When it comes to designing our interiors, bedroom storage often falls down the list of priorities. Because let's be honest - knicker drawer dividers and coat hangers are slightly less sexy than the fun stuff like what colour to paint the walls, or whether to choose a linen or cotton duvet.
But with more of us living in cramped and shared living spaces than ever (thank you, rental crisis) storage plays an important role in keeping our homes calm and organised. There's plenty of evidence to show that clutter can have a negative impact on our mental health (we hate to sound like your mum, but tidy room does equal tidy mind), and even on your physical well-being too. A study conducted for Indiana University found that people with a tidy house were more likely to be physically healthier than people with a messy house. Another study looked at 1052 participants with insomnia and found that tidying improved their sleep quality as much as regular bedtime self-care.
'A bedroom used to be somewhere to sleep, but these days it's become a floordrobe, an office and if you have children, it's probably part playroom too! None of this is conducive to sleep nor for putting a spring in your step in the morning,' explains Georgina Burnett, home stylist and declutter coach at Sharps.
Luckily, there are plenty of storage options on the market that can help transform our bedrooms from a stressful space into a peaceful sanctuary. With the help of Burnett, we've compiled a helpful guide on everything you need too know about bedroom storage, from how to free up space in your room to organising that dreaded sock drawer...
How can I free up space in my bedroom?
We all know the feeling. It's 8.30am and you're rushing out the door to work after snoozing the alarm for a little too long, but you can't find your hairbrush because your bedroom is a tip from the night before. The familiar dilemma arises: go to work with birds nest hair or root through your clutter to find it and risk being late to the office.
There is a third solution though, and that's to organise your bedroom. The first thing you need to do when it comes to decluttering is to free up some space. 'First assess what is taking up valuable space that could go elsewhere in the home. Once you know what you're working with there is still scope for further decluttering so pull everything out and sort into keep, consider and donate piles,' says Burnett. While you don't have to go full Marie Kondo (in our opinion, a home always needs more than 30 books), try and be as ruthless as you can with deciding what you actually do and don't need. 'Organise your necessary items and be guided by any space left as to what you keep from the consider pile. If there isn't the room, it can't stay!' adds Burnett.
Which type of storage is best for bedrooms?
When it comes to choosing bedroom storage, the familiar saying 'out of sight, out of mind' rings true. Essentially, we should aim to keep clutter to a minimum in bedrooms so that we can switch off when we get into bed after a long day.
'Getting really organised underneath your bed is key. Many beds now come with pull out storage boxes designed to fit, but if yours doesn’t then try and replicate the idea with boxes and baskets that slide out easily,' says Burnett. 'Consider colour and texture when it comes to furniture, opting for natural materials and calming hues such as greens, blues and neutrals. Introducing a sense of tranquility into every sleep space should be the number one priority which is why aesthetics are just as important as practical aspects.'
When it comes to fitting everything in, Burnett explains that floor to ceiling and wall to wall storage is a great option, as this can often incorporate drawers, shelving and a wardrobe in one. 'A practical aspect that is sometimes overlooked is the avoidance of unnecessary noise in a bedroom. Soft-close drawers and doors are perfect for establishing a peaceful space,' she adds.
What is the best type of storage for a small bedroom?
Flat share, student accommodation or choosing dibs on the smallest room because of the 'cozzie-livs', lots of us are familiar with the perils of a small bedroom. And as anyone who has lived in one will tell you, it doesn't take a lot for the space to feel cluttered - which is why getting savvy with storage is so important.
'Small bedrooms often need some creative thinking to make the most of every inch of space, and so every storage opportunity should be carefully explored,' says Burnett. As a general rule, she recommends always starting with the placement of the bed, and thinking where you can incorporate storage around it.
'Most beds take up a huge amount of space so items like under bed units that can easily be wheeled out are invaluable. Think vertically too and consider overbed storage to cleverly maximise the areas above and around your bed, helping to declutter your space without taking up floor space, she says. 'Alcoves either side of the bed can be used for bespoke bedside tables or shelving, creating seamless designs that feel like they are part of the room rather than a piece that has been placed within it. Fitted furniture in general is more space efficient as it is often designed to fit the exact contours of your room.'
The best bedroom storage ideas...
From keeping your jewellery untangled to deciding whether to colour coordinate, Georgina Burnett has shared her savviest bedroom storage hacks with Grazia. Read on for her top ten tips below...
1. Buy thin hangers
Thin coat hangers are a great way to save space in your wardrobe, Burnett explains. She recommends choosing velveteen ones that stop your clothes from sliding off instead of wire hangers, because they tend to bend and get stuck on top of each other. Plus, velveteen looks a lot more appealing if you have open storage.
2. Don't colour coordinate
'Although it may look good on Instagram, I don't believe in arranging clothes in colour order unless a client wants this' says Burnett. 'My preference is to arrange clothes according to type. This way, if you're looking to wear a jumpsuit, dress or jeans, you immediately know where to look in your wardrobe.'
3. Organise your socks
There's two types of people in this world: those that organise their sock drawers and those who throw on any odd pair they find lying around. If you fall into the latter camp, it might be time to get organised. 'I can't bear a messy sock drawer - particularly when it's so easily remedied. You can buy soft compartments to place in your drawers or on shelves to keep them separate and more easily seen,' says Burnett. 'It's just as quick to put them in the slots as it is to throw them in an open drawer, but you can save valuable time when finding the pair you need on a daily basis.'
4. And your t-shirts...
Ah, the t-shirt draw. It can almost get as bad as the sock draw, particularly if you share your bedroom with a disorganised boyfriend. While Burnett agrees t-shirts shouldn't take up valuable hanging space, she adds that folding and piling them on top of each other isn't the way to go either, as you will need to pull out the whole pile each time you want to find one. 'Instead, fold them in half, roll them and place side by side - preferably in compartments. This way you can immediately see what you're looking for and it's an easy space-saving system to keep going,' she says.
5. Keep your wardrobe seasonal
A good way to keep your wardrobe organised is to make sure it only houses clothes for the current season. 'As you enter summer, store away those winter outfits in vacuum bags, under the bed or in the hard-to-reach space at the back or top of the wardrobe, as you only need to access these a couple of times a year. It gives you room to breathe in your wardrobe and the opportunity to declutter at the end of each season,' says Burnett. She also swears by a handy tip from Oprah Winfrey to decide what items you do and don't need in your wardrobe. 'Hang items with the hanger the wrong way around and each time you take an item to wear, you switch around the hanger. Any items on the hanger the wrong way round at the end of the season need to go,' she says.
6. Add compartments to your drawers
'Beauty products need to be arranged so you can find everything easily to avoid daily frustration. This is only achievable if you have compartments in your drawers. These should be set out in the order you would use them for that blissful, no fuss daily routine,' says Burnett.
7. Use baskets
From stray hair bands to claw clips, small trinkets can easily accumulate around our bedrooms and add to the clutter. To stay one step ahead, Burnett recommends having lots of cute baskets, boxes or compartmentalised drawers for storing smaller items.
8. Invest in a bag holder
If you're anything like us, your handbag collection is your pride and joy - so it makes sense to give your bags the storage they deserve. 'Where to keep handbags is always a conundrum,' says Burnett. 'It's definitely worth investing in a vertical hanging bag holder, which has compartments for all sizes of handbag. This can be kept in your wardrobe (once you've cleared out those unwanted clothes!)'
9. Use sticky hooks for jewellery
There's nothing worse than not being able to find our favourite necklace/earrings/bracelet, and having to settle for one that doesn't pair as well with our outfit - or even worse, spending hours untangling them. Burnett recommends using sticky hooks on the inside of your wardrobe door, to 'create the perfect hanging display for your jewels.'
10. Sort our your shoes
Whether you're a kick 'em off at the door type or a neat stacker, shoe storage can be a pain, particularly when it comes to small bedrooms. For Burnett, one of the best solutions is a mobile shoe rack. 'This allows you to use space at the back of your storage units so you always have easy access. Arrange these by occasion or seasons,' she says.
Alice Hallis the Staff Writer at Grazia UK. She was previously a Junior Features Writer for The Daily Telegraph. At Grazia, she writes news and features about pop culture, dating, health, politics and interiors.