How to choose the right bedroom storage

As with kitchen planning, it's worth listing what you need to store in your bedroom and working out how much hanging- and drawer-space is required.

If you are starting from scratch, you can opt for fitted furniture or freestanding designs, or a combination of the two. If there are already cupboards in place, a new paint finish and updated interior fittings will help improve the look. Additional items like a bed-end chest or a multi-drawer cabinet can also provide crucial extra storage.

Fully fitted and walk-in wardrobes

* Most bedrooms will benefit from fitted furniture - a good designer will be able to solve the problems of awkward angles, uneven alcoves and out-of-proportion walls to present a sleek, uniform appearance.

* Even if the fitted section is restricted to one wall, it will still provide generous hanging and shelf space.

* L-shaped bedrooms lend themselves to being split into sleeping and wardrobe areas: depending on the layout, you can either have a door leading to a walk-in wardrobe with open shelves and rails beyond, or just a separate space with a traditional wardrobe.

Underbed storage

* Never underestimate the value of the space beneath your bed. Even if your room has ample cupboards, shoes and bags seem to gravitate to that forgotten area, so it makes sense to use it properly.

* Standard bedsteads can be teamed with sturdy under-bed baskets, or even large drawers on castors.

* Divan beds with drawers are extremely useful, but choose one with a plain fabric cover so you don't need to use a valance sheet and can reach the drawers easily.

* The latest idea is the lift-up bed, where the entire slatted base is raised, usually via a hydraulic system, to reveal a storage area the size of the bed. It's more disruptive than drawers, but an excellent place to stow out-of-season quilts and blankets.

Freestanding drawers and wardrobes

* There's currently a trend for low, horizontal chests of drawers, good news if you want to store bulky items such as blankets or big jumpers.

* Low, wide drawers could even be used for shoes and handbags. But if floor space is limited, consider tall, narrow chests with lots of drawers - perfect for smaller items such as T-shirts and lingerie.

* Freestanding wardrobes are less popular then they used to be, but they are still a good
choice, especially in a period home with alcoves either side of a chimney breast. Here, a wardrobe positioned in each alcove with the bed opposite and a sturdy set of bedside drawers will cover most storage needs.

For rooms with limited space these slimline furniture options may be helpful.

* Slimline Wardrobes are great when space is alittle cramped. If built-in storage isn't possible look for freestanding wardrobes with a minimum internal depth of around 50cm.Less than that and hangers will be skewed at an angle. The slimmest option is the versatile.

* New Hampshire Modular Wardrobe system, which can be ordered in any combination of hanging rails, drawers and cupboards in as many modules fitted side by side as the space will take. Each module measures W55cm, D51cm, H185cm from The Dormy House. The WD1 Classic Wardrobe is one of many pieces by Scumble Goosie that can be ordered in a custom
size. It could be adapted from the standard W104cm, D60cm, H190cm, to be more slender but half as long again at W150cm, D52cm, H190cm. Also the Double Door Wardrobe in wood with a distressed white finish, W110cm, D55cm, H190cm, from Hicks & Hicks, and the Leon in
reclaimed fir wood, W120cm, D57cm, H205cm, from Loaf are great options. However for the Wider and more contemporary feel the Radius three-door wardrobe in oak, from Habitat is a great option.

Bedroom storage directory

Freestanding Furniture

B&Q 0845 850 0175; diy.com.

Benchmark Furniture 01488 608020; benchmark-furniture.com.

BoConcept 0845 605 0565; boconcept.co.uk.

Chamber Furniture 01959 532553; chamberfurniture.co.uk.

The Cotswold Company 0870 241 0973; cotswoldco.com.

Dwell 0870 241 8653; dwell.co.uk.

Feather & Black 01243 380600; featherandblack.com.

Frank Hudson 01494 522011; frankhudson.com.

Heal's 020 7636 1666; heals.co.uk.

Ikea 0845 355 1141; ikea.co.uk.

John Lewis 0845 604 9049; johnlewis.com.

Laura Ashley 0870 562 2116; lauraashley.com.

Ligne Roset 0870 777 7202; ligne-roset.co.uk.

Lombok 0870 240 7380; lombok.co.uk.

Marks & Spencer 0845 302 1234; marksandspencer.com.
Muji 020 7287 7323; muji.co.uk.

Next Home 0870 243 5435; next.co.uk.
Raft 020 8450 5078; raftltd.co.uk.

Willis & Gambier 01799 510170; wguk.com

Fitted and Walk-In

Caple 0870 606 9606; caple.co.uk.

Chamber Furniture (01959) 532553; chamberfurniture.co.uk.

Embrace Bedrooms 0800 555861; embracebedrooms.com.

Hammonds 0800 251505; hammonds-uk.com.

Martin Moore & Company (0161) 928 2643.

Neville Johnson (0161) 873 8333; nevillejohnson.co.uk.

Options (020) 8685 1525; optionsfit.com.

Sharps 0800 789789; sharps.co.uk.

Smallbone (020) 7589 5998; smallbone.co.uk.

Strachan 0800 013 8139; strachan.co.uk.

Thomas & Thomas (01625) 890490; thomasthomas.net.

Underbed

Dwell 0870 241 8653; dwell.co.uk.

Habitat 0845 601 0740; habitat.net.

Heal's 020 7636 1666; heals.co.uk.
The London Wall Bed Company (020) 8742 8200; wallbed.co.uk.
The White Company 0870 900 9555; thewhitecompany.com.

Accessories

The Cotswold Company 0870 241 0973; cotswoldco.com.

The Holding Company (020) 8445 2888; theholdingcompany.co.uk. Ikea 0845 355 1141; ikea.co.uk.

Laura Ashley 0870 562 2116; lauraashley.com.

Lombok 0870 240 7380; lombok.co.uk.

Marks & Spencer 0845 302 1234; marksandspencer.com.

Next Home 0870 243 5435; next.co.uk.
The White Company 0870 900 9555; thewhitecompany.com.

For more great shopping ideas, check out Product Finder.