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One of the challenges of modern homes is the limited space available for storage, and in no other room is this felt more than in the bedroom where there is never enough space to store clothes and shoes. Often, rooms in modern apartments are so small that there is hardly any space left for a closet. If you face this problem, don’t worry! The homify team has put together ideas for closets that will work even in the smallest bedrooms. See these designs and be inspired to build the perfect closet in your home.
As a space-saving alternative to conventional doors, sliding doors are the best solution for closets in small bedrooms. Some small closets with sliding doors are so well designed that they blend into the wall and could be mistaken for cladding, especially when they have recessed handles that aren’t visible on the surface.
Learn about the benefits of sliding glass doors in your home.
As we mentioned earlier, small closets with sliding doors are ideal for tiny bedrooms as they won’t interfere with the passage space around the bed. Additionally, in a bedroom that lacks natural light, fixing mirrors on the wardrobe door reflects the light to make the room look brighter, besides creating the illusion that the room is larger than it is.
The sliding doors on the closet in a small bedroom can also be made of glass, either transparent or opaque. Besides providing storage space in the room, using glass with designs on the surface can make the wardrobe a decorative feature in the room.
When the space for a closet is limited, it’s best to make the most of whatever is available. Consider designing bedroom closets that extend all the way to the ceiling from the floor. When you are looking for the best closet models for modern homes, using a combination of shelves and drawers will help to organize things better. For instance, you can have pull out drawers at the bottom for easily accessing shoes. The wardrobe can have a combination of hanging space and shelves so that it is more functional.
If the layout of the room doesn’t present a sufficient stretch of wall space to build a closet, use a corner and get a custom-designed unit that fits perfectly into the area. Ideally, it should have a swing door so that the deepest space in the corner can be easily accessed. Nowadays, you can find wardrobe systems with rotating shelves or swivel systems (like in corner cabinets in the kitchen), which can work well in small closets designed in a corner of the bedroom.
The success of small closet models for modern rooms depends upon how well the internal space is organized. Of course, the number of clothes and shoes that you have will play a role in keeping it looking neat always, so as a first step, get rid of things you haven’t used in a long time as chances are that you won’t need them ever again. Then, assess the items of clothing and arrange them according to the type. For example, skirts and tops can be arranged on one shelf. Dresses and sarees can be placed on hangers. You can even find hardware that can be fitted to organise ties, scarves, handbags and jewellery. Based on the space that you need for each category of clothing, you can work with an interior designer to create a functional closet suited to your specific needs.
Storage takes priority over display, when it comes to tiny bedrooms. If there is no other alternative, you can build a closet against the head of the bed, using the space that is usually reserved for bedside tables. However, make sure that you install sufficient lighting in the ceiling, so that you can read in bed without straining your eyes. Ensure that the doors of the small closets don’t interfere with the space around the bed.
Sometimes, there is no space in a bedroom for a built-in wardrobe. In such cases, it’s best to find a wall against which you can place a cupboard in which you can store clothes, shoes and other accessories. Depending on the style of your room, you can pick a classic wooden cupboard or a more modern one.
Not every room has a regular shape. In some homes, especially loft apartments, a sloping roof might cut into the space available for the wardrobe. Similarly, some rooms might have a semi-circular wall that doesn't allow a standard wardrobe to be placed against it. In such cases, the best solution is to get small closets custom-built to fit the space. You can draw up a sketch of the number of shelves that you need and hire a carpenter to construct and install the wardrobe in the designated space.
In some apartments, a bedroom might have a small recess reserved for a walk-in wardrobe, but sometimes the space is so small that it’s impossible to install any of the standard closet models for modern rooms. One way of solving this problem is to do away with the doors and have open shelves in the space. You can arrange your clothes, handbags and other accessories on the shelves and even install a rod for hanging dresses. The only problem with this design is that you will have to ensure that the shelves are always arranged neatly as there is no way to hide mess or clutter.
An idea to get around this problem is to have a curtain that can be drawn to provide privacy to the open closet space. Additionally, for those who don’t like the idea of their clothes accumulating dust due to the open shelves, transparent glass sliding doors can be installed to protect the items. This will also ensure that you spend less time dusting the shelves.
If there is absolutely no space in the bedroom for storage, you will need to look for alternative areas in the house. The space underneath the stairs is often underutilized, but with the right design, it’s possible to install small closets in this area. Ideally, the closet should have pull out sections that make it easy to access whatever you need without having to bend or stretch into the deepest part of the closet and running the risk of bumping your head against the stairs. Plan the space well so that it has internal systems such as shoe racks or hangers depending upon your needs.
Get some imaginative ideas to create storage under the stairs.
When no other solution is available, especially in a tiny studio apartment, get a bed with pull-out storage underneath and use it as a closet to arrange your clothes and shoes in the drawers. Alternatively, invest in a bed with a hydraulic system that can be used to lift the mattress easily to access the closet space underneath. A cheaper option, if you don’t have a big budget is to get storage boxes for your clothes, which can be stashed under the bed so that it doesn’t get in the way.
