10 Sneaky Ways To Maximise Your Bedroom Storage
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Lack of space shouldn’t leave you feeling hard done by. In fact, some of the most aesthetic and dynamic interiors can be found in smaller homes. Less space inspires creativity and innovation in home design - which is good news for city-dwellers struggling with apartments that seem to be growing ever smaller. Luckily there are many ways to both spice up and downsize your bedroom storage which will actually improve the overall atmosphere of the room. Think cosy, unusual and efficient - and miles away from the clunky bunk-bed styles of yesteryear. Even larger bedrooms can benefit from these sneaky storage ideas because they add character and elegant simplicity to the most essential room in the house.
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1. Underneath the bed
The age old classic of bedroom storage, you can’t go past a trusty box underneath your mattress - after all, if there’s one thing you can count on in terms of this particular room, it’s a bed! Bed frames are now increasingly designed with this concept in mind so there’s a variety of options to choose from, including in-built slide out drawers and beds which fold back on springs to reveal permanent storage underneath - ideal for linen and spare pillows.
2. Inside the headboard
Also a popular option, gone are the days where headboards remained the exclusive territory of pillows and stray books. Usually in the form of horizontal shelves, headboard storage can be positioned at the head or foot of the bed frame and are perfect for all kinds of objects, including books, stationery, decorations, CDs, electronic charging stations and alarm clocks.
3. Slide those drawers
Ever thought how useful it would be if those nifty kitchen pull-out cabinets could be translated into bedroom language? Drawers are wonderful for clothing and accessory storage and can usually be incorporated as part of the bed structure, cupboard or even built into an unusual or free-standing wall. Try using plastic or cloth drawer dividers to use this extra space efficiently.
4. Skip the bedside table
While admittedly quite pretty, bedside tables are surprisingly unnecessary, only used for those items which may be of immediate need to the sleeper, like clocks, glasses of water and spectacles. Floating shelves are a fantastic alternative to these space-consuming tables, since they provide adequate and accessible storage for these items, as well as books, medicines, mobile phones and so on. Fixed wall lighting can replace bedside lamps and many floating shelves are equipped with multi-level pull-out compartments. They also look neater and add a modern touch to the bedroom as a whole.
5. Make a feature wall out of it
If you’re set on custom-made cupboards and shelves, one way to make them less overwhelming in the space is to limit all storage to one side of the room. Feature walls composed exclusively of storage compartments are an artistic and practical way to help your furniture blend into the room. “Pick ‘n’ Mix” bedroom storage is a popular option at the moment (pioneered by the likes of design giant IKEA) so it shouldn’t be too hard to create something suitable to your dimensions and tastes.
6. Vertical is the new horizontal
When you think about potential space within a room, it’s easy to forget that height can be just as important as length and width. Try to utilise your space to its full potential with vertical floating shelves and borderline-skyscraper cabinets! You can also purchase specific hangers for storing shoes and accessories which go inside preexisting cupboards and take up significantly less room than a hatstand or shoe rack.
7. Get creative with accessory organisation
Disheveled and messy accessory organisation can make a bedroom seem significantly smaller and pokier than it actually is. Fortunately, there is a smorgasbord of choices available to you when it comes to finding cute and efficient ways to store your smaller belongings. Indulge in coat hangers designed specifically for scarves and belts, pull-out boxes which sort hats and gloves, or try using a cork pinboard for hanging jewellery and hair accessories. Always look for cupboards or clothes racks which incorporate mirrors to avoid having to arrange one free-standing and take up more floor space.
8. Disguise your bed
Bed or cupboard? Although still fairly unusual, some European furniture companies are experimenting with ways to incorporate the two as one item in order to maximise space in tiny student apartments and children’s bedrooms. You could try purchasing a couch bed, which is more forgiving in terms of furniture arrangement and does not look out of place against a wall or between shelves and cupboards. Futons and mounted “hideaway” beds are also good for being tightly packed in.
9. Divide the room
Similarly, taking the spotlight off the bed structure by manipulating unusually-shaped spaces can open up a room dramatically. When furnishing or decorating a bedroom, it can be incredibly frustrating trying to position the bed without offending certain rules - for instance, double beds cannot be placed sidewards against a wall and bedheads should not go against a window frame. These restrictions mean that the bed inevitably becomes the centrepiece of the room, leaving you with very little space for anything else and severely limited storage options. However, if the shape of the room allows it, consider freeing up floor space by partitioning the bed off with curtains, hiding it against an interior wall or mounting it to the wall as a loft.
10. Heighten functionality and cleanliness
The vast majority of traditional bedroom items can be exploited to maximise storage. Make sure any couches, window seats and armchairs are doubling as storage space. Opt for overhead lighting. If the room simply feels too busy, use windows, light-coloured linen, indoor plants and bare, minimalist walls to open it up. Keep decorations neat and coordinated and you’ll be amazed how much symmetry, cleanliness and good organisation can make a bedroom feel more expansive.
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Inspired? Maybe you need to have a look at some interior designers or renovation experts to take the next step. With a bit of effort and organisation, bedrooms of all shapes and sizes can look their best. After all, storage is a secondary function - it's up to you whether to highlight or hide it.
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