Small bedrooms are common in UK homes, especially in terraced houses, flats and loft rooms, and they have a familiar problem: clothes, bedding and bags go in and nothing comes out. The best fix is not another wardrobe, because there is often no space for one. It is to make the furniture you already have work harder, starting with the largest item in the room: the bed.
Start under the bed
The area under a bed is typically the largest unused space in a bedroom. A standard double bed has roughly 1.2 square metres of floor beneath it. You can use it in three ways:
- An ottoman bed. The whole base lifts on gas-assisted hinges to reveal one large compartment. It is ideal for bedding, off-season clothes and suitcases. See our ottoman storage beds.
- A divan with drawers. Optional drawers slide out from the side or end, suit everyday items and need floor space to open. See our divan beds and divan bases.
- A suitcase-style base. The suitcase storage hideaway divan base has discreet suitcase-style compartments for bedding and clothes.
A lift-up ottoman suits rooms where there is no space at the sides to open drawers. Drawers suit rooms where you need to reach items often. For more, see what to store in an ottoman bed.
Add a blanket box at the foot of the bed
If the foot of the bed is clear, an ottoman storage box adds more storage and a seat in one piece. Use it for blankets and bedding you use often, and keep seasonal items under the bed. See our ottoman storage box ideas for other uses.
Use the wall, not the floor
- Shelves above the bed or the door hold books and baskets without taking floor space.
- Hooks on the back of the door for dressing gowns, bags and coats.
- Wall-mounted bedside shelves instead of tables, which leave the floor clear.
Pick the right headboard
A headboard can add storage or space-saving benefits in a small room. A slim, smooth design, such as the flat minimalist modern headboard, takes up little depth. A taller headboard makes a room feel higher. Check our headboard range and choose one that fits under windows and sloping ceilings.
Choose the right size of bed
A bed that is too big takes away walking space. A Small Double (4ft) or a Double (4ft 6) often suits a small room better than a king. See our guide to small double vs double beds and our measuring guide.
Keep colours calm and light
Light colours and a single fabric tone on the bed and headboard make a small room feel larger. Avoid mixing too many colours and patterns. Mirrors opposite a window reflect light.
Fold, roll and bag
- Roll clothes to fit more in a drawer or ottoman base.
- Use breathable storage bags for off-season clothes, and avoid sealing natural fibres tightly.
- Store spare bedding with the bed, so the wardrobe is for clothes.
Declutter before you store
Storage fills up quickly. Before you add anything, remove items you do not use. Be realistic about what stays in the room and what could go elsewhere. A space with room to breathe feels bigger than one packed with clever storage.
A simple plan
- Choose a bed with built-in storage.
- Add a box at the foot of the bed if there is room.
- Use wall space for shelves and hooks.
- Keep the floor clear and the colours calm.
Storage ideas by problem
“I have no wardrobe space.”
Move off-season clothes to the bed. An ottoman bed holds a season’s clothing, leaving the wardrobe for what you wear now. Add hooks on the back of the door for bags and coats.
“I have too much bedding.”
Keep one spare set per bed, and store the rest elsewhere. A blanket box at the foot of the bed holds throws and spare blankets.
“The floor is always cluttered.”
Use drawers or an ottoman base for items that live on the floor. Under-bed storage takes things off the floor, and the room feels bigger immediately.
“I need somewhere to sit.”
A padded blanket box at the foot of the bed works as a seat. It saves space compared with a chair.
Cheap tricks that work
- Roll rather than fold, so clothes take less room.
- Use slim hangers to fit more in the wardrobe.
- Use drawer dividers to keep small items tidy.
- Hang a shoe organiser on the door.
What to avoid
- Too many small items on every surface
- Large furniture that blocks the walkway
- Dark colours in a room with little light
- Storing items you never use
Planning the bed first
Start with the bed, because it is the biggest piece. Choose a base with storage, and then plan the rest. Our beds include ottoman beds, divan beds with drawers and bases with suitcase-style storage.
Room-by-room examples
A box room with a single bed
Choose a single ottoman bed so that the base holds bedding and clothing. Fit a shallow shelf above the door and use hooks for dressing gowns. A slim, smooth headboard keeps the bed neat. See our single beds.
A flat with a double bedroom
Choose a double divan bed with drawers or an ottoman base. Use bedside shelves instead of tables, and keep a blanket box at the foot of the bed. The wardrobe can then hold only the clothes you currently wear.
A loft or sloping-ceiling room
Under a slope, low furniture and a low headboard make the best of the space. An ottoman base gives storage without needing tall units, and a floating low base keeps the profile low. See the floating low divan base.
A weekend storage plan
- Saturday morning: empty the wardrobe and drawers, and sort items into keep, store and donate.
- Saturday afternoon: move off-season clothes and spare bedding into the under-bed storage.
- Sunday: reorganise what remains, add hooks and shelves, and clear the floor.
This simple plan can free up more space than buying another piece of furniture.
Common questions
How can I add storage to a small bedroom without a wardrobe?
Use the space under the bed, with an ottoman base or drawers, and use wall hooks and shelves.
Is an ottoman bed good for a small room?
Yes. It needs no floor space at the sides to open, and gives one large compartment.
Do storage beds cost more?
A storage bed often replaces a separate chest of drawers or wardrobe, so it can save money and space overall. Compare prices across our bed range.
Every bed is handmade in the UK with free delivery to mainland UK in 5 working days and a 3-year warranty.
