undermining your rest and overall well-being. From cluttered surfaces and bright lights to allergens hiding in plants or fabrics, the things you keep in your bedroom can affect everything from your mood to your respiratory health. While some objects seem harmless, they can introduce dust, bacteria, or even disrupt your sleep cycles. If you often wake up feeling unrested or struggle to relax at night, it may be time to reevaluate what’s in your room. Here are ten things to remove.
What not to keep in your bedroom: 10 everyday items that affect your sleep and well-being
Mold-prone houseplants
Some common bedroom plants, like English ivy and Boston ferns, retain a lot of moisture in their soil, which can encourage mold growth. When mold spores are released into the air, they can irritate your respiratory system, especially during sleep. Individuals with allergies or asthma may be particularly sensitive to prolonged exposure, which can worsen breathing issues over time.
Workout equipment
Exercise equipment such as treadmills, resistance bands, and dumbbells can alter the relaxing atmosphere of a bedroom by turning it into a multifunctional space. The presence of workout gear often reduces available floor space and makes the room feel cluttered. It can also compromise hygiene by bringing sweat, bacteria, and odours into a space meant for rest.
Dirty laundry baskets
Keeping a basket of unwashed clothes in your bedroom introduces a breeding ground for bacteria and dust mites. Damp or sweat-soaked fabrics are particularly problematic, as they harbour body oils, dead skin, and moisture—all of which contribute to unpleasant smells and poor air quality. This can exacerbate allergies or respiratory discomfort during sleep.
Paper clutter
Stacks of unopened mail, books, or scattered documents quickly accumulate dust and visual noise. Paper piles not only attract dust mites but also become hiding places for pests like silverfish or bed bugs. Additionally, excessive clutter in your line of sight contributes to mental stress and makes it harder to unwind in a space meant for calm.
Bright digital clocks
LED digital clocks often emit a steady blue glow, which is known to suppress melatonin, the hormone that helps regulate your sleep cycle. This artificial light can confuse your body’s internal clock, delaying sleep onset. Moreover, constantly checking the time can induce anxiety and disrupt the ability to fall into a deep, restful sleep.
Beauty and hygiene products
Storing skincare and hygiene items in the bedroom exposes them to fluctuating temperatures and light, which can degrade their effectiveness over time. Ingredients such as essential oils or alcohol are especially sensitive and can become unstable. Additionally, having multiple bottles and tubes scattered across the room adds unnecessary visual clutter.
Sharp objects
Items such as scissors, razors, or pocket knives pose an obvious physical danger when stored in the bedroom, especially if they are not kept in a secure location. Aside from safety concerns, many design philosophies like Feng Shui suggest that sharp objects contribute to negative energy, disrupting the calm and peaceful atmosphere needed for sleep.
Scented drawer liners
While they may smell pleasant, many scented drawer liners are made using synthetic fragrances derived from petrochemicals. These can release volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which have been linked to headaches, respiratory irritation, and long-term indoor air pollution. Even without visible signs, these compounds compromise the quality of the air you breathe at night.
Unused decor items
Decorative items that serve no purpose or are rarely touched can collect dust over time, diminishing indoor air quality. Trophies, figurines, or an overload of picture frames not only contribute to clutter but can also overstimulate the brain visually. A crowded bedroom makes it more difficult to relax, focus, and fall asleep peacefully.
Excess pillows
While decorative pillows can enhance the look of a bed, having too many becomes impractical. Excess pillows take up space, make the bed harder to manage, and often force people into awkward sleep positions. Many also use fabrics that don’t breathe well, trapping heat and leading to discomfort, which interferes with a good night’s sleep.Also Read: 5 smart lawn hacks for a healthy summer yard
