Oh-so stylish box room ideas

Got a tricky box room? Turn it into a stylish and practical space with our creative ideas.

Able to be turned into everything from walk-in dressers to cute cosy dens, box rooms are packed with potential. Here, we provide our favourite ways to update your small space with flair and functionality, helping you turn it into a space that delights.

1. Craft a contemporary home office

With remote work becoming increasingly popular, creating a home office is an excellent way to maintain a healthy work-life balance.

A box room can offer the perfect solution for a home office. You’ll be surprised at how much you can fit into your space when you understand how to use it. Take advantage of an L-shaped desk to maximise surface area and give you room for a dual-monitor set-up. You could also try an extendable table that you shrink at the end of the day to reclaim floor space.

By designating a specific room for work, you create a physical boundary that helps maintain a work-life balance. When you step out of your home office at the end of the day, you can leave work behind and fully engage with your loved ones. Read how working from bed affects your productivity to learn about the importance of keeping your sleep and work areas separate.

The key to a successful workspace is organisation. It’s easy to feel overcrowded, especially once you start filling it with all the necessities of desk-job life. Invest in desk organisers for your stationery and notebooks – if you don’t have room on your desk, floating shelves attached to the wall will make the most of your vertical space.

Finish with good lighting to ensure you’re not working in the dark, and add colour and vibrancy with some house plants. Our guide to a working bedroom gives you the essential checklist for creating a flawless study.

2. Make the ultimate cosy den

From reading nooks to private cinemas on rainy days, embrace the snug feeling of a box room to create your escape.

Who said functional needs to be productive? We all appreciate our own space to de-stress, and a den is a special box room idea. Fill the room with comfy seating like a plush chair bed, which you can decorate with cushions and throws for a calm ambience. Alternatively, for a more permanent setup try a daybed instead of a chair bed. You can accessorise your day bed by draping a canopy over it, creating an elegant, cocoon-like effect. Add fairy lights for a touch of magical charm.

You want this room to feel intimate and cushy, so don’t be afraid to go maximalist. Add lots of decorative pieces, bean bags, and soft, warm lighting for a relaxing feel. And if you’re aiming for a home cinema – try a projector and blackout blinds to save space while getting the big screen experience.

3. Get practical with a modern utility room

A utility room is often high on the wishlist – somewhere to sort washing, store coats and shoes, and help keep you tidy. Put a downstairs box room to good use with this highly practical solution.

If your box room is on the ground floor or you’re a bungalow-dweller, it can feel like a complex space to do something with, but don’t worry – there are plenty of great options. We love a utility room as they’re so versatile and can free up a lot of space elsewhere if you can fit your washing machine and tumble dryer in there.

4. Turn a box room into a darling nursery

Decorating the nursery is an exciting upgrade, and the box room is ideal for an adorable first bedroom for your bundle of joy.

A secure smaller bedroom is perfect for a nursery. With limited space, you can focus on essentials and avoid unnecessary purchases. Utilise smart storage solutions to maintain a clutter-free environment. Choose functional, multi-purpose pieces to ensure everything has its place. For instance, the versatile baby changer and drawers from the Koko range help create a calm and organised space for you and your baby.

When using a box room for a nursery, we recommend using brighter colours for the décor, such as cream, beige, and yellow, to make the room feel brighter. Explore our best colours for a nursery for more advice on colour schemes and get inspired on your renovation journey.

5. Treat yourself to a walk-in wardrobe

No more lamenting about where to put this season’s must-haves. Turn your box room into a private dressing room that will help you look your best every day.

Use your extra space and treat yourself to a dedicated wardrobe room. With a mixture of full wardrobes, mirrors, and clothes racks, you can create an enviable space just for getting ready. Add a vanity table with storage for make-up, jewellery, and hair care to complete the package.

This box room makeover has the added benefit of freeing up space in your bedroom, which can help declutter and keep your sleep sanctuary relaxing.

However you use your smallest space, follow these key design rules to make the most of your box room.

When working with a box room, you need to be mindful of your colour palette and how you use lighting to ensure the space doesn’t feel overwhelming.

6. Understand how to use light

Dark corners and shadows can make even an enormous room feel small. Use natural lighting to keep it bright and airy.

If your box room has a window with good natural lighting, you’ll want to embrace that. Don’t crowd the window with too much bulky furniture or heavy curtains. Bright colours and whites are best for making a room feel brighter than it is, which is especially important if the room doesn’t get much light.

To create a relaxing room, you’ll want to focus on darker colours and softer light sources. Avoid white-light bulbs and go for warm spectrum lights like lamps and string lights. For more tips on how to illuminate your room, take a look at these bedroom lighting ideas.

7. Reclaim vertical space

A box room may not have much floor space, but your walls are prime real estate. Shelves and tall storage are key.

Most people focus on storage options that go on the ground, but you can create more surface area by looking up. Try to find storage pieces like shelving units that use the full height of the room to expand storage space without taking up precious square footage. We also love floating shelves for books, plants, and other trinkets to give the room personality without feeling too busy.

8. Pick multi-purpose furniture

A box room calls for you to work smarter, not harder. Furniture with in-built storage or that serves more than one purpose can make even the smallest spaces feel impressive.

You’ve probably heard it before, but choosing multifunctional pieces is the best way to get the most out of a small space. Thankfully, there are tonnes of options now, so you don’t have to compromise on your aesthetic vision to be practical. From storage beds to ottoman footstools, there are so many unexpected ways to maximise storage space.

Are you looking for more inspiration? We’ve rounded up our favourite ways to save space in the bedroom.

9. Use mirrors to create the illusion of space

Mirrors do more than just capture your outfit of the day—they can expand a box room by catching the light and adding depth.

Much needed for getting ready every day, mirrors can also be an integral part of the design of a room, especially in small spaces. Make a statement by creating a mirrored wall or add mirrors to a gallery wall with bold shapes and frames. Remember to work with the room’s natural light to enhance the effect, or choose a lit mirror for a flattering light source.

10. Give everything a home

Constantly putting things down and forgetting them? Get organised to save space.

In a tight room, even the slightest mess can feel overwhelming. The best way to combat clutter is to assign a home for everything and stick to it. No matter what you use your box room for, there are solutions – a storage box for office snacks, a basket to hold extra blankets, or hooks for bags and coats. Cut down on tidying-up time and keep your room functional. Explore the benefits of staying organised with our guide, where we delve into the psychology behind tidying your bedroom.

So, whether you aim to make a den, a home office, or a practical utility space, there’s a box room idea for every need. Embrace smart organisation, maximise vertical space, and choose multi-purpose furniture to transform your small room into a charming and functional area.