Finding inspiration for small bedrooms can be challenging, especially when you’ve got plenty of awkward spaces to fill. But it’s not impossible. With a little interior know-how, homeowners can work around even the most cramped areas. Using our 13 small bedroom storage ideas, you can say goodbye to cluttered drawers and chaotic wardrobes. Our bedroom furniture tips will teach you how to live in the possibilities of your compact space.
1. Under-bed storage
The area beneath your bed is often wasted potential. But with the right strategies, it can become a valuable storage spot for small bedrooms. The most accessible (and cost-effective) way to do this is to use storage boxes or drawers. When you need to store items like out-of-season clothing, shoes, or spare bedding, these can be easily slid under the bed frame and sealed away until needed.
If you’re looking for something unobtrusive, shop for drawers with built-in push-click mechanisms. Positioning these drawers towards the head of the bed rather than the foot can make it easier to access bedtime essentials without having to get out of bed!
2. Multifunctional furniture
Purchasing furniture that can perform dual or even triple functions can dramatically change the way a bedroom is used. Take the ottoman bed, for example. With built-in storage underneath, this is a higher-budget option for optimising under-bed storage.
The lifting mechanism makes it easy to access the storage compartment without disturbing the room's layout. Another option is multipurpose benches and storage Ottomans.
These pieces can act as seating, storage, and even coffee tables or side tables. For instance, a velvet bench with a glass top can function as additional seating when needed and then transform into a coffee table for guests!
3. Floating shelves/wall-mounted storage
Is flooring a premium in your small bedroom?
Don’t take up valuable space with large, freestanding shelving units; make use of wall-mounted storage! Placing floating shelves closer to the ceiling means you can add much-needed storage without overcrowding the space. Or, for something a little more personalised, create a feature wall. Arranging floating shelves in neat, linear rows can be an excellent way to display your favourite framed photographs or books.
4. Built-in wardrobe
Built-in wardrobes can be designed to fit into awkward architectural features, such as alcoves, sloping ceilings, or even around windows. Their customizability is ideal for oddly shaped bedrooms! Where standard furniture might not fit and waste precious storage space, built-in wardrobes allow you to fully utilise areas that might otherwise be neglected.
You could also integrate features like pull-out baskets and rotating racks for an extra storage element. Match the wardrobe's design and colour to your walls, and you may be able to make the wardrobe feel like a natural extension of the space.
5. Use vertical space
Speaking of custom-fitted furniture, at Rehome, we believe the best way to make a small room feel airier is by exploiting every bit of vertical space. The best way to do this is with floor-to-ceiling, custom-fitted solutions. Tall, built-in cabinets or bookshelves can draw the eye upward and create the illusion of greater space. It’s particularly effective when used in corners or along walls, where standard furniture might otherwise create a cramped feel.
For a more budget-friendly answer, hanging storage can be just as accessible! Hooks, pegboards, or even hanging organisers attached to the wall can keep accessories that don’t have a home off the floor.
6. Drawer dividers and organisers
No one wants their morning routine interrupted by haphazardly stacked drawers.
The best way to find everything you need is with dividers and organisers. Drawer dividers come in various sizes, so they can be used to organise socks, underwear, accessories, or even makeup. They’ll also prevent items from shifting around and becoming tangled or messy, which is great for drawers where different items need to coexist.
Best of all, if you’re constantly changing how and where you store things, drawer dividers are often adjustable. You can reshape them however you like!
7. Back of doors
An overlooked storage solution for small bedrooms is the back of the door. As another typically unused area, this approach to keeping your room clutter-free is all about careful space allocation.
One of the cheapest, most popular options is over-the-door hooks or racks. Hooks, for example, can hold coats, bags, hats, or even scarves, while larger racks can accommodate shoes or toiletries. But these organisers can be used for more than shoes: if you're really short on space, consider using them for craft supplies, cleaning materials, or even pantry items.
8. Compact furniture choices
When clutter becomes overwhelming, it may not be mess that’s dominating your space.
Sometimes, ill-sized furniture can make your bedroom feel overcrowded. Whether that’s bulky bedside tables or an unnecessary armchair, homeowners can open up their space with strategic furniture shopping.
Opt for furniture with a smaller footprint, like narrow bedside tables, slim dressers, or petite desks that provide just enough surface area for essentials.
9. Mirrored surfaces
The reflective quality of mirrors can be transformative in a small space.
By bouncing light around the room, mirrored surfaces can create a more expansive atmosphere. But what’s the best way to incorporate them into your bedroom? Purchasing a wardrobe with sliding mirror doors has two great advantages.
First, their sliding mechanisms will save space compared to traditional hinged doors. Then, there’s the reflective element: when combined with a light, neutral colour palette, a mirrored wardrobe can make a cramped bedroom feel twice as big.
10. Overbed storage units
You could also incorporate mirrored services onto the doors of over-bed storage units.
Fitted over-bed storage can be custom-designed to fit around your bed’s headboard, both in closed cabinets and open shelving designs. By using a combination of the two, you can strike a balance between storage and display.
When the doors are also mirrored, you can amplify light. These over-bed areas are the perfect place to store additional bedding, pillows and sheets for easy access. In the open sections, why not show off your favourite keepsakes?
11. Rolling storage carts
If you’re someone who likes to rearrange your room every other week, rolling storage carts can be a great, flexible option.
These easily movable storage boxes come in a range of heights, colours, and sizes. You can use them to store books, cosmetics, office supplies, or bathroom towels. Best of all, when you’re not using them, they can be wheeled out of sight!
Or, they can be used in place of other, more permanent furniture units. For example, a cart placed next to the bed can serve as a nightstand to hold essentials like a lamp or a glass of water.
12. Fold-down desks or tables
Staying with the idea of movable furniture, fold-down desks can provide a much-needed workspace in a room where a normal table would otherwise be impossible.
The foldable units can sit flat against a wall or inside a cupboard when you don’t need them: this way, you can have a dedicated workspace without the permanent bulk of a traditional desk.
Use them as a station for hobbies, like painting or writing, then simply fold away when finished!
13. Pegboards for accessories
Jewellery lovers can keep their favourite pieces in arm's reach with a pegboard.
These cheap and easy-to-install boards can be customised with hooks, shelves, and small containers to accommodate accessories. For example, hooks for belts and watches can make the board a multi-functional bedroom organiser.
You could opt for a minimalist wooden pegboard with a natural finish, or paint it to match the room's colour scheme. If you're feeling creative, consider adding decorative mouldings or painting the dowels.
Shop for used and ex-display bedroom furniture with Rehome!
More often than not, the bedroom is where we keep our most valued possessions.
From family heirlooms to treasured photographs, as our memories grow, we may run out of places to store them. An annual bedroom refresh is the only way to stop clutter from piling up.
If you’re looking for budget-friendly pieces that won’t get in the way, shop for bedroom furniture with Rehome. Our ex-display and approved-used units will make the perfect addition to your compact bedroom. With everything from tables to storage, dressers to sideboards, we have solutions for even the smallest of bedrooms.
