A lot of people have a box room in their homes; it is a common compromise that has to be made when buying a house. Often, in order to get the other features deemed essential, they have to settle for a couple of good-sized bedrooms and a box room. It can be hard to know what to do with a box room. It usually ends up becoming home to all manner of junk and, therefore, sorely under-utilised. However, a box room does actually add value to the property, and it can add even more if you can find a way to maximise the space. The box room is a tricky space to design, so read on to learn more about how to maximise the space and make the most of the room.
Plan the Space Before Making any Purchases
First things first, you should always plan out the space and take measurements before you start to make any purchases. You will need to consider the shape of the room as well as the shapes of the furniture that you want to buy. Planning any interior design project is like putting together a jigsaw puzzle, after all. This is why custom furniture is so popular. Choosing pieces in a standard shape like a rectangle or square is often thought to be best because these pieces work together regardless of the specific iteration.
It might also be worth finding furniture that can work in the corners of the room as opposed to having to be centrally located. Again, this helps to ensure that there is as much floor space as possible. Most people find it beneficial to completely empty out their box room in order to really get a feel for the space before they begin to redecorate. It can also be helpful to scale down the measurements and draw things out either on paper or digitally to work out which of your ideas are going to help you to maximise the use and space of the room.
Clear Out the Clutter
This might seem obvious, but you would be surprised by how much taking a minimalist approach to your box room can make a difference. The box room does tend to be where your junk accumulates simply because there is nowhere else to put it. Make an effort to declutter the room. Be brutal, sort your things out and remove everything that you can’t find a use or a proper home for. You can either sell these things or take them to a charity shop. Once you have the room how you want it, you should still regularly reassess to make sure that you aren’t falling back into old habits.
Choosing the Right Furniture is Key
Obviously, the biggest consideration when trying to decorate your box room is the furniture. You are unlikely to be able to fit in everything you want to. Truthfully, the biggest mistake made by homeowners is attempting to fit bulky furniture into these box rooms. This simply makes the room feel smaller and more cluttered, which in turn, impacts the use and functionality of the space. This is why choosing the right furniture is so important.
You need to think about what you want to use the box room for. Is it to be another bedroom, or an office or a dressing room? Whatever the purpose is, you will need to start by measuring the room to get the dimensions right. After that, it is worth consulting with professionals like Odd Size Beds in order to work out what type and size bed will work in the space without overpowering it; you can even have them custom-built. Day beds, clothing rails and convertible desks work really well in a box room.
Consider Multi-Functional Features
When trying to design for a limited space, such as a box room, multi-functional features become invaluable. There are a lot of multi-functional furniture pieces to explore, and they aren’t too tricky to pull off, either. You could choose a hollow headboard which could then also function as a miniature bookcase. A daybed or sofa bed can fold away when not in use to increase the floor space.
A desk can double up as a dressing table. Try to think about how you can get the most possible use out of the room. The world of multi-functional furniture continues to grow, and there are more options than ever before. You can find bedside tables that fold out into desks; there are coffee tables that can fold out or up with hidden storage inside. Honestly, you are only limited by your own imagination. If you are particularly DIY savvy, then you could even build your own custom pieces.
Finding Clever Storage Solutions is a Must
Storage was always going to be a challenge in a box room; there are no two ways about it. However, there are ways to make it work. Hidden storage is a box room’s best friend. There are a number of ways for you to incorporate clever storage solutions into your space. Under the bed is a great space; you can either purchase a few containers which can slide under the bed easily – you will need to measure the distance to ensure the containers will fit, or a divan bed already has the storage built-in.
Fixed shelves on the walls could work, but you would need to think about how many you could add without the room feeling cluttered and more boxed in. There are also over-the-door hooks or racks, which can help to add more storage. There are so many clever storage ideas out there that you could incorporate into your box room. The internet is full of inspiration, so be sure to do some research to work out which ideas will work best for your room.
Decorative Techniques to Consider
Lastly, there are several solid decorative tools that can help to make even a box room feel as spacious as it possibly can. There are a few things that can help to create the illusion of space by opening the room up more. Mirrors are a great tool. A lot of interior designers recommend placing longer, horizontal mirrors on opposite walls can help to reflect the light and make it bounce around the room more. It also helps the room to feel less claustrophobic.
The colour scheme of the room is also important. While you might want to make a statement with the colour palette and utilise brighter, bolder colours, this can make the space feel more enclosed. This is why a lot of interior designers tend to recommend lighter colours for smaller rooms because they open up the space more. However, if you still want to incorporate more colour, then you could opt for a single feature wall which has a splash of colour to draw the eye.
The Bottom Line
The simple fact is that decorating a box room is not an easy task by any means. Luckily, the above tips can help to ensure that you are making the most of the room and the space that you do have. Your box room doesn’t have to simply be a junk room or a seldom-used space. You really can work with it to maximise its functionality and increase your overall living space.
