8 Bedroom Storage Spots You Might Not Have Considered
Think you have no room for any more storage in your sleep space? You might just not have thought of these ideas
Kate Burt
20 January 2023
Houzz UK. I'm a journalist and editor, previously for the Independent, Guardian and various magazines. I'm now excited to part of the editorial team at Houzz UK & Ireland, bringing the best of British and Irish design, interiors and architecture to Houzz.com.
Houzz UK. I'm a journalist and editor, previously for the Independent, Guardian and... More
A designer will be able to look at your rooms with years of problem-solving experience and ingenuity in mind and spot what you may not be able to. Often, one simple idea can open up an area you’d never seen as useful and put it to practical use.
Each of these cleverly designed bedrooms contains a great idea that opens up an area for storage that might otherwise have been overlooked. See whether any could work in your home.
Each of these cleverly designed bedrooms contains a great idea that opens up an area for storage that might otherwise have been overlooked. See whether any could work in your home.
1. Big up a bay window
A bedroom with a bay window offers not only the potential for a lovely seating spot, but also a brilliant opportunity to sneak in extra storage.
In this calm, neutral space created by Sarah Brink Design, drawer storage in a window seat makes for practical, daily-use access. For items you use less frequently, a lift-up lid could work, and will typically be a cheaper option than drawers, which are more complex to construct.
A bedroom with a bay window offers not only the potential for a lovely seating spot, but also a brilliant opportunity to sneak in extra storage.
In this calm, neutral space created by Sarah Brink Design, drawer storage in a window seat makes for practical, daily-use access. For items you use less frequently, a lift-up lid could work, and will typically be a cheaper option than drawers, which are more complex to construct.
2. Go bespoke
The classic ‘up and over’ style of built-in wardrobes was a popular use of redundant space in the 1970s and 1980s, but fell out of favour somewhat. As this update by Matthew Giles Architects shows, a thoughtfully designed modern version can offer a range of storage and look beautiful, too.
The bespoke joinery provides ample storage at the lower level – and a handy surface for bedtime essentials. Above, open shelving allows for decorative objects or reading material, while closed storage up high makes use of a tricky nook while providing space for less aesthetically attractive, infrequently used belongings.
The classic ‘up and over’ style of built-in wardrobes was a popular use of redundant space in the 1970s and 1980s, but fell out of favour somewhat. As this update by Matthew Giles Architects shows, a thoughtfully designed modern version can offer a range of storage and look beautiful, too.
The bespoke joinery provides ample storage at the lower level – and a handy surface for bedtime essentials. Above, open shelving allows for decorative objects or reading material, while closed storage up high makes use of a tricky nook while providing space for less aesthetically attractive, infrequently used belongings.
3. Hang it up
A long row of aesthetically thought-through hooks, like these ones designed into the space by Groves-Raines Architects and painted to blend with the wall, can become a feature as well as a discreet way to keep clutter off the floor.
Bags and scarves are common culprits; a laundry bag and dressing gown could also hang here, along with a favourite coat. If you don’t have room on a wall, the same idea could work on the back of a door, too.
Find reviewed architects and building designers in your area in the Houzz Professionals Directory.
A long row of aesthetically thought-through hooks, like these ones designed into the space by Groves-Raines Architects and painted to blend with the wall, can become a feature as well as a discreet way to keep clutter off the floor.
Bags and scarves are common culprits; a laundry bag and dressing gown could also hang here, along with a favourite coat. If you don’t have room on a wall, the same idea could work on the back of a door, too.
Find reviewed architects and building designers in your area in the Houzz Professionals Directory.
4. Max bedside cabinets
The designer of this colourful bedroom has placed roomy chests of drawers either side of the bed, creating heaps more space than two decorative pieces of bedside furniture could. Because they tuck into the alcoves, they barely encroach on the floor space at all.
It’s a simple and easily achievable idea – but that doesn’t mean it’s obvious when you’re in the thick of arranging your own space.
By the way, in interview after interview with Houzz designers, we hear that drawers typically provide the most practical storage, as you’ll never have to root around the back of a dark cupboard for anything.
The designer of this colourful bedroom has placed roomy chests of drawers either side of the bed, creating heaps more space than two decorative pieces of bedside furniture could. Because they tuck into the alcoves, they barely encroach on the floor space at all.
It’s a simple and easily achievable idea – but that doesn’t mean it’s obvious when you’re in the thick of arranging your own space.
By the way, in interview after interview with Houzz designers, we hear that drawers typically provide the most practical storage, as you’ll never have to root around the back of a dark cupboard for anything.
5. Surround yourself
Go further with that idea by tucking bespoke floor-to-ceiling cabinetry into your alcoves.
What works brilliantly in this example is the fact that the designer, Brooke Copp-Barton, has ensured there’s enough room to build in two small bedside shelves on the sides of the wardrobes. A good designer will often be able to (visually) fake the width of the chimney breast where necessary to create the right proportions and functionality.
Considering lighting at the outset also makes this concept work: the wall-mounted reading lights not only add a touch of warming brass to the scheme, they’re practical, too, as they don’t need a surface to sit on.
Go further with that idea by tucking bespoke floor-to-ceiling cabinetry into your alcoves.
What works brilliantly in this example is the fact that the designer, Brooke Copp-Barton, has ensured there’s enough room to build in two small bedside shelves on the sides of the wardrobes. A good designer will often be able to (visually) fake the width of the chimney breast where necessary to create the right proportions and functionality.
Considering lighting at the outset also makes this concept work: the wall-mounted reading lights not only add a touch of warming brass to the scheme, they’re practical, too, as they don’t need a surface to sit on.
6. Bridge two wardrobes
Where there are fitted wardrobes in the alcoves on the other side of a room (ie, not flanking the bed), the chimney breast in between can often be overlooked as an additional space for storage.
In this airy bedroom designed by Imperfect Interiors, open shelves bridge the gap between the two alcove wardrobes. This opens up the area to contain books and other loose bedroom bits and pieces and creates a display area, too. Artwork, scented candles, jewellery boxes, plants and more can be arranged to break up the otherwise blank wall.
More: 17 Contemporary Dressing Tables Perfect for Smaller Spaces
Where there are fitted wardrobes in the alcoves on the other side of a room (ie, not flanking the bed), the chimney breast in between can often be overlooked as an additional space for storage.
In this airy bedroom designed by Imperfect Interiors, open shelves bridge the gap between the two alcove wardrobes. This opens up the area to contain books and other loose bedroom bits and pieces and creates a display area, too. Artwork, scented candles, jewellery boxes, plants and more can be arranged to break up the otherwise blank wall.
More: 17 Contemporary Dressing Tables Perfect for Smaller Spaces
7. Look below
Making use of the space beneath your bed is a no-brainer – and in this design by Jigsaw Interior Architecture, an upholstered bed with a built-in drawer at one end shows how elegant it can also look. A bed that lifts up to reveal storage below is another idea for accessing the same space, as are plain old underbed storage boxes.
There is, however, a caveat to consider: with slatted beds, there sometimes won’t be a board or anything between the bed slats/mattress and the drawers below, so the contents could get dusty. Vacuum bags or boxes with well-fitting lids could be a game changer in this case.
Making use of the space beneath your bed is a no-brainer – and in this design by Jigsaw Interior Architecture, an upholstered bed with a built-in drawer at one end shows how elegant it can also look. A bed that lifts up to reveal storage below is another idea for accessing the same space, as are plain old underbed storage boxes.
There is, however, a caveat to consider: with slatted beds, there sometimes won’t be a board or anything between the bed slats/mattress and the drawers below, so the contents could get dusty. Vacuum bags or boxes with well-fitting lids could be a game changer in this case.
8. Shelve it at ceiling height
A high shelf that goes wall to wall above the bed, close to the ceiling, can provide room for a decent number of books, making use of what is often dead space.
Where the walls and shelf are painted the same shade, the spines will also provide a strong stripe of colour, which you might want to manipulate by displaying your monotone Penguin classics collection or arranging books by colour. Whatever you opt for, a tidy line of tomes, along with considered use of the space below, will give the cleanest look.
Note, also, how the integrated spotlights in the underside of this shelf, designed in by lightbout.iQ, free up wall space and surface area in the storage cabinets either side of the bed.
Tell us…
How have you maximised storage opportunities in your bedroom? Share your tips in the Comments.
A high shelf that goes wall to wall above the bed, close to the ceiling, can provide room for a decent number of books, making use of what is often dead space.
Where the walls and shelf are painted the same shade, the spines will also provide a strong stripe of colour, which you might want to manipulate by displaying your monotone Penguin classics collection or arranging books by colour. Whatever you opt for, a tidy line of tomes, along with considered use of the space below, will give the cleanest look.
Note, also, how the integrated spotlights in the underside of this shelf, designed in by lightbout.iQ, free up wall space and surface area in the storage cabinets either side of the bed.
Tell us…
How have you maximised storage opportunities in your bedroom? Share your tips in the Comments.
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All these rooms are so large that there’s loads of space for storage! When I designed my bedroom I managed to fit in two 90cm wardrobes at each end of the rectangular room with just enough space for a double bed (no room for anything larger) flanked by two narrow bedside chests of drawers in between them. At the foot of the bed we removed some bricks in what had been an outside wall to accommodate a radiator which gives just enough room to walk past the foot of the bed. The best feature was putting mirrored doors across an alcove with fabric pigeonhole type hangers for shoes (we designed it the perfect depth for shoes). The mirrored doors add light and make the room feel large and spacious even though it isn’t. Chests of drawers beneath two opposite windows instead of radiators make the most of the available space. The room manages to look relaxed despite making the most of every inch of space.
Very interesting article.
Useful article, thanks