“This room hasn't been repaired for 15 years. The wallpapers are peeling off, the carpeting is outdated and causes allergies, and the wardrobes we have aren't enough to fit in all of our stuff,” this is how Giedrė and Vitalijus have introduced their 14-square-meter bedroom to us. See how this room has changed since IKEA interior designer Eglė Čyvė started working on it.
Before: predetermined clutter
Without the right furniture, home naturally gets cluttered. Although Giedrė and Vitalijus have three wardrobes in their bedroom, there still is a lack of storage space. Keeping clothes in order would be easier if they had more drawers instead.
“Some people avoid buying the right size furniture, since they are afraid to obstruct the room. But then they buy several small pieces of furniture and clutter the room even more. To avoid clutter, start with the basic furniture, such as a bed and a wardrobe. Then, you will see how much space there is left for smaller furniture and accessories,” says Eglė.
Well planned, poorly implemented
The sleep and storage areas in this room are well planned and functional, so there is no need to change the room layout. However, the old pieces of furniture are neither comfortable nor compatible with one another. Eglė decided to prove that a bedroom with the same plan can be furnished in a much cosier and more stylish way.
After: purple rules!
Interior designer Eglė got inspired with the purple colour of the bed. Together with the homeowners, she decided to keep the bed and to match all new furniture and accessories to its colour and style. According to the interior designer, new textiles is the easiest and quickest way to upgrade a room. This is why she has started the makeover with MARJUN darkening curtains and matching ALPDRABA bed linen.
“To bring some playfulness to your bedroom, combine monochrome walls with patterned bed linens. Floral patterns or stripes will harmonize your bedroom, without making it feel overwrought.”
Eglė Čyvė, IKEA interior designer
One wardrobe can have it all
To replace the old corner wardrobe, Eglė has planned a wide PAX wardrobe with sliding doors. Inside the new wardrobe, there are two clothes rails, trouser hangers, drawers, pull-out trays for small accessories, and deep upper shelves for seasonal clothing. When each item has its own place, it becomes easier to combat the clutter. While with STÖTTA battery-operated LED lighting, looking for clothes in the morning is much more convenient.
All PAX wardrobes and KOMPLEMENT interior organisers are covered under the 10-year guarantee.
Drawers vs. shelves
In front of the bed, Eglė placed a row of MALM chests of drawers. They will serve for both a TV bench and an additional storage for clothes, underwear, towels and bed linen. Storing clothes upright will keep them visible and completely accessible for Giedrė and Vitalijus. Besides, vertical folding helps the clothes stay in place, which means they don't have to re-fold their clothes every time they take something out (as it often happens when keeping clothes on shelves).
Maximized storage space
Living in a small space means you have to make the most of what you have. This is why Eglė decided not to leave the wall above the chests of drawers empty and planned some closed and open EKET cabinets instead. There also are two VIKHAMMER bedside tables on each side of the bed: a wider one next to the window and a narrower one in front of the wardrobe.
In need of privacy
As
IKEA Life at Home Report shows, getting privacy at home is one of our essential needs. And the bedroom is a perfect place for that.
Since Vitalijus works in shifts, he likes to sleep or to enjoy solitude during the daytime. This bedroom is arranged in such a way that even the daylight could not disturb his piece of mind.