Wake Up to 9 Smart Over-Bed Storage Ideas
Want to double your bedroom storage? These clever and creative ideas will make you rethink the space above your bed
Louise O'Bryan
11 April 2017
Houzz Contributor with over 15 years as an interiors writer, stylist and content producer for digital and print media. Specialising in house tours, room renovations and decorating solutions, my previous clients include Inside Out (Aus), Ideal Home, The Times weekend supplement and Sainsbury's magazine. I never tire from the thrill of discovering a jaw-dropping, inspirational home to feature and having an insight into other people's spaces. Call me curious or just nosey!
Houzz Contributor with over 15 years as an interiors writer, stylist and content... More
Storage units fitted above the bed were a popular trend back in the 1970s and ’80s and, although they were great for making the most of unused wall space, these cupboards never looked particularly appealing. In fact, they often made bedrooms feel darker and more enclosed. But before you declare your distaste for the old-school ‘bed bridge’, take a look at these modern updates that offer more creative and appealing alternatives to the dated designs of the past.
1. Shoes, glorious shoes!
Didn’t think over-bed storage could be innovative and contemporary? Well, these stylish shoe cupboards behind the bed break all the rules. The bespoke cupboards are recessed into the wall so they don’t encroach on head room or light, while their vibrant colour adds a modern statement. Just beware of the doors when they are open…
Didn’t think over-bed storage could be innovative and contemporary? Well, these stylish shoe cupboards behind the bed break all the rules. The bespoke cupboards are recessed into the wall so they don’t encroach on head room or light, while their vibrant colour adds a modern statement. Just beware of the doors when they are open…
2. Keep it bright
Old-fashioned ‘bed-bridges’ of the ’80s often made a bedroom feel busy and cluttered thanks to their dated designs and overt detailing. To avoid the room feeling closed in, stick to simple, white cupboards with clean lines and you’ll create a barely-there feel. Pop a darker throw on the bed for contrast and the cupboards will fade even further into the background.
Tip: Choose handleless cupboards that push open for an even slicker look.
Old-fashioned ‘bed-bridges’ of the ’80s often made a bedroom feel busy and cluttered thanks to their dated designs and overt detailing. To avoid the room feeling closed in, stick to simple, white cupboards with clean lines and you’ll create a barely-there feel. Pop a darker throw on the bed for contrast and the cupboards will fade even further into the background.
Tip: Choose handleless cupboards that push open for an even slicker look.
3. Design your own combination of units
Alternatively, you might want to draw attention to the cupboards and create a feature around your bed. Incorporating an open shelf into the design can provide a great spot for displaying personal pieces and bringing interest to a room. In this scheme, tall, slim cupboards make brilliant use of the space on either side of the bed, while a small bedside shelf also provides a handy spot for bedtime essentials.
Tip: By designing your own bespoke bed bridge, rather than buying off-the-shelf units, you can incorporate the exact cupboards for all your storage needs.
10 wining ways to style the wall behind your bed
Alternatively, you might want to draw attention to the cupboards and create a feature around your bed. Incorporating an open shelf into the design can provide a great spot for displaying personal pieces and bringing interest to a room. In this scheme, tall, slim cupboards make brilliant use of the space on either side of the bed, while a small bedside shelf also provides a handy spot for bedtime essentials.
Tip: By designing your own bespoke bed bridge, rather than buying off-the-shelf units, you can incorporate the exact cupboards for all your storage needs.
10 wining ways to style the wall behind your bed
4. Use mirrors for effect
You might think that adding mirrors to the front of high wall units seems a little pointless. In fact, it’s a clever visual trick to help the room feel larger by reflecting the light and ceiling space. This is a super solution if you are concerned that the units might make your bedroom feel too enclosed.
You might think that adding mirrors to the front of high wall units seems a little pointless. In fact, it’s a clever visual trick to help the room feel larger by reflecting the light and ceiling space. This is a super solution if you are concerned that the units might make your bedroom feel too enclosed.
5. Make an impact
Worried that a row of units above the bed may feel a little sterile and kitchen-like? Then what about incorporating a striking arch and a glamorous padded bedhead for an injection of style? You could also include sneaky cubby holes on either side of the bedhead for easy-to-reach bedtime storage. Clever ideas all round.
Worried that a row of units above the bed may feel a little sterile and kitchen-like? Then what about incorporating a striking arch and a glamorous padded bedhead for an injection of style? You could also include sneaky cubby holes on either side of the bedhead for easy-to-reach bedtime storage. Clever ideas all round.
Similarly, the units in this guest room also include a recessed area for handy reading lights, and when the guest bed is folded away into the wall, the recessed cubby holes are neatly concealed for a streamlined finish. The warm, timber-clad cupboards have a distinctive retro vibe, but they remain fresh and contemporary thanks to the pale flooring and modern cane chair.
Storage solutions that make your guest bedroom work harder
Storage solutions that make your guest bedroom work harder
6. Consider nifty lighting
Kitchen upper cabinets are often fitted with down lights to brighten up workbenches, and similarly, over-bed units can be fitted with downlights to brighten up the bed. Not only is this great for reading, it provides atmospheric evening light if you don’t have space for freestanding lamps.
Kitchen upper cabinets are often fitted with down lights to brighten up workbenches, and similarly, over-bed units can be fitted with downlights to brighten up the bed. Not only is this great for reading, it provides atmospheric evening light if you don’t have space for freestanding lamps.
7. Make a statement with open shelves
Recessed shelves built into the wall behind the bed will provide plenty of storage space for books as well as special treasures. Incorporate some clever lighting and the shelves will make a stunning focal point.
See more storage and wardrobe designs
Recessed shelves built into the wall behind the bed will provide plenty of storage space for books as well as special treasures. Incorporate some clever lighting and the shelves will make a stunning focal point.
See more storage and wardrobe designs
8. A winner in narrow rooms
When there’s no room for cupboards or wardrobes on the wall opposite the bed, the solution is often to place all the furniture along one wall. But rather than having individual freestanding pieces, opt for a built-in design so the bedroom has unity and cohesion. Here, two large wardrobes sit on either side of the bed and are connected by a bridge of open shelving, creating a harmonious look that’s neat and streamlined.
When there’s no room for cupboards or wardrobes on the wall opposite the bed, the solution is often to place all the furniture along one wall. But rather than having individual freestanding pieces, opt for a built-in design so the bedroom has unity and cohesion. Here, two large wardrobes sit on either side of the bed and are connected by a bridge of open shelving, creating a harmonious look that’s neat and streamlined.
9. Turn it into useful cubby shelf storage
Over-bed storage doesn’t have to mean closed units, it can be open shelves too. Cubby shelf storage is an ideal solution in kids’ rooms that need some clutter-control, and if you don’t like the busy look, pop baskets into the cubbies for a neat finish.
Tell us
Are you swayed by these new looks for over-bed storage? We’d love to hear your views in the Comments below.
More
Browse more bedroom storage ideas
Over-bed storage doesn’t have to mean closed units, it can be open shelves too. Cubby shelf storage is an ideal solution in kids’ rooms that need some clutter-control, and if you don’t like the busy look, pop baskets into the cubbies for a neat finish.
Tell us
Are you swayed by these new looks for over-bed storage? We’d love to hear your views in the Comments below.
More
Browse more bedroom storage ideas
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I'm keen to look into installing something like this - but not clear where to start - who I need to speak to! Can anyone help me?