Very small bedrooms, how can I decorate for storage?

Question

Two Rooms SMALL. Room 1. 2 of 4 walls have windows with one of these a connecting door to another bedroom, 3rd of 4 walls has door. No room for a traditional wardrobe. Room 2 2 or 4 walls have windows, only one door in this room. 
 Needs: Room 1.a double bed and a large desk or table for studing, hanging and drawers. 
 Room 2.a set of bunk beds, small table, less hanging and drawers. 
 Size of rooms identical. 12' x 9' The rooms are so small taking an indicative photo was even difficult. HELP PLEASE.

Lori · Answer

Well, you certainly are short on space aren't you.  I am just going to throw out things I've learned over the years because as you said, the picture is hard to really see.  They make risers, little cone shaped things for lifting beds up, that would allow you to make use of under the bed.  Use the plastic tubs on wheels or find old dresser drawers at a thrift store and put casters on them to slide in and out.
Make a desk out of a smooth door and use 2 drawer filing cabinets on each side as the legs.  You can file clothes and other things in a filing cabinet. :)  Pick up  tall bookcases and fill them with baskets or tubs or boxes that can store stuff. You can cover them to make them pretty and look alike.  If there is room to pull a dresser off the wall a bit, put coat hooks on the back for hanging short things.  Over the door hooks are great and shoe bags that hang up are good for smaller things, personal things, even shoes. Good luck, Im sure you will get lots of suggestions.

Carol.R · Answer

Wow! Lori, thank you so much.  I can move on with these rooms now. Very much appreciated.  I was overwhelmed with these small rooms, not any more.

Trish M · Answer

Lori, I was kinda wondering how tall your ceilings where?using wasted ceiling space not only gives you more storage..But also helps keep the room warmer.(heat rises) take up space heat stay down lower...Also..I would box your windows in with 2x8's and grow some plants in all that light you get...won't take up any space at all..and you clean air to boot...lol

Carol.R · Answer

Hello Trish, Carol here, thank you very much for yet another Idea I wouldn't have arrived at - the window box idea. The ceilings aren't very high 8'. I have a coffee table at the entrance windows, also facing north, covered in herbs growing in jars and they are looking goood. 2' gravel, 2' charcoal, most of them then 10' soil. it is working. Thanks again.

Carol.R · Answer

I'm in Australia.

Urbangal · Answer

google- IKEA home tour, episode 104
Great ideas there.

Carol.R · Answer

Thanks, I'll check it out.

Marsha elliott · Answer

I would have some one build a large bookcase frame and make the bed a pull down one,that would free up some space.Put shelves within frame on each side and there is more storage.

Carol.R · Answer

Thanks. Carol.

Paticia G · Answer

The bed risers are a very good idea but you may have to buy a bedskirt to conceal them also make sure you measure the width( circiumference) of the bed legs to make sure they will fit in the indentation of the risers

Leah M · Answer

@Carol.R - 12x9... My biggest bedroom is 10x12, one is 10x10 and another is 8x10, but the room I'm using as a bedroom is 6x7... I can barely fit a twin bed in it! Storage? what's that? Yeah, I could move to a bigger room, but I leave those for roommates who need to do more in their bedrooms than I,

Liliana Wells · Answer

I always say 'when you run out of horizontal space, go vertical'. We forget the walls are also 'space'. You can put shelves with baskets or other organizational tools. You have some good ideas here.

Megan Robinson · Answer

I have a very tiny bedroom - my queen bed is basically stuck between 3 walls with scant more than a foot on one end. I bought a very narrow sofa table to use as a headboard (helps that I work in a furniture store!). It is has 4 small drawers and a shelf at the bottom. I put all little 'nightstand' clutter in the drawers - tissues, a book, chapstick, hand cream, etc. And I can use the bottom shelf for storage as it is basically hidden between the mattress and the wall. The top has a small lamp, my alarm clock and a few decor items that make it pretty.

Carol.R · Answer

Lots of wonderful ideas thank you all. An Megan I haven't such small rooms at all :) Thank you. Carol.

Polly Zieper · Answer

If you need practical storage, like linens or clothes,I think the under-bed boxes are great. I have one under all my beds( my full-size, and my 5 kids each have a twin.For storage that you want to display thingslike books, photos, trophies, etc, shallow shelves or baskets, hung with the nails through the 'bottom', open to the room, look great.I've seen nice examples on this site.

MelBrandle · Answer

Is it just me, but does anyone else think that putting hanging plants right above the bedframe a bit dangerous? Despite the obvious space constraint, it's still better to keep the greenery in a more safe location for storage and sunlight than over the head of the bed!

Glamistahome · Answer

This is actually a really nice space with a lovely window. I would utilize space under the bed and use wall space to build up shelving units. I can't tell from your pictures, but maybe moving the furniture around would also help maximizing the space.

Carol · Answer

I would move the bed to under the windows and add a small nghtstand to one side and the table/desk to the other sideline the bed.  On the long wall, I would build a closet.  Two 2 X 12' joined wood boards places out from the long wall.  You can then  attach a pipe out from the wall 12' for a clothes rod and use part of your 'closet' for shelves and baskets for storing clothes, purses, and shoes, etc. A closet only has to be 2' deep.  I would hang sliding panels from the ceiling (cloth, wall panaling etc.not too thick) from two tracks mounted to the ceiling like for sliding doors only narrower to slide the panels.

Edward Thirlwall · Answer

What about shelving or mounted cupboards for storage? Lets you keep your floorspace but provides you with some room to keep your items safely. You can probably also consider a loft bed if your ceilings are high enough too.

Dana · Answer

What about paint in a light color, with curtains for the windows and create a faux window with curtains over the door. Add high shelves for some storage and pops of bright colors on the bedspread and table cloth.

Carol.R · Answer

Thank you Dana and everyone else who gave advice. Very much appreciated and lotsa fun.

Lindcurt · Answer

For room 1. Build a platform for the bed about 5 feet off the floor. Build a closet, for hanging clothes, under the foot of the bed . A desk or table could go under the side of the bed for a study area. There would be bonus storage behind the desk for out of season clothes and bedding. You would have plenty of space for a dresser and bookshelves. We had three girls in a dorm room built for two back in the seventies. This was the Dad's solution. It worked quite well since we needed to have 3 study desks in the room.

Carol.R · Answer

Thank you lindcurt, great ideas. I appreciate your thinking on this question. Carol.

Home on Hidden Oaks · Answer

They say your bed should always be facing you when you walk into a room. I'd try moving the bed in room 1 to under the window. :) Good luck!

Carol.R · Answer

hmmmm now that is an aspect I've not entertained before. Thank you, it 'feels' right. CarolHmm

Carol · Answer

Do you need both doors?  How about pocket doors or sliding 'barn' doors.  The desk is indeed oversized.  Maybe two or three 2 drawer file cabinets under the desk for mini dressers.  Maybe also two tall shelving units at the ends of the desk or pantry/closet units with shelves too the ceiling for books sports equipment etc.  you could also try a corner desk, if you move the bed under the windows.  Be sure to put furniture sliders or casters on the bed frames so theycan be pulled out to make it easier to make the beds
Maybe moving the bunk beds to the wall with the door and building under bed drawers for it.  on another wall in the room, maybe a long dresser flanked by storage units/closets.  You can also use fold down tables  attached to the wall for desks.  I don't know if your rooms have closets but if not the tall storage units or tall book cases with curtains or shutters could be added.   Please post pictures when you're done whatever you decide to do.

Carol.R · Answer

THANKS SO MUCH, BRILLIANT IDEA

Patricia Cates · Answer

First off dump the box springs and go buy cubes and set around the edges of the bed and lay a 4x8 piece of plywood on top and lay your mattress on top. Now you have several storage areas..If you have room to add some maybe 3 inexpensive tall bookcases at head of bed for you headboard and you can just set it in front of the single non used window. NO remodel there. Now you can get baskets to put in bookcase for storage, find them at goodwill or used stores. Get rid of big desk and add two short cubes and a narrow piece of wood covered in contact paper for your desk top. Cubes and bookcases are very inexpensive at Walmart or you can go as expensive as you want. desktop wood can be bought at Lowes or Home Depot in the size you need. I think storage storage storage my first home was a 900sqft 2bedroom 1 bath home..and I was always inventing ways to make storage.......now the ideas are all over pinterest and I did it 35 yrs ago. good luck

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