9 tips to set up a dressing room in a small bedroom
Do you have a small bedroom and the idea of integrating a dressing room seems impossible to you? This lack of space combined with storage constraints gives the impression that the challenge is significant, especially since small spaces and dressing rooms do not often go hand in hand. Yet, with ingenious tricks and an optimised layout, even the smallest spaces can accommodate a dressing room that is as functional as it is elegant.
Imagine a well-organised corner where every piece of clothing finds its place, without ever overloading the room. A cleverly designed dressing room brings not only order, but also a touch of aesthetics and comfort to your space. Follow our 9 detailed tips to transform your bedroom into a truly practical storage space, perfectly adapted to your needs.
1. Exploit every nook and cranny
In a small bedroom, every centimetre counts. Use frequently forgotten corners to install corner shelves or compact hanging rails. For example, an L-shaped shelf can perfectly fit a corner and hold your bags or shoes. You can also fix wall hooks in these spaces to hang your accessories. Remember to use the height of the walls to install extra shelves.
This tip allows you to optimise space without encroaching on the main surface of the room, while offering an aesthetic and tidy look.
2. Count on space-saving pull-out solutions
When space is limited, every square metre must be optimised. Pull-out and retractable solutions allow you to adapt the dressing room according to your needs, while freeing up space when it is not in use.
A few ideas for a space-saving dressing room:
- Drop-down hanging rail: A rail mounted on a liftable mechanism allows you to store your clothes high up and access them easily by pulling a handle.
- Vertical sliding drawers: Installed on the sides of a wardrobe or a dressing unit, they allow you to store shoes or accessories without wasting space.
- Retractable shelf: Ideal for temporarily placing clothes you are preparing or folding your laundry without occupying a permanent space.
- Foldable wall racks: These pull-down rails allow you to hang clothes while choosing your outfit and fold back against the wall when they are no longer needed.
3. Opt for open shelving
Open shelves visually lighten the space while allowing you to find your things easily. Arrange your shoes, bags, and accessories on them in an orderly fashion. For a decorative touch, add a few decorative objects like wicker baskets, matching boxes, or photo frames.
Open shelves are ideal for showcasing your most beautiful objects while personalising your space and keeping a certain functionality. Play with the height and layout of the shelves to create a unique wall composition. Add integrated lighting under the shelves to highlight your objects, which will facilitate daily organisation.
4. Choose a wardrobe with a curtain
Hinged doors take up space and limit movement around the room. To gain practicality, opt for a wardrobe with curtain. This solution offers quick access to your clothes while bringing a touch of lightness. Furthermore, curtains can be chosen in light tones or natural materials to visually enlarge the space. They can also harmonise with the room's decoration, bringing a warm and welcoming look. You can even opt for textured or patterned curtains to add character to your dressing room. In addition, install double curtain rails to layer light fabrics with more opaque ones, allowing you to adjust privacy as well as brightness according to your needs.
Why choose a curtain rather than doors? First of all, for maximum space saving. Unlike hinged doors, a curtain requires no space to open. Flexibility is also a factor, as it is easy to change according to the seasons or your decoration desires. Following this last point, we can also add its simplified installation. A simple rod is enough, without complex DIY work. Finally, the curtain brings an atmosphere that is as cosy as it is decorative. You can choose light and airy fabrics to visually enlarge the room, or textured patterns to add character.
It is an inexpensive alternative, easy to set up, and perfect for a discrete and accessible dressing room. It is ideal for small budgets, temporary setups, or very small spaces where every centimetre counts.
5. Use sliding doors
If your space allows it, install a dressing room with sliding doors. This option is ideal because it does not encroach on the clearance space. You can even choose frosted glass or mirrored doors to bring a sensation of grandeur and modernity. Sliding doors can also integrate graphic patterns or bold colours to give character to the room. Another option is to install light wood doors for an atmosphere that is as warm as it is soothing. For an even more sophisticated effect, opt for silent, integrated sliding systems, which maximize comfort in use and aesthetics.
Why opt for sliding doors? They provide a structured look and integrate perfectly with the furniture, are ideal if your storage occupies an entire wall, are available in frosted glass, mirror, or wood, allowing them to adapt to all styles, and finally, mirrored doors reflect light while providing an impression of space.
Ideal for built-in dressing rooms, people looking for a durable and aesthetic solution, or those who want to hide the contents of their storage.
6. Privilege high storage solutions
Use the ceiling height to install high shelves or cupboards. You can store seasonal items or less frequently used objects there. For example, decorative boxes or wicker baskets bring a warm style while optimising storage. Also think of hanging shelves, perfect for accessories or books.
To reinforce visual harmony, choose containers of the same colour or material. A decorative ladder can also be used to access the upper shelves while bringing a trendy touch. Also add suspended elements like wall-mounted clothes racks that maximize vertical space while facilitating access to daily clothes.
7. Set up a hidden dressing room
If you want to integrate a dressing room without it visually cluttering the room, think of discrete and built-in storage solutions.
For a dressing room in a small bedroom that is both discrete and hidden, we suggest a dressing room behind a headboard, one concealed within a piece of furniture, integrated under a platform, or partitioned off with a glass screen or a sliding panel. The first option, integrating between the bed and the wall, will allow you to create an accessible dressing room without occupying extra space. The second can contain a hanging rail and shelves without giving the impression of a traditional dressing room. The third option will be elevated in a part of the bedroom, allowing you to integrate sliding drawers or a low hanging rail. Finally, with the last option, you can separate the dressing area from the rest of the bedroom, allowing you to structure the space while maintaining an impression of lightness.
8. Integrate multi-functional furniture
In a small bedroom, optimising space is essential. Each piece of furniture must fulfill several functions to maximize storage while conserving visual harmony.
The bed with integrated drawers: discrete and efficient storage
A bed with integrated drawers is a clever solution to exploit the space under the mattress without cluttering the room.
- Storage of out-of-season clothes: Store your coats, thick jumpers, or summer clothes under the bed, in sliding drawers or suitable boxes.
- Organisation of household linen: Sheets, duvet covers, and towels find their place without monopolising a wardrobe.
- Ease of access: Unlike classic boxes, integrated drawers allow you to pull out and tidy your things quickly, without having to lift the mattress.
- Tip: Opt for a bed with independent drawers or drawers on wheels for a smoother opening, even in a reduced space.
The headboard with storage niches: space-saving and neat decoration
A headboard equipped with niches allows you to exploit an often-neglected space while keeping daily objects within arm's reach.
- It can hold books and magazines. No more need for a bulky bedside table; your evening reading is accessible directly in the headboard. This can also transform into a space for your accessories. Watches, jewellery, glasses, or small objects will find their place there without the risk of being lost.
- Tip: If your headboard does not feature storage, add slim wall shelves just above it for a similar effect without taking up floor space.
The storage bench: a versatile extra space
Placed at the foot of the bed, a bench with a storage chest combines comfortable seating with storage space.
We recommend storing your shoes there. This is an ideal place since you will avoid clutter in the dressing room. This bench is also practical for storing blankets and cushions, keeping the bed always well-ordered without multiplying the furniture pieces. Finally, you can also use it as a seat, which is very practical for getting dressed in the morning or laying out your clothes for the next day.
- Tip: Choose a fabric bench with a padded lid for a comfortable seat and a cosy look.
9. Play with mirrors
Mirrors are indispensable allies in small spaces. Integrate a mirror onto the door of your dressing room or choose mirrored sliding panels. Not only do they visually enlarge the space, but they also bring in more light, making the room feel airier.
You can also install a large wall mirror which, in addition to its practical aspect, will give an illusion of depth. For a more elegant effect, surround the mirror with fairy lights or decorative frames. An extra tip: combine the mirror with integrated LED lighting for a luminous effect that sublimes your entire room.
An optimised dressing room, even in small spaces
Setting up a dressing room for a small bedroom is entirely possible by applying these practical tips. The essential thing is to optimise every corner but also to choose intelligent storage solutions. Imagine the satisfaction of finding a sleek and perfectly organised space, with every piece of clothing in its place, without compromising on style.
