Children's Storage Furniture Buying Guide | Storage Ideas
How to Choose the Best Storage for Your Child's Bedroom
Keeping a child's bedroom organised can be challenging. Clothes, toys, books, school supplies and personal belongings can quickly take over the room, particularly when floor space is limited.
The right storage furniture can make a big difference. From chests of drawers and shelving to storage beds, beds with wardrobes and drawers and high sleepers with integrated storage, there are many ways to create more useful storage without making the bedroom feel cluttered.
This guide explains the different children's storage options available and what to consider when choosing the best storage furniture for your child's bedroom.
Why Is Good Storage Important in a Children's Bedroom?
Children accumulate a surprising amount of belongings as they grow. A bedroom might need to accommodate:
- Clothes and shoes
- Toys and games
- Books
- School equipment
- Craft supplies
- Sports equipment
- Bedding
- Personal belongings
- Gaming equipment
Without enough storage, these items can quickly end up on the floor or on other furniture.
Well-planned storage gives everything a place while helping children learn to keep their own belongings organised.
Think About What You Need to Store
Before buying storage furniture, make a list of what needs to be stored.
Different items require different types of storage.
Clothes
Consider:
- Wardrobes
- Chests of drawers
- Under-bed drawers
Toys
Open shelving, cupboards and storage boxes can make toys easier to access and tidy away.
Books
Bookcases and shelving are ideal for keeping books organised and accessible.
Schoolwork
Drawers and desk storage can provide space for stationery, exercise books and other school supplies.
Smaller Items
Drawers, cupboards and storage boxes are particularly useful for smaller belongings that can otherwise make a bedroom look untidy.
Make the Most of the Space Under the Bed
One of the easiest ways to create additional storage is to use space that might otherwise be wasted.
Many children's beds are available with integrated storage. Our Beds with Storage Buying Guide and Captains Beds Buying Guide cover these options in detail.
This can include:
- Under-bed drawers
- Storage cupboards
- Shelving
- Pull-out beds with storage
- Built-in wardrobes
- Desks and storage combinations
This is particularly useful in smaller bedrooms because the storage doesn't require a separate piece of furniture.
Storage Beds for Children's Bedrooms
A storage bed can be an excellent option if you need to maximise floor space.
Instead of having a standard bed plus separate storage furniture, you can choose a design incorporating storage into the bed itself.
Depending on the model, this could provide space for clothes, toys, books or bedding.
For more information, see our Children's Bed Buying Guide and Best Bed for Small Bedrooms | Beds with Storage
Bunk Beds with Storage
Bunk beds can provide more than two sleeping spaces.
Some designs incorporate substantial storage into the footprint of the bed, including:
- Drawers
- Shelving
- Cupboards
- Wardrobes
- Desks
This can be particularly useful in a shared bedroom.
For example, a bunk bed with built-in drawers and a wardrobe can combine sleeping and clothing storage without requiring a separate full-size wardrobe and chest of drawers.
Our Wooden vs Metal Bunk Beds Buying Guide also explains why the construction and materials of a bunk bed are important considerations.
High Sleepers with Storage
High sleepers can be another excellent space-saving solution.
Because the sleeping area is raised, the space underneath can be used for furniture and storage.
Depending on the design, a high sleeper might incorporate:
- Wardrobe
- Desk
- Drawers
- Shelving
- Cupboards
- Sofa or seating
This can turn one footprint into an entire bedroom workstation and storage area.
For smaller bedrooms, this can be considerably more practical than buying each piece of furniture separately.
Children's Chests of Drawers
A chest of drawers is one of the most versatile pieces of children's bedroom furniture.
Drawers are particularly useful for:
- T-shirts
- Underwear
- Socks
- Pyjamas
- School clothes
- Accessories
A chest of drawers can also provide a useful surface for displaying photographs, books, ornaments or other personal items.
Choose a size that provides enough storage without overwhelming the room.
Children's Bookcases and Shelving
Books and toys are often easier for children to use when they can see them.
Open shelving can be particularly useful for:
- Books
- Toys
- Games
- Collectables
- Decorations
- School supplies
However, open shelving can also make a bedroom look cluttered if it becomes overloaded.
For this reason, a combination of open shelving and closed storage can often work particularly well.
Wardrobes with Built-In Storage
A wardrobe doesn't necessarily need to provide only hanging space.
Many children's wardrobes incorporate:
- Drawers
- Shelves
- Cupboards
- Hanging rails
This allows several types of belongings to be stored in one piece of furniture.
A wardrobe with integrated drawers can be particularly useful where there isn't enough room for both a wardrobe and separate chest of drawers.
See our Children's Wardrobe Buying Guide for more advice.
Choosing Storage for a Small Bedroom
If your child has a small bedroom, think vertically as well as horizontally.
A few strategies can make a big difference.
Use the Height of the Room
Tall wardrobes and shelving can provide more storage without taking up additional floor space.
Use the Space Under the Bed
Storage drawers and cupboards beneath the bed can make otherwise unused space useful.
Combine Functions
Furniture that combines several functions can be particularly valuable.
For example:
High Sleeper + Wardrobe + Desk + Drawers
can replace several separate pieces of furniture.
Keep the Floor Clear
The more storage you can incorporate into existing furniture, the more floor space remains available for playing, studying and moving around the room.
Choose Storage That Your Child Can Use
Storage is only useful if your child can actually access it.
For younger children, frequently used items should ideally be stored at an accessible height.
For example:
- Favourite toys on lower shelves
- Everyday clothes in accessible drawers
- Books within easy reach
Less frequently used items can be stored higher up.
As your child gets older, their storage requirements will change, so flexible furniture can provide better long-term value.
Think About Safety
Safety is particularly important when choosing children's storage furniture.
Always follow the manufacturer's assembly and installation instructions.
Depending on the furniture, consider:
- Securing tall furniture against the wall where required
- Avoiding excessively heavy items on high shelves
- Ensuring drawers aren't overloaded
- Keeping furniture away from potential hazards
- Making sure children can use the furniture safely
If the storage is integrated into a bunk bed or high sleeper, also follow all of the manufacturer's instructions relating to the bed itself.
Choose Durable Materials
Children's furniture can receive considerable everyday wear.
Look for furniture made using quality materials and robust fittings.
High-density particleboard with a durable melamine finish can provide a hard-wearing and easy-to-clean surface, while solid timber can provide a natural appearance and durable construction.
Drawers, doors and handles should also be designed for regular everyday use.
Think About Storage as Your Child Grows
A five-year-old and a teenager will have very different storage requirements.
Younger children may need more space for:
- Toys
- Books
- Games
- Craft supplies
Older children are more likely to need storage for:
- Clothes
- Schoolwork
- Technology
- Gaming equipment
- Sports equipment
- Personal belongings
Choosing relatively neutral furniture with flexible storage can help avoid having to replace everything as your child gets older.
Don't Forget Gaming Storage
If your child has a gaming setup, consider where the equipment will be stored.
Depending on the setup, you may need space for:
- Games consoles
- Controllers
- Headsets
- Games
- Cables
- Accessories
A gaming desk with shelves or cupboards can help keep equipment organised.
For bedrooms where gaming is a major consideration, see our Best Gaming Beds | Ultimate Gaming Bed Buying Guide and Gaming Bedroom Ideas.
Create a Combination of Open and Closed Storage
One of the best approaches to children's bedroom storage is to combine different types.
For example:
Wardrobe
For hanging clothes.
Chest of drawers
For folded clothing.
Bookcase
For books and display items.
Storage drawers
For toys and bedding.
Shelving
For frequently used items.
This gives you somewhere appropriate for almost everything without relying on one piece of furniture to do everything.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best storage for a child's bedroom?
There isn't one solution that suits every bedroom. A combination of wardrobes, drawers, shelving and under-bed storage is often the most practical approach.
How can I add storage to a small children's bedroom?
Make use of vertical space and consider furniture that combines several functions. High sleepers, bunk beds and storage beds can be particularly effective.
Are beds with built-in storage a good idea?
Yes. They can be an excellent way to use otherwise wasted space beneath or alongside a bed, particularly in smaller bedrooms.
What is the best storage for toys?
Open shelving makes toys easy to access, while cupboards and drawers can hide clutter. A combination of open and closed storage often works well.
How can I make a child's bedroom easier to keep tidy?
Give different types of belongings their own designated storage. Keeping frequently used items within easy reach can also encourage children to put things away themselves.
Final Thoughts
The best children's bedroom storage isn't necessarily the biggest amount of furniture. It's about using the available space intelligently and choosing storage that matches what your child actually needs.
For smaller bedrooms, integrated furniture can be particularly effective. A bunk bed with drawers and a wardrobe, or a high sleeper incorporating a desk, wardrobe and storage, can provide several important functions within a relatively small footprint.
As your child grows, their storage requirements will change, so look for durable, versatile furniture that can continue to work for them for years.
With the right combination of wardrobes, drawers, shelving and integrated bed storage, even a relatively small children's bedroom can be organised, practical and comfortable.