Austin-Morgan Closets Blog
14 Ways to Get More Bedroom Storage
Once-worn clothes piled up on the chair, stacks of unread magazines teetering beside the bed, clothes spilling out of overstuffed drawers … sound at all familiar? If so, you are in good company. Finding a place to put everything in the bedroom is not easy, especially if your closet space is limited (or nonexistent). Here are 14 ways to maximize your bedroom’s storage potential.
1. Build in floor-to-ceiling cabinets.
Consider investing in tall, narrow cabinets or shelving. Surrounding a doorway on both sides looks balanced, and you can fit a surprising amount of clothing into a narrow space when it reaches all the way to the ceiling.
2. Use a tote to stow dry cleaning.
Do your clothes awaiting dry cleaning tend to pile up in an unsightly heap in the corner of the room? Dedicate a large tote bag or market basket to collecting dry cleaning, and the heap will be contained in one spot until you get a chance to go to the cleaner.
3. Go for an extra-wide dresser.
Does your dresser leave wasted space on both ends? Fill the entire wall instead with one long dresser (or a bunch of little matching dressers) to use every last inch. Filling the space from wall to wall can actually make your room look bigger, too.
4. Hang clothes for extra storage.
Take a cue from homeowner Tina Fussell and use a simple wardrobe rack to keep your favorite, prettiest pieces on display, freeing up room in the closet for bulkier pieces and basics.
5. Make a closet where there is none.
No closet in the bedroom at all? Transform one wall into a boutique-inspired closet with a combination of hanging rods, shelves and drawers. If you don’t want everything on display all the time, install a curtain in front. Austin-Morgan Closets can build you a custom wardrobe that will keep everything hidden behind doors.
6. Choose bedside tables with storage.
Tulip tables may look elegant, but if storage is an issue, you need something with drawers, shelves or a cabinet in that spot. Use the space to stow your bedside reading, of course — but if you have extra room, why not also tuck in extra sheets or a spare blanket?
7. Contain spare pillows and blankets in a big basket.
Your laundry isn’t the only thing that can get tossed into a great big basket — use one to corral wayward throw pillows and blankets, too.
8. Clean up your “floordrobe” with baskets and bins.
You know what I mean — those clothes that pile up on the chair, bench or floor that may have been worn once but aren’t really dirty. Instead of letting things get out of control, tackle the problem with a few dedicated baskets.
9. Build in extra storage around your bed.
Fill in blank wall space around and above your bed and you’ll multiply your storage options exponentially. Tall, narrow cupboards on either side of the bed can hold hanging clothes, while a cabinet above the headboard is the perfect spot for stashing books or off-season accessories. For safety, be sure that anything you hang over your bed is extremely secure.
10. Go all-in-one.
Make the most of an awkward space with custom built-in cabinetry that incorporates a headboard, nightstands and wardrobe. Aside from fitting your physical space to a T, a custom piece means you get to choose exactly the right storage combination for your stuff. Have little to hang but tons of sweaters? Go with more drawers and shelves. Love to read? Incorporate a bookshelf beside your bed.
11. Pick a bed with storage … or add your own.
Underbed storage has gotten sort of a bad rap in the past — but as long as you don’t overstuff the area, using it is really smart. Some beds, like the one shown here, come with storage compartments built in. If yours doesn’t, you can still use bins designed for this purpose, or give a few old wooden drawers new life by fitting them with casters and sliding them under the bed. Whichever storage option you choose, make sure it has a cover to keep dust out.
12. Seek out slim tables and wall mounts where space is tight.
Have only a sliver of space between the foot of your bed and the wall? You can still put it to use. Squeeze in a tiny bit more storage with a super narrow console or floating shelf to use as a dressing table, or wall hooks for necklaces and scarves.
13. Think outside the closet for shoe and accessory storage.
If space is tight in your closet, think about moving your accessories out into the open. Cubbie-style shelves work well for keeping shoes, hats and bags neat and easy to find.
14. Go supersneaky.
Have a really tricky space? You may need a not-so-ordinary solution — like the custom pullout shoe shelves shown here.