Shoebox bedroom? Here’s how to save space

How to organise your ‘shoebox’ bedroom: 8 clever hacks from London designers

Popular Netflix makeover TV series like ‘The Home Edit’ and ‘Sparking Joy with Marie Kondo’ redefined the notion of tidying up by decluttering, organising one’s belongings in a smarter way and ‘sparking joy’ along the way. Students and new city dwellers in particular are desperate to make their ‘cosy’ rooms more inviting than a mere bed plus wardrobe set-up and the constant feeling of chaos that one misplaced item can create.

Design masters from Instrument Furniture (www.instrument.london) in London share eight clever DIY hacks that save you precious space, help store your belongings more efficiently and transform your bedroom instantly. From simply repurposing an old ladder for extra hanging space to making double use of the items you already have, here are eight ways to better organise your bedroom:

1. Superwardrobe

Having a wardrobe that can cleverly contain all your belongings is by far the ideal solution to give your bedroom a facelift. If your rental comes unfurnished and you want a one-off solution that solves all your storage problems for the foreseeable future, you could invest in a snazzy wardrobe with all the fancy compartments, like pull-out trouser rail, glass top drawers with perspex separators and spacious built-in drawer units for all your bits and bobs.

1. Horizontal ladders

If you are on a budget or do not have a wardrobe, an ingenious way to store your clothes is to horizontally mount the edge of a ladder to a wall and use it as an open wardrobe. Opt for an old wooden ladder for a unique look that does not break the bank. Make use of the extra storage on top of the ladder, where you can store hats or matching boxes to contain light bits and bobs. Bonus: it doubles as a drying rack and you can just leave the clothes there once dried. Say goodbye to folding clothes!

Another clever way to use a ladder is to mount it horizontally and flat on a wall, so that you can store your books on it. The best part about this hack is that you can make good use of wall space that is already busy in the lower part.

1. Corner rack

Oddly shaped walls can be tricky to work around. Try installing hooks and rods in the unoccupied corners of your bedroom for extra hanging storage solutions. These are perfect for bags, accessories and overalls – all within easy reach for when you rush out on a busy Monday morning.

1. Bedside desk or low chest of drawers

There is no need for that space-eating bedside table if it has little to no storage. If you, like many during the pandemic, have switched to working from home or online classes, you likely have a work desk in your room. If you move your desk near your bed, this can double as a nightstand for your reading light and those few essentials you need close by at night. Similarly, if you have a relatively low chest of drawers, it too can double as a bedside table.

1. Fold-down desk

Happy with your nightstand but still need some workspace? Look into fold-down desks. This is a good opportunity to pick a well-lit, Zoom-friendly backdrop before you opt for the blurred pile of clothes again as your background.

1. Extend wardrobe with end shelf

It may be worth trying to source a matching shelving unit to add to the side of your wardrobe, if possible. To instantly declutter your room, add matching baskets to store smaller items. Use the rest of the space for books and decorations.

1. Shoes on doors

Shoes can be awkward to store, render far too much vertical space unusable and can be an eyesore if left disorganised. Designers at Instrument Furniture recommend adding rails, shelves, pegs or hanging bags inside your wardrobe, on the inner panel of the doors, to both store your shoes and preserve them to last you longer, away from dust and sunlight.

1. Door hanging laundry bag

If you are still using your laundry hamper in a desperately small room or worse – not using anything at all, you may find it wiser to replace it with a flatter laundry bag that you can hang on your room or wardrobe door. Ideally, to keep it out of sight, you may wish to hang it on the inside of the door, should your wardrobe allow it.

With these space-saving hacks in mind, Instrument Furniture managing director Antanas Budvytis explains why clever bedroom storage is important: “As we find ourselves busier than ever, we have recognised the need to keep our private spaces open, airy, and uncluttered so that we can unwind and find the clarity we need to embrace each day and wrap it in the best decisions.”

If you are looking to give your bedroom more than a facelift, designers at Instrument Furniture suggest considering small things like positioning your bed against the window, installing mirrors to create the illusion of a larger space, adding plants and using lower-placed lights for a calmer atmosphere, or using blackout curtains to regulate your circadian rhythm and improve your sleep quality.