Bedroom Storage Ideas with Built-in Cabinets
master bedroom | South Hobart project | designed and rendered by Verity Jayne
No matter how big wardrobes are, there’s never enough room for everything. For instance, there might be no hanging space for long dresses so you have to fold them, or shoes always end up on the floor in a scrambled mess.
I’m here to show you that with some clever built-in cabinetry, you can get the most out of every nook and cranny in your bedroom & ensuite. Everything will be put away in its rightful place and your bedroom will stop looking like a war zone.
bedroom & ensuite - South Hobart project
To show you how you can layout a bedroom and ensuite to maximise storage, I’m sharing my drawings from the South Hobart Project.
We’ll start by understanding the clients requirements and how I designed their master bedroom and ensuite to fulfill their needs.
The main challenge, of course, was to fit everything in that they wanted. They had come from a large home with 40+ years of accumulated possessions and are now downsizing and getting ready for their golden years.
In addition to their existing walk-in robe, they wanted to fit as much storage as possible into their bedroom and ensuite. Whilst making the most of their amazing views of the harbour.
client requirements
BEDROOM
Queen bed
Bedside storage and lighting
Clothes storage - long hanging
TV
bookcase
Air conditioner
Appliances: fridge & steam closet
Full height mirror
Window seat
antique Chinese cabinet
Storage, storage, storage
ENSUITE
bath
Double shower
vanity
towel rails
bedroom & ensuite - undeveloped floor plan
Below is the blank canvas that I started with: the walls and windows in the rooms. Although the architect had nominated positions for the bath, vanity, shower, etc, I like to start fresh, which allows for any new ideas to pop up.
Notes for the undeveloped plan:
1. existing powder room | 2. entrance hallway |
3. WIR entrance | 4. northern view windows
bedroom & ensuite developed floor plan
Below is the floor plan I developed after considering all the design parameters and incorporating the clients wish list as much as possible.
Notes for the developed plan:
1.
Bed with an entire wall of built-in joinery, including over the bed. It incorporates cupboards for hanging long clothes, bedside nooks and downlights, dresser drawers with a benchtop and floating shelves in the window for displaying decorative pieces. There are also pull out drawers under the bed and a blanket box at the end of it.
2.
Day beds with storage underneath. It has a combination of drawers and a lift-up door under the mattress. This gives the client areas for quick access storage (drawers) and long term / seasonal storage (lift-up).
3.
Ensuite with bath, vanity and double shower. The vanity is extra deep with drawers and has a large overhead mirror cabinet.
4.
Built in joinery to house the TV, air conditioner, and bookshelves. Chinese cabinet on the right hand side, next to the door and hanging rails for towels on the left hand side.
3D modelling & rendering
As you can see, there’s a lot going on in this design. Let me explain my thinking around it. I’m using my 3D model drawings to illustrate my ideas.
The bath worked so well in the window, I can just imagine soaking in it with a glass of bubbly, looking out at the view…
Unfortunately there was nothing we could do about the structural post. It is what it is. We’re leaving it without any decoration, making it as unnoticeable as possible.
The client wanted a window seat, with storage below. I thought about the transition to the ensuite so I increased the depth and made it a daybed instead - so it lined up seamlessly with the bath. This also doubled the amount of available storage space.
The vanity was designed with maximum storage in mind. An undermount basin means the benchtop is at it’s highest point, allowing for maximum height storage below. As opposed to a counter top basin that needs a slightly lowered benchtop, otherwise the basin is too high.
I decided not to extend the vanity cabinet to the floor because it gives a more spacious feeling to the room. It also has drawers rather than doors, for easy access. One of them being a pull out bin for rubbish.
The overhead mirror also features storage behind doors and we will recess this unit into the wall if we can.
Pretty quickly I noticed there wasn’t any space for hanging towels in the ensuite so I created a small wall for them to be located. I also thickened the shower wall to create a niche for shampoo & soap.
Also this new nib wall gave the TV joinery something to butt up against, neatly.
The horizontal slats above the TV are to cover the air conditioning unit.
Finding a space for the antique Chinese cabinet was a tricky one. The client had envisioned the TV joinery and bookcase extending right across to the door. In the end we sacrificed that shelving for the antique Chinese cabinet, placing a hanging lantern above. This cabinet was the inspiration for the décor in the room - creating an oriental theme. So it could not be omitted.
The bedside tables are cleverly built-in with the wardrobes. This allows for integration with the tall cabinets around the bed and creates the maximum amount of shelving for storage.
This is a zero gravity bed, which means it has an adjustable bed frame with remote control. It’ll have a dip in the middle so you can sleep with your upper body and legs above your heart, promoting better sleep. We also added custom size drawers under the bed, around the existing bedframe.
The window next to the bed could not be removed, it would have been great to fit more tall robes. However it’s going to be a very functional dresser, with an opportunity to display nice things on the surface.
Items that didn’t make it into the room were the fridge and steam closet. We’re considering putting them in the walk-in robe.
The full height mirror will also need to be housed inside a tall cabinet or fixed to the back of the entry door.
I always model my designs in 3D to get a good feel for how everything is going to look. This stage is really exciting for the client too because they can start to see their new home or renovation coming to life.
shop the look
These are some of the ensuite bathroom fixtures I presented to the client.
*affiliate links: if you make a purchase after clicking these links, I may receive a commission from the store. Thanks for your support! :)
built-in cabinets solve a lot of design problems
With careful planning and clever built-in cabinetry you can not only increase your storage capacity but have a beautiful & functional home to live in.
If you’re having custom cabinets in the design of your new home or renovation, it’s a good idea to hire a designer to design them rather than relying on a cabinetmaker. They will take the time to understand your needs and create the construction documents that make it all possible.
You’d get help solving all sorts of design challenges and also add unique character to your home that you’ll enjoy for years to come.
virtual design services
I offer a unique way of working together, unlike most designers you will find. I do all work remotely rather than a series of face to face meetings and site visits.
I find this is the most efficient use of our time and we’re not limited by driving distances. I’m thrilled to be able to work with clients all over Australia.
