Declutter your bedroom into a peaceful sanctuary

A bedroom should be a sanctuary, but clutter can make it a source of stress. Here are some tips for organizing the bedroom from professional organizer Scott Roewer, president of Solutions by Scott in Washington, D.C.:

—If you find yourself throwing clothes on the floor or using the treadmill as a closet, add a bedroom valet or garment holder to the room. They provide an easy way to preserve and organize clothes until you're ready to put the clothing away.

—Reduce the knickknacks on dressers and nightstands to make them less cluttered and easier to dust. Select the two or three nonessential items that are most special to you, and put the rest in storage or display them in another room. Rotating the items you display lets you enjoy all your favorites, but not all at once.

—Store out-of-season clothes and other items in under-bed containers after you've cleaned the items. Cedar boxes help deter moths, but line them with plain, unbleached muslin to protect fabrics from the wood's acidity. Use canvas bags that zip shut for delicate items such as cashmere sweaters, which need circulating air.

Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.