Where to Place Shelving Units in Bedrooms

In most bedrooms, a shelving unit works best in one of five places: beside the bed in place of a bedside table, in an alcove or recess, under a window, at the foot of the bed if it is low, or on the wall next to the door. Each of these uses space that would otherwise sit empty, and none of them interferes with how you move around the room. Wherever you place it, keep the walkways clear, leave room for wardrobe doors and drawers to open and keep heavy objects away from above your head.

Many of our modern shelving units UK customers buy for bedrooms are slim enough to fit these spots comfortably. Below we look at each position, and at how room size changes the choice.

Before you choose a spot

Bedrooms have a few fixed elements that limit where furniture can go: the bed, the door, the window, the radiator and usually a wardrobe. Start by noting where each sits and how you move between them, particularly from the door to the bed and from the bed to the wardrobe.

Then think about what the shelving will hold. Books and a lamp beside the bed need a different unit from folded jumpers, shoes or a display of photographs. Shelving is also versatile across rooms, and many designs in our modern living room furniture UK sale range work just as well in a bedroom, so you need not limit your search to bedroom collections.

Position one: beside the bed

A slim shelving unit can replace a bedside table entirely, and it often offers more storage on the same footprint. A tall, narrow unit gives you a shelf at mattress height for a lamp, a phone and a glass of water, with more shelves above for books and below for baskets.

This works especially well in smaller rooms, where a standard bedside table may be too wide. Make sure the shelf you use most sits at, or slightly above, the height of the mattress so you can reach it easily when lying down.

If you prefer a closed option for the bedside, our modern bedside cabinets UK sale range includes compact designs with drawers, and some people combine a small cabinet with open shelving above it.

Position two: alcoves and recesses

Many UK bedrooms, particularly in Victorian and Edwardian homes, have a chimney breast with alcoves either side. These recesses are natural homes for shelving. A unit fitted into an alcove uses space that is awkward for almost any other furniture, and it keeps the main floor area clear.

In newer homes, recesses often appear beside a boxed in pipe or around a built in cupboard. The same principle applies: if there is a gap that a wardrobe or chest will not fit, a shelving unit probably will.

Position three: under a window

The wall beneath a window is often left empty. A low shelving unit here gives you storage without blocking light, and it can double as a window seat with a cushion on top if the unit is sturdy enough. Keep the unit below the sill so curtains or blinds can still close, and leave space for any radiator beneath the window, since blocking it reduces heat and can dry out the furniture.

Position four: at the foot of the bed

A low, long shelving unit at the end of the bed can hold books, baskets of spare bedding or a small collection of objects. It also gives the bed a finished look, much like a bench or blanket box. Keep it low enough not to block the view from the bed, and leave at least a comfortable walkway between the unit and the opposite wall.

Position five: beside or around the door

The wall immediately next to a bedroom door is often bare because nothing else fits there. A slim shelving unit can use this space well, holding things you need on the way in or out, such as a watch, keys, a bag or the book you are reading. In some rooms, shelving can be arranged around the door frame itself, creating a neat, almost built in effect.

Check that the door can open fully and that the unit does not catch on the handle.

Places to avoid

• Directly above the headboard with heavy items: a shelf of books over the bed is a risk. If you want shelving here, keep it light and securely fixed.
• In front of radiators: blocking heat makes the room colder and can damage wood.
• Where wardrobe doors or drawers open: leave enough room to open them fully and stand in front of them.
• On the main walking route: any furniture that narrows the path from door to bed will soon become annoying, especially at night.

Shelving and chests of drawers together

In many bedrooms, a chest of drawers and a shelving unit work as a pair. Drawers hold clothes you do not want on show, while shelves display books and objects. Placing a low chest with a tall shelving unit beside it creates a balanced arrangement on a single wall. Our modern chest of drawers UK range includes slimmer designs that pair well with shelving in compact rooms.

Ideas by room type

Small double bedrooms

In a small double, height is your friend. A tall, narrow shelving unit beside the bed or in an alcove gives you storage without using much floor. Choose open designs in pale finishes to keep the room feeling light. Our guide to placing a bedside cabinet in a small UK bedroom offers more layout ideas for tight spaces.

Box rooms

Single bedrooms and box rooms often have very little wall space once the bed is in. Wall mounted shelves above a desk or at the end of the bed may be the best option, since they leave the floor completely clear. If you are weighing up shelving against drawers, our article on whether you can fit a chest of drawers in a small UK room is a helpful companion read.

Loft bedrooms with sloping ceilings

Low units along the knee wall under the eaves make good use of space that is too low for standing. Keep taller units for the wall with full head height.

Children's bedrooms

Low, sturdy shelving at child height encourages children to choose and put away their own books and toys. Fix all units to the wall and keep heavy items on the lowest shelves.

Larger main bedrooms

In a bigger room, shelving can create a reading corner with an armchair and a floor lamp, or act as a partial divider between the sleeping area and a dressing space.

Choosing the right type of shelving for each spot

Different positions suit different designs, so it helps to match the unit to the space.

• Beside the bed: a tall, narrow open unit or a ladder shelf, with one shelf at mattress height.
• In an alcove: a unit that fills most of the width, either open or with cupboards at the base for clothes and bedding.
• Under a window: a low, wide unit with a solid top that can hold a cushion.
• At the foot of the bed: a low, long design, ideally finished on the side facing the bed.
• By the door: a shallow unit, since depth matters more than width in this position.

Open shelving makes a small room feel lighter, while units with some closed storage suit rooms where you want to hide everyday clutter. Pale finishes keep a bedroom bright, and darker tones can make a larger room feel cosy.

Thinking about light and sleep

Shelving placement can affect how well a bedroom works at night. A unit next to the window should not stop curtains or blinds from closing fully, as gaps let in early morning light. Glossy or mirrored surfaces opposite the bed can reflect streetlight, so matt finishes are often calmer in this position. If you keep a reading lamp on a shelf beside the bed, choose one with a warm bulb and a shade that directs light downwards, so it lights the page without brightening the whole room.

Keeping bedroom shelves restful

A bedroom should feel calm, and busy shelves can work against that. Keep the palette soft and limit the number of objects on each shelf. Use baskets or fabric boxes to hide smaller items. Books grouped by colour or size look quieter than mixed spines. A plant and a small lamp are often all the decoration a bedroom shelf needs.

It also helps to keep the shelving nearest the bed reserved for things you use at night, and to store everything else elsewhere, so the view from the pillow stays clear.

Safety points

Any tall shelving unit in a bedroom should be fixed to the wall, especially in children's rooms. Use the fixing kit supplied and the right plugs for your wall. Keep the heaviest items on lower shelves and avoid placing glass or heavy objects on shelves that hang above the bed.

Bringing it together

The right place for bedroom shelving is usually the space you have not yet used: beside the bed, in an alcove, under a window or by the door. Choose a size that suits the spot, keep walkways and doors clear and style the shelves lightly. To explore shelving, bedside cabinets and chests of drawers, visit Furniture in Fashion, with free delivery to most UK mainland postcodes.

Frequently asked questions

Can a shelving unit replace a bedside table?

Yes. A slim unit with a shelf at mattress height works well as a bedside table and usually offers more storage on the same footprint.

Is it safe to put shelves above a bed?

Only if they are securely fixed and hold light items. Avoid heavy books, glass and anything that could fall while you sleep.

Where should shelving go in a small bedroom?

Beside the bed, in an alcove or on the wall next to the door. Tall, narrow units use height rather than floor space.

Should bedroom shelving be open or closed?

A mix often works best. Open shelves suit books and a few objects, while baskets or closed storage keep smaller items out of sight.