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Room Tour: A Cool Bedroom Packed With Ingenious Storage Solutions
How do you pack a bed, a chill-out spot, storage and a study space into a modest room? Check out this elegant solution
Design and architecture company INT2architecture faced the unusual challenge of creating a comfortable and interesting space for a modern, creative teenager. Thirteen-year-old Dasha, the eldest of four children, is smart, with an interest in foreign languages, music, insects and diving. When her parents gave her a separate room in their Moscow flat, she took the creation of her own little world seriously and had some clear demands. First, there had to be a big writing desk and storage space for books; second, a large bed with cushions, and third, the interior could be neither dark nor pink. Besides these grown-up ideas, Dasha came up with another, more mischievous thought – it would be cool to be able to write on the walls!
The designers took Dasha’s dreams and turned them into reality, transforming the room in around three months. The space became minimalist and functional. The main piece of the project was a plywood ‘box’ – an open cube with a large bed inside, as well as numerous shelves and drawers. This freed up the rest of the room, which now appears large and bright.
The designers took Dasha’s dreams and turned them into reality, transforming the room in around three months. The space became minimalist and functional. The main piece of the project was a plywood ‘box’ – an open cube with a large bed inside, as well as numerous shelves and drawers. This freed up the rest of the room, which now appears large and bright.
Malinin and Sheveleva united most of the separate pieces of furniture in a single place. “We had the idea of a multi-functional ‘box’ that would contain a compact storage system [a wardrobe, dresser, racks, a locker for little things, and drawers for bed linen and other large items] as well as a place for sleep and rest [a bed that also serves as a sofa].”
The box was made of coniferous plywood, which has been loved by designers since the 1920s. This material is characterised by lightness and durability, and it’s also really easy to work with. Coniferous plywood has other advantages – it’s inexpensive and looks as good as solid wood.
Other materials used for the interior were also natural, including textiles in cotton, flax and wool.
‘All-in-one’ box, Knertser Grupp. Coniferous plywood WBP, Ilim timber. Orthopedic mattress, Toris. Tetra fabric on sofa-bed, Arben. Sofa cushion, Ewald. Cushions, HeadyMade.
The box was made of coniferous plywood, which has been loved by designers since the 1920s. This material is characterised by lightness and durability, and it’s also really easy to work with. Coniferous plywood has other advantages – it’s inexpensive and looks as good as solid wood.
Other materials used for the interior were also natural, including textiles in cotton, flax and wool.
‘All-in-one’ box, Knertser Grupp. Coniferous plywood WBP, Ilim timber. Orthopedic mattress, Toris. Tetra fabric on sofa-bed, Arben. Sofa cushion, Ewald. Cushions, HeadyMade.
The workspace is neatly organised. Sitting at her oak desk, which has drawers like a real bureau, Dasha can easily feel quite grown-up. The comfortable chair is a design classic.
The posters of insects are magnified illustrations from vintage zoology reference books. The laser-cut metal ‘D’ reminds everyone who the mistress of the room is.
Desk, Knertser Grupp. Оrganic chair by Charles Eames and Eero Saarinen, Funkyhome. Laser-cut ‘D’, Posmetal. Posters, Sovaprint.
The posters of insects are magnified illustrations from vintage zoology reference books. The laser-cut metal ‘D’ reminds everyone who the mistress of the room is.
Desk, Knertser Grupp. Оrganic chair by Charles Eames and Eero Saarinen, Funkyhome. Laser-cut ‘D’, Posmetal. Posters, Sovaprint.
The surface of the box is partly covered in mint-coloured enamel paint. In the other areas, the natural wood texture has been enhanced by delicate brushing.
The rattan basket is another detail that complements the natural style of the room. It’s also an excellent storage solution, since Dasha can throw anything from extra cushions to blankets in it.
Basket, Laura Ashley.
Check out these flexible features to maximise space in your bedroom
The rattan basket is another detail that complements the natural style of the room. It’s also an excellent storage solution, since Dasha can throw anything from extra cushions to blankets in it.
Basket, Laura Ashley.
Check out these flexible features to maximise space in your bedroom
On the right side of the box is a hidden wardrobe. It was created as a huge, two-level slider. Under the bed, there are two pull-out drawers for bed linen and seasonal clothing.
See 12 brilliant ways to use wasted space in the bedroom
See 12 brilliant ways to use wasted space in the bedroom
Next to the wardrobe are circular wooden hooks for clothes. The triangles painted on both the walls and the floor add a quirky vibe to the room and show in which direction the sliding sections open.
The Dots hooks, Muuto.
The Dots hooks, Muuto.
The presence of the large ‘box’ created the need to preserve the room’s height (2.5m) visually. That’s why the box has built-in lighting and the free space is equipped with flush-mounted ceiling spots and pendant lights.
The pendant light over the desk was designed by Katerina Kopytina. The wood lamp holder has been carved from a solid piece of oak, and only energy-saving light bulbs can be used.
Pendant light, Light Bean at The Fields. Mirror, Moskovskaja zerkal’naja fabrika. Sliding board, Knertser Grupp.
The pendant light over the desk was designed by Katerina Kopytina. The wood lamp holder has been carved from a solid piece of oak, and only energy-saving light bulbs can be used.
Pendant light, Light Bean at The Fields. Mirror, Moskovskaja zerkal’naja fabrika. Sliding board, Knertser Grupp.
“On the wall opposite the ‘box’, we created a multi-functional area with a mirror, a blackboard and a screen,” say the designers.
The secret to fitting in the three elements lay in the use of a wide sliding board: when moved to one side, it opens up the blackboard; when moved to the other, it reveals the mirror. When the board is placed in the middle, it becomes a projector screen that can be connected to a laptop.
The secret to fitting in the three elements lay in the use of a wide sliding board: when moved to one side, it opens up the blackboard; when moved to the other, it reveals the mirror. When the board is placed in the middle, it becomes a projector screen that can be connected to a laptop.
The finished result incorporates everything Dasha hoped for.
The plan of the room with furniture.
What do you think of this ingenious bedroom design? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
What do you think of this ingenious bedroom design? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
Who lives here Dasha, 13, with her parents, sister and two brothers
Location Moscow, Russia
Property An apartment in a high-rise block
Designers Alexander Malinin and Anastasia Sheveleva of INT2architecture
“Originally, there were many different items in this room: a wardrobe containing clothes and bed linen for the whole family, shelves for school stuff, a dresser for small items and books, a single bed and a desk,” say designers Alexander Malinin and Anastasia Sheveleva. “As a result, the space felt bitty, which is typical of many apartments.”
Their main task was to look for a way to link all the elements to create a coherent whole. In addition to the general architectural design, the use of white and grey also played an important role in harmonising the space. White engineered flooring made of plywood and solid oak was used, and the walls were painted with washable white paint.
Walls painted in Pure Brilliant White Diamond Matt, Dulux.