7 Smart Ways to Get More Storage In Your Sleep Space

More storage in your sleep space

We’re big advocates of doing more with less stuff, constantly encouraging you to declutter and pare down. Well, that’s great, unless you need the stuff.

If you have a tiny bedroom and you’ve pared down as much as you can, you might need to makeover your storage so you can fit not just more stuff, but fit stuff more comfortably. Here are some smart ways to fit more storage in your bedroom without making it feel too cramped.

1. Maximize under the bed—and hide it

Feng Shui experts will probably cringe at the idea of putting stuff under the bed, but it’s simply one of the smartest and easiest ways to add a whole area of storage to your sleep space. If you don’t currently have any storage, you’ve got several options: Buy a new storage bed, DIY an under-the-bed storage solution, or raise your current bed and add storage containers (and consider buying or DIYing them in black or gray so that they aren’t so blindingly “storage container-y” from a glance).

2. Organize your dresser like a pro

We can’t stress enough the use of great folding and drawer dividers. Taking the time to properly store the clothing you’ve got in your dresser right now could grab you more storage space today. But also consider other more extreme storage methods, like vacuum packing out-of-season clothing (I know some people hate them, but I’m a huge fan for keeping my winter clothes from being too bulky).

3. Find unused space in your closet

How well is your closet organized? Are you milking every inch of storage space that you could in there? If you don’t own your home, you might be hesitant to drill lots of holes for more shelves, but even renters have access to more clothing rods, over-the-door hangers and other super storage tools.

4. Use double duty furniture in your bedroom, too

Small storage cabinets instead of a table, a floating drawer instead of just a shelf—even your nightstand can double as extra storage if you let it. It’s true, small bedroom spaces probably means less space for a nightstand and other furniture, but instead of something streamlined, try to fit some storage in a spot if you can.

5. Splurge on a wardrobe wall

It’s not the cheapest option, and might even seem crazy if you’ve got a really small bedroom floor plan to begin with, but installing shallow wardrobes along a whole wall will create a cozy feel to the entire room while it adds storage, rather than feel bulky like a big piece of furniture solo might feel. Installed in a light color could help fight the claustrophobic feel.

6. Rethink what belongs in the bedroom

Sure, it makes sense to keep your clothes in your closet. That’s a “duh.” moment. Or is it? If your closet space is cramped, think about all the seasonal clothes you don’t touch for half the year (coats in the summer, shorts in the winter). Could you find a new space for them? Maybe there’s room under the sofa, or you could put them in a new storage unit you have space for in the living room. The point is, don’t hold your storage hostage because you’re stuck on where things belong; just store them where they fit.

7. Use the back of the door

There is so much potential in even the most cramped of bedrooms. If your door is untouched, you should know that you can reclaim a ton of back-of-the-door storage space for your extra things, and it’s pretty much invisible most of the time you leave the door open.