Once seen purely as a place to sleep, the bedroom has evolved into one of the most multifunctional spaces in the home. Today, it’s not only where we rest, but where we relax, get ready for the day, pursue hobbies and, for many, even work or exercise.
As lifestyles shift, bedrooms are being asked to do more than ever before. Yet with property sizes varying across the UK, this increased demand can quickly lead to cluttered environments. With searches for ‘bedroom storage’ up by +20% in the past three months, many homeowners have run out of ideas, or aren’t aware of the storage solutions available to them.
To address the realities of modern living, Wren has unveiled The Bedroom Reset Report, with Head of Bedrooms, Joanne Dodsworth, sharing expert guidance on how smarter storage and design can reshape the way we use our bedrooms.
The Rise of the Multifunctional Bedroom
The role of the bedroom has quietly shifted, and for many people, it’s now expected to accommodate far more than just rest. 60% of people regularly use the space for dressing and grooming, while 16% of bedrooms double up as workspaces. On top of this, one in eight of those surveyed said that they now exercise in their bedrooms, highlighting just how versatile the modern bedroom has become.
Despite these findings, multifunctionality itself isn’t always front of mind. Instead, homeowners are placing greater emphasis on practicality, with organisation, storage and sleep quality emerging as the most important considerations within the bedroom.
Storage Is the Biggest Pressure Point
As bedrooms take on more roles, storage is becoming an increasing challenge. Nearly half of Brits (45%) say they struggle to store their clothes and belongings due to limited space, revealing how bedrooms aren’t accommodating to multifunctional needs.
This lack of capacity is forcing many to look beyond the bedroom altogether. More than a third (36%) admit they store clothing and belongings in other areas of the home, such as hallways or spare rooms, simply because their wardrobes cannot fit everything. Others are resorting to temporary fixes, with 29% relying on boxes and bags, while seven tenths admit that clothes often end up draped over chairs or left on the floor.
The findings point to a clear mismatch between storage needs and existing bedroom design, with functionality now outweighing aesthetics for many homeowners. Easy organisation and visibility are seen as essential needs, with 42% identifying this as the most important feature in a wardrobe.
The Emotional Impact of Clutter
The consequences of poor storage impacts how people feel within their homes. Nearly half of those surveyed describe their bedroom as cluttered, with a further 1 in 9 Brits admitting to their bedroom feeling very cluttered.
For many, this has a direct emotional impact. Around a third say mess makes them feel frustrated, while 20% report feeling overwhelmed or even embarrassed by the state of their space. A further 11% associate clutter with deeper effects, including anxiety and a lack of motivation.
Perhaps most significantly, clutter is also impacting rest. Just 38% of homeowners describe their bedroom as calm, organised and restful, meaning the majority are not experiencing an ideal sleep environment. For 1 in 20, poor organisation is directly affecting sleep quality, reinforcing the importance of a balanced space.
Expert insights on how to design without compromise
According to Joanne Dodsworth, Head of Bedrooms at Wren, these challenges are not inevitable. Instead, they highlight an opportunity to rethink how bedrooms are designed and used.
“Bedrooms today need to work harder than ever before, but that doesn’t mean they should feel cluttered or overwhelming,” she explains. “With the right design approach, it’s entirely possible to create a space that supports multiple functions while still feeling calm and restful.”
Wren’s research shows that even the most compact bedrooms can be transformed through smart design. “Fitted wardrobes and integrated storage help homeowners make the most of every inch, reducing the need to store items elsewhere in the home. In fact, our findings show that only three in ten people see hidden or built-in storage as an essential feature, with many unaware of the solutions they bring” says Joanne.
Varied layouts and multifunctional furniture also play a key role, enabling bedrooms to cater to work, exercise and relaxation without sacrificing comfort. “By addressing storage and organisation at the design stage, bedrooms can become more efficient and more supportive of overall wellbeing,” says Joanne.
The Bedroom Reset Report highlights a growing mismatch between how bedrooms are used and how they’re designed, with many no longer meeting the demands of modern life.With the right combination of smart storage, flexible design and expert insight, Wren shows that compromise is no longer necessary. Bedrooms can be practical without feeling crowded, and multifunctional without losing their sense of calm, offering homeowners a space that truly works for their needs.
For more information, please visit The Bedroom Reset Report | Modern Bedroom Trends | Wren
