Posted on January 15th, 2026.

 

Many bedrooms have a forgotten gap between the top of an IKEA wardrobe and the ceiling. It looks like empty air, but it can quietly solve several storage problems.

Once you start to see this area as part of your bedroom layout, it becomes easier to imagine how it might hold bulky or rarely used items.

Reorganising in this way is not about cramming more into the room. It is about using the full height of the space so that floor-level areas feel clearer and easier to keep tidy.

When you move certain belongings upwards, you often gain calmer surfaces and a tidier overall look.

The space above your IKEA wardrobe can work particularly well for seasonal clothing, bedding, luggage and other items that you do not need every week.

With a little planning and the right type of structure, that upper section can become reliable storage that looks intentional rather than improvised.

 

The Untapped Potential of Vertical Space

When people plan storage in a bedroom, they usually think first about floors, under-bed boxes and eye-level shelves. The higher wall area near the ceiling is often ignored, even though it is perfectly capable of holding useful storage. Above an IKEA wardrobe, this section can be especially helpful, because the top surface is usually straight and easy to build on.

IKEA wardrobes are designed with simple, modular forms, which makes them ideal as a base for extra height. Once you know your ceiling height, you can work out how much room is available above the wardrobe. Even a modest gap can hold sturdy boxes, while taller spaces can accommodate extra cupboards or shelving. The key is to treat this height as part of your storage plan from the beginning.

Using that upper band effectively can relieve pressure elsewhere in the room. Bulky, lightweight items can move upwards, freeing drawers and internal hanging space for clothes and belongings you reach for every day. When the floor is less crowded, it is easier to move around, clean and keep the room feeling open rather than cramped. This, in turn, can make the whole bedroom feel more welcoming.

There are also clear benefits to how the room functions and feels when vertical space is used well. For many homes, taking better advantage of this height can deliver:

• Increased storage capacity: Make use of the full wall height to store seasonal clothing, holiday decorations or spare bedding above the wardrobe.
• Decluttered floor space: Lifting items off the floor creates a cleaner line of sight, which helps rooms feel larger and less busy.
• Functional spaces: Clearing lower areas can free up room for a small desk, reading chair or play area in bedrooms that need to serve more than one purpose.
• Improved organisation: Assigning specific categories to the space above the wardrobe makes it simpler to find things and to keep the system consistent over time.
• Enhanced aesthetic appeal: A well-planned run of storage up the wall creates pleasing, continuous lines that often look more considered than a single, stand-alone wardrobe.
• Optimised airflow and light distribution: Less clutter at floor level helps air and natural light travel more easily around the room, which can make it feel fresher and brighter.

By looking upwards and making conscious use of this extra height, you reduce the risk of belongings piling up in corners and on surfaces. Over time, this usually means less time spent shifting things around and more time enjoying a room that feels ordered and easy to live in. The next step is deciding what type of structure will suit your space and how to keep everything secure.

 

Tailored Solutions for Above-Wardrobe Storage

No two bedrooms are quite the same, so the space above an IKEA wardrobe needs a solution that respects your specific ceiling height, alcoves and details. The process starts with careful measuring and a clear sense of how you want the finished wall to look. From there, you can choose between open shelving, closed units or a mixture of the two.

Open shelving that rises from the top of the wardrobe up towards the ceiling can work very well. When the shelves line up with the wardrobe doors, the whole structure appears taller and more built-in. You can place matching boxes or baskets on these shelves, grouping similar items together. This makes the area look tidy, even when it is holding a lot of belongings, and it also keeps access simple.

Closed units or custom storage boxes give a different effect. When their fronts and finishes are matched to the wardrobe, they can look like an extension of the original piece. This is particularly appealing if you prefer a calm, minimal bedroom with very little on display. Inside, the boxes can be sized to suit bedding, clothing or documents, while the exterior remains neat and understated.

Proportion is important in both approaches. Units that are too deep or too shallow can look awkward or be hard to use. Thoughtful planning of height, depth and width helps guarantee that the new storage feels balanced with the existing wardrobe. It also reduces wasted corners or hard-to-reach sections that are more likely to become cluttered.

Safety should always be considered when adding storage above head height. Heavier structures often need to be fixed back to the wall to prevent movement, and even lighter boxes require a stable surface. Choosing suitable fixings and respecting recommended weight limits helps you use the space confidently. This is especially important in homes with children or pets.

For many people, the most comfortable option is to ask experienced assemblers or fitters to handle the design and installation. A professional can advise on materials, check the wall type and ensure the final result is level, secure and in keeping with the rest of the room. With that support, you can focus on what you want to store and how the space will make daily life easier.

 

Transforming Bedrooms with Customised IKEA Solutions

When the area above your IKEA wardrobe is used thoughtfully, it can influence much more than storage capacity. A wardrobe with additional upper units or shelving often looks as though it was designed specifically for the room. This sense of coherence can make the whole wall feel calmer and more finished, which has a noticeable effect on the atmosphere of the bedroom.

Finishing details help the new storage blend neatly with existing features. Simple trim where the top units meet the ceiling, or careful alignment with skirting boards and door frames, can make a big difference. Matching colours, handles and materials across the wardrobe and upper sections reinforce the feeling of a single, continuous piece rather than a collection of separate items.

Inside the storage, planning how you group items will determine how easy the system is to live with. You might keep spare pillows and duvets just above comfortable reach, with rarely used decorations or keepsakes higher up. Labelling boxes or using clear containers can save time and prevent everything from ending up mixed together again. Small, regular adjustments usually keep the system working well.

Lighting can add both practicality and atmosphere. Subtle LED strips along the top of the wardrobe or inside upper cupboards make it easier to see contents on darker days. They can also introduce a soft, indirect glow that feels pleasant in the evening, without needing a bright central light. This is particularly useful if the wardrobe occupies a slightly darker corner of the room.

As storage becomes more efficient, you may find that other parts of the bedroom open up. A previously crowded corner might now hold a simple chair, a compact desk or simply remain clear to give a sense of breathing space. By moving certain items upwards, you give yourself more flexibility to shape the lower part of the room according to how you actually live.

Taken together, these changes can shift a bedroom from feeling cluttered and temporary to feeling ordered and settled. Customised solutions based on IKEA wardrobes make the most of what you already own while adapting it to your home’s exact dimensions. With the right plan in place, the final step is choosing support that can bring your ideas to life with care and precision.

Related: Maximise Space: Clever Storage Ideas for Kids' Rooms

 

Smarter Storage, Calmer Bedrooms

Making better use of the space above your IKEA wardrobe is a straightforward way to gain storage without sacrificing floor area or comfort. By planning upwards, choosing suitable structures and thinking carefully about what you store where, you can create a bedroom that feels more spacious and easier to keep tidy. Small changes in height often lead to big improvements in how the room works day to day.

At GRS FlatPack, we focus on designing and installing storage that works with your existing IKEA wardrobes and the specific layout of your room. We can help you measure, plan and fit above-wardrobe solutions that feel secure, look seamless and are genuinely practical for your belongings.

Unlock the full potential of your bedroom with custom above-IKEA wardrobe storage from GRS FlatPack!

Contact us today to take the first steps towards a home where practicality meets panache by calling +07769 029551 or emailing [email protected].