BEDROOMS
Andrea Schumacher Interiors Make a canopy Swags and four-posters might seem a bit too Henry VIII for a modern bedroom, but a patterned fabric canopy is an unusual but effective way to add interest, as this scheme proves. Something along these lines would also be a good option in a rented room if you’re not allowed to redecorate the walls with paint. You’ll need two curtain rods to hang your canopy.
The owner wanted a distinct scheme for the bedroom, with darker colours and a feature wall behind the bed. Omar suggested a dark grey he wouldn’t tire of and that could be combined with slate grey and black. The super-king-size bed was a must-have, so Omar chose a floating design that wouldn’t be overly dominant. Under-bed units supplement the room’s storage. The bedroom gets very bright in the mornings, so heavier curtains were used in here, and built-in blinds also block light as well as creating privacy. Canton black lacquer nine-drawer chest, Lombok.
Keir Townsend Interiors SaveEmail Go up and over the bed If you lack both floor and wall space for storage, your only option might be to go over the bed. Before you dismiss the idea – imagining those dated Formica up-and-overs from back in the day – repeat the mantra: hotel style, hotel style, hotel style. That means filling the void with an upholstered headboard, fitting lights either side, and building in bedside tables to match. Swish…
Build it around a door Walls with doors on them tend to be dismissed when considering potential storage areas, but if you build the wardrobes up and over the door cavity, you can get lots of capacity. Also, if you choose the right fittings, it won’t be visually intrusive, which will heighten the sense of space. Which wardrobe doors to fit? Choose flush, push-click doors in a colour that tones with the other three walls in your room to blend them away.
Invest in an instant solution If you have a storage problem you want solved now(ish), an ottoman is a fast fix. At first glance, it’s a rather glam place to perch, but lift up the lid and there’s tons of space to stash away all sorts of things you might need to access quickly. Have yours painted or upholstered to tone with the bedroom and it’ll blend into the background rather than hog the limelight.
Use headboard space Why does this shoe storage idea work so well? Rather than recessing the bed under wall-hung cupboards, a false wall has been built to create an alcove for the shelving, so that when the cupboard doors are shut, they look like a wall and not a bulky storage unit. The downside? You sacrifice around 40-50cm of floor space – but in a long, narrow room, this can actually work to correct proportions.
Des Ewing Residential Architects SaveEmail Add personality to a loft Loft conversions can sometimes suffer from looking a bit blank and bland. In this stylish space, a wall of panelling behind the bedhead instantly adds character and personality. Breaking it up with intricate carved areas introduces texture and an exotic holiday getaway feel. However, keeping it white means it doesn’t ‘crowd’ the room.
STORAGE EVEN RIGHT BEHIND HEADBOARD FOR NOT OFTEN ACCESSED LONGTERM PAPERWORK
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