Run Out of Space in Your Bedroom? Ditch These Now
Rethink what you need and clear clutter to make the most of every inch
A bedroom should be a peaceful haven, a place to relax and unwind at the end of the day, but that’s not easy if it’s straining at the seams. If you’re planning a bit of a rejig, think about which pieces of furniture you could sell on or give away, then try out some of these more streamlined suggestions.
The freestanding wardrobe
The dominant item (after the bed) in most sleepspaces, an enormous wardrobe may offer plenty of storage, but its Narnia-like depths can become a dumping ground for unworn clothes and assorted clutter.
An open rail system like this takes up a minimal amount of space, promotes tidiness and means you can actually see what clothes you have without needing to dive into the murky wardrobe depths.
Remember, however, that dust can gather on clothes worn infrequently, so if you have a large collection, consider fitting a shelf above to shield them. This would be great for storing accessories such as bags, too.
The dominant item (after the bed) in most sleepspaces, an enormous wardrobe may offer plenty of storage, but its Narnia-like depths can become a dumping ground for unworn clothes and assorted clutter.
An open rail system like this takes up a minimal amount of space, promotes tidiness and means you can actually see what clothes you have without needing to dive into the murky wardrobe depths.
Remember, however, that dust can gather on clothes worn infrequently, so if you have a large collection, consider fitting a shelf above to shield them. This would be great for storing accessories such as bags, too.
The single-surface table
Double your options by choosing a bedside table with a shelf. A design like this has space for books underneath, leaving the top free and avoiding the potentially perilous clash of a stack of reading matter and a glass of water.
Check out the timeless piece of small storage every home should have
Double your options by choosing a bedside table with a shelf. A design like this has space for books underneath, leaving the top free and avoiding the potentially perilous clash of a stack of reading matter and a glass of water.
Check out the timeless piece of small storage every home should have
The one-trick bed
The bed typically takes up the most amount of space, so you may as well get one that earns its keep and incorporates hidden storage. There are loads of styles available, from ones that have drawers to stash away bulky items to designs with large compartments under a lift-up mattress.
If you have a bed on legs, invest in some matching baskets or smart pull-out boxes that can be slotted underneath to store lesser-used items neatly out of the way.
The bed typically takes up the most amount of space, so you may as well get one that earns its keep and incorporates hidden storage. There are loads of styles available, from ones that have drawers to stash away bulky items to designs with large compartments under a lift-up mattress.
If you have a bed on legs, invest in some matching baskets or smart pull-out boxes that can be slotted underneath to store lesser-used items neatly out of the way.
The bedside tables
No room for tables to hold those night-time essentials? Add a shelf behind the bed instead. In this compact space, the area between the two built-in cupboards has been maximised, with wall-hung cabinets above the shelf creating a neat storage wall. The simple black-and-white scheme stops the room looking too busy.
Check out another potential storage space that’s often overlooked
No room for tables to hold those night-time essentials? Add a shelf behind the bed instead. In this compact space, the area between the two built-in cupboards has been maximised, with wall-hung cabinets above the shelf creating a neat storage wall. The simple black-and-white scheme stops the room looking too busy.
Check out another potential storage space that’s often overlooked
The oversized dressing table
How much jewellery or make-up do you actually use each day? Chances are you rotate through a fairly small number of items at any one time, so why the need for a huge dressing table to store all that stuff that only comes out on high days and holidays?
Keep special-occasion items in a separate box under the bed and store everyday items in a streamlined dressing table like this one…
How much jewellery or make-up do you actually use each day? Chances are you rotate through a fairly small number of items at any one time, so why the need for a huge dressing table to store all that stuff that only comes out on high days and holidays?
Keep special-occasion items in a separate box under the bed and store everyday items in a streamlined dressing table like this one…
…or how about on a wall-hung shelf with drawers, like this? The neat stool is another good idea, as it’s a much more compact perch than a chair.
The standard bed
Children’s bedrooms are often on the small side, so it pays to think creatively – and ahead to their changing needs. A cabin bed like this offers a sleeping area, a desk, and chill-out seating nooks, all on the same footprint as a standard bed.
Children’s bedrooms are often on the small side, so it pays to think creatively – and ahead to their changing needs. A cabin bed like this offers a sleeping area, a desk, and chill-out seating nooks, all on the same footprint as a standard bed.
The standalone desk
For older kids who have homework to do, a desk becomes another piece of furniture that needs to be slotted in somewhere. When space is tight, ditch the freestanding option for a built-in design like this – or even just a wide shelf in an alcove or corner. Another shelf higher up can then be used for books, leaving the work area free.
For older kids who have homework to do, a desk becomes another piece of furniture that needs to be slotted in somewhere. When space is tight, ditch the freestanding option for a built-in design like this – or even just a wide shelf in an alcove or corner. Another shelf higher up can then be used for books, leaving the work area free.
The fixed-use furniture
Multi-tasking is the key in a small space, and it can pay to go bespoke to get the most out of every inch. A desk, shelf, bed and spare bed have all been housed in this one, neat unit, jettisoning the need for multiple pieces of furniture that only serve a single purpose.
Tell us…
Do you have any space-saving tips for the bedroom? Share your ideas in the Comments section.
Multi-tasking is the key in a small space, and it can pay to go bespoke to get the most out of every inch. A desk, shelf, bed and spare bed have all been housed in this one, neat unit, jettisoning the need for multiple pieces of furniture that only serve a single purpose.
Tell us…
Do you have any space-saving tips for the bedroom? Share your ideas in the Comments section.
Large lamps eat up lots of precious bedside space, especially ones with a shade. As an alternative, try a wall- or ceiling-hung pendant light to illuminate your night-time reading, as seen here.
This bedroom has another nifty space-saver, too, in the shape of the wall-hung corner shelf, which is much less cumbersome than a bedside cabinet.
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