How do you fit a wardrobe in a small room?

Small wardrobes for small bedrooms

Original Rustic double wardrobe | @holcombedreaminteriors

The first thing you’ll need to think about is the size. Will the wardrobe actually fit in your small bedroom? While it might be tempting to try a 3-door wardrobe, the reality is that it’ll overwhelm the space you have, making it – rather than the bed – the focal point of the room. Instead, choose furniture that’s appropriately sized for the space it will be living in.

A double wardrobe still provides plenty of hanging space, and choosing ones with drawers means you have more room to store your jumpers, jeans or linens without using up precious hanging space. But make sure you leave enough space! You’ll need around 20cm at the front of your chosen wardrobe to allow for opening the doors and manoeuvring around it. For more info on optimal bedroom layouts, take a look at our bedroom measurement guide.

Use the whole wardrobe

Romsey wardrobe | @insideours

We all know that wardrobes provide indispensable, hidden storage. But why not make the most of the extra storage created on the outside of the piece? Above it, next to it, the sides, maximise the space you’ve gained! The top of a wardrobe comes as a ready-made shelf, perfect for ornaments or your favourite rattan storage boxes. Why not pop a floor-standing plant pot or wicker basket next to the wardrobe to fill with spare accessories – your options are endless.

Where should you put a wardrobe in a bedroom?

Make the most of alcoves

Parquet wardrobe | @mypetitenewbuild

Many older properties feature bedroom alcoves around a chimney breast, some may be fortunate enough to still have a beautiful fireplace fitted! Alcoves offer an amazing opportunity to squeeze in those often cumbersome wardrobes, especially in a bedroom lacking space. Fit one into one side of the chimney breast, while creating a sense of balance and symmetry with another furniture piece, such as a chest of drawers or dressing table, on the other side.

Make sure to measure up the space so the wardrobe slots seamlessly into its surrounding walls. If you’re working with a period property, remember that walls tend not to be perfectly straight. Take measurements from several parts of the wall to ensure it will fit all the way along.

Build-in a wardrobe

Madeline mirror | @layered.home

If you’re worried that a wardrobe may make your space feel cluttered and claustrophobic, a built-in wardrobe offers a beautifully sleek alternative. Whether you fill available alcoves or make use of a vacant wall, these floor-to-ceiling bedroom additions can actually make your room feel more spacious. What’s more, it means that your favourite furniture pieces can take centre stage, whether it be your bed, dressing table, chest of drawers, or bedside tables.

Make sure to paint the new fixture the same colour as your bedroom walls so that they blend seamlessly into the background, making the room feel bigger.

Best wardrobe designs for small bedrooms

Blend your wardrobe in

Brompton wardrobe | Brompton tallboy | @a_house_and_its_chows

When dealing with smaller bedrooms, we can’t create space, but we can certainly create the illusion of space. A great way to achieve this is by matching your wardrobe colour to your walls, allowing them to almost dissolve into their surroundings. This premise is the same regardless of wall colour. While some may shy away from using darker furniture in a darker room, it can actually create a beautiful cocooning effect, perfect for a deep night’s sleep.

Make a statement

Parquet double wardrobe | @jlg-designs

If your wardrobe needs to sit at an awkward angle or you’re struggling to find a piece that matches your existing colour palette, why not make a statement? Give your bedroom an instant wow factor with a stylish and eye-catching wardrobe option. If it has to take up floor space in a small room, make sure it’s worth the square footage! We love how the detail of the Parquet range provides an interesting edge to any bedroom. Its decorative style, intriguing mid-century modern characteristics, and rich warmth from its honey hue make for a beautifully unique wardrobe, no matter your existing decor.

The wardrobe alternative

Canterbury bed | Canterbury bedside table | Canterbury tallboy | @mrsh_at_bears_cottage

While wardrobes offer ample storage space for bedrooms, they may not suit every home spatially. Tallboys, with their narrow and space-saving design, provide an excellent alternative. Their slim profile allows them to fit easily alongside other bedroom furniture, such as dressing tables and much-needed bedside tables.

You should now be ready to kit out your small bedroom with the perfect wardrobe design! Head over to our wardrobe collections to find a stylish two door piece, or gain some more tips for styling small homes here. Don’t forget to show us your style on Instagram, tag us, or use #OakFurnitureland #GrowYourHome.

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Our blanket boxes come in all shapes, sizes and finishes, but don’t be fooled into thinking they’re just for blankets. You’ll find these versatile items being used in just about every room in the house, in all sorts of ways. Read on to find real home inspiration to help discover how to add this piece of furniture to your home.

1. The toy box

Brindle blanket box | @_mulberryhouse_

If you’ve got little ones scampering around the house, a blanket box is the perfect place to store all their toys and games. Plus it will make clearing up a doddle at the end of the day. Even better, a blanket box will look equally at home in the nursery, a corner of the kitchen or even centre-stage in the lounge.

2. The hallway hero

Parquet blanket box

If you’re tight on space, a blanket box can double as a handy storage solution for your entrance hall. Use it to keep hats, scarves, gloves, or even shoes, to ensure you have everything to hand when you leave the house.

3. The craft box

Copenhagen blanket box

If you’re the crafty type and are constantly looking for places to stash your knitting, needlepoint or boxes of beads, trims and sewing equipment, let a blanket box come to your rescue.  It’s roomy enough to store all of your yarn and needles, and could even be used to display some of your handmade items.

4. The dressing up box

Brindle blanket box | @our_home_in_hull

For kids who love dressing up, there’s nothing better than ploughing through a box full of hats, scarfs, coats and sparkly bits. Whether you fill your blanket box with fairy tale costumes, your cast-offs or bits you’ve picked up at car boot sales, they’ll have hours of fun letting their imaginations run wild.

5. The coffee table

If you need a coffee table in your lounge, a blanket box will do the job perfectly. What’s more, there’s plenty of room inside to keep all your books, magazine and bits and pieces stored away neatly – or just thrown in quickly when guests arrive unexpectedly!

6. The bedding box

Romsey blanket box

If you’re lucky enough to have a guest room or even a sofa bed in a downstairs room, a blanket box is just what you need to store all your spare duvets, pillows and bed linen. And when your visitors leave, you can return it all freshly laundered so it’s ready for your next lovely guests.

7. The keepsake box

Highgate blanket box | Highgate range

If you still keep all your precious memory bits, such as baby’s first booties or family photos stashed in shoeboxes in every conceivable place around the house, keep them all safe and organised in a blanket box. Then whenever you fancy a trip down memory lane, it will be all there waiting for you.

8. The perfect match

Boston blanket box | @mrandmr_at_number.9

Coordinating your home with different pieces from the matching cabinetry range is a simple way to introduce a cohesive decor scheme. This living room has ample storage thanks to the addition of a blanket box, coffee table and sideboard.

If you’re looking for a versatile and stylish piece that will stand the test of time, why not take a look at our beautiful blanket box ranges.

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