Space Saving Storage Solutions for Children's Bedrooms

Children’s bedrooms typically tend to be the smallest rooms in the home and once you’ve added all the essential furniture, any remaining space might be limited. As half term approaches and therefore an opportunity to declutter and redecorate, we asked our resident expert, Sam Jones from Edward Thomas Interiors for his advice on space saving storage solutions…

Make furniture multi-functional

Yes, children’s bedrooms need essential furniture; a bed, wardrobe, chest of drawers. But can these be more efficient? Retailers like Ikea, Dunelm and Next Home have a great range of multi-functional beds with built-in storage. This can be an ottoman design with under bed space or a cabin bed that elevates the sleeping area and has built-in drawers and wardrobes – perfect for children’s clothes. 

Another great option is to choose furniture that can double as a seat, perhaps a low-level chest of drawers or trunk that can be positioned under a window. 

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Think vertically

If floor space is limited, then don’t overlook walls, doors and the ceiling. Floating shelves, hooks and pegboards are great for storing children’s books, toys, games, even their artwork! Over the door storage can be used for shoes, socks, toys and can be adjustable so children can reach. One of favourite storage options though is a ceiling or wall hammock. This is a great place for soft toys and works amazingly well with a jungle or under the sea theme as it looks like the animals are in the net or the treetops! 

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Choose temporary & interchangeable storage

We know that children like to collect things but also that their hobbies and interests change quickly. To make it easier to keep up, opt for baskets, storage cubes or stacking boxes in different configurations and sizes. Not only are these easy for children to get things out of (and put away again!) but they can be moved around more easily, or repainted and refreshed to give the room a whole new look. Another great hack is to use bed pockets and drawer inserts to help with organisation. 

Maximise the angles

Smaller bedrooms can sometimes have L-shape layouts or sloping ceilings and our advice is to embrace these. The great advantage of children’s bedroom furniture is that it’s not full size, so can fit into confined or low-level spaces more easily. If you’re struggling to find something ‘off the shelf’, consider commissioning a bespoke piece or upcycling. Try not to leave any dead space, add mirrors opposite natural light sources and keep the centre of the room clear, it’ll make it feel more spacious.

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Think outside the box (room!)

It’s inevitable that children’s toys will turn up in all corners of the house, so look to use transitional spaces for extra storage. This can be as simple as a cube unit on a landing or alcove, or something more sophisticated such as sliding drawers built-in under the stairs. The key is making it accessible for children so they can learn where everything goes and hopefully encourage tidiness!