5 Things You Didn’t Know Your Bedroom Needed
Don’t miss out any longer — these additions to your sleep space can make life so much lovelier
Sanctuary from the world? Definitely. Decorated to please only you? Of course. Comfortable? Naturally. But what else does the perfect bedroom require? Take inspiration from these bedroom designs and introduce the extras that will help transform your space from fine to sublime.
2. A proper breakfast tray. As rare as breakfast in bed may be, for those special days, a tray with legs is a boon, avoiding the need to balance a flat version across your legs or, worse, juggle plates and cups. Go for a tray with folding legs and it won’t be a storage hog when not in use.
Of course, these are quite handy for holding laptops and tablets too, but the experts say these devices should stay out of our bedroom for better sleep, so save your tray for croissants, juice and coffee.
Of course, these are quite handy for holding laptops and tablets too, but the experts say these devices should stay out of our bedroom for better sleep, so save your tray for croissants, juice and coffee.
3. An upholstered cube. One (or more) of these is a multitasking marvel for any bedroom, and it won’t take up much floor space. Use an upholstered cube as a seat when pulling on your jeans, team it with a dressing table and you can tuck it out of the way, or swap it in as a simple bedside surface.
The ones seen here are rugged in leather, but there’s a world of patterns and colors from which to choose.
The ones seen here are rugged in leather, but there’s a world of patterns and colors from which to choose.
4. A bookshelf. Bedroom book nooks are the place for about-to-reads, favorites to which you’ll always return or (whisper it) the volumes you’re not willing to lend out.
Even a small bedroom can accommodate one if you opt for over-the-bed shelving like this, which won’t impinge on the floor area. (Over the door is another good use of dead space.)
Alternatively, built-in shelving along one side of the room can work in bigger spaces, while a display opposite the end of the bed makes for a pleasing view when you’re tucked in.
Shelving Ideas to Satisfy Your Inner Book Nerd
Even a small bedroom can accommodate one if you opt for over-the-bed shelving like this, which won’t impinge on the floor area. (Over the door is another good use of dead space.)
Alternatively, built-in shelving along one side of the room can work in bigger spaces, while a display opposite the end of the bed makes for a pleasing view when you’re tucked in.
Shelving Ideas to Satisfy Your Inner Book Nerd
5. Pillow and throw stash space. Extra pillows and throws are the daytime layers that dress up a bed, but discarding them sideways at bedtime isn’t a good or relaxing look.
A storage ottoman or blanket box isn’t a novel idea, but dedicating it to the pieces used for styling might be. The end of the bed can be a convenient position, or use the space under the window instead.
Tell us: What accessory or piece of furniture makes your bedroom work better for you? Please share your tip in the Comments.
More
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How to Refresh Your Bedroom on Any Budget
Find interior designers in your area
A storage ottoman or blanket box isn’t a novel idea, but dedicating it to the pieces used for styling might be. The end of the bed can be a convenient position, or use the space under the window instead.
Tell us: What accessory or piece of furniture makes your bedroom work better for you? Please share your tip in the Comments.
More
Key Measurements to Help You Design Your Dream Bedroom
How to Refresh Your Bedroom on Any Budget
Find interior designers in your area
Wired-in lighting — in the form of pendants, as seen here, or wall lights — will free up your bedside table. That extra space generally feels more luxurious. (You can enjoy artfully styling your table for maximum tranquility, rather than balancing reading matter, phone and water glass around a lamp base.)
Another benefit is having controls on the wall permanently close at hand. No more scrounging (for some of us) for switches on dangling wires just out of reach down the side of the bed.
Call in an electrician for a quote and ask how disruptive the installation would be. This will depend to some extent on where the electricity already flows in your room. At best, if you have existing sockets or switches beneath the position of the proposed ones, it’ll just be a bit of sanding, filling and repainting on a narrow strip of wall where the new cable is chased in.
A final tip: Make sure you get the pendant height just right; you don’t want to feel like you’re under an interrogation lamp when you open up your bedtime tome. Wired-in wall lights may suit you better and, especially if they have flexible features such as swing arms, will be easier to adjust.