11 Small Bedroom Storage Solution Ideas

Organising a small bedroom can be tricky, but there are plenty of clever ways to make the most of your space. Our storage solutions include small adjustments like bedside tables and sets of drawers, all the way up to major investments like storage beds and wardrobes.

Key Takeaways:

• Beds can be smart storage solutions, from ottoman designs or beds with drawers to utilising empty underbed space with baskets and boxes.
• Choosing a narrow chest of drawers and an open wardrobe can leave you with more free floor space without sacrificing clothes storage.
• Desks and bedside tables with drawers double up on functionality without using extra floor space.

It’s easy for a small bedroom to become cluttered over time, especially if you don’t have enough room for a lot of storage.

When you have a lot of belongings and not enough places for them to go, it can lead to things being left out on surfaces, giving your room a hectic feel. This isn’t the best environment for relaxing and resetting from a busy day!

However, a few compact options and clever ideas like underbed storage and narrow furniture can help you take back control over your space. Our small bedroom storage ideas will make organising your room so much easier, even if you’re working with a tight layout.

1. Ottoman Storage Bed

One of the best ways to add some storage to your bedroom while keeping plenty of floor space open is to choose an ottoman bed.

The underbed storage is excellent for blankets, spare bedding and pillows, or even seasonal decorations stored in boxes.

Replacing your current bed with an ottoman is a big change, so it might not be suitable for everyone’s setup. However, it’s a great idea if you’re furnishing a new small bedroom from scratch or really need the extra floor space rather than it being taken up by more furniture.

2. Bedside Tables With Drawers

Your bedside table is a great opportunity to add some extra storage to your bedroom.

Rather than a basic table, look for options with drawers or cupboards. This can help you avoid cluttering up the surface of the table with glasses and books, giving you a clearer surface for more decorative pieces, such as a lamp or houseplant.

Choose a bedside table that’s approximately the same height as the top of your mattress (or within a few centimetres of that height). 

If your bedside table is too tall, it can make a small bedroom feel more cramped. However, if it’s too short, it can feel less accessible and look a bit awkward in your space. It’s best to find a comfortable middle ground!

3. Open Wardrobe

An open wardrobe has a much more minimalist look than a traditional wardrobe, which can help to make smaller bedrooms feel more spacious.

An open wardrobe also means you don’t have to consider door clearance in your room’s layout. This can be a major benefit in narrow bedrooms where there wouldn’t be enough space for a wardrobe door to swing outwards without blocking a walkway.

However, keep in mind that everything in an open wardrobe is always on display, so clothes may collect dust if not moved often. This means it’s more important to keep on top of organising and cleaning everything you store inside it. 

4. Slim Chest of Drawers

You might think that a classic, wide chest of drawers is your main option for storage drawers in your bedroom, but there are better options for small spaces.

Tall but narrow sets of drawers are great for clothes storage in compact rooms. They might not store quite as much as wider chests of drawers, but they’re perfect for small or easily foldable clothing items like underwear and shirts.

To maximise your clothes storage space, pair a tall, narrow chest of drawers with an open wardrobe which gives you room for larger items like coats and jackets.

5. Bed Frame With Drawers

Ottoman beds aren’t your only option if you want a bed frame with integrated storage. Some bed frames have built-in drawers, which offer convenient storage for bedding and clothes.

You do need to make sure there’s enough floor space in front of the drawers to open them fully. Also keep in mind that if your bedroom’s layout has your bed against a wall, you won’t be able to use a bed frame with a drawer that opens on that side.

While they usually don’t offer as much space as ottoman beds, drawers are quick and easy to use and can make organisation easier with their separate compartments.

6. Storage Bench

While they’re most commonly seen in hallways and boot rooms, storage benches can work well in bedrooms too.

They give you a space to sit down while you’re getting ready in the morning, along with space to store clothes or bedding. 

Their combined function means you won’t need a separate stool and cupboard, or another set of drawers, saving you some floor space.

7. Compact Bedside Tables

As well as the design and height of your bedside table, it’s important to consider its width.

A narrower bedside table can often fit neatly into small bedroom layouts without blocking walkways or taking up too much floor space.

Compared to a chest of drawers or wardrobe, your bedside table doesn’t necessarily need to be wide for effective storage. Smaller nightstands will still usually have space for a lamp, your phone and a coaster for a drink.

8. Shoe Storage Unit

Shoe storage units are a common hallway storage option, but they can work well in smaller bedroom spaces too. They’re a great way to keep a large shoe collection stored neatly away - but you don’t necessarily have to use them for shoes!

Their drawers are also great for storing books, magazines, and accessories like hats and gloves too.

9. Woven Baskets

Woven baskets are incredibly versatile storage options for small spaces. You can place them on top of your wardrobe, under your bed, or even inside drawers as organisers.

You can even stack baskets on top of each other to make use of vertical rather than horizontal space.

10. Desk With Drawers

If your bedroom has enough space for a desk, you should aim to choose one that also contains drawers to maximise your bedroom’s storage.

A smart idea is to pick a desk that can double as a dressing table, as you get double functionality without taking up any extra space.

In particularly compact layouts, you could position a desk to the side of your bed’s headboard instead of a nightstand. It’ll still give you a surface for a bedside lamp, but you can also use the rest of the surface for working.

11. Tall Bed Frame

Tall bed frames can be really useful if you plan on utilising underbed storage. 

You can put larger boxes or baskets under the bed than with a standard bed frame, giving you a lot more storage space.

If you just want some more space under your bed without replacing the entire frame, you could use risers which go under each leg and raise the overall height of your existing bed.

Choose The Right Storage For Your Space

Before you choose new storage furniture for your bedroom, think about what it’ll be used for and how it will work with the furniture you already have. 

If you have too many clothes and not enough space in your wardrobe, a slim chest of drawers might be the answer. On the other hand, if you already use your bedroom as a workspace, upgrading to a desk with storage might make more sense.

Looking for more ways to style compact spaces in your home? Read through our guides to furnishing a small dining room and choosing the right small sofa for you.