Ingenious Tricks to Make the Most of Your Bedroom
From spiffy layouts to clever cabinetry, these designs show how bedrooms big and small can be enhanced
Whether you have a cramped bedroom that needs to accommodate several elements or a bigger space that could be used more effectively – or luxuriously – check out these schemes. In each, the designer has cleverly added more functionality, with everything from a mini dressing table to a whole en suite.
With the foot of the bed pushed up to the window, there’s space behind for a simple desk, which includes a set of drawers to keep the surface uncluttered.
Beautiful forest wallpaper adds visual depth to the room. Although there’s a window at the foot of the bed, an internal window (visible on the right in the previous shot), boosts the light further, and means the wallpaper can be seen and enjoyed from the main living area.
See more of this one-bed flat revived by bespoke storage and bold design
Beautiful forest wallpaper adds visual depth to the room. Although there’s a window at the foot of the bed, an internal window (visible on the right in the previous shot), boosts the light further, and means the wallpaper can be seen and enjoyed from the main living area.
See more of this one-bed flat revived by bespoke storage and bold design
Carve out an en suite
Pushing the bed forwards to free up space behind the headboard is also at play in this scheme by van Ellen + Sheryn Architects and Jenny Luck Interiors, but on a grander scale. Here, an en suite is tucked behind a screen clad in western red cedar stained a dramatic charcoal.
Pushing the bed forwards to free up space behind the headboard is also at play in this scheme by van Ellen + Sheryn Architects and Jenny Luck Interiors, but on a grander scale. Here, an en suite is tucked behind a screen clad in western red cedar stained a dramatic charcoal.
The bathroom behind is light and roomy, with the bath positioned on the right-hand side so the couple can see a flash of burnished copper from the bedroom.
Tour the whole of this timber-clad house
Tour the whole of this timber-clad house
Steal space for a walk-in wardrobe
Here’s the idea again, but this time hiding a walk-in wardrobe. In this design by Adam Penton of Penton Architects, the screen stops short of the ceiling to keep an airy feel.
Here’s the idea again, but this time hiding a walk-in wardrobe. In this design by Adam Penton of Penton Architects, the screen stops short of the ceiling to keep an airy feel.
The owners didn’t want to sacrifice too much of the bedroom space, so the wardrobe area is narrow, but it’s enough to access clothes and accessories, especially as Adam used sliding doors on the wardrobes.
Read how a clever angled extension transformed this 1980s house
Read how a clever angled extension transformed this 1980s house
Design in a dressing room
In this home, the owners were happy to steal space from the newly created loft bedroom, but wanted more of a dressing room rather than just a walk-in wardrobe. So designer Yoko Kloeden created separate spaces using a full stud wall.
In the bedroom, this gave her the chance to add a niche above the bed, which meant she didn’t have to squeeze bedside tables into the narrow space.
In this home, the owners were happy to steal space from the newly created loft bedroom, but wanted more of a dressing room rather than just a walk-in wardrobe. So designer Yoko Kloeden created separate spaces using a full stud wall.
In the bedroom, this gave her the chance to add a niche above the bed, which meant she didn’t have to squeeze bedside tables into the narrow space.
Behind the divide, the sloping ceiling created the perfect spot for a dressing table, with light streaming in from the skylight above. A series of drawers on the left of this make use of the awkwardly shaped space in the eaves, while hanging rails run along the higher, partition wall behind (just seen in the mirror).
Take a closer look at how this dull 1930s house was revived
Take a closer look at how this dull 1930s house was revived
Borrow space from next door
This is an ingenious tweak by designer Claudia Dorsch. The child’s room was tight, even for a single bed. By borrowing a relatively small alcove from the bigger bedroom next door, Claudia has created a much more usable space. And the nook adds to the ‘den’ feeling of the cabin bed.
This is an ingenious tweak by designer Claudia Dorsch. The child’s room was tight, even for a single bed. By borrowing a relatively small alcove from the bigger bedroom next door, Claudia has created a much more usable space. And the nook adds to the ‘den’ feeling of the cabin bed.
The two rooms and borrowed nook can be seen on the left of this floorplan. The reconfigured wall also created an alcove by the window in the bigger room that’s perfect for a desk.
Explore more of this family home
Explore more of this family home
Sneak in a dressing table
This scheme really shows how bespoke cabinetry and tailored design can maximise a space. Claudia Dorsch has turned a small section of these fitted wardrobes into a useful and beautiful little dressing table, complete with a cupboard, drawers, a mirror and a little table that can be folded away, all topped with a pretty pendant light.
Completing the experience is a stool, which can easily be moved aside when necessary.
This scheme really shows how bespoke cabinetry and tailored design can maximise a space. Claudia Dorsch has turned a small section of these fitted wardrobes into a useful and beautiful little dressing table, complete with a cupboard, drawers, a mirror and a little table that can be folded away, all topped with a pretty pendant light.
Completing the experience is a stool, which can easily be moved aside when necessary.
If you have a chimney breast in your bedroom, check out this alternative way to incorporate a dressing table into bespoke cabinetry. The vanity area, designed by Stephen Nash of ALL & NXTHING for his own home, is actually very slim, and there would have been a recessed area between the wardrobes anyway, so it’s a great use of space.
The one thing that might potentially stick out too far – the stool – slots neatly into the old fireplace. And the doors across the front are bifolds, so they tuck back nicely when open.
Tour the whole of this house
The one thing that might potentially stick out too far – the stool – slots neatly into the old fireplace. And the doors across the front are bifolds, so they tuck back nicely when open.
Tour the whole of this house
Build in a fun feature
Here’s another way bespoke cabinetry can really enhance a home. Designer Mel Massey had this wall-to-wall unit built in her youngest son’s room. As well as having plenty of practical hanging, shelf and drawer space, it has a fun den, accessed via foot holes.
Later, when her son’s too big to sit up there, Mel can simply fit doors and use the space for storage.
Check out the rest of this family-friendly house.
Read more:
Tips to Designing of Bedroom: 7 Secrets to KnowThe Dos and Don’ts While Designing a Small Bedroom
Tell us:
Which of these designs appeals to you most? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
Here’s another way bespoke cabinetry can really enhance a home. Designer Mel Massey had this wall-to-wall unit built in her youngest son’s room. As well as having plenty of practical hanging, shelf and drawer space, it has a fun den, accessed via foot holes.
Later, when her son’s too big to sit up there, Mel can simply fit doors and use the space for storage.
Check out the rest of this family-friendly house.
Read more:
Tips to Designing of Bedroom: 7 Secrets to KnowThe Dos and Don’ts While Designing a Small Bedroom
Tell us:
Which of these designs appeals to you most? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
The bedroom in this small Paris flat was actually reduced in size slightly to maximise the living room, but the clever use of space by Lagom Architectes means it now works much harder.
A full wall of cupboards neatly takes care of storage, but the real genius is the headboard.