Small bedrooms storage: 17 Attractive Ways to Optimize Small Bedroom Storage

17 Attractive Ways to Optimize Small Bedroom Storage

By

Kristin Hohenadel

Kristin Hohenadel

Kristin Hohenadel has written on design for publications including the New York Times, Interior Design, Slate, Fast Company, and the international editions of Elle Decor.

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Editorial Process

Published on 02/16/23

Michelle Boudreau Design

Having a small bedroom means you have to be deliberate about storage, ensuring that you’ve got a place for everything and everything in its place to create a clutter-free oasis for relaxing, resting, and sleeping. It’s important to get your clothing storage sorted, but don’t forget to create storage for everything else so your bedroom doesn’t look messy and chaotic.

These small bedroom storage ideas will help you find clever ways to keep your books, spare linens, eyeglasses, accessories, and other bedroom possessions neatly stowed and readily accessible while maintaining a stylish and effortless look.

• 01
  of 17

  Choose Nighstands With Storage

  Emily Henderson Design / Photo by Sara Ligorria-Tramp

  When choosing bedroom furniture, it’s always a good idea to look for nightstands with some kind of built-in storage such as drawers where you can store everyday items out of sight.

  In this small bedroom from Emily Henderson Design, the wooden nightstand has a hidden storage compartment behind a woven front that can be pulled down with leather tabs, leaving the top free for a few choice items.

• 02
  of 17

  Use the Windowsill

  Fantastic Frank

  A thick windowsill doubles as a headboard and a nightstand in this small Swedish bedroom from Fantastic Frank.

• 03
  of 17

  Swap the Nightstand for a Chest

  Becca Interiors

  In this NYC apartment bedroom from Becca Interiors, a large chest of drawers subs in for a nightstand, creating ample space to store extra linens, clothes, accessories, and more. The top is styled with a table lamp and objects that make the decor feel finished.

• 04
  of 17

  Hang Magazine Racks

  Fantastic Frank

  Fantastic Frank hung a pair of black wire magazine holders on the wall of this studio apartment that keeps reading material neatly stored and doubles as decor in the small space.

• 05
  of 17

  Add a Stealth Storage Bench

  Thistlewood Farms

  Thistlewood Farms added an upholstered storage bench at the foot of the bed in this light and bright bedroom. It functions as both a place to sit and hidden storage for extra blankets or anything else you need close at hand but want to keep out of sight.

• 06
  of 17

  Repurpose a Trundle Bed

  Thistlewood Farms

  Thistlewood Farms repurposed a trundle bed to create seamless extra under-bed storage, lining it with vintage newspapers instead of a mattress.

• 07
  of 17

  Add Built-Ins

  Neva Interior Design / Photo by Agathe Tissier

  In this small Paris bedroom from Neva Interior Design, built-in shelving around the bed provides ample storage for everything from clothes to linens, keeping clutter out of sight. The u-shaped shelving is painted in a soothing shade of pistachio green—it creates a niche that doubles as a headboard and is decorated with soft wallpaper and space-saving wall sconces.

• 08
  of 17

  Outsource Your Shoe Closet

  Neva Interior Design / Photo by Agathe Tissier

  If your closet is getting cramped, outsource your shoe closet and turn your footwear collection into decor by adding a row of shoe cubbies like this small bedroom storage solution from Neva Interior Design. Then style the top with objects and art to make it look intentional rather than makeshift.

• 09
  of 17

  Source a Vintage Crate

  My 100 Year Old Home

  A vintage trunk or crate adds character to a small bedroom, like the painted wood crate at the end of this small modern farmhouse style guest bedroom from My 100 Year Old Home. The inside can be used to store extra pillows and blankets and the sturdy top provides guests with a convenient place to rest their suitcases.

• 10
  of 17

  Add Midcentury Details

  Michelle Boudreau Design

  In this Palm Springs bedroom from Michelle Boudreau Design, a pair of midcentury modern nightstands with double drawers keep bedside clutter out of sight. A built-in floating console in the same rich wood doubles as a bedroom work station or a vanity. Gold hardware in two different styles keeps the furniture from looking like a perfectly matched set.

• 11
  of 17

  Frame the Bed

  Fantastic Frank

  Fantastic Frank added L-shaped shelving that serves as book storage, a place to display art, and a de facto headboard. The shelving melds into the white walls while bringing structure and its contents add notes of color to this light, bright, and compact bedroom.

• 12
  of 17

  Make It Seamless

  Caroline Andreoni Interior Design / Photo by Laura Jacques

  If you’re remodeling a small bedroom, consider devoting an entire wall-to-floor to custom-built ceiling storage that will utilize every inch of available space. This sleek modern space from Caroline Andreoni Interior Design also includes a disappearing wall desk.

• 13
  of 17

  DIY Under Bed Storage

  Liz Marie Blog

  Blogger Liz Marie upcycled some spare dresser drawers to create affordable under-bed storage that looks purposeful and fits in with the farmhouse decor. She painted the drawers, distressed them for a vintage look, attached metal address numbers to the front, and then added wheels to the bottoms to make sliding them in and out a breeze.

• 14
  of 17

  Build a Wall of Open Shelving

  My 100 Year Old Home

  Although it might seem counterintuitive, in a small bedroom or other space—adding an entire wall of storage, whether open or closed, can make the space feel larger by drawing the eye upward toward the ceiling and concentrating collections in a single area.

  My 100 Year Old Home added open shelving in this attic guest room that is used to store and display books and decor. The battery operated-remote control lights at the top of the bookshelves provide ambient light. In a bedroom, be sure to keep shelves neatly arranged and styled so the room doesn’t feel disheveled or chaotic which can interfere with sleep.

• 15
  of 17

  Use Shallow Shelving

  Caroline Andreoni Interior Design / Photo by Laura Jacques

  In this compact space from Caroline Andreoni Interior Design, the radiator is covered in a perforated material that allows air and heat to flow. It is topped with a narrow wood shelf that provides extra storage and display space, with shorter floating shelves hung on the wall above the bed.

• 16
  of 17

  Style Your Storage Space

  Most Lovely Things

  While closet storage is more about organization than aesthetics, don’t forget to look for unexpected opportunities to lift your mood with lighting and decor. Most Lovely Things made space in the closet for a shelf to store jewelry that includes a small lamp for mood-boosting ambient light (a portable LED-powered lamp would work well here), removable wallpaper, a small mirror, and some art.

• 17
  of 17

  Hang It Up

  Design by Emily Bowser for Emily Henderson Design / Photo by Sara Ligorria-Tramp

  In a small bedroom, look for opportunities to display frequently used items that were meant to be seen by hanging them on the wall.

  This room was designed by Emily Bowser for Emily Henderson Design—a wooden peg rack hung on the wall provides a place to store jewelry and scarves, while a bench with hidden storage below doubles as a corner window seat.

20 clever small bedroom storage |

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These small bedroom storage ideas will be vital when every spare inch of space counts. By thinking outside the box, you can make a real difference to the available storage in your small bedroom. 

Clothing littering your floors, piles of messy make-up and out-of-control laundry mountains aren’t exactly conducive to a restorative night’s sleep. But when your belongings are overtaking your boudoir, it’s hard to imagine the space ever feeling like a relaxing sanctuary. 

If this sounds like your space, it’s high time for a storage makeover: from key furniture pieces to cleverly utilized nooks, these bedroom storage ideas and small bedrooms will help you make the most of every square inch and get that clutter under control once and for all.

Small bedroom storage ideas

As the popular saying goes, there’s ‘a place for everything and everything in its place’, and it’s certainly true that most of us feel better when we are organised. ‘It helps us think clearly,’ says Mark Adam, MD of Vitsœ. And when it comes to tidy bedroom ideas, proper storage is your finest weapon in the battle to control clutter.

1. Build storage into the wall

(Image credit: Time Inc (UK) Ltd)

Small bedroom storage ideas should be creative and beautiful – there is no need to compromise on style in a tiny space. 

In addition to bedside tables, Nina Campbell recommends creating shallow niches on either side of the bed. ‘I find it maddening not to have somewhere to put a glass of water or a book, so I have done this a few times,’ she explains.

2. Keep storage simple and fuss-free

(Image credit: Studio Peake)

When choosing the best small bedroom storage ideas, look to key pieces of bedroom furniture that are simple, fuss-free and almost minimal in their designs. 

When designing built-in wardrobes, try to ensure that they don’t end up dominating the space. A simple design such as this one by Studio Peake, which has no frame and classic V-grooved panels, works well.

3. Create a walk-through wardrobe

(Image credit: Barlow and Barlow)

‘Creating a walk-through wardrobe is a good way to separate your bedroom from your clothes storage and have a more serene sleeping space, especially if you don’t have the space to create a designated dressing room,’ says Lucy Barlow, founder and director of architectural interior design studio Barlow & Barlow.

In this project, the design team decided to lacquer the wardrobes in a rich emerald green color to make a luxurious statement entrance to the bedroom. Lacquer finishes are not only a useful alternative to paint when it comes to incorporating color into furniture, but are a practical option too, as the coating sets into a hard, durable finish.

4. Go bespoke in a small space

(Image credit: Rachael Smith)

‘My number one tip for maximizing storage in a small apartment bedroom is to commission made-to-measure cabinetry,’ says Irene Gunter, interior designer and founder, Gunter & Co. ‘Tailored to the dimensions of your space, the wardrobe or shelving can be designed to work round any quirks, such as a sloping ceiling or an awkward corner.’ 

5. Make a feature out of storage 

(Image credit: Tamsin Johnson)

Storage need not be dull, instead, use statement paint ideas and tricks to give a tired bookcase or cabinet a new lease of life. 

Sydney-based interior designer Tamsin Johnson developed this consciously sophisticated scheme with a rich green bookcase taking center stage. 

‘The green antique French carved oak bookcase with soft yellow highlights anchors the room while the soft mauve linen bedding provides a tranquil element.

6. Utilize awkward corners

(Image credit: Future / Matthew Williams)

As the old saying goes, a tidy room is a tidy mind – so it is important we keep our bedrooms clear in order to feel calm and relaxed. 

Here, an awkward corner has been transformed into useful space with a boxed-out design. It allows any electrical wires to be hidden away safely while also creating a clever recessed shelf for bedside essentials. 

This contemporary design is made more effective with varying widths of panelling used throughout the whole room, which when combined create illusions of depth and length to help the space feel bigger. The textured wooden finish completes the scheme for a warm and welcoming look. To achieve a similar style, opt for real oak, pine or walnut wood veneer wall paneling ideas.

7. Choose built-in small bedroom storage to maximize space

(Image credit: Emma Lewis)

If you are looking for box room ideas, or your space has an awkward shape such as the eaves of a loft room, sometimes built-in units can offer the optimal storage solution. Sticking with a simple, neutral design will ensure the style stands the test of time, making the initial investment worthwhile. 

For something a little less permanent, get the look by installing a bank of freestanding wardrobes along one wall, shopping around for models that fit the space as fully as possible.

8. Utilize dead space

(Image credit: Carolyn Barber)

The bed is usually the single largest furniture item in any bedroom, so it makes sense to use some of this space for storage. Simple trundle drawers or storage containers tucked neatly away give easy access to towels or spare bed linen. If you prefer a clean look, try hiding them under a valance.

9. Factor in fitted furniture

(Image credit: Paul Raeside)

While freestanding furniture has its uses for both storage and display, there is nothing more efficient than well-designed, fitted furniture that allows you to squeeze every inch of use out of even the most unpromising corner in a streamlined way. 

The key is to wake up to your home’s hidden potential. ‘Furniture designed specifically for a room will look as if it has always been there,’ says furniture designer and maker Claire Darwent. ‘It’s good to live with, and an asset when you come to sell your home.’

10. Feature to floor-to-ceiling furniture

(Image credit: Mel Yates)

Play up to a room’s assets. Maximize storage by using clever multi-functional furniture where suitable, using the walls and height of the room as well as the floor space. 

Plan carefully to incorporate an easily accessible place for each item, which will also help keep it permanently neat. If made with beautiful doors, wardrobes are very much part of the design of the room.

Bear in mind, too, that mirrored bedroom storage will help the space feel bigger and brighter.

11. Create a storage system

(Image credit: Future / Paul Raeside)

Pull together two or more shelving units (or wardrobe carcasses) and arrange clothing and boxed up accessories into an open storage system. You could use clothes rails with shelves above to create a similar look. 

Go the whole hog and have a custom-made storage system made for you. Take inspiration from these walk-in closet ideas to plan a storage solution that will accommodate everything from clothes, shoes and accessories to bulky duvets and bed linen.

Otherwise, a bedroom organizer or two should help transform an existing closet into a storage-savvy haven.

12. Keep small bedroom storage hidden

(Image credit: Mel Yates)

The end of the bed can often benefit from a handy perch to sit on whilst putting on shoes, as well as for additional occasional storage. Padded footstools or blanket boxes offer a brilliant two-in-one option here, packing lots of storage in to a relatively small space.

13. Build around the bed

(Image credit: James Balston)

Bespoke furniture really comes into its own in small spaces. You can build into every niche and alcove, get the best from awkward spaces such as under the stairs, and build around architectural features such as pillars. 

Slim units and shelving will add storage to narrow spaces such as around the bed, and cupboards can go all the way up to the ceiling. A bespoke furniture designer or specialist fitted furniture company usually offers a full design service including site visits, drawings and all manner of clever internal fittings, but don’t overlook the skills of a good joiner too, especially if they have an eye for design and come recommended first-hand.

14. Take it outside

(Image credit: James Balston)

Most homes suffer from bottle-necks, so think laterally about how to free up space. Can a small bedroom have wardrobes or shelving in the hall outside, with dressing room appeal? Challenge your preconceptions of traditional dressing room ideas, whilst making sure any solution is practical.

15. Balance the look

(Image credit: Emma Lewis)

A combination of closed closets and open shelf storage will feel lighter and creates space for display. Mirror, glass and any reflective surface will keep the look bright and airy while movable panels, screens and furniture bring versatile flexibility. 

And never underestimate the designers’ favourite trick – a light, bright decorating scheme. Clever bedroom lighting ideas never fail to enhance the sense of space.

16. Display pretty paraphernalia

(Image credit: Jody Stewart)

Often unused and unloved, the alcoves on either side of a bed act as the perfect foil for open shelving. Display your prettiest objects, accessories or even books for all to see.

17. Keep it behind closed doors

(Image credit: Anna Stathaki)

Built-in alcove cupboards max out the storage potential of a chimney breast wall. The shallow section over the chimney breast needn’t go to waste – just add floating shelves and a small table top for the perfect vanity unit space, like in this stylish gray bedroom.

18. Rethink your layout

(Image credit: Alicia Taylor)

It’s always tempting to reinstate a fireplace into a chimney breast that has been filled in, or, as we mentioned above, to build closets across it. However, placing the head of the bed on a chimney breast can be a good use of space – and of a focal wall. That way, you can devote the alcoves above, not just to bedside tables – but to an entire storage system, too. 

Putting wall lights over the bed, rather than on bedside tables, is another handy small bedroom layout idea to free up space.

19. Split a small bedroom with a glazed partition

(Image credit: Davide Lovatti)

This small bedroom storage idea might be perfect for you if your space is on the long, narrow side. Putting a glazed partition in to split the room two thirds to one third allows you to put a wardrobe in one section, and to place more storage furniture against the partition in the bedroom section. Clever.

20. Make space for a desk – and paperwork storage

(Image credit: TG Studio)

Post-pandemic, we are more than ready to embrace the idea of desk space – and the necessary accompanying storage – featuring in a bedroom, even a small one. The best solution? Hidden desks, which can be clever solutions like the one above, desks within wardrobes or even dressing tables that can double up.

How can I get more storage in my small bedroom?

Even the most humble of box rooms has the ability to serve as a comfortable bedroom, and clever use of storage furniture can turn it into a multi-functional space too, incorporating useful study and storage areas. Careful planning and a dash of inspiration are all that’s needed to maximize a small bedroom’s storage potential.

Do you have room for a small walk-in closet design or is space tighter, in which case sliding doors may be the most space-saving solution? Think about how much hanging space you need, whether you have lots of long dresses or multiple jackets and coats, and whether you prefer to hang or fold your shirts. Do you want drawers for lingerie, jewellery and accessories, extra-deep drawers for bulky clothes, or lots of shoe, boot and bag storage? You may also want to incorporate mirrors and lights that activate when the doors open.

‘Start planning your room by considering storage. Go beyond joinery – a substantial chest of drawers can act as a bedside table; a divan can hold hidden storage and an end-of-bed blanket box can double up as a laundry bin,’ says Bunny Pocock of Turner Pocock.

How do you organize a small bedroom?

Like any small space, the key to a successful compact bedroom is to create adequate storage within a functional layout.

Often in a small guest room, a couple of large, hard-working pieces of furniture will create a less cluttered look than several small pieces. When looking at guest bedroom ideas, consider how the space can serve more than one function, such a doubling up as a workstation too.

When square footage is at a premium, try incorporating a wall bed instead of a traditional sofa bed. It takes a standard mattress, offering greater comfort, and can fold away to look like a wardrobe or cabinet, freeing up valuable floor space for a desk and chair.

Ensure that the surrounding furniture is lightweight so that it can easily be moved to accommodate a pull-down bed. If you have adequate ceiling height, look at bespoke options, such as a simple mezzanine incorporating a sleeping area on a raised platform with a wardrobe or shelving below.

12 practical tips – Roomble.com

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How to organize storage in a small bedroom: 12 practical tips
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In your bedroom there is no place for a bulky closet, and there is nowhere to put things? Books gathering dust in the corner in sloppy piles, old dumbbells peeking out from under the bed? We know how to fix it. For you – 12 tips for storing things in a small bedroom
How to organize storage in a small bedroom: 12 practical tips

Do you have room for a bulky closet in your bedroom and no place to store your things? Books gathering dust in the corner in sloppy piles, old dumbbells peeking out from under the bed? We know how to fix it. For you – 12 tips for storing things in a small bedroom

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The bedroom is the heart of every home, a place where we relax after a tiring day and recuperate. Of course, I want it to be cozy, but what kind of comfort can we talk about if there are catastrophically few square meters and they are all terribly cluttered? We offer 12 simple ideas that will prove that your bedroom has more space than you thought.

If the bedroom is very small and there is no room for either a wardrobe or a large chest of drawers, store clothes on open hangers. They can be of various formats, including two-tier ones. Hang on them not only clothes, but also hanging shelves and pockets for shoes and underwear.

A screen is not just a decorative element or a tool for zoning space. Behind it you can easily hide hangers with clothes, stacks of books, small items and even skis. Put it behind the head of the bed, in the corner of the room or near the window.

Today, many beds already have drawers for storing linen. Take a broader approach to their use: store there not only bedding (or instead of them), but also outerwear, extra pillows, blankets or carpets.

The most common baskets are much more functional than we used to think. They can hold small items, craft materials, rolled paper or clothes. Large baskets with a lid can serve not only as a container, but also serve as excellent bedside tables.

It’s time to get the old chest out of the attic and give it a second life! Of course, you can also buy a new one – vintage or modern, depending on the style of your bedroom. Store anything in it, from clothes to shoes, and keep it under or near your bed. By the way, a chest with a flat lid can be used as a coffee table.

Every bedroom should have a mirror, and it’s unfair to ignore the storage possibilities it provides. Buy a large full-length mirror and lean it against the wall. Behind it you can hide a hanger with clothes or some separate things. Another option is to drive hooks into the back wall and hang glasses, jewelry or, for example, neckerchiefs on them.

If your bedroom has enough space for one or two bedside tables, use this opportunity. Buy tables with a lower tier and store books and magazines there, for example. You can put jewelry, magazines or a medicine box in the boxes.

Set up the bed on a raised platform and build drawers into the mini podium. In them, just like in linen, you can store clothes, pillows, blankets, books or seasonal items.

Owners of small bedrooms simply have to use all the vertical space they have. Nail shelves of different colors and sizes to the walls and store books, decorative items, flowers or decorations on them.

If you are the owner of the most ordinary bed, do not be upset – you are even luckier. Use containers, suitcases or boxes as an alternative to linen boxes. It is convenient to store not only overall items or outerwear, but also small things in them.

Use lightweight open shelving instead of massive, half-room cabinets. They not only save space, but also add some air to the room. If possible, buy a modular shelving unit that you can assemble and customize as you see fit.

For very tiny bedrooms, the use of niches is relevant. Mount shelves in them – so they will not take up extra space. Downstairs you can put boxes, baskets, suitcases or containers.

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Bedroom storage: ideas and solutions

TipsRooms

Headboard storage

Free space around the bed can (and should!) be used to its full potential. For example, equip spacious and stylish storage systems at the head for every taste – from open shelves to tall floor-to-ceiling cabinets.

Apartment in Moscow. Project by Tatyana Kazantseva.

Photo

Anton Likhtarovich Style: Alexandra Pylenkova

Project by Ilona Menshakova, Sisters’ Design. To hide the protruding load-bearing column, the designer designed a wooden headboard with shelves and cabinets.

Bed on the podium

As an option, you can place the bed on the podium, and in it you can make either an extra bed (version for the guest bedroom) or large storage boxes.

Project by Alexey Shibaev and Alexandra Averkina, Zeworkroom studio. The bed is located on the podium in a niche around which the storage system is arranged.

The apartment of Svetlana Nesterushkina, architect and creator of the Roushk jewelry brand, in Moscow.

Narrow wardrobe

Is the bedroom too small and there is no room for a full dressing room? You can put a narrow long wardrobe at the head of the bed, a “pencil case” for clothes, and put small things that you don’t use too often on the upper shelves. The combination of closed modules with open shelves will visually lighten the design, and it will not psychologically put pressure on you when you lie on the bed.

Two-room apartment in a new building, designed by designer Olga Shapovalova. In the bedroom, on both sides of the bed, there are narrow wardrobes up to the very ceiling, manufactured by Exclusive Furniture.

Full Wall Built-in Wardrobes

Built-in storage is one of the most common bedroom storage solutions. It is good because it allows you to order cabinets for the size and configuration of the room. Located along the wall on the side or opposite the bed, they do not “eat up” the space, but thanks to their laconic design and neutral shades, they can become completely invisible. This option is equally well suited for both owners of large bedrooms and small rooms (and in the second case, it is more preferable, since it allows you to save useful square centimeters as much as possible).

Project by Petr Yushin.

Project by Poco Design.

Apartment in Moscow. Elements Studio project.

Photo

Sergey Krasyuk

Wardrobe with mirrored doors

To visually increase the space of a small bedroom, use good old mirrors. For example, cabinet doors can be made mirrored – so the space will appear larger and brighter.

Apartment in St. Petersburg. Project by Dmitry Dubrovsky.

Wardrobe behind a curtain

An original technique for the bedroom – a wardrobe behind a curtain. This solution looks “softer”, more dynamic and visually lighter than cabinets with solid doors.

Apartment in Moscow.