A calm bedroom starts with a space that feels effortless to live in, not one you’re constantly battling with. When your room is organised and uncluttered, it naturally becomes more restful, making it easier to switch off at the end of the day. That’s where smart storage comes in. It isn’t about squeezing in more furniture for the sake of it, but about choosing thoughtful solutions that work quietly in the background, helping you maximise bedroom storage, and support how you actually use the space.
Well-planned bedroom storage helps reduce visual noise, keeps everyday essentials close to hand, and frees up precious floor space. This is especially important in smaller bedrooms, where clutter can quickly overwhelm the room and disrupt that sense of calm. With the right approach, even the most compact bedroom can feel lighter, more spacious, and far more serene. The good news is that a storage makeover doesn’t have to be complicated. Here’s how to create a calm bedroom using smart, practical storage strategies that genuinely make life easier.
Use furniture with built-in storage
One of the simplest ways to maintain a clean bedroom feel is to choose furniture that works harder for you. Beds with built-in drawers or lift-up storage are especially effective, as you can keep your bedding accessories in there.
What are favourite items? Ottomans, storage benches, and bedside tables with drawers can be a game-changer. They make a big difference when you’re trying to keep a small bedroom clutter-free.
Make use of awkward spaces
Some rooms have areas that are difficult to use well and where no shop-bought furniture fits. Whether you’re dealing with awkward alcoves, sloping ceilings, or corners, you need to look for customised items that will fit. This is your sign to walk away from the standardised and mass-produced storage items.
Bespoke solutions are ideal here because furniture can be built specifically for the room rather than forcing the room to adapt. So, this is perfect for custom wardrobes and fitted shelving that can help transform awkward layouts into practical features. This is where services like DAY & KNIGHT bespoke furniture are particularly valuable.
Ditch bulky storage for stylish features
Traditional storage furniture can sometimes feel heavy, especially in smaller bedrooms. Have you ever considered replacing bulky units with creative solutions for a clean and uninterrupted aesthetics? For instance, floating shelves have become a popular option, as they reduce visual clutter. Less visible screws, nails, and so on to distract.
But there are storage solutions that are fully invisible, like hidden bookshelves, where the support is concealed within a single book, and others that stack on top. Storage without visual clutter adds an element of decor interest that brings your small bedroom to life.
Be strategic about what belongs in the bedroom
Not everything needs to live in the bedroom, even if it has done out of habit. A lot of items naturally end up in the bedroom even though they don’t belong there: work, paperwork, or hobbies elements may live there, but, in truth, they disrupt the restful nature of the space. This is one of the key Feng-Shui lessons, and it’s one that helps create a soothing small bedroom interior. So, you want to be selective about what stays to protect your bedroom’s role as a place to unwind.
For items you need to keep but rarely use, external self-storage solutions can be a practical option. This allows you to keep the bedroom focused on daily living and rest, rather than becoming a general storage area.
Creating a clean bedroom feel is less about strict rules and more about thoughtful choices. With smart storage strategies, the room becomes easier to maintain, more visually calming, and far more enjoyable to spend time in.
Stacey Solomon has revealed that her children have their own Christmas tree to decorate, and experts are saying that this is a practice we should all consider adopting, allowing kids the freedom to express themselves.
For many, some of the happiest festive memories come from decorating the tree. From handmade baubles unevenly spaced on the branches of our artificial Christmas tree to putting a wobbling, wonky angel on the top, it’s memories like these that can make decorating continue to feel so special as an adult.
Now, experts are recommending you allow your children’s Christmas decorating ideas to go one step further, by gifting them a tree of their own to decorate, as Stacey has. Here’s why.
Why you should let children have their own Christmas tree
This week, Stacey Solomon posted an Instagram story showing her kids decorating their own tree. While Stacey’s story showed her kids decorating a full-size Christmas tree, it’s fair to say that the majority of us will not have this kind of space. So, what we recommend is giving your children a tabletop tree (like this £4 tabletop tree from Argos) as a budget and space-friendly alternative.
(Image credit: Future PLC/Colin Poole)
‘I’m a huge fan of children having their own Christmas tree,’ says Whinnie Williams, interior designer and Trends Forecaster for Balsam Hill. ‘There’s something incredibly special about giving kids a space to make their own, where they can take charge of the decorating.’
‘A smaller tree is ideal so tiny arms can reach the branches. If you’ve got the room, a Baby Nordmann works beautifully, or create a winter wonderland with a Frosted Alpine Fir. For smaller spaces, a little tabletop tree is perfect.’
‘It’s a wonderful chance for children to express themselves. A dedicated tree means they can decorate with the things they love, whether that’s glittery tinsel, felt animals, or decorations they’ve made themselves at school.
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‘I love having a Christmas ‘crafternoon’ with my daughter, baking gingerbread decorations, painting baubles, or making paper chains together. It might be messy, but the results look absolutely magical on her own little tree.’
(Image credit: Future PLC/Dan Duchars)
Lisa Henby, interior designer and founder of Lisa Hensby Design & Build agrees, reflecting on how her children enjoy and appreciate having their own tree.
‘As a mum of three, I’m a big fan of giving children their own Christmas tree to decorate. We usually pop a smaller tree in the playroom, and that’s their zone to go completely wild with handmade decorations, clashing colours, all the glitter! It gives them a real sense of ownership and makes the build-up to Christmas even more magical,’ she says.
‘It also means I can keep the main tree in the living room a bit more ‘pulled together’ design-wise. My top tip is to give kids a big box of shatterproof baubles and ribbons, pop on some Christmas music and let them take the lead – you’ll make the best memories.’
Are there any downsides?
The biggest cons of giving your children a Christmas tree to decorate are that they can be impractical and take up too much space, or they pose a safety hazard.
(Image credit: Future PLC/David Brittain)
‘Make sure the decorations on children’s trees are safe,’ says Whinnie. ‘Steer clear of glass ornaments or anything fragile. You’ll also want to avoid anything small enough to be a choking hazard or with sharp edges. And always maintain adult supervision of children around their Christmas tree.’
A small table-top Christmas tree is great for letting children express themselves creatively, while allowing them to follow your own design ideas and Christmas trends when it comes to your main tree and decorations. Here are a few decorations to get you started.
Argos Home
Argos Home 3ft Small Christmas Tree
Ths 3ft tree is the perfect size for little arms and fingers, and will happily sit on a side table, windowsill or even your children’s bedrooms. Plus, you can’t argue with the price.
Habitat
Habitat Pack of 49 Shatterproof Scandi Christmas Bauble
Opt for shatterproof baubles to reduce the risk of smashing and potential injury.
Habitat
Habitat Single Big Friendly Giant Hanging Christmas Ornament
Opt for playful, character baubles – or try making them yourself – for a tree full of personality.
My biggest childhood memory from Christmas comes from decorating the tree, and I’d have relished the opportunity to get my hands on my own mini tree to decorate. So, I’m thinking now is a good time to take a leaf out of Stacey’s book…
If there’s one celebrity chef you can rely on for air fryer hacks, it’s Jamie Oliver. Even before the release of his appliance-specific cookbook Jamie was a champion of the best air fryers for speedy, convenient cooking. And now he’s turned his attention to the ever-useful kitchen appliance for dealing with Christmas leftovers too.
While some might scoff at the idea of turning away from their traditional bubble and squeak recipe on Boxing Day, this air fryer hack is one way to turn cooking after Christmas into a quick affair – in fact, Jamie says it’s a method that takes him just 20 minutes.
You don’t need any extra equipment to take advantage of this approach, though I can definitely recommend Jamie’s Easy Air Fryer cookbook (now £13 at Amazon) if you want all-year-round inspiration. I’ve been turning to my copy for meal ideas all the time.
Jamie Oliver’s Boxing Day air fryer hack
If you end up staring down your leftover carrots and potatoes after the big day in desperate need of a little inspiration, Jamie’s advice is straightforward: ‘simply chuck it in the air fryer!’.
In a video posted to his Instagram, he shows himself chopping his veg and then folding it all together into bite sized balls which go straight into his air fryer tray. Not only is it convenient to serve if you’re hosting but it’s also super quick.
Jamie’s full recipe can be found via his website and though he uses his trusty Tefal air fryer (of which he has his own model) for his patties in his video, any drawer-style version will work. Just remember to set it to air fry at 190°C for 15 minutes.
This isn’t the first time one of Jamie’s air fryer techniques has helped me to cut down on time spent sweating over a hot stove, as I’ve also been adopting his ‘take the tray out’ approach to my trusty appliance recently too for all-in-one meals.
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(Image credit: Future / Millie Fender)
Finding inventive ways to use your air fryer might feel like a foreign concept if you’ve owned one for a few years now, but a good cookbook definitely helps to spark new ideas.
My favourite thing about this book is the 6-ingredient recipes, a lifesaver for when I’m totally out of dinner ideas and running low on time. If you want to cook along with Jamie from the recipes in this book then we’ve also tested his signature air fryer – our Tefal Easy Fry Dual Air Fryer review has the full details.
When Boxing Day rolls around I’m definitely going to be trying this trick out to make sure nothing goes to waste. Will you be giving this one a go too?
There’s a lot of hype around Japanese gardening tools, but the price tag on some of the products from leading brands always used to put me off a little. A few months ago, I bit the bullet and finally tried out my first pair of Japanese secateurs – and now I’m obsessed.
Niwaki’s Sentei Secateurs are £39 at Amazon, so they’re a lot less expensive than some of the other secateurs in the brand’s range – and they turned out to be some of the best secateurs I’ve ever tried. In fact, snipping away at my plants has literally never been more satisfying – and I couldn’t wait to get back out in the garden and start pruning again.
Here’s everything I loved about the Niwaki Sentei Secateurs – and why I can’t wait to start padding out my shed with even more Japanese gardening tools.
Niwaki
Sentei Secateurs
Niwaki describes the Sentei Secateurs as ‘an excellent introduction into the world of Japanese secateurs,’ and that’s exactly what they were for me. The 55mm blades, which are made of KA-70 carbon-forged steel, arrive super-sharp and ready to go – and they trim through green stems like butter, with the most satisfying snip I’ve ever felt pruning. As sad as it may sound, pruning my jasmine plant was an absolute blast.
Now, before I carry on raving about them, it’s important to note that the Niwaki Sentei Secateurs are designed for light pruning tasks. According to Niwaki, they’re designed to cut through stems no thicker than 7mm in diameter, and they indeed performed a lot better on stems that were less than 10mm thick. For heavy-duty or all-day tasks, Niwaki says it’s better to go for something like the GR Pro Secateurs.
(Image credit: Future PLC / Sophie King)
But if, like me, you have plants like lavender bushes to prune, with plenty of green stems, the Niwaki Sentei Secateurs are absolutely ideal. They’re so comfortable to hold, and they make light pruning tasks feel effortless. There’s a lock catch mechanism at the end of the secateur handles that you can flick open and closed with your finger (although it takes a little getting used to!). The spring action is soft and easy to control, too, which makes pruning even easier.
Amazon reviewers agree that the Sentei secateurs are worth the purchase – one reviewer says they’re ‘the secateurs that everyone should own,’ with another describing them as ‘seriously good and fit for purpose’. There’s a lot of agreement that the secateurs are really sharp, and a high-quality product all-round.
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(Image credit: Future PLC / Sophie King)
They look premium, too. The handles have a sleek, black wood effect, and they’re really comfortable to hold. The only downside there is that you might lose track of them if you put them down on dark soil (that’s one of the only gripes Amazon reviewers had, actually).
Even the packaging is a treat! My Sentei secateurs came in a delicate little box inside a canvas bag, so they’d make a lovely gift (and a few Amazon reviewers said the same thing). If you order the Sentei Secateurs from Niwaki’s website, you can even add a canvas or leather holster to your order for an extra £12 or £24, respectively. The secateurs come with a spare spring, too.
More brilliant Japanese gardening tools
Niwaki
Niwaki Garden Snips
Another Niwaki product I swear by. They’re so comfortable to use!
Kimura
Kimura® 8″ Pro Bypass Garden Secateurs
Another pair of my favourite secateurs! They’re brilliant for light to medium pruning tasks.
Niwaki
GR Pro Secateurs
For heavier-duty jobs, these Niwaki secateurs start at £84 for a right-handed pair.
If you feel like treating yourself to a premium Japanese gardening tool, the Niwaki Sentei Secateurs are a brilliant place to start.
Are you ready for Christmas hosting? Not quite? Don’t worry, because Dunelm is having a huge sale on last-minute Christmas essentials, so you can ensure the day runs smoothly.
Even after your Christmas tree has gone up and the house looks beautifully decorated, there are still a few essentials that are easily overlooked and forgotten about. From brushed cotton bedding to keep your guests toasty to a showstopping cake stand for the big finish at lunch, it can feel like there’s always something we need to pick up during the festive season.
Right now, Dunelm is offering up to 50% off selected Christmas and winter essentials, and these are the six I think are worth your time. But with decorations quickly selling out at similar retailers, you’ll have to act fast if any of these buys catch your eye.
Available in olive green, bright red, navy, teal and classic white, there is a colourway for every taste. Brushed cotton bedding is famed for being soft and cosy; the material’s texture removes the ‘chill factor’ of flatter materials such as sateen. And the reviews echo this sentiment.
‘Dorma did it again, their brushed cotton duvet set is delicious, heavy, warm and cosy. It actually improves with washing, becoming softer and snugglier. Love the zip fastenings,’ said one.
‘Very very pleased, excellent quality and oh so warm – just what you need for winter nights,’ said another.
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Made with 100% brushed cotton, you can expect this bedding to feel extremely soft and cosy – perfect for your Christmas guests.
Sophie Robinson Cake Stand
A funky cake stand like this one is great for not just hosting at Christmas but all year round.
Wicker Christmas Tree Skirt 60cm
A tree skirt is an essential piece of festive decor, perfect for hiding the base of the tree. This one is beautifully rustic and classic looking.
Pink Bar Tool Set
If you have any cocktail nights planned over Christmas and New Year, then this bar tool set is just what you need, or the perfect stocking filler for a loved one.
Large Oven to Table Dish
You can never have enough cookware over Christmas, and this stylish tray can go straight from the oven to the table.
Sophie Robinson Beaded Table Runner
This beaded table runner looks incredibly cool and is well-suited to any maximalist festive decor.
Christmas is an expensive time of year, so if you are still looking for hosting essentials, checking the sales is a great way to shop.
