Many bedrooms these days are much smaller than we would like, especially in major cities like London, New York, Tokyo & Paris – & its not likely that this will change at any time in the near future! So, it’s time to get inventive when it comes to modern bedroom furniture, & fortunately with the advent of the internet we have plenty of options.
1. Get a Storage Bed.
These days it is possible to buy a bed with mattress slats that lift up at one end a little like lifting up a car bonnet (using gas lift pistons to lift the heavy mattress up & hold it up). This then opens up the bed base (which also has a sealed bottom so dust can’t get in) & the inside of the base is used for storage of sheets, blankets, clothing, or anything really. As the space is the whole size of the bed that means a LOT of extra storage, at least 150cm x 200cm x 30cm + for a UK king size bed. Storage beds are easy to use as well, & take up no more room than an ordinary bed.
2. Make sure your bedside cabinet has drawers.
Beautiful bedside tables can be elegant, but if you have a small bedroom you will need a bedside cabinet with drawers all the way up, not a lovely table with no storage space in it. Bedside cabinets with two or three drawers are incredibly useful for holding small objects, books, magazines etc.
3. Don’t forget about the walls
Use walls above chests of drawers & beds to put shelves or wall units on. As long as you keep the design of the shelves & wall units consistent with the furniture this will not only look great but give you a place to put books, candles & smaller items. Wall units can be anything from a single box to a magnificent composition incorporating shelves, TV units, drawers & cupboards & although they are usually used in a living room there is no reason why you would not also use them in your bedroom.
4. Swap your bedside lamps for pendant lights.
This will take a little organising but if you are a home owner you can have pendant lights wired in to hang down on each side of your bed to give you light where you might usually have bedside lamps. Not only will this save space on your bedside cabinets it gives your bedroom some added design flair.
5. Consider a customised fitted wardrobe.
While a wardrobe is a very large item a properly planned fitted wardrobe can be like a Tardis, holding not just your clothing but also shoes, bags, ties, belts & jewellery on special fittings like pull out shoe racks as well as spare blankets, books & more. A fitted wardrobe will be tall too, & that extra height means plenty of extra space at the top to keep possessions you don’t otherwise have a home for & don’t use every day.
A good wardrobe (especially an Italian wardrobe) should be meticulously planned, with plenty of pull out drawers, shelves & baskets so you will never again find yourself peering in wondering just where that new top you bought has got to, while making the most of absolutely every inch of the cupboards.
6. Think about using tall chests instead of low chests.
Two tall chests of drawers side by side can look fantastic, but also have quite a lot more storage, especially if you are buying contemporary chests of drawers which can be quite low. A tall chest of drawers can fit nicely in a small gap too, & if you use the top to display flowers, or a bowl, or decorative objects it can enhance the decor.
A small bedroom doesn’t have to mean no where to keep your belongings & clothing as long as you select the best bedroom furniture for making most of the space you do have.
