Inventive Design Ideas that Make the Most of a Bedroom
From ingenious layouts to clever cabinetry, these designs show how bedrooms big and small can be enhanced
Sarah Alcroft
6 September 2020
Houzz UK Editorial Team
Whether you have a cramped bedroom that needs to accommodate several elements or a bigger space that could be used more effectively – or luxuriously – check out these schemes. In each, the designer has cleverly added more functionality, with everything from a mini dressing table to a whole en suite.
Work in a desk
The bedroom in this small Paris flat was actually reduced in size slightly to maximise the living room, but the clever use of space by Lagom Architectes means it now works much harder.
A full wall of cupboards neatly takes care of storage, but the real genius is the headboard.
The bedroom in this small Paris flat was actually reduced in size slightly to maximise the living room, but the clever use of space by Lagom Architectes means it now works much harder.
A full wall of cupboards neatly takes care of storage, but the real genius is the headboard.
With the foot of the bed pushed up to the window, there’s space behind for a simple desk, which includes a set of drawers to keep the surface uncluttered.
Beautiful forest wallpaper adds visual depth to the room. Although there’s a window at the foot of the bed, an internal window (visible on the right in the previous shot), boosts the light further, and means the wallpaper can be seen and enjoyed from the main living area.
See more of this one-bed flat revived by bespoke storage and bold design.
Beautiful forest wallpaper adds visual depth to the room. Although there’s a window at the foot of the bed, an internal window (visible on the right in the previous shot), boosts the light further, and means the wallpaper can be seen and enjoyed from the main living area.
See more of this one-bed flat revived by bespoke storage and bold design.
Carve out an en suite
Pushing the bed forwards to free up space behind the headboard is also at play in this scheme by van Ellen + Sheryn Architects and Jenny Luck Interiors, but on a grander scale. Here, an en suite is tucked behind a screen clad in western red cedar stained a dramatic charcoal.
Pushing the bed forwards to free up space behind the headboard is also at play in this scheme by van Ellen + Sheryn Architects and Jenny Luck Interiors, but on a grander scale. Here, an en suite is tucked behind a screen clad in western red cedar stained a dramatic charcoal.
The bathroom behind is light and roomy, with the bath positioned on the right-hand side so the couple can see a flash of burnished copper from the bedroom.
Tour the whole of this timber-clad house.
Tour the whole of this timber-clad house.
Steal space for a walk-in wardrobe
Here’s the idea again, but this time hiding a walk-in wardrobe. In this design by Adam Penton of Penton Architects, the screen stops short of the ceiling to keep an airy feel.
Here’s the idea again, but this time hiding a walk-in wardrobe. In this design by Adam Penton of Penton Architects, the screen stops short of the ceiling to keep an airy feel.
The owners didn’t want to sacrifice too much of the bedroom space, so the wardrobe area is narrow, but it’s enough to access clothes and accessories, especially as Adam used sliding doors on the wardrobes.
Read how a clever angled extension transformed this 1980s house.
Read how a clever angled extension transformed this 1980s house.
Design in a dressing room
In this home, the owners were happy to steal space from the newly created loft bedroom, but wanted more of a dressing room rather than just a walk-in wardrobe. So designer Yoko Kloeden created separate spaces using a full stud wall.
In the bedroom, this gave her the chance to add a niche above the bed, which meant she didn’t have to squeeze bedside tables into the narrow space.
In this home, the owners were happy to steal space from the newly created loft bedroom, but wanted more of a dressing room rather than just a walk-in wardrobe. So designer Yoko Kloeden created separate spaces using a full stud wall.
In the bedroom, this gave her the chance to add a niche above the bed, which meant she didn’t have to squeeze bedside tables into the narrow space.
Behind the divide, the sloping ceiling created the perfect spot for a dressing table, with light streaming in from the skylight above. A series of drawers on the left of this make use of the awkwardly shaped space in the eaves, while hanging rails run along the higher, partition wall behind (just seen in the mirror).
Take a closer look at how this dull 1930s house was revived.
Take a closer look at how this dull 1930s house was revived.
Borrow space from next door
This is an ingenious tweak by designer Claudia Dorsch. The child’s room was tight, even for a single bed. By borrowing a relatively small alcove from the bigger bedroom next door, Claudia has created a much more usable space. And the nook adds to the ‘den’ feeling of the cabin bed.
This is an ingenious tweak by designer Claudia Dorsch. The child’s room was tight, even for a single bed. By borrowing a relatively small alcove from the bigger bedroom next door, Claudia has created a much more usable space. And the nook adds to the ‘den’ feeling of the cabin bed.
The two rooms and borrowed nook can be seen on the left of this floorplan. The reconfigured wall also created an alcove by the window in the bigger room that’s perfect for a desk.
Explore more of this family home.
Explore more of this family home.
Sneak in a dressing table
This scheme really shows how bespoke cabinetry and tailored design can maximise a space. Claudia Dorsch has turned a small section of these fitted wardrobes into a useful and beautiful little dressing table, complete with a cupboard, drawers, a mirror and a little table that can be folded away, all topped with a pretty pendant light.
Completing the experience is a stool, which can easily be moved aside when necessary.
See more small space tricks in this two-bed flat.
Find cabinet-makers in your area on Houzz.
This scheme really shows how bespoke cabinetry and tailored design can maximise a space. Claudia Dorsch has turned a small section of these fitted wardrobes into a useful and beautiful little dressing table, complete with a cupboard, drawers, a mirror and a little table that can be folded away, all topped with a pretty pendant light.
Completing the experience is a stool, which can easily be moved aside when necessary.
See more small space tricks in this two-bed flat.
Find cabinet-makers in your area on Houzz.
If you have a chimney breast in your bedroom, check out this alternative way to incorporate a dressing table into bespoke cabinetry. The vanity area, designed by Stephen Nash of ALL & NXTHING for his own home, is actually very slim, and there would have been a recessed area between the wardrobes anyway, so it’s a great use of space.
The one thing that might potentially stick out too far – the stool – slots neatly into the old fireplace. And the doors across the front are bifolds, so they tuck back nicely when open.
Tour the whole of this house.
The one thing that might potentially stick out too far – the stool – slots neatly into the old fireplace. And the doors across the front are bifolds, so they tuck back nicely when open.
Tour the whole of this house.
Build in a fun feature
Here’s another way bespoke cabinetry can really enhance a home. Designer Mel Massey had this wall-to-wall unit built in her youngest son’s room. As well as having plenty of practical hanging, shelf and drawer space, it has a fun den, accessed via foot holes.
Later, when her son’s too big to sit up there, Mel can simply fit doors and use the space for storage.
Check out the rest of this family-friendly house.
Tell us…
Which of these designs appeals to you most? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
Here’s another way bespoke cabinetry can really enhance a home. Designer Mel Massey had this wall-to-wall unit built in her youngest son’s room. As well as having plenty of practical hanging, shelf and drawer space, it has a fun den, accessed via foot holes.
Later, when her son’s too big to sit up there, Mel can simply fit doors and use the space for storage.
Check out the rest of this family-friendly house.
Tell us…
Which of these designs appeals to you most? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
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Gargi, if you click on the link to this TINY Parisian flat you will see there was NO option elsewhere to create a small office area. This reno was unbelievable when you see what they've achieved with very limited space and some clever design tricks like creating a window from the living area which not only adds light to the bedroom but also showcases that gorgeous wallpaper.... And PS the headboard height ain't that bad imo...
5 and 7 genius,
Esp in uk where that box room..nightmare.
Liked 3 as a way to not have to have the bed on the only wall without a window or wardrobe.
You actually can have it on wardrobe wall if you do it well.
Like they have done.
3/4 wall, nice corner niche, elegant doors etc.
She who must be obeyed, loves the dressing table built in between wardrobes, and has mentioned that it would be a fabulous addition our bedroom, so that's not going to cost too much time or money when the weather breaks in the spring, I am allowed a week off work in order to GET IT DONE!! apparently. She's ever so good to me, indulging my hobbies. :)