8 Inventive Designs That Made the Most of These European Bedrooms
From ingenious layouts to clever cabinetry, these designs show how bedrooms big and small can be enhanced
Whether you have a cramped bedroom that needs to accommodate several elements or a bigger space that could be used more effectively – or luxuriously – check out these eight schemes from European bedrooms. In each, the designer has cleverly added more functionality, with everything from a mini-dressing table to a whole ensuite.
With the foot of the bed pushed up to the window, there’s space behind for a simple desk, which includes a set of drawers to keep the surface uncluttered.
Beautiful forest wallpaper adds visual depth to the room. Although there’s a window at the foot of the bed, an internal window (visible on the right in the previous image), boosts the light further, and means the wallpaper can be seen and enjoyed from the main living area.
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Beautiful forest wallpaper adds visual depth to the room. Although there’s a window at the foot of the bed, an internal window (visible on the right in the previous image), boosts the light further, and means the wallpaper can be seen and enjoyed from the main living area.
Navigating a tight floor plan? Find an interior designer near you on Houzz for customised solutions in your interior
2. Carve out an ensuite
Pushing the bed forwards to free up space behind the headboard is also at play in this scheme in Devon, UK, by van Ellen + Sheryn Architects and Jenny Luck Interiors, but on a grander scale. Here, an ensuite is tucked behind a screen clad in western-red cedar stained a dramatic charcoal.
Pushing the bed forwards to free up space behind the headboard is also at play in this scheme in Devon, UK, by van Ellen + Sheryn Architects and Jenny Luck Interiors, but on a grander scale. Here, an ensuite is tucked behind a screen clad in western-red cedar stained a dramatic charcoal.
The bathroom behind is light and roomy, with the bath positioned on the right-hand side so the client can see a flash of burnished copper from the bedroom.
3. Steal space for a walk-in wardrobe
Here’s that headboard idea again, but this time hiding a walk-in wardrobe in Sussex, UK. In this design by Adam Penton of Penton Architects, the screen stops short of the ceiling to keep an airy feel.
Here’s that headboard idea again, but this time hiding a walk-in wardrobe in Sussex, UK. In this design by Adam Penton of Penton Architects, the screen stops short of the ceiling to keep an airy feel.
The owners didn’t want to sacrifice too much of the bedroom space, so the small walk-in wardrobe area is narrow. Nevertheless, it’s enough to access clothes and accessories, especially as Penton used sliding doors on the wardrobes.
4. Design in a dressing room
In this London home in the UK, the owners were happy to steal space from the newly created loft bedroom, but wanted more of a dressing room rather than just a walk-in wardrobe. So designer Yoko Kloeden created separate spaces using a full stud wall.
In the bedroom, this gave her the chance to add a niche above the bed, which meant she didn’t have to squeeze bedside tables into the narrow space.
In this London home in the UK, the owners were happy to steal space from the newly created loft bedroom, but wanted more of a dressing room rather than just a walk-in wardrobe. So designer Yoko Kloeden created separate spaces using a full stud wall.
In the bedroom, this gave her the chance to add a niche above the bed, which meant she didn’t have to squeeze bedside tables into the narrow space.
Behind the divide, the sloping ceiling created the perfect spot for a dressing table, with light streaming in from the skylight above. A series of drawers on the left of this makes use of the awkwardly shaped space in the eaves, while hanging rails run along the higher, partition wall behind (just seen in the mirror).
Browse more beautiful blue bedrooms
Browse more beautiful blue bedrooms
5. Borrow space from next door
This is an ingenious tweak by designer Claudia Dorsch. The child’s room in London was tight, even for a single bed. By borrowing a relatively small alcove from the bigger bedroom next door, Dorsch has created a much more useable space. And the nook adds to the ‘den’ feeling of the cabin bed.
This is an ingenious tweak by designer Claudia Dorsch. The child’s room in London was tight, even for a single bed. By borrowing a relatively small alcove from the bigger bedroom next door, Dorsch has created a much more useable space. And the nook adds to the ‘den’ feeling of the cabin bed.
The two rooms and borrowed nook can be seen on the left of this floor plan. The reconfigured wall also created an alcove by the window in the bigger room, which is perfect for a desk.
6. Sneak in a dressing table like this…
This bedroom in London really shows how bespoke cabinetry and tailored design can maximise a space. Here, Dorsch has turned a small section of these fitted wardrobes into a useful and beautiful little dressing table, complete with a cupboard, drawers, a mirror and a little table that can be folded away, all topped with a pretty pendant light.
Completing the experience is a stool, which can easily be moved aside when necessary.
This bedroom in London really shows how bespoke cabinetry and tailored design can maximise a space. Here, Dorsch has turned a small section of these fitted wardrobes into a useful and beautiful little dressing table, complete with a cupboard, drawers, a mirror and a little table that can be folded away, all topped with a pretty pendant light.
Completing the experience is a stool, which can easily be moved aside when necessary.
7. …Or like this
If you have a chimney breast in your small bedroom, check out this alternative way to incorporate a dressing table into bespoke cabinetry. The vanity area in this London bedroom, designed by Stephen Nash of All & Nxthing for his own home, is actually very slim, and there would have been a recessed area between the wardrobes anyway, so it’s a great use of space.
The one thing that might potentially stick out too far – the stool – slots neatly into the old fireplace. And the doors across the front are bi-folds, so they tuck back nicely when open.
If you have a chimney breast in your small bedroom, check out this alternative way to incorporate a dressing table into bespoke cabinetry. The vanity area in this London bedroom, designed by Stephen Nash of All & Nxthing for his own home, is actually very slim, and there would have been a recessed area between the wardrobes anyway, so it’s a great use of space.
The one thing that might potentially stick out too far – the stool – slots neatly into the old fireplace. And the doors across the front are bi-folds, so they tuck back nicely when open.
8. Build in a fun feature
Here’s another way bespoke cabinetry can really enhance a home. Designer Mel Massey had this wall-to-wall unit built in her youngest son’s room in their London home. As well as having plenty of practical hanging, shelf and drawer space, it has a fun den, accessed via foot holes.
Later, when her son’s too big to sit up there, Mel can simply fit doors and use the space for storage.
Your turn
Which of these designs appeals to you most? Share your thoughts in the Comments below. And remember to like this story if you found it helpful, save the images and join the conversation.
More
Wondering how to disguise existing features as well as working in new ones? We have you covered with 9 Ways to Disguise the Uglies
Here’s another way bespoke cabinetry can really enhance a home. Designer Mel Massey had this wall-to-wall unit built in her youngest son’s room in their London home. As well as having plenty of practical hanging, shelf and drawer space, it has a fun den, accessed via foot holes.
Later, when her son’s too big to sit up there, Mel can simply fit doors and use the space for storage.
Your turn
Which of these designs appeals to you most? Share your thoughts in the Comments below. And remember to like this story if you found it helpful, save the images and join the conversation.
More
Wondering how to disguise existing features as well as working in new ones? We have you covered with 9 Ways to Disguise the Uglies
The bedroom in this small Parisian apartment in France was slightly reduced in size to maximise the living room, but the clever use of space by Lagom Architectes means it now works much harder.
A full wall of cupboards neatly takes care of storage, but the real genius is the headboard.