When charged with making over a bedroom, the first things I assess is the size of the room quickly followed by how well the wardrobe is designed.
It’s another story when there's no wardrobe. If there is one thing I’ve learnt as an interior designer, it's that storage is a big issue and can be the cause of many an argument.
But just because your bedroom doesn't have a fitted or free-standing wardrobe means you are doomed to a lifetime of clothes left messily on the floor.
Here are three alternatives that might just ease those storage woes.
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1. The open storage wall
I recently got a job redesigning the look of a hotel's guestrooms. I've opted to remove the wardrobes and replace them with a simple open storage wall - sometimes with an integrated desk or makeup space and LED lighting.
Metal mixed with caramel toned wood shelving or drawers can bring a bit of balance to a bedroom. Photo / Supplied
If designed properly, an open storage wall can look on trend and become part of your bedroom's decor. I'm in love with perforated metal as it gives an industrial feel without feeling too solid or heavy in a room. Try mixing a caramel toned wood shelving or drawers to warm up the metal uprights for a stylish balance look.
2. Do it yourself
The solid freestanding wardrobes of yesteryear have been and gone. Most free-standing wardrobes now are 1.8 metres in height, made of thin yellowing melamine and offer a single rail, which means you have a storage space that doesn't reach full ceiling height and has a lot of wasted space in the lower half.
Kits that make full use of the space available are smart option. Photo / Supplied
The best way to tackle this is a build your own kit, like the Elfa collection from Mitre10, or keep your eye out for freestanding units that go slightly beyond the standard solution. Ideally you want to evaluate what your clothing ratio is. For example, do you need more space for business shirts or your shoes? Make sure the storage combination works for you.
3. Go compact
Lastly if you are more of a shoes and T-shirt person, opt for a set of drawers and a small collection of clothing accessories to be stored in a compact dual function rack like the Nikkeby from Ikea, NZ designer I’ll Hang it Here or the Clothes Hanger from Fifo.
The Clothes Hanger from Fifo. Photo / Supplied
A great way to introduce a little bit of colour and show off your favourite fashion pieces is to by have these powder coated to your interior accent colour. You can style your room with your very own curated collection like a retail store - a hit for teenage girls or those who like to live on the minimalist edge.
