Finding a place for everything in a room can feel challenging at the best of times, especially when you have limited space to work with, which is why small bedroom storage ideas are so important to take into consideration when designing these areas.
Small bedroom ideas always require a bit of extra creativity to make sure you're making the most of what little room you do have without adding a sense of clutter, so clever storage really is your secret weapon.
‘Limited space is always going to be a problem in a small bedroom, but adding clever storage solutions and regularly editing and maintaining the space, will help keep your clothes, bed linens, and other accessories organised,’ agrees Elizabeth Wickes, founder of The Lifestyle Organiser and APDO member.
1. Take lights off surfaces
When organising a small bedroom, every square inch makes a difference, so you have a think a little more laterally when purchasing necessities.
Take bedside lighting. The base of a table lamp takes up precious space on your surface and, depending on the shade, will also visually use up space. Instead, look to wall or pendant lighting for your bedtime reads. This will free up your tabletops for what you acctually need to stash there, without limiting the light levels of the room.
If you're redesigning an existing space and don't want to get re-wiring, ever fear, there are plug-in and even rechargeable wall lights that'll be just the thing
This traditional wired in light also comes in pewter, black and copper options.
The glass shade of this plugged-in light is ideal for adding even more visual space.
No wires or plugs required! Pop these wherever you need them and enjoy 15 hours of light per charge.
2. Use statement shades
Small bedroom storage ideas don't always have to be subtle and tucked away. Make a statement of what you do have to turn your chest of drawers, consoles or wardrobes into a focal point of your space.
Try upcycling your existing furniture if they fit nicely in the room, choosing strong colours to give them a new lease of life. Word of warning - don't try and fit toomay colours into a space. When in doubt, allow the 60-30-10 rule to guide you.
3. Work your angles
Some smaller bedrooms are in the most architecturally awkward spaces in a home, like narrow box rooms or tucked away under the eaves. Whatever yours is, don't panic if there's an unusual shape to work with for your bedroom storage. There's nearly always a piece of furniture you can find to slot into the available spot and if not, get crafty with MDF or even go for a bespoke piece.
The most important thing is just to work with what you have a put the space to good use, rather than having an empty triangle of wall above your cupboard but nowhere to stash your jumpers.
4. Create extra storage space with bed risers
With over 300 purchases in the last month, this eight-piece set of bed risers from amazon is perfect for creating extra storage space under your bed. And these specific ones also come recommended by Elizabeth herself.
Underbed storage is perfect for small bedroom storage ideas, but if the space under your bed isn't as tall as you’d like (or need) it to be, then you can increase it by adding bed risers.
‘If investing in a new bed is not possible and the vertical height is limited under the current bed, then purchasing bed risers to raise the bed will help to carve out more space,' explains professional organiser Elizabeth. 'Plus, with the help of underbed storage bags to house your seasonal items, they will keep everything neatly corralled.'
5. Or go low with under-bed storage
Some feng shui experts warn against having anything under the bed because it affects the energy flow, making the space feel less restful. However, when coming up with storage ideas for small bedrooms, this notion must be thrown out the window.
'Under-bed is the unsung hero of storage spaces. It’s simply one of the smartest and easiest ways to add masses of storage without it cluttering your room,' says Rachal Hutcheson, national retail manager at Sharps.
'Although many beds are now designed with built-in drawers, there are ways to create something similar if you’re looking to utilise the ‘dead’ space. Baskets and boxes are an obvious choice but make sure you measure the width and height of the space first.'
Rachal advises that, when selecting containers for under-the-bed storage, you go for 'products with wheels to guarantee an easy glide and opt for longer models that can be used from each end of the bed.'
6. Build-in your wardrobes
If you can afford it, cleverly-made furniture is a must when it comes to bedroom storage ideas, so do consider that fitted wardrobe.
'Beautifully fitted furniture can often provide the most effective and efficient way to make use of more confined spaces, especially if the bespoke design has been created to fit the exact contours of your room,' says Rachal Hutcheson, national retail manager at Sharps.
'A well designed fitted wardrobe can offer on average 40% more space than a one-size-fits all design, so it's well worth considering for even the smallest of bedrooms.'
7. Turn to sliding doors
A sliding wardrobe door is great, and a mirrored sliding door even better.
'It's important to take a wardrobe’s doors into consideration to ensure they are easily opened in a small room,' says Rachal. 'If a bed is in close proximity to the wardrobe, opt for sliding doors to provide a sleek, effective alternative, whilst mirrored styles will help to make a space look bigger.'
Interior designer Juliette Thomas agrees, dubbing wardrobes with sliding doors a 'brilliant investment'. For an extra streamlined and minimalist look, choose a handleless design or one with discreet handles.
8. Create a 'bed bridge'
Don't let the space between your headboard and the wall go to waste! 'Opportunities for storing your things in and around beds should be carefully explored in small bedrooms,' says Rachal.
'As a rule of thumb, always start with the placement of your bed, and think about how something fitted can be designed to create a seamless storage space that feels like it's part of the room, rather than a piece that has been placed within it.'
She adds that 'integrating a bed bridge is a smart way to maximise the area around your headboard and helps keep things off the floor, avoiding any unnecessary clutter.'
9. Keep it concealed
The best storage ideas for small bedrooms are the ones you don't notice right away, like a clever hack using soething like the TRONES shoe storage units at IKEA.
These inconspicuous storage units will keep things concealed so you can maintain a zen feel in your sleep space. Something like this can always be hacked to double up as a headboard with a shelf for displaying a few trinkets. They can also be painted to blend in with your existing bedroom colour scheme.
10. Limit the number of books
It’s not just clothes and bedding which are often stored in a bedroom. Smaller items can pile up and start cluttering the space if you’re not on top of things, books being the perfect example of this. That’s why decluttering your bedroom regularly is a must.
‘The biggest tip to maintain a small bedroom is to declutter regularly,' advises Elizabeth. 'The focus is not just for your clothing and shoes, but also items like books. These types of items can easily build up and clutter surfaces and internal spaces. It's important to limit the visible clutter on show in a small bedroom. Having too much on display can easily make the room feel even smaller and crowded.'
Jasmina Gluszynski, founder of Forty Home Staging and APDO member, recommends ‘swapping books for a digital reader or using a library or charity shop where you can buy cheap books at the same time when you donate the one you just finished reading.’
11. Place storage drawer units inside the wardrobe
Don’t let the space at the bottom of your wardrobe go to waste or get disorganised by using it to randomly dump items or bags of 'stuff'. If your wardrobe doesn’t come with built-in drawers, then investing in storage drawer units is the best thing to do. If you're a renter this is even more helpful as you can easily take them with you at the end of your tenancy and use them in your next home.
‘Small storage drawer units are an affordable alternative to purchasing large investment pieces like dressers,' explains Elizabeth They can be placed inside a wardrobe to organise your underwear, pyjamas and general clothing.'
When it comes to drawer storage units, you might automatically think of Muji. And as much as we love those stackable units that come in several shapes and sizes, they are on the pricier side and that's why we're particularly impressed with this storage unit from Dunelm for just £22.
12. Divide up your drawers
Just as within a wardrobe, drawers will benefit from some internal organisation.
'Storage boxes and baskets will help you keep it neat and tidy. We also recommend using baskets inside drawers for smaller items such as underwear or belts, this will keep them organised and you can use the rest of the drawer for something else,' says Rikke Blaeside, design and range manager at JYSK.
Try putting storage within storage within storage, a bit like a Russian doll, with the best wardrobe organisers. So there's a place for everything and everything in its place. Pick up boxes to break things up into categories, and drawer dividers.
Drawer dividers offer the ultimate of flexibility, allowing you to create whatever size cubbies you need in seconds.
The divider in this is moveable, so you can easily adjust the sizes of the compartments to perfectly fit whatever you're storing inside.
For add hoc storage, or for every day ephemera, it's so useful to have a stashof these collapsible boxes around the house to add to drawers whenever needed.
13. Choose multi-purpose furniture
'Make the best of a small room’s limited square footage by choosing multifunctional furniture,' advises Rebecca Snowden, interior style advisor at Furniture And Choice.
A storage ottoman at the foot of the bed provides space for baskets to contain blankets, candles, books, pyjamas and so on. It also gives you somewhere to put your shoes on or rest a delicious tray of breakfast in bed.
Or, if you're looking to replace your bed, consider an ottoman bed that lifts up with built-in storage underneath. 'A stylish ottoman bed doubles as a place to store seasonal clothing and extra bedding,' says Rebecca.
'A small chest of drawers also works as a bedside table. Look for pieces with a slim profile – anything too bulky could make a small room feel weighed down.'
14. Use a clothes rail
If you don't mind having some of your clothes out on display, consider a open wardrobe ideas, like this clothing rail. This small bedroom storage idea allows you to create a seasonal capsule wardrobe with your most worn pieces to hand.
As well as being a good solution for compact spaces, having your clothes out might also make it easier to come up with new outfit ideas, giving you inspiration simply by having your different pieces visible day to day rather than squashed together in a wardrobe.
Ensure you've got some aesthetically pleasing hangers to finish things off.
15. Go bespoke
Here's another brilliant example of using the walls to keep your small bedroom in order, with storage built into the wall around the doorway.
If not for adding these storage shelves, this space would be empty real estate. Make sure not to overly clutter these, though, or the area will start to look and feel messy. Use the rule of three if you're using this to display your favourite items.
16. Use the back of the door
Are there any doors or wardrobe doors you could use for extra storage? Attach rails and hooks or hang an over-the-door rack to give you additional space to keep just about anything, from toiletries and towels to jewellery.
'Utilise the back of doors for hanging organizers or hooks - but only if they are out of your direct eyeline,' says Jenny Wilkins, APDO member and founder of Rejig Organising. 'Otherwise doors can become over burdened with items and adds to the feel of being cluttered. So use inside a wardrobe for example where its not on show.'
If you don't want to permanently mark your door by drilling holes in them in order to attach some hooks, then self-adhesive designs are the perfect alternative. These Amazon ones look sleek, they're affordable and enjoy much popularity with over 5000 units sold just in the last month.
When it comes to over-door hooks you can go one of two ways - either choose a simple design that colour-matches your door and therefore somewhat disappears or you can make a feature of it like with this sleek Dunelm style.
Whether used for your child's soft toys, your scarfs or summer shoes like flip flops and flat sandals, this over-door organiser can do it all.
17. Add some oomph to your bedside table
'Bedside tables with built-in storage should never be overlooked,' says Rachal.
'On a very basic level they offer an opportunity to store everyday essentials such as charging cables, alarm clocks and reading glasses. Extra storage aside, they’re also a smart way to create a cohesive style for any room with multiple fitted pieces.'
Alternatively, you could opt for a floating bedside table, as seen above, and use the space underneath for a storage basket stuffed with slippers and other bedtime necessities.
18. And don't forget the top of your wardrobe
'If you don’t have storage that runs from floor to ceiling, you can still take advantage of unused space,' says Rachal
'The gap between your cabinets and the ceiling for example can be utilised to store things that are rarely used, thereby freeing up room inside the hidden cabinet space. Try using sectional storage boxes that suit the scheme of your room as a great way to free up cupboard space.'
You can also use smart baskets or even repurposed crates.
FAQs
What type of storage shouldn’t be used in a small bedroom?
When it comes to small bedroom storage, anything that’s too bulky or busy-looking should be avoided.
‘Bulky wardrobes, large free-standing dressers, storage trunks or boxes and other impractical or visually busy furniture are all items I would suggest steering clear of for smaller rooms as they not only take up too much floor space but can seem extremely busy on the eye,’ says Siân Pelleschi, owner of Sorted! and APDO president.
How to store lots of clothes in a small bedroom?
If you own a lot of clothes but have only a small bedroom to store them in, then there are a few things you can do to stop your clothes from taking over the space.
‘Clothes rotation is key if you’re working with a small space,’ says Siân Pelleschi of Sorted!. ‘So making sure you have the right furniture to be able to do that is also essential. If you’re limited on either hanging or shelving space for your bedroom but have lots of clothes then you need to consider looking at the types of hangers you’re using – switch to slimline to reduce the bulk. And use vacuum-sealed bags and under-bed drawers on wheels for easy access to store the clothes you’re not currently using.’
If you're wondering what slimline hangers all the pro organisers use, then we've got the answer - it's these Amazon Basics Slim Velvet Non-slip Suit Hangers.
How do you make a small bedroom look less cluttered?
'Having less on the floor makes rooms feel more spacious,' says Jane Lee, APDO member and Founder of Jane Lee Interiors.
'Try to minimise large pieces of furniture and look for clever multi-functional solutions: beds with cavernous storage drawers, ottoman beds, a headboard with built-in shelves, trundle beds and ones that can be stashed away into a footstool.'
'Rolling carts are good for small rooms as they can be moved out of the way when not in use. Use them to store make-up, hair styling equipment and products. Add floating shelves above the door or close to the ceiling to keep the room feeling more spacious,' says Rebecca Roberts, APDO member and founder of Curate My Space.
So no matter how little space you're working with, you can always make it work with the help of problem-solving furniture and clever storage.
