Organise a ‘matchbox’ bedroom easy hacks

Organise a ‘matchbox’ bedroom

– easy hacks

Compliments of TO BUILD, here’s eight clever ways to organise a matchbox-sized bedroom, based on advice from top international and local experts.

Gareth Griffiths Gareth Griffiths

Everybody is doing it, right? It’s all over the broadcast media, made real and popular by shows such as The Home Edit on Netflix or HGTV on DStv - a home makeover series that strives to make home renovation easy for the viewer. Here’s your chance …

So, while living in a matchbox, just how easy is it to make a cosy room - student digs, ‘sliver’ apartment or a spare bedroom - can you take it beyond the normal bed-andwardrobe option? It’s amazing what you can do on a budget and with being resourceful - even just a lick of paint to a repurposed wooden piece (Hint: chalk paint is all the thing at the moment).

You can do things like repurposing an old ladder to provide extra hanging space, while cashing in on double purposes for what is already there. The experts suggest there are eight ways to better rearrange a bedroom, create more space, store precious goods and maybe even transform things to the point where you sleep better at night.

1. The wardrobe

An all-inclusive wardrobe is by far the most ideal facelift for a bedroom. Choose wisely and don’t forget to troll the second hand stores. Be ready to repaint and maybe even do so sanding. A good wardrobe could accommodate all your stuff using for example, a pull-out trouser rail, see-through top drawers using acrylic separators and also including generous built-in drawer units. Okay, some of this may be fanciful, but consider how much stuff you can add on by visiting one of SAs home stores or shopping online.

2. The horizontal ladder concept

If you don’t have a wardrobe, or if it is too small, consider a horizontally mounted ladder supported off the wall - with the right equipment, this look is funky and very much the rage. An antique or well worn wooden ladder provides for a unique look with some well-chosen hangers. Pop your accessories on the top - you can even box them, ensuring the boxes look good and are not too heavy - again, visit your home store or online retailer.

Books to store or a speaker to support? Mount a ladder horizontally and flat on a wall, so that you can utilise it as a flat shelf. A vertical ladder can serve the same purpose - or support yor biophilia objective (see tips below).

3. Triangular/corner rack

If your wall is odd-shaped, it will need some thought: “how can I reimagine this space?” You can pop installing hooks and rods in those unused corners of a bedroom for extra hanging storage solutions. A perfect place for bags, accessories and coats – all within easy reach for when you rush out to work or the gym. Then there is also the corner shelf. These can be installed - a few of them set above one another - and painted.

4. The bedside - optimise that space

Ditch that space-eating bedside table if it offers limited storage. Replace it with a work desk, which can be dual-function.

A desk close to the bed can double as a nightstand for a reading light, a glass of water, a candle, loadshedding lamp, holder and any essentials you needed for the night. Of course, an appropriate height chest of drawers, can also double as a bedside table (mind the elbows when in bed)..

5. Fold-down desk

Need some additional workspace? Folddown desks provide a good opportunity to pick a well-lit, neutral or inspiring backdrop when doing a webinar or having a Skypemeeting. Uch better than seeing a blurry display of clothing!

6. Extend the wardrobe using an end shelf

Here’s some extra space that not many think of! Source a matching shelf to add to the side of your wardrobe - for example as seen in the kitchen where round edge shelves hang off a main cupboard unit. , if possible. To this, you can add tasteful baskets for smaller items - or utilise the space for books and decorations.

7. Shoes - use that dead space

Shoes are a pain in the neck to store so get rid of the clutter on the floor and look to something that offers an easyto-get-to option - with both shoes in the pair together. You can add rails, shelves, pegs or hanging bags within ‘dead space’ inside the wardrobe - use the inner panel of the doors as storage. This will also preserve them to last you longer, away from dust, damp and also intrusive sunlight.

8. The laundry bag

If you are staying in digs or a rented bedsitter, this can be a problem. You can consider replacing a bulky laundry bag with a flatter laundry bag. This can be hung on a door in the room, even a cupboard door. Or hang it inside if there is dead space. Just remember, if it can be seen, keep it fashionable! Not expensive but a real image-saver.

Busier than ever, coming out of lockdowns, we so need to keep our private spaces open, airy, and mess-free. After all this is where we unwind and find the purpose for the days ahead.

Some tips:

• Position the bed against the window, installing mirrors to create the illusion of a larger space • Add plants and incorporate

‘biophilia’ • Use lower-placed lights for a calming feel • Consider dark/blackout curtains to cut out stay light and enhance a circadian rhythm. This improves sleep quality • At night, longer wavelengths of visible light are your best friend. Hence, red, orange, or yellow are “warm” lights that best benefit the circadian rhythm and help you fall asleep peacefully • Vintage filament LED lamps work marvelously well.