Clear your bedroom of clutter with the following tips on how to choose the fitted furniture for your home. As with any other planning, list what you need to store in your bedroom and working out how much hanging- and drawer-space you require. If you are starting from scratch, the best option would be fitted furniture or if that is not possible by any reason, the next option would be free-standing designs, or why not a combination of the two. If there are already cupboards in place, a new paint finish and updated interior fittings will help improve the look. Additional items like a bed-end chest or a multi-drawer cabinet can also provide the extra storage you need.

Fully fitted and walk-in wardrobes

Most bedrooms will benefit from fitted furniture – our designers at Sunny BK will be able to solve the problems of awkward angles, uneven alcoves and out-of-proportion walls to present a sleek, uniform appearance. Even if the fitted section is restricted to one wall, it will still provide generous hanging and shelf space. L-shaped bedrooms lend themselves to being split into sleeping and wardrobe areas: depending on the layout, you can either have a door leading to a walk-in wardrobe with open shelves and rails beyond, or just a separate space with a traditional wardrobe.

Under bed storage

Never underestimate the value of the space beneath your bed. Even if your room has ample cupboards, shoes and bags seem to gravitate to that forgotten area, so it makes sense to use it properly. Standard bedsteads can be teamed with sturdy under-bed baskets or even large drawers on wheels. Divan beds with drawers are extremely useful, but choose one with a plain fabric cover so you don’t need to use a valance sheet and can reach the drawers easily. The latest idea is the lift-up bed, where the entire slatted base is raised, usually via a hydraulic system, to reveal a storage area the size of the bed. It’s more disruptive than drawers, but an excellent place to stow out-of-season quilts and blankets.

Free-standing drawers and wardrobes

There’s currently a trend for low, horizontal chest of drawers, so that’s a very good idea if you are looking to store blankets or bulky items Low, wide drawers could even be used for shoes and handbags. But if floor space is limited, why not go the other way around. Meaning, narrow chests with lots of drawers. Vertical narrow chests of drawers could be the perfect way to store T-shirts and smaller items and you will not use a big part of the floor space. Free-standing wardrobes are less popular then they used to be, but they are still a good choice, especially in a period home with alcoves either side of a chimney breast. Here, a wardrobe positioned in each alcove with the bed opposite and a sturdy set of bedside drawers will cover most storage needs. For rooms with limited space, these narrow furniture options may be helpful. If fitted furniture isn’t possible, look for free-standing wardrobes with a minimum internal depth of around 500mm. Less than that and hangers will be skewed at an angle.