Simple Bedroom Storage Solutions
There are few moving challenges more difficult than going from a bedroom with a huge walk-in closet to one with virtually no closet space at all. Large closets were often considered a luxury item until recent decades, and many older homes only include one or two small ones – if they have any at all in the room! When you don’t have the closets that you need, other bedroom storage solutions can provide you with space to store everything from shoes to clothes to extra bedding.
Dressers and Chests
One of the easiest and most common bedroom storage solutions is the dresser. Also known as a chest of drawers, a bureau, or a lowboy, this item of furniture has been in widespread use since late medieval times in Europe. Dressers typically include several drawers that are stacked on top of each other – and sometimes side by side – to store clothing, bedding, and other items. Often, the top of the dresser is flat, and a mirror may be mounted there. This provides an ideal place to get ready for your day.
Chests are quite similar to dressers, but are often taller and include more drawers. They are also much less likely to include a mirror. While a six-drawer dresser is likely to have two sets of three drawers side-by-side, a similar chest is more likely to stack all of the drawers on top of each other. Chests are often paired with dressers and may be considered slightly more masculine.
Armoires and Wardrobes
If you’re missing the option of hanging your clothing, consider an armoire or wardrobe. Armoires are often large pieces of furniture with two doors that open to reveal shelves and drawers, and some include a bar for hanging items inside. A sliding door wardrobe will provide even more storage space, and acts like a long closet along the wall. Entertainment armoires are a popular bedroom storage solution for the television or stereo system, and the doors allow you to hide the equipment out of sight.
Another, similar bedroom storage solution is an open wardrobe. As the name suggests, this type of wardrobe doesn’t include doors to hide your clothing. Instead, they typically offer more storage drawers, hanging rods, and shelves at a lower price. These wardrobes can be a perfect solution for studio apartments and small bedrooms.
Trunks and Benches
A trunk is a great bedroom storage solution for extra blankets and bedding. Often made of wood, they can add a touch of old world elegance to your room. Most are comfortable enough to make an extra place to sit as well.
A better choice to combine storage and seating is a bedroom bench. While not every bedroom bench includes storage, many feature a lift-up seat that allows you to access the space inside. These benches can fit perfectly at the end of your bed, providing storage space and a place to sit while dressing or preparing for bed.
Storage Beds and Under Bed Storage
If space as at a premium in your room, consider a bed with built-in storage. Storage beds include drawers and shelves that are part of the bedframe itself, making them instant bedroom storage solutions. For even more storage and space savings, consider a wall bed or murphy bed with shelves and drawers in the wall unit.
Not ready for a new bed yet? Why not add storage to the one that you already have? Underbed storage units are often made to fit under specific beds, but if you have space and the unit will fit, there’s no reason why you couldn’t add one.