Almost every British home seems to have one. It’s the smallest bedroom, usually above the stairs, often with a bulkhead taking up part of the floor and just about enough space for a bed and not much else. Box rooms have a habit of becoming a dumping ground for suitcases, spare furniture and things nobody quite knows what to do with.
With a bit of planning, though, a box room can become one of the most useful rooms in the house. These seven ideas show just how much a small space can offer.
Start by Measuring Properly
Before choosing a use for the room, take accurate measurements. Note the full dimensions, the position of the door and which way it opens, the window and radiator positions and any awkward features like a stair bulkhead or sloping ceiling. It’s also worth measuring the hallway and staircase, since getting furniture into a box room can be harder than fitting it once it’s inside.
1. A Compact Guest Room
A box room is a natural fit for a guest room, especially if visitors usually come one at a time. A standard UK single measures 90cm by 190cm, which suits most small rooms comfortably. Simba’s compact single mattress options come in that standard size, and its Hybrid® models arrive vacuum packed and boxed, which makes them much easier to carry up a tight staircase.
Choosing a bed with drawers or an ottoman base underneath gives you storage for spare bedding and towels, and a few hooks on the wall can stand in for a wardrobe.
2. A Child’s Bedroom
Box rooms often make cosy bedrooms for young children, who tend to like smaller, enclosed spaces. A single bed against the wall, a small chest of drawers and some low shelving for books and toys are usually all you need.
As children grow, a box room can also work well for an older child who wants their own space, especially with a cabin bed that lifts the mattress and frees up the floor below for a desk or storage.
3. A Home Office
With more people working from home, a box room can be ideal as a dedicated office. Having a separate room means you can close the door at the end of the day, which helps keep work out of the rest of the home.
A desk under the window makes the most of natural light, and wall mounted shelves keep the floor clear. If the room occasionally needs to host guests, a sofa bed or a fold away bed can give you both functions in one space.
4. A Dressing Room
If your main bedroom is short on space, turning the box room into a dressing room can free it up considerably. Open rails, shelving and a full length mirror can turn even a very small room into a practical place to store clothes, shoes and accessories.
It also means the main bedroom can stay calmer and less cluttered, which many people find helps them sleep better.
5. A Reading Room or Snug
Sometimes the best use for a small room is somewhere to relax. A comfortable armchair, a good reading lamp, a bookcase and a soft rug can turn a box room into a cosy retreat away from the television and the rest of the household.
Darker paint colours can work particularly well here, as they make a small room feel warm and enclosing in a deliberate way.
6. A Hobby or Craft Room
If you have a hobby that takes up space, such as sewing, painting, model making or music, a box room gives it a permanent home. Being able to leave a project out and close the door is a real luxury, and it saves packing everything away at the end of each session.
Good lighting is especially important for detailed work, so consider a bright task lamp alongside the main light.
7. A Home Gym or Yoga Space
A box room can just about fit a yoga mat, a set of weights or a compact exercise bike. Having a dedicated space can make it easier to keep up a regular routine, since everything is ready to go.
Mirrors help the room feel larger and are useful for checking your form. Keep the space clear and well ventilated, and store smaller equipment in baskets or on wall mounted racks.
Making Any Box Room Feel Bigger
Whichever use you choose, a few principles help a small room feel more spacious. Paler colours tend to reflect light and make a room feel airier, and painting the ceiling the same colour as the walls can blur the edges of the space. A well placed mirror, particularly opposite a window, bounces light around the room.
Using the walls for storage keeps the floor clear, and furniture with slim profiles and raised legs lets you see more of the floor, which helps the room feel less crowded. A regular clear out keeps clutter from creeping back in.
Closing Thoughts
A box room can be far more useful than a place to stash suitcases. Whether you turn it into a guest room, a child’s bedroom, a home office, a dressing room, a snug, a hobby room or a home gym, the key is to choose one main purpose and plan the space around it. Measure carefully, use the walls for storage and keep furniture in proportion, and the smallest room in the house can become one of the most loved.
