| If you want to avoid clothes draped over chairs and | | | | have the budget required, there are several large |
| piles of spare linen and pillows cramping your style, | | | | freestanding versions that look like fitted designs (try |
| you need to think ahead. As with kitchen planning, it's | | | | Bo Concept or Ikea), which offer as much interior |
| worth listing what you need to store and working | | | | space but are less costly and can be taken with you |
| out how much hanging and drawer space is required. | | | | if you move house. |
| Don't forget shoes, bags and luggage, plus books, | | | | Underbed Storage |
| magazines, photograph albums and even CDs if you | | | | Never underestimate the value of the space beneath |
| want your bedroom to be a bolt hole where you can | | | | your bed. Even if your room has ample cupboards, |
| escape to read or listen to music. If you are starting | | | | shoes and bags seem to gravitate to that forgotten |
| from scratch, you can opt for fitted furniture or | | | | area, so it makes sense to use it properly. Standard |
| freestanding designs, or a combination of the two. If | | | | bedsteads can be teamed with sturdy under-bed |
| there are already cupboards in place, a new paint | | | | baskets, or even large drawers on castors. Habitat |
| finish and updated interior fittings will help improve | | | | have Kalana under-bed drawers in a beautiful oak or |
| the look. | | | | wenge finish. They are intended for use with the |
| Additional items | | | | matching bed, but would also look good with similar |
| A bed-end chest or a multi-drawer cabinet, for | | | | or contrasting materials. There's always a place for a |
| example - can also provide crucial extra storage. | | | | classic divan base with drawers, but choose one with |
| Think laterally - you don't have to restrict yourself to | | | | a plain fabric cover so you don't need to use a |
| furniture specifically designed for bedrooms. If space | | | | valance sheet and can reach the drawers easily. The |
| is at a premium in your main living areas, the | | | | latest idea is the lift-up bed, where the entire slatted |
| bedroom may be able to accommodate discreet | | | | base is raised, usually via a hydraulic system, to |
| bookshelves, or even a small desk area. This | | | | reveal a storage area the size of the bed. It's more |
| approach particularly suits guest bedrooms, which can | | | | disruptive than drawers, but an excellent place to |
| double up as a study or home office. | | | | stow out-of-season quilts and blankets. |
| Fully Fitted and Walk-in Wardrobes | | | | Guest rooms can be put to greater use if the beds |
| Most bedrooms will benefit from fitted furniture - a | | | | incorporate storage ideas - consider high-level beds |
| good designer will be able to solve the problems of | | | | with integral drawers or even a single bed with |
| awkward angles, uneven alcoves and | | | | another mattress stored underneath: this is a good |
| out-of-proportion walls to present a sleek, uniform | | | | way to extend a single bedroom occasionally to |
| appearance. Even if the fitted section is restricted to | | | | make a double. |
| one wall, it will still provide generous hanging and shelf | | | | Individual Items |
| space. L-shaped bedrooms lend themselves to being | | | | There's currently a trend for low, horizontal chests of |
| split into sleeping and wardrobe areas: depending on | | | | drawers, good news if you want to store bulky |
| the layout, you can either have a door leading to a | | | | items such as blankets or big jumpers. Low, wide |
| walk-in wardrobe with open shelves and rails beyond, | | | | drawers could even be used for shoes and handbags. |
| or just a separate space with a traditional wardrobe. | | | | But if floor space is limited, consider tall, narrow |
| Whatever your layout, don't stint on the interior | | | | chests with lots of drawers - perfect for smaller |
| fittings - try to include pull-down rails (look for those | | | | items such as T-shirts and lingerie. Freestanding |
| that work on a hydraulic system) to maximise | | | | wardrobes are less popular then they used to be, but |
| hanging space, drawers for small items, rails for | | | | they are still a good choice, especially in a period |
| trousers and racks for shoes. Sliding or bi-folding | | | | home with alcoves either side of a chimney breast. |
| doors intrude less upon floor space, and the | | | | Here, a wardrobe positioned in each alcove with the |
| combination of glass panels and interior lighting can | | | | bed opposite and a sturdy set of bedside drawers |
| create interesting effects. | | | | will cover most storage needs. |
| If you like the look of fitted wardrobes but don't | | | | |