Bedroom storage ideas- 36 smart solutions to kerb the clutter

Your bedroom has to feel calm and orderly for a good night’s sleep. So if the floor’s strewn with shoes and the bedside tables stacked with clutter, then you’ll definitely need these bedroom storage ideas and solutions to turn things around.

When looking for new bedroom ideas, storage is one thing that can be overlooked. It’s not as exciting as choosing a colour scheme, or planning out what lighting you want, but it is important to your overall space.

‘Your bedroom should be your sanctuary and clear of clutter or anything work-related, so your mind can rest,’ says Vicky Silverthorn, Professional Organiser at You Need A Vicky. ‘It’s not meant to be a dumping ground, so don’t have anything in your bedroom that you don’t use in there.’

Bedroom storage ideas

Whether it’s a lack of wardrobes, drawers or hanging space, making your bedroom feel less cluttered and crazy and more calm and curated takes just a few simple changes. We’ve asked the experts for their top tips too, so there’s no shortage of smart storage to help you create your perfect sleep space.

1. Take under-bed storage to new heights

Get the most from limited floor space with a built-in high sleeper made from storage units for a child’s or guest bed. Hanging curtains at either end will turn it into a cosy den for young children, or give teenagers a sense of privacy. Here the homeowner has added custom ply doors to standard Ikea kitchen base units, which creates a bespoke look.

2. Create a bed-end bank

Boost bedroom storage with a row of low cabinets at the end of the bed- great in a study-bedroom for books and paperwork. Make sure the cabinets roughly matches the width of the bed, even if you have to put a couple side by side, and paint in the same shade as the headboard, for a cohesive look.

3. Store books under the bed

Great for kids rooms and adults alike, keep books stored upright under the bed so you can see their spines. It means you won’t need to go far each evening to grab your current read, plus it frees up space on shelves and in bookcases, elsewhere in the room. This way of storing your books make for a colourful display and for lovers of unity, try arranging the books in colour order instead.

4. Invest in built-in

‘A built-in headboard with bedside cabinetry is a good option for maximising storage space in the bedroom,’ says Simon Tcherniak, Senior Design at Neville Johnson. ‘It can incorporate reading lights, niches for books, small drawers for medicines, large drawers for additional clothes storage, and cable management for charging devices overnight. Our Contemporary Willow Bedroom is a fantastic option for individuals looking to maximise storage space in smaller bedrooms.’

‘Bespoke fitted wardrobes also provide a good solution to maximising storage space in the bedroom. It is amazing how much storage you gain by going high up the wall, and if you make the wardrobe no deeper than it needs to be, your room will still feel spacious. Your designer can measure exactly what needs to be housed or displayed and make sure that it will all fit, look good and be accessible.’

5. Go for a wall-hung wardrobe

Here the homeowner has repurposed Ikea Platsa cabinets (minus the feet) as wall hung- alcove storage, each with a pull-out clothes rail inside for hanging shirts and jackets face-on. Perfect for easing the pressure in your main wardrobe to keep your working wardrobe crease-free.

6. Make the most of ceiling heights

If your bedroom is more of a box room and a wardrobe takes up too much space, a wall-to-wall run of chests and ceiling-hung rails will let you pack in a lot of stuff. Give simple off-the peg drawers a new look by painting them a shade of your choice, then topping with a length of wood such as oak, pine or even plywood. 

7. Build a bespoke hide-away vanity unit

This built-in alcove idea maxes 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.

Folding doors shut away the clutter when not in use and a handy stool can be neatly stowed away in the fireplace recess.

8. Streamline a row of wall hung units

If your bedroom space doubles as your work space this row of cupboards will be the perfect place to stash files and paperwork.

Paint a row of handleless cabinets the same colour as the top half of the wall behind them, then use the bottom edge of the cupboard as the level for a lower band of colour, making the storage blend in. Carry the band of colour all around the room for a cohesive bedroom paint idea.

9. Store out-of-season clothes under the bed

If you’re squeezed for wardrobe space, gather up any out-of-season clothes that aren’t currently being worn and store underneath the bed in pull-out drawers. Measure under-bed space before you buy – lower beds will require a shallow drawer – and opt for drawers with lids or covers so belongings don’t get dusty.

Buy now: Willow underbed lined storage, £60, John Lewis

10. Build your own dressing table

Struggling to find a dressing table or console to fit a small bedroom? Solve the problem by making your own bespoke piece using a set of screw-on table legs. 

These industrial-style hairpin legs come in a range of cheery colours and different heights – just add a length of reclaimed wood or an off-cut of kitchen work surface for your table top.

Buy now: 28inch Hairpin desk and dining table legs, £61, The Hairpin Leg Company

11. Tackle small items with baskets

Use boxes, baskets, bins and trays to maximum capacity and have storage that’s both efficient and pleasing to the eye. The right containers are essential to making any space look neat, even at a moment’s notice – just toss things in and you’re done.

This wicker basket is not only perfect for dividing and conquering pillows and throws, it also looks pretty and creates an interesting feature in this rustic, relaxed bedroom scheme.

12. Tame an untidy wardrobe

Space at the bottom of wardrobes often gets forgotten about. Separate short and longer-hanging pieces so you can access floor space more easily, then invest in stacking boxes that can be arranged to fit. Clear boxes allow you to see what’s inside at a glance.

Buy now: Songmics clear stackable boxes, £52.99 for six, Amazon

13. Squeeze in extra shelf space in a teen bedroom

Make every inch count in a small box room or teenager’s bedroom. Instead of fitting a headboard, box in the space behind the bed and run shelving wall-to-wall so there’s somewhere to store bedside essentials.

Paint a cheery shade – we love a sunny yellow bedroom – and add a neat wall-hung shelf in place of a bulky bedside table.

14. Add a longline shelf to display pretty knick-knacks

Combine storage and display space with a longline picture shelf positioned above a bed. Wooden wall panelling is an easy way of covering an uneven wall and will add a layer of insulation so bedrooms feel warmer. Finish off panelling with a narrow picture shelf and paint wall and woodwork in the same soft shade.

15. Keep floors clutter-free

Save on floor space in a small bedroom by opting for neat wall-hung night stands rather than floor-standing bedside tables. With a storage drawer and shelf space for an alarm clock and bedside read, keeping floors clear helps create the illusion of extra space.

Buy now: Oak floating bedside table, £110, Urbansize

16. Transform a chest of drawers into clever shelf storage

Wall hang two basic drawer units (minus the drawers) to provide deep storage for clothes and shoes, and save on precious floor space. Add a length of dowel to create useful hanging rails, too.

17. Get your jewellery sorted

Hang a panel of corkboard between the brackets of a wall shelf to create a clever space to hang jewellery and help clear surfaces. Loop necklaces over smart pins and hang earrings by pushing them straight into the cork. Keep boxes and baskets on top of the shelves for extra storage.

18. Maximise your space with a clever storage headboard

Providing handy shelves and hidden storage, this DIY headboard idea also doubles as a bedside table, freeing up more space in a compact room. Team with a storage divan to stash away bedding and out-of-season clothes.

19. Double up on desk space and bedside storage

For bedrooms that double as home offices (or homework rooms) this fold down desk blends storage with table top space. Finish the interior of the desk in a contrasting shade for a pop of colour when pulled down.

Buy now: IVAR Fold down table, £128, IKEA

20. Fit alcove cupboards

Built-in floor-to-ceiling storage puts alcoves either side of a bed to best use. Connect them with a full-width headboard in the same colour to give you a streamlined shelf for books and other bits. Green is a restful choice that’s perfect for bedrooms. And why not fill the gap with a panel of flamboyant wallpaper?

21. Pop a bookcase-turned bench at the end of the bed

Place a sturdy shelf unit on its side to create a bench with storage cubbies to sit at the end of the bed. Perfect for basketfuls of shoes or spare bedding. We added old feet for a pretty detail but you could also consider using castors – particularly if you are adapting this as a moveable storage child’s bedroom idea.

22. Store behind the door

Use over-the-door hooks, a key organiser and a kitchen rail to keep your favourite accessories ready to grab and go. You could even consider adding a magnifying mirror to the mix.

S-hooks can hold anything from shoes to bags to scarves to umbrellas – but make sure you double up support for heavier items. So the overall effect doesn’t become too messy, try to use fixtures from the same range (try IKEA, Clas Ohlsen or The Holding Company for a good selection) and curate accessories in a complementary colour palette.

23. Create a neat styling station

Spice racks don’t have to be confined to the kitchen! Here, a stack of three are fixed to the bedroom wall to serve as mini shelves for hair products and make-up kit, for speedy morning sessions.

Note the third rack has been attached upside down, and s-hooks added, so towels don’t end up on the floor and your hair dryer or straighteners needn’t be left in a tangle.

24. Add high shelves near the ceiling

In a box room, make a feature of a high shelf on decorative brackets, with grab-handled baskets that fit flush to the ceiling, for storage that doesn’t intrude into the space. Keep bedtime reading easily accessible on a magazine rack mounted to the wall. Piles of cushions allow this bed to double as seating during the day.

25. Make space for bedside essentials

Free-up extra bedside space by swapping your regular table top lamp for a hanging pendant. Position one either side of the bed, hanging them slightly above pillow height so you aren’t dazzled by the bulbs and so you won’t bang your head on them.

Buy now: Kornsjo side table, £35, Ikea

26. Squeeze in a skinny vanity unit

Think you can’t fit in a make-up station? Think again. this repurposes a shoe storage idea from IKEA and is just 22cm deep and works as a dressing table in a tight space.

We added leather handles to make it extra special, while the storage inside doesn’t need to be used for shoes – you could use it to stash away beauty products or linens and towels. A half-painted wall makes a feature of your furniture.

27. Scale-up bedside storage

If floor space isn’t an issue, swap a standard bedside cabinet for a storage-heavy option, such as a double cabinet or chest of drawers, so surfaces stay clutter-free. This fun locker-style cabinet comes in a range of bright colours with adjustable shelf and TV cable outlet inside.

Buy now: The Lowdown in blush, £249, Mustard Made

28. Keep work clutter contained

If your bedroom doubles up as your work space too, arrange your set-up so that work doesn’t dominate the room. Opt for a desk that can work as a dressing table too and designate some wardrobe space to work kit so that everything can be stored out of sight when work is done.

29. Stack, slide and style your bedside tables

Modern bedside tables make versatile storage in master bedrooms or guest rooms. A single drawer is enough to hold bedside essentials or small toiletry items, so the space underneath acts as a mini book stack when traditional shelving is not an option.

Reserve the top surface for bedroom lighting, your current book and any other items you like to have immediately to hand.

30. Go all-out with bedside storage for little ones

Leave no excuse for an untidy bedroom with a super-sized storage bed. Drawers and cubbies on two sides will help corral bedside clutter, plus a large under-bed drawer will hold bulky clothes and bedding. Made of untreated pine, it comes ready for painting or customising.

Buy now: Yann storage bed with base, £399, LaRedoute

31. Go for classic wooden drawers

Keep things traditional in a country bedroom scheme. Choose a chest of drawers in keeping with other furniture in your room and stow it next to your bed so it can also function as a bedside table.

Hang a pretty mirror above it and keep a smart upholstered chair nearby which can also serve as a dressing table. If space is too tight for a foot-of-the-bed storage chest, go for a basket instead – it’s perfect for storing extra linen and bits and bobs.

This glorious scheme is brought together by a fabulous backdrop of full-on floral bedroom wallpaper idea.

32. Reflect on fitted wardrobes

Mirrored wardrobes seem to be a little out of favour these days, but don’t rule them out. This fabulous bedroom is the all the more stylish for its smart fitted furniture – follow its lead by going for pairs of slimline mirror inserts rather than full mirrored doors.

The run of oversized round handles adds a quirky touch. When designing a fitted wardrobe, balance the space you will gain for storage against the space you will ‘lose’ in the main room.

Decide where your hanging, drawer and shelf space will sit – in your wardrobe or within the main room? When designing mirrored doors, bear in mind how they will reflect the room – here, the play of floral wallpaper is kept in check by the white painted ceiling and suggests another space beyond the wardrobe.

33. Double up with your alcoves

Design a bedroom around your storage requirements. If you have a large chimney breast with alcoves either side, use it as the central device in your decorating scheme and place your bed in front of it. Fit alcove shelves for book storage and decorative display so you won’t need to provide floor-standing shelves or cupboards.

Be clever with fitted alcove units and design them low enough to function as bedside cabinets. Go for hanging bedside pendants rather than table lamps so you can free up surface space for additional storage or display.

34. Plan wisely with hidden storage

Make the most of your wardrobe space with a neat, discreet storage unit. A combination of drawers, shelves and rattan boxes creates a stylish dressing table that wouldn’t look out of place in a Scandinavian household.

Great for keeping things concealed, simply close the doors to tuck it all away, keep your bedroom scheme looking sleek, streamlined and best of all, clutter-free.

35. Shape up with unusual shelving

Make a display different by swapping flat shelves for hexagonal boxes and papering the insides. This unusual shelving idea is both functional and fashionable.

In these calm colours a bedroom can double as a quiet office space (and your desk can be a dressing table, too). Contrast grey with a warm, cheerful colour. Soft yellow is the perfect foil to pale grey, giving a gentle contrast in the bedroom.

36. Fit panelling-cum-shelving

Short on display space? Think about building an alcove shelf into the unused section of wall behind the bed. The shelf visually frames the bed and acts as a mantelpiece to a host of trinkets, vases, books and artwork, adding much-needed interest in a small space.

Play it safe by painting it white and work colour in with accessories for a look that can be changed year-on-year with minimal fuss.

How can I maximise my bedroom storage?

‘Bedroom storage should be planned and considered carefully, with not just aesthetics in mind, but also practicality- especially if you are working with limited space’, says Vicky.

If you are redecorating or creating a whole new bedroom design, built-in storage is an excellent option. Fill a long wall with wardrobes, or make the most of alcoves and recesses in a period property to create a more streamlined, functional space.

Alternatively if your bigger pieces of essential bedroom furniture are doing the job, and you just need to get your bedroom organised, simple storage ideas, such as decorative wall hooks are an easy solution. For instance, you could use a long row of hooks to tidy up your jewellery and make space in your cupboards.

‘When it comes to bedroom storage, it’s important to consider all the different items you need to stow away,’ says Rachel Nimz Taylor, Bedroom Buyer for dwell. ‘Most of us need clothes storage, which may be in the form of drawers, wardrobes or even under-bed storage boxes for those that are short on space.’

‘If you’re trying to maximise the space you do have, we always recommend getting the most out of your furniture and opt for bedside tables with integrated drawers. This will provide you with the accessibility and surface area of a tabletop with the storage capability of a chest of drawers.”

How do I add storage to a small bedroom?

Freestanding storage works in large and tricky small bedrooms alike. Ranging from a simple chest of drawers to matching bedside tables or exposed shelving units, there are multiple ways to tidy up your treasured possessions.

Don’t underestimate the value of a dressing table; it has the ability to store all of your clutter and provide a well-lit space to do your make-up. All while adding a fabulously stylish finishing touch to your bedroom space. Extra drawers always come in handy!

‘Bedroom storage doesn’t have to mean investing in big, bulky and often overbearing furniture, or stuffing every cupboard in the house to bursting, says Phillipa MacDermott, Head of Buying & Merchandising at Feather & Black. ‘You can be clever with storage by opting for an ottoman bed for example, which offers generous internal storage space under the mattress base. Similarly beds with in-built drawers offer discreet, space saving storage as they take up no extra room.’

‘For smaller bedrooms it’s worth looking at narrower profile furniture options. Our Aubrey range includes bedsides and a tallboy chest of drawers, which are designed specifically with this in mind.’

How can I organise my small bedroom without a wardrobe?

‘Ottoman beds are the best for maximising storage space and storing seasonal clothing, bedding and things that you don’t need to access often, such as luggage or hiking boots,’ says Vicky. ‘Alternatively, go for pull out drawers or boxes.’

‘Storage benches or chests at the foot of the bed are also a worthwhile addition, not only can they double up as a seat but their positioning will extend the bed out rather than you trying to squeeze storage into another area of the room. They also provide a great place to store shoes, bedding and blankets,’ advises Rachel.

‘For maximum accessibility, beds with built-in drawers are a great way to keep personal belongings out of sight and out of mind. They’re also a practical piece of extra storage as that don’t take up any additional space in the room.’ 

‘There are several ways you can maximise the amount of storage space in the bedroom,’ says the interior experts at Silentnight. ‘Firstly, smart storage beds provide the optimal solution for keeping clothes, bedding, and other essentials out of sight, whilst also maximising space.’

“Another way of maximising space in the bedroom is vacuum packing seasonal items of clothes that you no longer need. This is likely to free up underbed storage and additional room in your wardrobe.”

Additional words by Lisa Fazzani

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