Sharing a small bedroom doesn’t need to be a ridiculously tight-squeeze for your kids – bunk beds, fold-out desks, tall wardrobes, and over-door storage can make a massive difference to your kid’s bedroom without eating into floorspace.
Ottoman Beds
Ottoman beds are the best storage solution for shared bedrooms because the mattress base is hollow and lifts easily on a hinge, revealing lots of hidden storage for extra bedding, out-of-season clothes, shoes, and other bits and bats.
All ottoman beds have a gas lift mechanism to help you open the heavy lid without breaking a sweat. One thing to look for is a bed with a locking mechanism.
That way, the lid will stay propped open securely while you or your kids rummage around for what you need inside. No more risky game of “don’t let it slam down on my head.”
Pictured: Jenson 4FT 6 Double Ottoman Bed. Priced £379 (Save £380 on RRP) Available from Bedstar.
Tall Wardrobes with Drawers
A storage powerhouse in a shared bedroom is a tall, narrow wardrobe with both hanging space and drawers. You can fit more clothing storage into a smaller footprint with tall furniture and built-in drawers, which provide a place to neatly store folded items.
If possible, choose a wardrobe with adjustable shelves and rods to reconfigure the interior layout as storage needs change. Measure carefully to ensure the wardrobe fits in your available space with room to fully open the doors.
Take Advantage of Door Backs
Over-the-door pocket organisers are inexpensive and easy to install on the back of your bedroom door – use them to store and organise small items like socks, underwear, accessories, and school or craft supplies.
For a more permanent solution, mount a towel bar on the door to hang bags, scarves, belts, or a laundry hamper. If the door is thick enough, you can even screw in a row of coat hooks along the top to hang jackets, bathrobes, or bags.
High Sleepers for Kids
Pictured: Julian Bowen Titan Highsleeper – Anthracite. Priced £476 (Save £323 on RRP) Available from Bedstar.
When furnishing a shared kids’ room, consider using two high sleeper beds to maximise floor space.
These tall beds have a loft sleeping area accessed by a ladder or stairs, with open space underneath that can fit a desk, dresser, play space or even another bed.
Some high sleepers also come with built-in drawers, shelves, or a closet. This frees up significant floor area in the rest of the room for toy storage, additional furniture or play space.
High sleepers are best for school-aged children; they aren’t safe for toddlers or preschoolers. Ensure the mattress is thin enough for the guard rail to work.
Fold-Out Desks
Some high sleepers and mid sleepers have a fold-out desk, or you can install one on one of the bedroom walls—you’ll need to ensure there’s clearance for it to open out, but it’s a fantastic idea for the smallest bedrooms.
Pictured: Birlea Leyton Cabin Bed. Priced £397 (Save £101 on RRP) Available from Bedstar.
Another option is a pop-up desk like a painter’s table – the narrow design should slide underneath your kid’s bed to maximise floor space.
Bonus Tips
In addition to these key furniture pieces, you can employ other strategies to eke out even more storage in a shared bedroom:
- Hang a shoe organiser in the closet for small toys, craft supplies or accessories.
- Install wall-mounted shelves to display and store books and decorative items.
- Use stackable clear plastic boxes on the top of your wardrobe.
- Hang hooks on the wall for bags, jackets, and necklaces.
- Get built-in wardrobes to make maximum use of vertical and horizontal space.
Even the smallest shared bedroom can provide adequate storage for two or more people. The key is to use vertical space, choose furnishings that do double duty, and keep clutter to a minimum with frequent organisation.