Wardrobes/ cupboards that go over bed and down the side

[ladybirdsarelovely33]

We are about to get wardrobes and I need to maximise storage space. What is your experience of having those cupboards that go either side of the bed (would include space to have somewhere to put books/ drink). Then they meet overhead cupboards.

IMO, these always look absolutely awful.

We managed to make a fairly small room into a reasonable sized double room using one of them - it makes very good use of the availiable space.

Do fix it to the wall in a couple of places so that it can't be pulled over.

Don't like it myself, feels claustrophobic, but my sister has it in her odd shaped bedroom, to make best use of the space, and it's the best solution.

Look awful and dated and there is usually better choices available in most rooms for storage.
I would not buy a house with them in unless it was fixer upper and I could rip them out easily.

I really really hate them. What's the layout of your bedroom? Could you have wardrobes either side of bed and shelves above instead? Much nicer. You could have one of those overbed trolley things for usual bedside table stuff. Or a lamp clipped on to a shelf above the bed.

And cheaper too!

Depends how it's done- usually it looks very dated, but if you choose your units well... maybe non matching ones?

IKEA pax wardrobes are large and go right up to the ceiling if you buy the taller ones. You need to build them standing up

Could you have the units across the whole wall, with the bed in front of them?

There are lots of more aesthetically eye pleasing units out there. I agree they aren't so common these days.
pickleswhat do you mean by non matching units working well

Newname what is an overhead trolley?

I drew a picture but it didn't post! This sort of thing. You could make your own with some old wood and castors. Make it prettier www.pinterest.com/pin/448671181606793487/

I'd put nice storage boxes on shelves over the bed

This

Newname Good drawing skills- you are no doubt an artistic person. I, however only dream to be. What you suggested looks nice but I need storage to put stuff in.
Also the bed trolley isn't my sort of thing.

My sister has them. I found it really claustrophobic; it was like sleeping in the bottom of a cupboard.

Like a caravan?

What do you need to store? I would suggest you chuck stuff away! Or at least put storage elsewhere

I don’t think they’re claustrophobic or anything but they are dated. If you don’t intend to sell your house any time soon it’s a good solution to your storage problem. Could you just have a big declutter and have normal storage instead? (Probably not the answer you were after!)

Ottoman storage bed and Marie kondo your clothes. I got rid of so much stuff. Now have an IKEA 3 door pax. Along with bedside tables and an ottoman bed it all fits in

By non matching, I mean where the bridging unit is different from the wardrobes, or one wardrobe different from the other and the bridge. To break up the uniformity, which is what makes it bland/fugly IMO.

That said, this is nice.

That's nice because it's MASSIVE and has high ceilings. Also not much actual hanging space.

What are your room dimensions op?

Get an ottoman bed instead, you'll have just as much storage but it won't be fugly

They are so 1990’s, completely out dated and look awful.

Like this but with wardrobes?

We have them and they look incredibly dated, but its such fantastic storage that I can't rip them out!
I do like the image @picklesdragonisawelshdragon uploaded, I think having a similar colour to the walls and room either side helps, it isn't butted straight up to the bed so gives the feeling of more space - especially with it being painted white inside. I'm now contemplating that decoration style..after painting the walls a very dark green only 3 months ago :/

Again, that picture looks nice pickles because it isn't what the op is talking about - those shelves are shallow and open. Very different to having deep cupboards with doors on.