Struggling to fit storage into tiny room-how on earth do I use this space

[howdoiusethisspace]

New build 2 bed

Will post picture below

Hoping to stay here for some time as we love the area, but the dimensions of the house are wholly impractical. Second room (smaller, longer) will be nursery possibly with desk

We have two wardrobes along the longest wall, then double bed is in the middle of the room. Chest of drawers directly opposite the bed. We don’t have much space around the bed or at the end of the bed.

Then currently, in the weird alcove bit (see pic) we have a Kallax unit on the raised bench, which is where the stairs are. The large Kallax unit from IKEA fits perfectly down to the cm. Currently using it for things such as tshirts, skirts, tights, shorts, jeans but we hate using it. The corner of the room is quite dark with the curtains drawn and curtains have to be drawn when getting ready as our room is at the front of the house.

We are looking at replacing our current furniture and get new bedside tables and chest of drawers. Happy to move the wardrobes or literally anything round the room, but cannot think what on earth to do with that space?! It’s too tiny for either wardrobe and probably for most chest of drawers. We can’t move anything to the wall at the other side of the bed, because there’s two windows and a radiator in the middle of them.

Feel like I’m going crazy! All suggestions welcome from people who have a better eye for design than me, would be grateful!

Note that pic was before we moved in

Can you get some shelving fitted

A floor plan with dimensions would be helpful

What's your overall aim - what do you need to have in the room? I'm confused because you said nursery with desk but then you are adding double bed, wardrobes, storage?

Either way, for awkward shapes, always a good idea to get a custom-build storage solution fitted. It could either be shelves open to the room, or something behind a fitted door.

I think from your description this is a master bedroom?

what storage do you need? you said you have wardrobes?

if you don't need more clothes storage, I'd fill the space with shelves for mostly books but have one shelf with a mirror & dressing table things. and add a good light to brighten it up.

alternatively, you could build out the ledge a bit and pile it up with cushions to make a reading nook.

either way, this will need to be a custom build not an off-the-shelf piece of furniture.

First thought - for your windows, get sheer roller blinds, thick enough to give privacy but sheer enough to let light through. Then you can use that for privacy when dressing (and use your main curtains at night).

I see there is no flooring down in the pic - if there is still none, it’s a good time to think about moving the radiator. You could put a vertical radiator in one of the areas you can’t use any other way. Then you could use under the windows for chests of drawers.

You could probably fit a tall narrow chest of drawers in the alcove to the right of the shelf.

I can’t quite work out where your bed and wardrobes are from your description. Can you post a plan?

Change door to open outwards might help

I would get a joiner to make that part a built in wardrobe

I would also, like a PP, get a joiner to build something that fits exactly in that odd space. Either a wardrobe with cupboards over (up to the ceiling) or some sort of dressing table and shelf arrangement, if that's what you need.

I also agree with getting sheer blinds, and changing the radiator for something more space-saving if you could do with more wall space.

It’s called a stair bulkhead. There’s lots of ideas for building over them if you search Pinterest/internet. It depends what you want. I think I’d claim the area for a dressing table.

It looks perfect for a walk in style wardrobe/closet with shelves up the bulkhead side. That would mean you wouldn't need one of the wardrobes, giving you more space over the other side of the room. Add LED lighting inside.

I think this sounds like a not so much storage issue. But more of a window dressing issue!

A few options for daylight and privacy on a second storey.

• Top down bottom up blinds. (Even if a house opposite setting to shoulder height keeps top third of your windows open and most light comes from above so it’s surprisingly bright; also 3rd up is a nice option for lounging in bed in privacy with the windows pretty much open.
• Dual roller blinds (a sheer as well as a blackout option operate separately).
• Dat and night blinds (alternating sheer and blackout fabric on the same roll that you kind of line up for night and offset for day).
• Venetians which you tilt open (no one will be able to see in during day I promise)
• Keep the curtains and add sheer blinds for day, or sheer top down bottom ups.
• A lighter airy effect can be had from black out blinds or Venetians and then sheer curtains just to quickly through across when you want to change (the cheapest option and what we have temporarily until I can afford my top down bottom up Venetians).

That odd space could be used for a desk (cut the legs short on one end and put some shelves up for storage/bookcase side on, on raised platform with desk top resting on one of the shelves) Or a changing table, same set up as desk. Difficult to say without dimensions.

Or install a fold-down desk attached to the wall inside that alcove.

That alcove could be a great wardrobe (just a door needed or even a curtain/blind if funds are short. If you have two rails one high, one shoulder height then you get double the storage for tops/skirts/trousers. Then add one narrow wardrobe for long clothes - coats/long dresses. A more spacious room is made. Bedside tables can be small a shelf each next to the bed secured to the wall for phone/glass of water. Room for chest of drawers/small dressing table with drawers where second wardrobe was?