The right wooden storage bed for an ex council flat is usually a double with drawers on the side that has the most floor clearance, or an end drawer if the bed sits in an alcove. Measure the wall you can use, check that drawers can open fully past radiators and bedroom doors, and choose a solid frame strong enough to carry a full load of linen and clothes. Many former council flats have generous rooms and sensible layouts, so a well chosen storage bed can replace a chest of drawers and free up space for a desk or reading chair.
Ex council homes have a lot going for them: decent room proportions, solid walls and practical floor plans. The challenge is usually storage, because many flats were designed with a single built in cupboard and little else. Our range of modern wooden beds UK includes storage designs that help make the most of every bedroom.
Former council flats vary widely depending on when and where they were built. Post war low rise blocks, 1960s towers, 1970s maisonettes and later developments all have their own features. Before choosing a bed, take a few minutes to note what yours has.
Many ex council bedrooms are rectangular and well proportioned, which makes placing a bed straightforward. Some have chimney breasts, alcoves or a cupboard that takes a corner of the room.
Radiators often sit beneath windows, and pipework may run along skirting boards. These can block drawers, so measure their position carefully.
Low windowsills are common. If the bed must sit under a window, choose a low headboard so you can still open it safely.
Many blocks have concrete floors, which are solid and quiet. Some flats have older floorboards or a slight slope. A storage bed with adjustable feet or a firm, flat base will sit steadily either way.
Measure stairwells, lift doors and corridor turns. Storage beds often arrive in several boxes, but the drawer units and side panels can still be bulky.
Two or four drawers sit along one or both sides of the base. This is the most common design. It suits rooms where there is clear floor space beside the bed.
Drawers pull out from the foot of the bed. These suit beds positioned in alcoves or against walls on both sides.
Some designs combine side and end drawers to maximise storage. They are useful in flats where wardrobe space is limited.
Raised beds with rows of drawers and sometimes cupboards underneath. They are often single or small double sizes and work well in children’s rooms or compact spare bedrooms.
Some wooden storage beds include shelving in the headboard. This can replace bedside tables in a narrow room.
Whichever type you choose, think about how it fits with the rest of the room. Our wider bedroom furniture UK sale collection makes it easier to coordinate the bed with wardrobes and bedside pieces.
This is the step most people skip. A storage bed needs space for the drawers to open, not just room for the frame.
Mark this out with masking tape on the floor. If a drawer will only open halfway, you lose much of the benefit of having it.
A standard UK double, with a 135 by 190 centimetre mattress, fits comfortably in most ex council main bedrooms while leaving room for drawers to open. Our modern double wooden beds UK include several storage options in a range of finishes.
In a larger room, a king size with side drawers gives extra sleeping space and storage. In a box room or second bedroom, a single or small double cabin bed is often the most efficient use of floor.
Storage beds are used every day. Drawers are opened, closed and bumped, so a durable finish matters.
Look for a smooth, even finish inside the drawers as well as outside. Unfinished drawer interiors can snag fabrics.
Storage beds work best when you plan what goes where.
Use breathable fabric bags or cotton covers for clothes kept for longer periods. This keeps them dust free and fresh.
If you still need extra space for clothes and accessories, our clothes storage UK sale range includes compact options that sit neatly beside a bed.
Ex council flats often have a clean, practical character that suits simple, modern furniture. You can lean into this rather than fight it.
Straight lines, flat drawer fronts and minimal handles feel at home in these rooms. Recessed or cut out handles also avoid catching on clothes as you pass.
Natural wood brings warmth to rooms with painted walls and hard floors. Add a wool or cotton rug, linen bedding and a soft throw.
Many flats have large windows with metal or uPVC frames. Light coloured blinds or simple curtains keep things bright without adding bulk.
Shelves above the bed or on adjacent walls hold books and small items, keeping bedside tables clear.
For help planning where drawers and chests fit around the bed, our guide to standard chest of drawers dimensions in the UK gives useful reference measurements.
If you rent, choose a storage bed that dismantles easily and will fit in other rooms if you move. If you own your flat, consider the long term layout. A storage bed can be a permanent solution that avoids the cost and disruption of fitted wardrobes.
Either way, assemble the bed in the room where it will stay. Storage beds are often heavy once built, and moving them between rooms can strain joints.
Storage beds sit close to the floor and are closed for long periods, so a little care keeps the contents in good condition.
Some ex council flats, particularly those with older windows or solid external walls, can be prone to condensation in colder months. Keep the bed a few centimetres away from external walls so that air can move behind it. Open the window briefly each morning, and use extractor fans in the kitchen and bathroom to keep overall humidity down.
Wash or air bedding before putting it away, and make sure everything is completely dry. Cedar blocks or lavender bags in drawers help keep stored textiles smelling fresh and are a gentle way to discourage moths.
Every few months, empty each drawer, wipe the inside with a dry cloth and check for any signs of damp. This is also a good moment to sort through what you are keeping. Storage beds have a habit of filling up with things you no longer need, and a regular clear out keeps the drawers useful for the things you do.
A wooden storage bed is one of the most effective ways to add storage to an ex council flat without crowding the room. Measure for drawers as well as the frame, choose a durable finish and plan what goes where. You can explore our wooden beds with storage at Furniture in Fashion, with free delivery to most UK mainland postcodes.
Yes. Many former council flats have limited built in storage, and a storage bed adds space without taking up extra floor.
Allow for the drawer depth when open, often 40 to 50 centimetres, plus around 30 centimetres of standing room in front.
Side drawers suit rooms with clear floor beside the bed. End drawers suit beds positioned in alcoves or against walls.
Most arrive in sections, but measure stairwells, lifts and doors before ordering to be sure.
A well built solid wood storage bed with firm drawer bases and good runners can handle everyday clothing and bedding loads.
A reclaimed wood bed brings instant character to a bedroom, with nail holes, weathering and…
A white painted wooden bed can anchor a Japandi bedroom beautifully, as long as the…
Wood is a traditional material, yet a wooden bed can look entirely at home in…
Solid oak beds work beautifully in loft bedrooms when you choose a low frame that…
Wooden king size beds and wooden single beds sit at opposite ends of the size…
Low profile wooden beds work well in guest rooms because they keep the space calm,…
This website uses cookies.