Clever storage ideas for small rooms & guest spaces
For when space is tight - our clever storage guide for small bedrooms explores ideas and hosting tips to enhance your letting space space, boost guest comfort, and keep the five‑star reviews coming in!
These small bedroom storage ideas are for the box room that doubles as a guest room, the spare space in a short‑term let or Airbnb, or the compact bedroom in a care setting.
Read our top tips on optimising bedroom space below:
Start with what really needs to live there
Decide what really needs to stay in the room. For most small bedrooms and guest rooms, that is one full set of bed linen, a spare set if turnover is high, and a simple towel bundle. Everything else can live in shared linen storage. A short checklist for each bed (sheet, duvet cover, pillowcases, bath and hand towel) keeps ordering simple and stops “just in case” piles from swallowing the cupboard.
Create one guest‑ready set per bed
Instead of storing loose pieces, build a complete, grab‑and‑go guest room storage set of linens for each bed. Pack it into a single basket, cube or lidded box and keep it on or in the wardrobe. For busy short‑term rentals and Airbnb bedrooms, two sets per bed (one in use, one ready) smooths same‑day changeovers; for family homes, it means the room looks clear most of the time but can switch to guest‑ready in minutes.
Use vertical space lightly, not heavily
When floor space is limited, walls and doors can quietly support your small bedroom storage ideas. A slim shelf for a couple of folded towels, a light throw or spare pillowcases adds function without visual noise. A simple row of hooks gives guests somewhere to hang a robe or hand towel and keeps chair backs clear. In care settings, keep everything at an easy‑reach height and away from grab rails and walkways.
Choose storage that looks as calm as it feels
In a compact bedroom, containers are part of the design. Woven baskets, soft fabric boxes and neutral cubes keep the space feeling restful, even when they are full of linen storage. Inside wardrobes, simple dividers or boxes stop stacks of sheets from toppling, and folding pieces to similar sizes makes it obvious when you are running low. That quiet order helps staff, cleaners or hosts move quickly between rooms.
Let the seasons do some of the work
Small bedrooms often feel crowded because every duvet and blanket lives there all year. A simple seasonal bedding rotation frees up space. Keep lighter duvets and cool cotton sets at hand in spring and summer, then swap in higher‑tog duvets and cosier layers as temperatures drop. Clearly labelled bags or boxes mean you are only storing what you actually need in the room each season, whether it is a family space or a holiday let.
Let the bed carry more of the load
In a small room, the bed is your biggest storage asset. Under‑bed storage drawers, a lift‑up ottoman bed base or low storage bags turn dead space into practical bedding storage. Use shallow storage for everyday sets, and deeper bags or boxes for seasonal duvets and extra pillows. Labelling by bed size and tog means anyone helping with turnarounds can dress the bed correctly without hunting or guessing.
Give overflow its own home
If you run several small rooms, keep one shared overflow spot for rarely used items and extras: spare mattress protectors, additional pillows, seasonal sets. A labelled section in a hallway cupboard or store room makes stock checks easier and stops individual rooms becoming linen cupboards with a bed in the middle.
The goal is for small bedrooms to feel clear and calm, with just enough storage to keep guests comfortable, with fresh bedding and towels always within easy reach.
