Room Tour: A Bedroom Makeover With an Ingenious Storage Solution
A masterclass in multi-tasking, this small room has it all: guest bed, storage area, study spot – and meditation space
When it comes to our homes, many of us think of a standard model of kitchen, living room, bedrooms and bathroom, but the owners of this north London home wanted something more. Specifically, they wanted a room they could meditate in.
“The couple met on a meditation retreat, so it was really important to them,” says interior designer Kia Stanford, creative director of Kia Designs, who was behind the clever redesign. “Both of them also work incredibly hard, so to have a space at home where they could completely relax was crucial.”
The stylish result is a multi-functional space fit for the 21st century, having a meditation spot and masses of storage without sacrificing the functions of a traditional spare room.
“The couple met on a meditation retreat, so it was really important to them,” says interior designer Kia Stanford, creative director of Kia Designs, who was behind the clever redesign. “Both of them also work incredibly hard, so to have a space at home where they could completely relax was crucial.”
The stylish result is a multi-functional space fit for the 21st century, having a meditation spot and masses of storage without sacrificing the functions of a traditional spare room.
Key to the transformation was an ingenious bespoke bed that has it all: plenty of integrated storage, a special mat that unfolds to turn it into a sturdy meditation platform, and a pull-out desk and stool, all with a chic wood and orange finish.
The idea for the bed was originally triggered by another project Kia Designs had on Houzz, depicting a chest of drawers with a bed on top. “The owners of this house had seen it and said, ‘What do you think about having something like that here?’ I said, ‘That could be fantastic, but why stop there? We have such an opportunity, what else would you like?’”
The idea for the bed was originally triggered by another project Kia Designs had on Houzz, depicting a chest of drawers with a bed on top. “The owners of this house had seen it and said, ‘What do you think about having something like that here?’ I said, ‘That could be fantastic, but why stop there? We have such an opportunity, what else would you like?’”
The platform’s frame is built from MDF faced with different veneers: the orange shelves were spray-painted, and the six drawers are covered in bur oak.
“The drawers are really nice and deep as well as wide; they go back around 80cm,” says Stanford. “They’re perfect for everything, really, but especially anything quite chunky – winter coats, things for skiing.”
Bed built bespoke by Barbara Genda. Black and gold Lederam wall lights, Catellani & Smith.
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“The drawers are really nice and deep as well as wide; they go back around 80cm,” says Stanford. “They’re perfect for everything, really, but especially anything quite chunky – winter coats, things for skiing.”
Bed built bespoke by Barbara Genda. Black and gold Lederam wall lights, Catellani & Smith.
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As well as the drawers, this all-singing, all-dancing bed has additional storage in the cavity underneath the mattress. At the end is a pull-out desk, which, along with the stool and power points beneath it, turn this spot into a pop-up study.
“The owners haven’t had to sacrifice any of the things a normal spare bedroom would have,” says Stanford.
London stool, Studio Haran.
“The owners haven’t had to sacrifice any of the things a normal spare bedroom would have,” says Stanford.
London stool, Studio Haran.
When the desk is slotted away, the stool simply tucks into the niche underneath it.
This is a smart home in more ways than one. Speakers have been built into the walls, and music can be played remotely anywhere in the house using a mobile phone, thanks to a Sonos system.
The lighting is smart, too. “The room has a Lutron system with five light presets, depending on what you’re doing – studying, meditating or reading.”
That’s not all. “The owners can control their underfloor heating from anywhere, and the blinds are automated, too.”
Kali Goa RM870-19 wallpaper, Abbott + Boyd. Marble display shelf with brackets, Audenza.
This is a smart home in more ways than one. Speakers have been built into the walls, and music can be played remotely anywhere in the house using a mobile phone, thanks to a Sonos system.
The lighting is smart, too. “The room has a Lutron system with five light presets, depending on what you’re doing – studying, meditating or reading.”
That’s not all. “The owners can control their underfloor heating from anywhere, and the blinds are automated, too.”
Kali Goa RM870-19 wallpaper, Abbott + Boyd. Marble display shelf with brackets, Audenza.
The special bespoke mat, by Material Concepts, can be stashed neatly to one side.
“As the bed is inset, it can be left permanently made,” says Stanford. “The mat has been designed to sit on top, and is fully able to hold the weight of two men.”
“As the bed is inset, it can be left permanently made,” says Stanford. “The mat has been designed to sit on top, and is fully able to hold the weight of two men.”
Stanford’s design truly makes the most of every inch, thanks to some creative restructuring.
“We fitted a sliding door at the entrance to the room to make it more open,” she explains. This has left space to tuck in more storage. “When you come into the meditation room now, you have a three-door wardrobe on the right-hand side,” she says.
A set of shelves, painted orange to link to the bed unit, provide yet more storage, and the addition of a chair and wall light turn this area into a cosy reading nook.
What do you think of this cleverly designed bedroom? Share your thoughts in the Comments section.
Look out for…
Kia Stanford also designed this couple’s master bedroom – a beautiful space with natural timber cladding and a walk-in wardrobe. Check it out here
“We fitted a sliding door at the entrance to the room to make it more open,” she explains. This has left space to tuck in more storage. “When you come into the meditation room now, you have a three-door wardrobe on the right-hand side,” she says.
A set of shelves, painted orange to link to the bed unit, provide yet more storage, and the addition of a chair and wall light turn this area into a cosy reading nook.
What do you think of this cleverly designed bedroom? Share your thoughts in the Comments section.
Look out for…
Kia Stanford also designed this couple’s master bedroom – a beautiful space with natural timber cladding and a walk-in wardrobe. Check it out here
Who lives here A professional couple
Location Tufnell Park, London
The property A new-build house
Size 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom
Designer Kia Stanford of Kia Designs
This house is a light-filled modern gem built in 2005. However, despite its charms, when designer Kia Stanford was brought on board, the owners were struggling with how to make the most of it.
“While they absolutely adored the house, the space just wasn’t working for them,” she recalls. The answer was to turn the spare bedroom into a multi-tasking zone, where they could relax, catch up on work or put up guests as necessary.
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