Most people try to live by the whole ‘new year, new me’ mantra, and end up re-assessing the situation come July. It’s an all-too-familiar pattern that plays out year after year, with enthusiastic resolutions made on January 1st quickly fading into distant memories. Statistics show that the average person only keeps up their new year goals for a maximum of two months, before letting them slip silently into the busy and hectic year ahead (once again). The cycle seems never-ending, yet we continue to make these grand plans every December.
One of the most common amendments to someone’s life is to transform their home, creating a re-vamped and updated haven. It’s all good and well kick-starting this in January, with Pinterest boards full of inspiration and Instagram saves of dreamy interiors, but come March, you may have only gotten as far as giving one wall a lick of paint, or purchased a new duvet cover to add a splash of colour to go with your desired ‘colour scheme’ (that never gets finished). The enthusiasm wanes as daily life takes over, and those grand renovation plans gather dust alongside the unopened paint tins. For me, I tend to start re-assessing my home when we approach July, which has led me to be very keen on improving my bedroom. Perhaps it’s the longer days and increased natural light that spark this mid-year motivation. It’s a room that works wonders when it’s spacious, clutter free and fresh looking, but for a room that contains all our clothes, accessories, and ‘bits’, how do we keep it like thus? It’s a challenge that requires careful planning and clever solutions.
So, in today’s post, I thought I’d be realistic and share with you some of the tips to get that bedroom of yours looking more spacious, and it’s all down to clever storage. We’re not talking about quick fixes or temporary solutions that’ll have you back to square one in a month’s time. Long gone are the days where we would start bringing in extra drawer units and stacking up wicker baskets around the room, creating more clutter while trying to solve the original problem. It’s all about being discreet but tactical about where to keep your belongings, so you don’t actually need to get rid of everything you own, but instead just store it wisely. The key is to work smarter, not harder, when it comes to organising your space.
Add shelves and be creative
If you don’t have the time or money to start adding new furniture to your room to update it, look further into the art of shelving. This cost-effective solution can completely transform your space without breaking the bank or requiring major renovations. You can create many shelving displays which add interest to a bedroom, such as shelves which attach onto walls, which can display statement accessories like candle holders, ornaments, or plants. The possibilities are endless, and the visual impact can be stunning. You can also get ones which simply line up over your bed, desk or blank wall. These can be used to create a theme, such as with a line of books, products, photographs or prints, adding personality and character to your space while serving a practical purpose.
Use shelves to display some creativity and set that theme going for the room. Think about colour coordination, spacing, and how different items can complement each other. Remember, if you have a small bedroom and you are running out of floor space, think ‘upwards’. The vertical space in your room is often underutilised, yet it offers endless possibilities for storage and display. Don’t attempt any stacking option in that one corner of the room that currently isn’t taken, it will look so messy! Utilise the walls and invest in some strong, sturdy shelves. Quality is key here – poorly installed shelves can be both dangerous and unsightly.
Opt for hidden storage
The key to being clever with storage and creating extra spaces for ‘stuff’ is to strategically incorporate them into furniture you already possess. This approach is particularly effective when it comes to your bed, which often represents the largest piece of furniture in your bedroom. However, it’s important to note that you can’t simply add storage to a bed that’s solid and doesn’t accommodate it – in such cases, the only viable option is to utilise the space underneath the bed. But we’re all familiar with how untidy and chaotic that arrangement can become! The same principle applies to wardrobes. People often resort to stacking belongings, boxes, and miscellaneous bags atop their wardrobes, but this approach inevitably creates a visually cluttered appearance and lends a disorganised, jumbled atmosphere to the entire room.
This is precisely where innovative solutions like a divan bed prove invaluable. A divan bed comes equipped with pull-out drawers, offering remarkable flexibility with options for 1, 2, 3, or 4 drawers depending on your specific storage requirements. The configuration can be customised to your needs – you might opt for drawers at the foot of the bed that pull outwards, or several drawers positioned along the sides of the bed, depending on what best suits your room’s layout. However, it’s crucial to carefully consider your bed’s placement before making your final selection. If you’re planning to position your bed against a wall, having drawers on both sides would result in two inaccessible drawers – in such cases, perhaps a single drawer at the foot of the bed would be more practical and efficient?
For those who find themselves guilty of creating towering storage solutions above their wardrobes, consider investing in fitted wardrobes that extend from floor to ceiling. This elegant solution maximises vertical space while maintaining a clean, organised appearance. We’ll delve deeper into this sophisticated storage option towards the conclusion of this post!
Consider an ottoman bed
I’ve dedicated a substantial section to bed storage because I genuinely believe it’s the most ingenious method of incorporating additional storage into your bedroom without consuming any extra floor space. While the divan bed option discussed above is excellent for storing everyday items like clothes, underwear, or smaller necessities such as skincare products, socks, books, and various other items you’d prefer to keep out of sight, there’s an even more capacious option available. Ottoman Beds offer an impressive storage solution that’s perfect for concealing a multitude of belongings!
Speaking from personal experience, having recently purchased an ottoman bed, I can attest to its remarkable storage capacity. The space beneath accommodates everything from suitcases (which themselves are filled with items!) to tools, gadgets, outgrown baby clothes, seasonal decorations, various bags, and numerous boxes of miscellaneous items – essentially, anything that requires storage can find a home there! Initially, we designated this space for bedding storage, but since reorganising our airing cupboard, we’ve discovered even more versatile uses for this generous storage area. These beds are particularly brilliant for hidden storage as they feature a lift-up mechanism that raises the entire mattress platform. Once lifted, the bed remains securely in position until you deliberately lower it, allowing you ample time to retrieve or store items without struggling to hold the bed up.
Make your storage look stylish
For those who tend towards untidiness or are working with compact bedroom spaces, the challenge of transforming storage solutions into aesthetically pleasing elements can seem particularly daunting. The key lies in making your storage appear intentional and stylish, rather than merely functional. One of my tried-and-tested solutions involves investing in sleek black card boxes, which offer a sophisticated and contemporary appearance. These versatile containers are perfect for housing those miscellaneous items that might otherwise create visual clutter when left on display. I’ve found that strategically stacking these boxes within wardrobes and drawers creates an organised system that’s both practical and visually appealing. To enhance accessibility and maintain order, consider adding smart, minimalist labels to these boxes, categorising contents such as ‘hats’, ‘tights’, ‘jewellery’, and other accessories.
Go for floor to ceiling fitted wardrobes
When it comes to maximising bedroom storage, fitted wardrobes that extend from floor to ceiling represent the pinnacle of space optimisation. These bespoke storage solutions eliminate the often-problematic gap between the top of traditional wardrobes and the ceiling – a space that frequently becomes a catchall for miscellaneous items, creating an unsightly display. Unlike their freestanding counterparts, fitted wardrobes can be precisely measured and crafted to your room’s exact dimensions, ensuring every centimetre of available space is utilised effectively. This tailored approach eliminates awkward gaps at the sides, maximising storage capacity while maintaining a streamlined, sophisticated appearance.
The beauty of fitted wardrobes lies in their versatility and adaptability to any bedroom size. Whether you’re working with a compact box room or a spacious master bedroom, a professionally designed and installed fitted wardrobe will seamlessly integrate into your room’s aesthetic. These wardrobes can be customised with various internal storage solutions, from hanging rails and shelving to drawer units and specialised compartments, creating an organised system that perfectly accommodates your clothes, accessories, and household items.
Did I miss out any other brilliant storage solutions? I’d love to hear your innovative storage ideas and experiences in the comments section below!
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