I Put a Paint Palette in My Bedroom, and I Wish I’d Done It Sooner

While the rest of my bedroom is generally organized, I’ve always struggled with keeping the top of my nightstand organized. Every time I go to grab an item, I must do so carefully so as not to drop a lip balm, hair accessory, skincare tool, earplugs, jewelry, sleep mask, and who-knows-what-else. I tried using trinket dishes to claim the clutter, but that didn’t help, it just jumbled it all together. I knew I had to do something about the issue.

Then, I found a ceramic paint palette I purchased on a whim a while ago but never got around to using. It was quietly collecting dust, so I decided to keep it on my nightstand to see if it would help calm the chaos — and I can’t believe how smart it was.

As it turns out, the ceramic paint palette’s small, smooth depressions are perfectly proportioned for all of my tiny bedside items. I placed all my nightstand must-haves, like jewelry, hair accessories, and lotion, in its sections designed for different paint colors. It even came with a separate paintbrush holder, which is the perfect spot to rest my jade roller and lip balms that usually roll around on the tabletop. Additionally, the ceramic palette’s weight prevents the tray from sliding.

I love using the palette on my nightstand for several reasons. Not only is it super functional, but it also organizes all my items in an aesthetically pleasing manner. I appreciate that all my trinkets remain fully visible, so I don’t have to open a box or a drawer to find what I need. With that said, it’d be just as easy to stick the palette inside my nightstand drawer if I wanted all of my belongings concealed in one convenient spot.

What makes the paint palette truly brilliant for bedroom storage is that it solves one of the biggest problems I’ve had with traditional trinket dishes: everything typically piles on top of each other, making it hard to find a specific pair of earrings or a hair tie. The palette’s 14 small, separate wells force me to store everything individually, which also makes the whole space look more visually calming. It’s the easiest touch of luxury I could add to my bedtime routine.

If your nightstand is cluttered, skip the usual trinket dishes or bowls and look at your craft closet for the most unconventional yet practical organizing solution. After all, who says organizing can’t be a work of art?