Small bedroom storage ideas for a tidy sleeping space

The right small bedroom storage ideas can mean the difference between a sleeping space that feels cramped and uncomfortable and one that feels ordered, calm and soothing – just as any good bedroom design should. 

Great storage is always key to a home that looks beautiful and is a pleasure to spend time in, but in small spaces it becomes more important than ever. It is important to look at ways of finding space for all the necessities other than standard and off-the-shelf items of furniture if you want to make the most of a compact room.

Here, we have picked out some of the best examples of brilliant ways of keeping a small bedroom clutter free and tidy, so you can begin and end your day in a serene setting. 

Do small bedroom storage ideas have to be bespoke?

There is no denying if you are looking for ideas on how to make a small bedroom look bigger, some of the best storage solutions for small spaces are custom made, tailored to exactly fit into the room they will be serving so as not to waste a single millimetre.

However, taking a bespoke route can be expensive when compared to buying standard, off-the-shelf items of furniture. Thankfully, there are now many ways to avoid these costs as furniture companies are developing more and more pieces designed with compact spaces in mind. 

It is also worth noting, some of the best ways to create storage for those after small bedroom ideas come from using items of furniture that were originally intended for another use, such slimline bathroom shelves or fold-down desks that make great flexible dressing tables. 

1. Take a minimalist approach for a sleek finish

A minimalist finish is perfect for modern bedroom ideas in rooms that are somewhat constrained from a spacial perspective – their fuss-free look takes up less visual and physical space.

“Following the push for a more relaxing and tranquil lifestyle, many homeowners are opting for a minimalist interior look in their own homes," says Stephany Aubrey, brand specialist at Zinus. "As well as decluttering the home of any non-essential belongings, consider incorporating more multifunctional pieces to maximise space in each room. For example, the bedroom is often crammed with storage furnishings that are often not needed. We’d recommend downsizing your storage space to one unit that offers both a hanging function for clothes as well as shelves for books.”   

Stephany Aubrey

Brand specialist at Zinus, Stephany is perfectly placed to offer style tips and advice on all things sleep. From bed frames to mattresses and stylish accent chairs, Zinus' aim is to bring happiness into a home.

2. Don't waste the space under your bed

If you have space beneath your bed then make proper use of it – avoid just squeezing in all the things you don't know what to do with in a haphazard fashion to gather dust at all costs.

Underbed storage is the perfect way to keep things organised and out of the way and is also a great one for children's bedroom ideas as it can be used to house toys. Slimline boxes on castors make so much sense as they slide easily in and out and if they are clear you can easily see their contents.

The Orthex Smartstore Bedroller, from A Place For Everything, shown here has a split lid so you don't even have to roll it all the way out to access the contents. 

3. Carve out shelf space in your bedroom walls

Any kind of bedroom storage that won't eat into your floor space is perfect for small rooms. One of the cleverest ways to make extra storage is to use your walls, building in nooks and alcoves to house all manner of items you need close to hand. 

If you are building a stud wall you will have the perfect opportunity to do this, while those working with solid walls will be a bit more limited.

Here, the shelf that now runs the full width of the bedroom features hidden LED lighting which turns it into a feature and adds a cosy feel to the whole look - a great way to bring bedroom lighting ideas and storage together.

4. Opt for furniture designed for smaller spaces

It is no longer essential to take the bespoke route if you are trying to save on your new bedroom costs – there are many furniture items available designed specifically to take up little space while still fulfilling the storage needs of homeowners. 

This Oxford Gentleman's Chest from The Painted Furniture Company comes in a whole selection of colours and features both hanging and drawer space – even better bespoke sizing is also available. The design here would be ideal for anyone looking for neutral bedroom ideas.

5. Use colour to help your storage blend in 

You should be thinking about your storage solutions alongside your bedroom colour scheme as well as your layout – they can all add up to a space that feels much larger than it really is.

Get clever with your paint designs and match wall colour to your furniture and it will almost seem to disappear due to the camouflaging effect. Anyone after green bedroom ideas will like this one – The Twinny locker from Mustard Made, in Olive, matches the wall panelling colour perfectly. It also has a pleasingly neat design that offers storage without the bulk. 

"Choosing a slimline design such as a locker can help to maximise the vertical wall space without taking up too much of the floor," explains Becca Stern, creative director and co-founder of Mustard Made. "For an added pop of personality, look for a coloured storage solution, the versatile nature of freestanding storage means it can be easily shuffled around or swapped out to another room if you change your colour scheme later down the line.” 

Becca Stern

Becca is creative director and co-founder of Mustard Made, along with sister Jess. Mustard Made specialises in metal lockers in all kinds of styles and colours and is the result of the sisters' meticulous research into creating perfect products.

Three colourful storage units we love

6. Hide a desk behind doors for a streamlined look

Not everyone has space for a dedicated home office, in which case, you might need to account for one within your bedroom storage design. It's one of the benefits might find important if you're debating between fitted wardrobes vs freestanding wardrobes.

Happily there are now many companies out there who are well-aware of the need for multi-tasking furniture and how many people are hunting for office spare room ideas. 

"Opting for bespoke furniture is a good idea as not only can you make the most of every inch of the room, you can also choose designs that work for your own personal circumstances," points out Adam Brown, director at The Painted Furniture Company. "For example, if you have a large shoe collection, you could specify additional shoe storage in a wardrobe, or drawers of a specific size and depth." 

Adam Brown

The Painted Furniture Co. brand was launched in 2010 by husband-and-wife Adam and Rosy who were were keen to move away from bland furniture and had decided to swap more traditional lacquer for paint.

On a whim they asked one of their oak collection suppliers to paint a few pieces in a nice grey-green colour. The supplier responded with an oak dresser painted in a colour Adam and Rosy refer to as 'Rockford'. And with that piece, their first Cotswold collection was born.

7. Make it easy to find all your essentials 

In a small space, order is key. What that means is prioritising that anything that makes finding all the essentials you need on a weekly basis as simple as possible when developing your bedroom ideas.

Take inspiration from the studio apartment trend for open hanging rails and keep your outfits on view to make getting dressed in the morning simple. Team that with open shelving organised with clear storage boxes for foldable items and you can actually look forward to putting away your clean laundry. 

The storage boxes and rails here are from Orthex Group.

8. Stick to a light neutral colour palette throughout

Pale shades are a popular choice when it comes to small bedroom colour schemes as they really help to visually open up a space and add a fresh airy look.

Looking for grey bedroom ideas? Take note of this one. Here, a cohesive finish has been achieved by sticking to the same light grey shade for the full height cupboards that make up the wall the bed comes off. Making the subtle shift to a pale blue for the wall next to the bed allows it to stand out, while the shallow floating shelves making a handy spot for displaying decorative objects.

9. Choose a bed that offers built-in storage

When it comes to bedroom storage ideas, it is best to opt for pieces of furniture that incorporate storage in small spaces and, being the principal item in a bedroom, it makes sense if the bed features somewhere to shuffle bulky belongings such as bedding, coats and towels neatly away. 

"When space is an issue, choose multi-functional furniture such as beds with underbed storage," says Adam Brown. "Underbed drawers offer great storage for packing away out-of-season clothes and using vacuum bags will ensure you make the most of the space available."

10. Invest in a few space-saving gadgets

There are lots of nifty storage solutions out there, many of which offer flexibility in that they slide, tuck or fold away when not needed. 

If you are struggling to find space to hang clothes that need to remain crease free or need somewhere to air damp garments, the Orderly Ecru Retractable Hanging Rail from Joseph Joseph would come in useful as it can be screwed to the wall or a door and folds away when no longer needed. 

11. Select multipurpose items of furniture

Ottomans are such useful items of furniture, offering storage, seating and a comfortable look all in one - the perfect multipurpose item for small bedrooms and also ideal for providing storage in children's rooms. 

“A box room often gets overlooked due to its compact and tight size; however, with a little creativity anything can be achieved in even the smallest of spaces," says Stephany Aubrey, brand specialist at Zinus. "Consider opting for multi purposeful furniture that can accommodate different activities and tasks at any point of the day.” 

The Mystica Ottoman Storage Bench in Blush Pink here is from Sue Ryder.

FAQs

Are storage beds comfortable?

Many people worry that buying a bed that incorporates storage beneath will mean compromising on comfort. However, this needn't be the case providing you choose with care. 

You can still choose a mattress that works for you and often the comfort levels of a bed are all hinged on this element as opposed to the frame itself. Be sure to check how sturdy the frame of the bed is as this will play a large part in its comfort. 

How tall should a bedside table be?

Bedside tables are something of a must - even in small spaces. That said, to ensure you can use your table comfortably, it needs to the the right height. The majority of interior design experts out there suggest choosing a bedside table that is around the same height as the top of your mattress - or at most two to four inches higher.

Be sure you measure from the floor to the top of your mattress before shopping for bedside tables. Wall hung tables either side of the bed work well in small rooms too - and can be positioned wherever you find is most comfortable. 

Good storage plays a large role in ensuring a small bedroom looks and works well, but it needs to be planned in alongside bedroom layout ideas that take into account the size and shape of the space too if the whole thing is to come together well.