The best high gloss storage units for bedrooms are a sturdy chest of drawers, a pair of bedside cabinets with proper drawers, and a dressing table or tallboy chosen to suit the space you have left. Together they cover folded clothes, night time essentials and everyday items, while the reflective finish helps a bedroom feel brighter and more open than matt furniture of the same size.
If you only add one piece, make it a chest of drawers. Our range of modern high gloss chest of drawers UK shoppers choose for bedrooms includes wide, low designs and tall, narrow ones, and the right shape for your room matters more than any other detail. The rest of this guide explains how to choose it, what to pair it with and how to keep the finish looking fresh.
Bedrooms in British homes are often modest in size, and many face north or sit at the back of the house where daylight is limited. A glossy surface bounces light around the room, which softens shadows in corners and makes walls seem a little further away. In a room that is used mostly in the morning and evening, that extra brightness makes a noticeable difference.
Gloss is also practical. A lacquered surface does not absorb spills, it resists dust better than open grained wood and a quick wipe brings it back to its original state. For anyone who prefers a clean, uncluttered look, the smooth fronts and sharp edges give a sense of order even when the drawers behind them are full.
Gloss furniture also tends to be designed with simple lines. That makes it easy to combine with upholstered beds, patterned rugs or textured bedding without the room becoming visually busy. When you are building a bedroom gradually, gloss pieces from our modern bedroom furniture UK sale range can be added one at a time and still look as though they belong together.
A chest of drawers holds more than most people expect. A five drawer design will usually take a full season of folded clothes, while a wide, low chest offers a useful top surface for a mirror, a lamp or a jewellery tray.
Think about the wall it will stand against before deciding on a shape. A low, wide chest works well under a window or opposite the bed, where it will not block light or dominate the view as you walk in. A tall, narrow chest is better in a box room or beside a door, because it uses height rather than floor space. If your bedroom has a sloping ceiling, a low chest is almost always the easier fit.
Look closely at the drawers themselves. Metal runners glide more smoothly and last longer than plastic ones, and soft close mechanisms prevent the gloss fronts from knocking together. Drawers that extend fully let you reach items at the back without rummaging, which matters more than it sounds when you are getting ready in a hurry.
Bedside storage is easy to overlook, but it is where clutter gathers fastest. Chargers, books, glasses, hand cream and medication all need a home within reach of the bed. A cabinet with at least one drawer keeps these out of sight, and a second drawer or a small cupboard below gives space for spare bedding or items you use less often.
Height is the key measurement. The top of a bedside cabinet should sit roughly level with your mattress, or slightly lower, so you can reach a glass of water without stretching. Gloss bedside cabinets with slim legs or a floating look also make it easier to clean underneath and help a small room appear less crowded. Our high gloss bedside cabinets UK collection includes compact one drawer styles for tight spaces and broader designs for larger rooms.
Matching your bedside cabinets to your chest of drawers is not essential, but it does create a calm, considered look. If you prefer some variety, keep the colour consistent and vary the shape, or keep the shape consistent and introduce a second tone.
A dressing table does two jobs: it gives you a place to sit and get ready, and it stores the products and accessories that would otherwise sit on every flat surface in the room. Gloss dressing tables are particularly useful because cosmetics and perfume can mark more porous finishes, and a lacquered top is easy to clean.
Choose a design with drawers rather than a simple desk style table if storage is your priority. Shallow drawers with dividers keep makeup and jewellery organised, while a deeper drawer can hold hairdryers and styling tools. Placing the table near a window gives you the most natural light for getting ready, and a mirror above it will reflect that light back into the room. Browse our modern high gloss dressing tables UK designs if you would like a piece that coordinates with the rest of your gloss storage.
White gloss remains the most versatile option. It reflects the most light, suits almost any wall colour and works with both warm and cool bedding. It is the safest choice for a small or dark room.
Grey gloss feels a little softer and hides everyday marks better than white. It pairs well with natural wood floors and brushed metal handles, and it suits bedrooms decorated in muted, restful tones.
Black gloss is more dramatic and best kept for larger rooms with good daylight, where it can act as a strong anchor. It shows dust more readily, so it suits people who are happy to wipe surfaces regularly.
Two tone designs, such as gloss fronts with a wood effect frame, offer a middle ground. They bring warmth to the room while keeping the reflective quality that makes gloss useful in the first place.
Handles affect both the look and the everyday use of a piece. Handleless designs with a recessed grip or a push to open mechanism give the cleanest appearance and suit modern bedrooms, but they mean fingers touch the gloss more often, so expect to wipe the fronts a little more frequently.
Slim bar handles in chrome or brushed steel protect the finish and are easier to use for children and older relatives. If you choose handles, check that they are fixed with bolts through the drawer front rather than small screws into the surface, as this keeps them secure over years of daily use.
Not all gloss is the same. Better pieces use several layers of lacquer that are sanded between coats, which gives a deep, even shine without ripples. Lower quality finishes can look slightly wavy when you view them at an angle under a ceiling light, so take a moment to look along the surface rather than straight at it.
Edges are another clue. Well finished corners are smoothly rounded and fully sealed, which stops moisture creeping into the board underneath. Check the back panel too: a sturdy back adds rigidity and stops the unit from racking when drawers are opened.
Weight is worth considering as well. A heavier chest of drawers usually indicates denser board and better hardware. Tall pieces should always be secured to the wall with the fixings supplied, especially in homes with young children.
Gloss is low maintenance as long as you avoid a few common mistakes. Use a soft microfibre cloth, slightly damp, and dry the surface afterwards to prevent streaks. Avoid abrasive pads, polishes containing wax or silicone, and cleaning sprays with strong solvents, as these can dull the lacquer over time.
Use coasters under glasses and a tray under perfume bottles, since some fragrances contain alcohol that can mark the finish. Keep gloss furniture a short distance from radiators where possible, as constant heat can affect any finish over the long term.
Minor surface scratches can often be reduced with a dedicated gloss polish, but prevention is easier. Felt pads under lamps and decorative objects make a real difference.
In a compact room, every piece needs to justify its footprint. Start with the bed, then decide where the main storage will stand, leaving at least 60cm of clear floor around the bed for comfortable movement. Tall, narrow chests, wall hung bedside shelves and slim dressing tables help keep the floor visible, and visible floor makes a room feel larger.
Keep the palette tight. Using one gloss colour across all pieces reduces visual interruption and lets the light reflecting surfaces do their work. If you have a choice, place the chest of drawers on the wall opposite the window so that it catches and returns daylight.
For more ideas on fitting storage into tighter spaces, our guide on whether you can fit a chest of drawers in a small UK bedroom covers clearances and layout in more detail. If you are still deciding which drawer style to choose, our explainer on which chest of drawers design suits your UK home and lifestyle compares the main options.
Good bedroom storage is less about owning more furniture and more about choosing pieces that match the way you live. A gloss chest of drawers for clothes, bedside cabinets that keep night time clutter hidden and, where there is room, a dressing table that stores as well as it serves will cover most needs in a typical UK bedroom.
Take measurements before you choose, think about where light enters the room and pick a colour that suits both the space and your tolerance for wiping surfaces. You can explore our full range of modern bedroom storage at Furniture in Fashion, with free delivery to most UK mainland postcodes.
Quality gloss finishes are reasonably hard wearing, but they will show scratches if dragged against rough objects. Felt pads under lamps and ornaments, along with soft cloths for cleaning, will keep the surface in good condition for many years.
White reflects the most light and makes a small room feel larger. Grey is a good alternative if you prefer a softer look or want a finish that disguises everyday marks a little better.
Yes. Gloss pairs well with natural wood, particularly lighter tones such as oak. Keep the gloss pieces in a single colour and let the wood add warmth through a bed frame, floor or side table.
Wipe with a soft, slightly damp microfibre cloth and dry straight away. Avoid wax polishes, abrasive pads and harsh solvent sprays, as these can dull or haze the lacquer over time.
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