Setting up a bedroom from scratch—or rethinking your current storage setup—can feel overwhelming given the variety of furniture options available. Whether you're moving into your first apartment, furnishing a new home, or simply upgrading your existing bedroom, understanding the full landscape of storage solutions helps you make decisions that serve your needs for years to come. This guide walks you through everything from basic furniture types to the practical considerations that should inform your choices.
The Core Storage Furniture Types
Chest of Drawers
The chest of drawers is the workhorse of bedroom storage, designed specifically for folded clothing and smaller items. Unlike wardrobes, which primarily accommodate hanging garments, chests excel at storing t-shirts, jumpers, underwear, socks, pyjamas, and accessories. Their drawer-based design provides easy access and natural organisation—each drawer can hold a different category of clothing.
Chests come in two primary configurations: tallboys (vertical orientation) and lowboys (horizontal orientation). Tallboys maximise storage in a minimal floor footprint, making them ideal for smaller rooms. Lowboys spread storage across a wider surface, provide easier access to all drawers, and often include space for a mirror on top, creating a dressing area.
For most bedrooms, at least one chest of drawers is essential. Wardrobes alone rarely provide sufficient storage for all your clothing, and items like underwear and socks are awkward to store hanging. Consider a chest of drawers as foundational rather than optional.
Wardrobes and Armoires
Wardrobes provide hanging storage for items that shouldn't be folded: dresses, suits, coats, shirts that wrinkle easily, and longer garments. Many modern homes include built-in wardrobes, but freestanding wardrobes remain popular for rooms without built-ins, for additional storage in well-stocked wardrobes, or for renters who can't modify their spaces.
Freestanding wardrobes range from simple single-door units to elaborate armoire systems with hanging space, shelves, and drawers combined. If your home lacks built-in storage, a wardrobe with internal drawers can potentially eliminate the need for a separate chest of drawers, though this depends on your clothing volume and preferences.
Bedside Tables (Nightstands)
While primarily functional surfaces for lamps, books, phones, and glasses of water, many bedside tables include drawers providing valuable small-item storage. This space is perfect for items you want accessible while in bed: reading glasses, medications, journals, or personal items you prefer to keep private and dust-free.
Consider bedside storage as supplementary rather than primary—the small drawers work for specific items but aren't practical for clothing storage.
Storage Planning Tip
Before purchasing furniture, take inventory of what you actually need to store. Sort your clothing into categories: items that need hanging, items that should be folded, accessories, and seasonal items you might store elsewhere. This inventory reveals your true storage needs rather than letting assumptions guide your purchases.
Assessing Your Storage Needs
Clothing Volume Assessment
Storage needs vary dramatically between individuals. A person with a minimal wardrobe might need only a single four-drawer chest, while someone with extensive clothing collections might require multiple chests plus wardrobe space. Be honest about your wardrobe size—both current and anticipated—when planning storage.
Consider these categories when assessing your needs:
- Everyday basics: T-shirts, casual tops, jeans, shorts, underwear, socks
- Work clothing: Business wear, uniforms, or professional attire
- Formal wear: Suits, dresses, evening wear that needs careful storage
- Seasonal items: Heavy jumpers, winter coats, summer clothes stored off-season
- Active wear: Gym clothes, sports gear, outdoor activity clothing
- Accessories: Belts, ties, scarves, hats, bags, jewellery
- Sleepwear and loungewear: Pyjamas, robes, comfortable home clothes
Room Measurement and Layout
Storage furniture only works if it fits your space appropriately. Before shopping, measure your bedroom carefully, noting:
- Total floor dimensions
- Wall spaces available for furniture (accounting for doors, windows, and heating vents)
- Ceiling height (especially relevant for tallboys)
- Door swing areas that need to remain clear
- Walking paths between furniture pieces
- Clearance needed for drawer extension
A common mistake is purchasing furniture that technically fits but creates a cramped, difficult-to-navigate space. Leave adequate walking room—at least 60 centimetres—around furniture, and remember that drawers need space to open fully.
Key Features to Consider
Construction Quality
Quality varies enormously across the furniture market. While budget constraints are real, understanding construction basics helps you find the best value at any price point.
Drawer construction reveals a lot about overall quality. Look for drawers with solid sides (plywood or solid wood rather than thin hardboard), reinforced corners (dovetail joints indicate higher quality), and sturdy bottoms that won't bow under weight. Pull drawers out and examine them closely before purchasing.
Drawer runners determine how smoothly drawers operate and how long they'll continue working well. Basic roller runners are adequate but can wear over time. Ball-bearing runners operate more smoothly and last longer. Soft-close mechanisms prevent slamming and add a quality feel. Consider upgrading to better runners if available, even at additional cost.
Frame construction affects stability and longevity. Look for furniture that feels solid, doesn't wobble, and uses sturdy back panels rather than thin cardboard or hardboard. If examining flat-pack furniture, research the brand's construction quality through reviews.
The Real Cost of Cheap Furniture
Budget furniture that fails after two years and needs replacing actually costs more than mid-range furniture that lasts a decade. When budgeting, consider cost-per-year rather than just purchase price. A $600 chest lasting 15 years costs $40 per year; a $200 chest lasting 3 years costs $67 per year while also requiring the hassle of replacement.
Material Options
Solid wood (oak, pine, mahogany, acacia) offers durability, natural beauty, and repair potential. It's the most expensive option but can last generations with proper care. Solid wood furniture can be refinished if damaged, extending its useful life further.
Engineered wood (MDF, particle board, plywood) forms the core of most affordable furniture. Quality varies widely—some engineered wood furniture performs excellently while cheap versions deteriorate quickly. Key quality indicators include thickness, density, and the quality of surface finishes.
Veneer applies thin layers of real wood over engineered wood cores, combining natural wood appearance with engineered wood pricing. Quality veneer looks beautiful but can chip or peel if poorly applied.
For detailed material comparisons, see our guide on solid wood versus engineered wood.
Style and Aesthetic
Storage furniture is functional first, but aesthetics matter for pieces you'll see daily. Consider how furniture fits your existing or planned decor:
- Modern/Contemporary: Clean lines, minimal hardware, often high-gloss or matte finishes
- Scandinavian: Light woods, simple designs, functional focus
- Traditional: Ornate details, darker woods, classic hardware
- Industrial: Metal accents, raw materials, utilitarian appearance
- Coastal/Hamptons: White finishes, weathered looks, relaxed elegance
Matching bedroom furniture creates cohesion, but mixing styles thoughtfully can work beautifully. If mixing, maintain consistency in one element—perhaps all pieces share similar wood tones or hardware finishes.
Shopping Strategies for Beginners
Where to Shop
Furniture retailers (brick-and-mortar stores) let you examine furniture in person, test drawer operation, and assess quality firsthand. Staff can answer questions and help with delivery arrangements. This is valuable for significant purchases where quality assessment matters.
Online retailers offer wider selection and often lower prices. The tradeoff is inability to examine items before purchase. Read reviews carefully, focusing on construction quality and long-term durability rather than just appearance. Look for retailers with good return policies.
Flat-pack retailers (IKEA and similar) offer budget-friendly options with modern designs. Quality ranges from entry-level to surprisingly good. Factor assembly time and difficulty into your decision—some people find assembly straightforward while others find it frustrating.
Second-hand options (marketplace sites, op shops, estate sales) can yield excellent furniture at fraction of new prices. Solid wood vintage furniture is often better quality than new budget furniture. Inspect carefully for structural issues, and budget for any refinishing if needed.
Timing Your Purchase
Furniture prices fluctuate seasonally. End-of-financial-year (June) and post-Christmas sales typically offer the best discounts. New model releases (often in spring and autumn) can mean clearance prices on previous seasons' stock. If you're not in immediate need, waiting for sales can save significant money.
Setting Up for Success
Delivery and Assembly
Before purchasing, understand delivery arrangements. Measure doorways and hallways to ensure furniture can actually reach your bedroom. Large wardrobes and assembled furniture may not fit through standard doorways—check dimensions carefully or choose flat-pack alternatives that can be assembled in the room.
If choosing flat-pack furniture, realistically assess your assembly abilities. Many pieces are straightforward, but some require specific tools, patience, and attention to detail. Assembly services are often available for additional cost and may be worthwhile for complex pieces or if you lack tools and experience.
Placement and Safety
Once furniture arrives, install any included anti-tip anchoring hardware immediately. Position furniture to allow full drawer extension without obstruction. Ensure adequate lighting for morning routines. Consider traffic flow—you'll navigate around this furniture daily.
For comprehensive safety information, see our guide on furniture safety tips.
Starting Simple and Expanding
You don't need to furnish your entire bedroom at once. Many people start with essential pieces and add storage as needs become clearer. A basic starter setup might include:
- One chest of drawers (4-6 drawers) for everyday clothing
- Built-in wardrobe use for hanging items (if available)
- Simple bedside table for immediate-access items
After living with this setup for a few months, you'll understand your actual storage needs rather than guessing. You might discover you need more drawer space, additional hanging storage, or perhaps your initial setup is entirely sufficient.
Conclusion
Bedroom storage is fundamentally about creating systems that support your daily life. The best furniture choices consider your specific needs, space constraints, budget, and aesthetic preferences. By understanding your options, assessing your actual requirements, and shopping strategically, you can create a bedroom that keeps your belongings organised, accessible, and protected. Start with the essentials, prioritise quality where it matters most, and don't hesitate to expand your storage as your needs evolve.