The lowest area earns its keep
A shallow, 80cm chest can occupy space that would be awkward to stand in. Its drawers face the clearer centre of the room.
All rooms
ROOM 37 · Bedroom
Two floor plans in one attic
Published
A compact attic bedroom in an older Yorkshire cottage, England.
A small-double bed takes the gable wall while a low blue chest uses the eaves. A rooflight, narrow runner and compact bedside lamp keep this attic bedroom open and warm.
See the product sourcesTHE DESIGN
A roof room has two floor plans: the one measured at skirting level, and the one a standing person can actually use. This cottage attic pays attention to both. The chest occupies the low edge, while the route beside the bed stays closer to the ridge.
The small-double ComfoRest divan takes the gable wall, where its four-panel headboard has room to rise. Silver plush upholstery softens the plaster without making the bed look heavier. The selected frame includes two storage drawers; their opening space matters just as much as the footprint of the mattress.
At 80cm high and 40cm deep, SUNVIVI's blue chest can sit beneath the left slope. Six drawers give the low area a useful job. There is no tall arrangement on top: a shallow bowl and small print use the remaining height without forcing the furniture out into the room.
The bedside has been reduced to one 45cm Rohia table and a 27cm HSLighting lamp. Brass and silver need not match to work together. Here they are small enough to read as useful objects, with the pleated shade adding texture close to the pillows.
An Akari runner follows the narrow aisle instead of disappearing under the divan. Its 66-by-200cm shape is the reason for choosing this member of the range. The ochre Tuleeka cushion brings colour to the pale bed; the blue throw, plain linen, print and ceramics are styling elements. The rooflight supplies daylight without taking away the only full-height wall.
WHY THE ROOM WORKS
An awkward bedroom improves when the low parts are given jobs instead of being treated as defects.
Colour palette
- Warm white
- Muted blue
- Ochre
- Pale pine
- Silver plush
The gable gives the bed enough height
A full-height wall supports the headboard and sitting position. The slope is kept away from the place a person rises from the pillows.
A runner fits the useful floor
The rug follows the standing route. Choosing its actual narrow dimensions makes more sense here than forcing in a large rectangle.
Small lighting preserves breathing room
One compact lamp supplies bedside light without competing with the rooflight or crowding the sloping wall.
A darker piece beneath the eaves
The blue chest occupies the lower edge of the room. One patterned cushion brings a smaller colour change onto the bed, leaving the slope plain.
WHAT TO BORROW
Measure headroom at the front of a chest, at the edge of the mattress and where you will stand up. Floor area alone cannot tell you whether an attic layout works.
THE PIECES BEHIND THE DESIGN
Shop this room
The design began with these pieces from our Shop. Open each product for its exact size, finish and retailer details.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Our affiliate policy.
beds · UK
ComfoRest Four-Panel Divan Bed with Two Drawers, Silver Plush, Small Double
A compact divan with drawers beneath
Silver plush upholstery and a four-panel headboard give this ComfoRest divan a simple, comfortable-looking shape. The selected 4ft small double has two storage drawers, making use of the space beneath the bed for spare bedding and everyday essentials. We have styled it with sage walls, white linen and a burgundy throw. This selection is the bed base and headboard without a mattress; the mattress, bedding and bedside furniture shown are styling.
storage · UK
SUNVIVI Six-Drawer Fluted Chest, Blue
Deep blue storage with finely lined fronts
Six fluted drawer fronts and small gold knobs give this SUNVIVI chest its crisp rhythm. The selected Blue version measures 120cm wide, 40cm deep and 80cm high, with an engineered-wood body and raised legs. Its broad top works well with one substantial lamp and a favourite bowl. Peach walls, walnut tones and clean white linen make the dark blue feel inviting, while leaving the storage unit as the focus.
Rohia Cast Metal Side Table
Small · Brass
Nkuku
£225.00
lighting · UK
HSLighting Pleated-Shade Touch Lamp, Silver
Fine pleats and a polished silver base
This compact HSLighting lamp brings a little texture to the bedside with a cylindrical pleated fabric shade, slim stem and polished silver base. The selected Silver version is one lamp, measuring 27cm high with a 12cm base. Touch control offers three brightness levels, and the listing includes a UK plug and a 4W E14 warm-white LED bulb. Rose walls and navy bedding make a gentle contrast to the silver. Decorative accessories and bedside furniture are styling.
Akari Jute & Cotton Runner
Natural · 66 x 200 cm
Nkuku
£130.00
Tuleeka Wool Cushion Cover
Ochre · 50 x 50 cm
Nkuku
£55.00