Small bedrooms always suffer from space-related conflicts, but I recently discovered a clever trick to make the most of every inch in a small room, and that involves ditching the ‘must-have’ part of the bedroom. Furniture.
Ditching your bedside table may seem like an impractical choice, but hear me out. I first came across this trick when former Interior Design Masters winner, Roisin Quinn, made the bold decision to remove the bedside table from her recent bedroom makeover.
I have to admit, I think it’s a wise decision. At least now that I’m over the shock of getting rid of this ‘essential’ piece of furniture. What’s more, design experts say this is a growing trend, especially in small bedrooms.
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If you’re the owner of a small bedroom, listen up because there are space-maximizing options that Roisin and our other design experts are using instead of traditional bedside tables.
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(Image credit: Roisin Quinn / Button & Sprung)
Now, when I first heard that Roisin had put bedside tables in her tiny bedroom, I was a little nervous.
‘But… where do you put your phone/glasses/book/other nighttime essentials you can’t live without?!’ I must have asked anxiously.
After all, we’ve all seen those minimalist homes with zero clutter on any surface, but here in the real world, I collect essential ‘stuff’ at a knot rate. And that stuff has to be put down *somewhere* at night.
Thankfully, eliminating bedside tables doesn’t mean no overnight storage. That means thinking outside the box of what that storage looks like.
(Image credit: Future plc/Simon Whitmore)
‘We didn’t have space for a traditional bedside table,’ explains Roisin. However, ‘I realized I rarely used it; I needed somewhere to put the essentials.’
Roisin’s solution? Ditch the bedside tables and add an alternative form of storage to the bedroom: namely, wardrobes.
And when it comes to keeping the overnight essentials you need close at hand? ‘We built shelves into the wardrobe instead,’ explains Roisin.
Roisin says it might be an outsider’s thinking, but ‘I absolutely love them. ‘It’s one of the best design decisions we’ve made in this room, and it keeps everything within easy reach while making the bedroom feel a lot less cluttered.’
(Image credit: Future plc / Dominic Blackmore)
That said, if your floor space is limited and you want to ditch your bedside table, a wardrobe isn’t the only option.
‘There are many space-saving options that offer both style and functionality,’ shares Roisin. ‘Floating shelves, narrow picture ledges or clip-on bedside trays provide convenient surfaces without taking up floor space, while wall lights free up rooms by replacing table lamps.’
‘A headboard with built-in storage or a bed with under-bed drawers or ottoman storage can also help keep essentials organised,’ advises Roisin.
The designer has a Button and Sprung Ottoman Bed In her room, with a statement headboard that draws the eye away from anything that might otherwise feel ‘missing’ in the room.
(Image credit: Future plc / Jonah Henderson)
According to design experts, Roisin’s choice also reflects a growing trend in bedroom design.
‘We’re seeing a move away from traditional bedside tables,’ says Emma Deterding, founder and creative director of the interior design studio. Calling Designs. ‘Especially in a small bedroom, where every centimeter counts.’
Rather than squeezing the room into cramped furniture like Roisin, Emma suggests using ‘more integrated solutions such as floating shelves, slim wall-mounted ledges or bespoke headboards with built-in niches’.
‘Each of these solutions will provide enough space for essentials while keeping your floor clean, instantly making the room feel lighter and more spacious,’ says Emma.
(Image credit: Future plc / Chris Snook)
‘When space is tight, I always prefer to think in terms of integration rather than addition,’ agrees the interior designer. Laura Stephens. ‘Floating or wall-mounted solutions are a brilliant way to keep a bedroom light and uncluttered while providing everything you need within easy reach.’
‘In many of our projects, we’ve used simple floating shelves in place of traditional bedside tables,’ says Laura, ‘they’re big enough for a book, a glass of water or anything small you want nearby.’
‘When combined with wall-mounted reading lights, this completely eliminates the need for any freestanding furniture, which instantly frees up floor space and helps the room feel more open.’
‘I like to build in subtle architectural details wherever possible,’ says Laura, ‘like a shallow shelf inside a joinery or a shallow shelf next to a bed.’ Exactly the solution Roisin chose for her bedroom.
‘These small interventions are incredibly effective because they don’t disrupt the visual space, but still provide functionality,’ explains Laura.
Bedside table options
Argos Home
Jak 80cm floating shelf
A floating ledge or shelf provides bedside storage space in small bedrooms, without taking up floor space.
Mustard Med
Shelves – small
This slimline wall ledge takes up hardly any space, and comes in a wide range of attractive colors.
Dunelm
Georgie Floating 1 Drawer Bedside Table
You don’t have to go slimline though. Mounting this bedside cabinet only on the wall means you can see the floor, making the bedroom feel more spacious.
LA REDOUTE interior
Ladara Rattan Storage Headboard
You may choose to hide your nighttime essentials in the sides of the storage headboard, instead.
Next
Black Ryker Rechargeable Wireless Wall Light
Choosing wall-mounted lights on either side of your bed eliminates the need for a surface for bedside lamps to sit on.
accommodation
Ruxley End Drawer Storage Bed
Choosing a storage bed is another great way to make the most of every last square inch of space.
As Laura concludes, ‘In a small bedroom, every element needs to have its place, and removing a bulky bedside table and replacing it with paired-back, built-in or wall-mounted options is the easiest way to create a quieter, more spacious room without compromising on practicality.’
‘It’s less about fitting in as much furniture as possible and more about making the room work intelligently,’ agrees Emma. ‘Bedroom design is on the move.’
