A small space that works 24/7

Everyone needs living space that keeps up with their lifestyle, and when you’re short on room, your furniture needs to work even harder. See how interior designer Frida Roos used flexible storage, textiles and clever lighting to create a smart, airy space.

A bed dressed with floral bedding in the middle of a room with storage and shelves along the walls.

A white desk lamp hangs over a book and pillows on a bed.

Start with a smart position for your bed

“This is a room for people who live in a limited space, who want easy access to everything they love,” explains interior designer Frida Roos. Placing the bed in the middle of the room is key to this look as it frees up lots of space around it to put other furniture, like a desk, behind the headboard.

A lamp shines on floral bedding, pillows and a book, and a glass of water and carafe on a small white side table.

Create an atmosphere

Your choice of materials and textiles can make even a small room feel light and airy. “Avoid a lot of patterns, and use soft shapes and materials such as rattan and natural textiles for a balanced feel,” recommends Frida. Also, arrange task, mood and general lighting according to how you use your space.

Towels stored in a zip-cover box under the side of a bed with floral bedding.

Make use of dead space

A bed frame with space for storage underneath provides easy access to things like pillows, towels, extra linen and seasonal clothes. Storage boxes with covers protect out-of-season belongings from dust while not in use.

“

Don’t be afraid to place the bed in the middle of the room! You will free up a lot of space around it. You could even place a desk behind the headboard.

”

Frida Roos

A curtain closing across a wardrobe with shelves and hanging storage.

Reveal and conceal

The role of open storage is to keep the items you love on display and the things you use often close at hand. But no matter how organised your wardrobe is, sometimes you’ll want your stuff out of sight. If wardrobe doors will stretch your budget too far or you don’t have the space to open them, then try hanging a curtain across your open storage instead.

Cardboard boxes stacked inside a hanging organiser next to clothes on a rail.

Choose decorative storage

“You can create this look on a budget by storing away the clutter and organising small items in boxes and baskets,” advises Frida. As well as using the practical inserts and fittings for PAX to make the most of the hanging space in your wardrobe, you can add personality with pretty stationery boxes for smaller belongings.

A small mirror and pots of make-up supplies on a shelf with storage boxes.

Make your shelves work harder

If you don’t have room for a desk or dressing table, why not dedicate a shelf at the right height? A vanity mirror, pots and boxes for your make-up will create an instant beauty station.

We love to see our customers get creative with our products. Go for it! But please note that altering or modifying IKEA products so they can no longer be re-sold or used for their original purpose, means the IKEA commercial guarantees and your right to return the products will be lost.

Made by
Interior designer: Frida Roos
Photographer: Karl-Johan Hjertström