Last updated on May 5th, 2026
A built-in wardrobe around a bed is a space-saving solution that combines sleeping and storage in one wall. It typically consists of floor-to-ceiling cabinets on either side of the bed, often connected by overhead units, creating a recessed niche for the bed. It works especially well in small bedrooms, studio apartments, and rooms without a separate walk-in closet.
Built-in wardrobes always deliver a more finished result, which is especially useful when you don’t have a walk-in closet and have to use the bedroom space for both sleeping and storage.
When you are especially tight on space, or when you want to use your bedroom for other functionalities like a home office or seating area, building your fitted wardrobe around the bed can be a great way of combining functionalities and saving precious floor space, which can then be used for a dressing table, desk, or lounge chair.
Blue fitted wardrobes around the bed
This beautiful bedroom with historic details is painted entirely white, which makes the light-blue fitted wardrobe around the bed stand out as the focal point and the main feature of the room.
The wardrobe is built with two main modules on each side of the bed, and hanging cabinets above the bed itself, resulting in a niche space for the bed, which has been decorated with two simple black wall lamps.
The very top of the fitted wardrobe doesn’t reach all the way to the ceiling to not obstruct the view of the beautiful crown molding in this master bedroom.
Built-in wardrobes in a small bedroom
A small bedroom like this one can benefit so much from around-the-bed wardrobes, as there is almost no other way around fitting both the bed and storage space on such a small surface.
In this tiny bedroom, the built-in wardrobes have been constructed above and beside the bed, leaving a space against the wall for a small bed. This result is clearly the work of a professional, as there were some uneven wall surfaces to overcome as well.
The wardrobe modules have been painted in the same color as the walls for an integrated effect, and the niche space for the bed is the perfect place for an art print in the same color.
Side and above the bed wardrobes in a hotel-style bedroom
Since this bedroom is long and narrow, it would have been difficult to fit large wardrobes to fit all the clothes away from the bed. This bespoke solution with double-door wardrobes on each side of the bed, connected with upper cabinets above the bed, combines both functionalities in an optimal way.
The niche space created by the wardrobes is filled with beautiful black wall lamps mounted along the sides of the main wardrobe modules. The overall look of this bedroom has a hotel look and feel thanks to the niche space, the TV on the wall, and the tone-on-tone color palette.
via Wrede
Storage space on both sides of the bed for an integrated effect
While some of the wardrobe solutions in this list require a carpenter, you can achieve a very integrated effect with wardrobes on each side of the bed, just like in this example.
This will create a niche space in between them that can be filled with wall sconces, a headboard, and artwork for an impressive effect in the bedroom.
Built-in wardrobe around the bed with an integrated headboard
The two main wardrobes on either side of the bed in this warm grey bedroom are connected by a lowered ceiling over the bed.
The back wall in the niche has been covered with wood wall panels that add a beautiful natural touch and complement the hardwood floors.
via Svenskfast
A vintage white fitted wardrobe combined with beige walls
This fully customized wardrobe above the bed has been there for a while, judging from its traditional style. The white paint on the wardrobes matches the door and window frames and contrasts nicely with the beige paint color with red undertones.
Wall lamps have been installed on either side of the wardrobes, and an art print in the middle adds the perfect touch to this gorgeous bedroom. The wall panels that connect the wardrobes to the wall make sure there are no gaps, and they are utilized with wall hooks on each side.
via Alvhem
Dark fitted wardrobes on each side of the bed create a niche
The two wardrobes on either side of the bed in this bedroom are connected by a wooden board at the very top, giving them a seamless, integrated look. The floating shelf in the niche space is perfect for storing books and displaying a single piece of art.
The dark grey color on the wardrobes and the even darker grey on the wall give this space a modern look, contrasted by the crisp white linen bed sheets.
Styling by Pella Hedeby, photography by Ragnar Omarsson for Elle Decoration
Tone-on-tone bespoke fitted wardrobes with built-in nightstands
The bespoke wardrobes around the bed in this asymmetric bedroom are built wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling, which gives them a very integrated look that is further enhanced by matching the wall color to the color on the wardrobes.
This bespoke solution features built-in shelves in the bedroom niche that serve as nightstands on either side.
via Picky Living
Plain doors and over-bed wardrobes combined into a full storage wall
These bespoke wardrobes have been built around both the bed and the doorway, transforming the entire wall up to the ceiling into a storage space, with a ladder rail for reaching the upper cabinets.
The light base-color palette in the room has been enhanced by a dark accent wall in the niche behind the bed, highlighting the beautiful custom work. Overhead lighting has even been integrated into the upper wardrobe modules above the bed, which function as reading lights.
via Historiska Hem
Fitted wardrobes with an integrated desk
This wardrobe solution in mustard yellow consists of two main wardrobe modules on each side of the bed, connected with indented upper modules for an interesting look.
The niche space behind the bed has been filled with a custom fabric headboard, which fills the gap between the wardrobes exactly and gives the bed a luxurious look and feel.
The space between the window and the wardrobe is filled with a desk and floating shelves, an easy way to integrate a small home office.
via Stadshem
Light grey fitted wardrobes beside and above the bed to optimize the limited space
This simple light grey wardrobe is a U-shaped design that can be made the DIY way using Ikea kitchen modules. Combine tall modules with wall-hung cupboards above the bed, and instead of just two tall wardrobes, you create a full row of storage for things you use less often, like summer clothes or luggage pieces.
Styled by Studio Cuvier for Alvhem
Two wardrobes on each side of the bed for a bespoke effect
If you want to create a beautiful niche space, place two tall wardrobe modules on either side of the bed. For a more finished look, you can create a custom headboard in the same color as the wall, allowing you to use the ledge as a nightstand.
Attach two wall lamps to the sides of both wardrobes to create a beautiful, niche bedroom space with integrated storage.
via Historiska Hem
A fully fitted wardrobe along the entire wall, finished off with wallpaper
This custom-fitted wardrobe solution is impressive and provides ample storage in this room. The wall above the bed has been covered with beautiful, patterned wallpaper, highlighting this spot in such a lovely way.
via Alvhem
Custom-built-ins with plain doors in an attic room
A slightly awkward space with sloped ceilings will always benefit from a custom wardrobe solution so you can integrate the modules seamlessly with the ceiling.
This bespoke solution includes ample storage opportunities, floating shelves above the bed, and the fitted wardrobes even continue over into lower storage modules on the side of the room.
via Historiska Hem
Dark blue built-in wardrobes create a cozy bed niche with bookshelves
This seamless, bespoke solution in dark blue features built-in shelves on either side of the bed, which is such an elegant way to offer small storage space next to the bed. These shelf modules, however, also create a slight gap between the tall fitted wardrobes and the bed, so it’s easier to open the doors.
The wall behind the bed has been painted in the same dark blue color as the built-in wardrobes, and the blue wall lamps finish this inspiring solution off perfectly.
Photography by Stefan Bergkvist, first seen on the Nordic Design blog – see the full home tour here
A wardrobe in the same color as the wall, highlighting the crown molding on the ceiling
The wardrobe in this beautiful turn-of-the-century bedroom is built from wall to wall, with a niche for the bed right in the middle. The gold wall lamps complement the gold hardware on the cabinet doors, and the muted green paint on both the walls and the wardrobe makes the beautiful crown molding on the ceiling stand out beautifully.
via Alvhem
A mixture of wall cabinets in different depths in a dark grey color
This wall-to-wall solution integrates two large storage elements on each side of the bed, a headboard in the middle, and an open shelf and narrow storage modules in the center above the bed.
The chrome and leather handles on the dark grey cabinet doors complete the look, and the beige and red striped pillow on the bed adds a certain charm to the setting.
Styled by Clindholm Design, photographed by Jocke Ono for Historiska Hem
A custom studio wardrobe designed to optimize the wall space above the bed
In this small white studio apartment, where the sleeping area and sofa section are combined in the same room, a wardrobe built around the bed offers a space-saving storage solution that goes high up towards the ceiling.
Other than the previous ideas on this list, the bed is placed lengthwise beneath the wardrobe to maximize wall space.
Styled by Emma Fisher and Annica Clarmell, photographed by Krister Engström for Kvarteret Makleri
A Small Bedroom with Classic Features and Lots of Storage Space
This small bedroom features a fitted wardrobe around the bed, with rounded corners finishing the edges of the alcove. The open shelf between the cabinet doors is perfect for books and items that would otherwise find a place in the drawers of nightstands.
Styled by Anna Van Keppel, photographed by Elin Sylwan for Historiska Hem
Fitted Wardrobes with Built-In Nightstands Next to the Bed
This pale-yellow wardrobe design features drawers and cabinets for ample storage. The upper cabinets can be reached by a ladder attached to the brass rail. The sides of this custom wardrobe feature built-in nightstands, with a classic aluminum wall lamp hung above them.
Photographed by Boukari for Historiska Hem
Floor-to-Ceiling Built-in Wardrobes with an Oak finish
If the one-color wardrobe ideas on this list are a bit too monochrome for you, you can explore pairing different colors and materials in a single wardrobe. In the example below, classic light grey cabinets are paired with an oak headboard for a modern look.
via Alvhem
Work with Classy Pastel Pink and a Headboard for an Elegant Look
If you’re wondering about building a wardrobe around your bed but worried it might look too heavy, go for a subtle pastel tone, like in the example below. Finish off the bed alcove with an elegant headboard that matches the space’s style.
via Picky Living
Pair A Classic Wardrobe with Bedroom Wainscoting
If you want to integrate your built-in wardrobe with the rest of the interior, you can always pair it with bedroom wainscoting in the same color for an integrated effect. Pair it with a bold, contrasting wall color, as in the example below, for a modern look.
Styled by Lindholm, photographed by Boukari for Historiska Hem
Create a Bedroom Alcove underneath Your Studio Apartment Wardrobe
In this studio apartment, a large wall of custom-fitted wardrobes decorates the room. The alcove created by the wardrobe on the right side is used for a small bed. The upper cabinets are great for storing lesser-used items.
via Picky Living
Finish Your High-end Wardrobe off With a Golden Ladder Rail
When designing your custom wardrobe, it’s important to consider all the functions you might need around the bed. Add lighting, niches for nightstands, or a ladder rail to reach higher cabinets to make your wardrobe work for you.
The fitted wardrobe in this beautiful example is finished with a dark headboard and black-and-gold reading lights, which complement the chic aesthetic of the bedroom interior.
via Esny
Include the Bed inside Fitted Wardrobes to Maximize Limited Space
The gorgeous fitted wardrobes in this small bedroom provide ample storage in a limited space. By including the bed inside the built-in wardrobes, the blue color of the wardrobe stands out against the neutral color palette of the textiles in a powerful way.
via Levin Makleri
Include a Custom Shelf as a Bedside table for keeping Books
This fitted wardrobe has no hardware, giving it a sleek effect. The bedroom walls are painted the same color as the built-ins for an integrated effect. One side of the bed includes a small custom bookshelf that works as a bedside table.
Styled by Studio Rydman photographed by Mia Borgelin for Historiska Hem
Balance out a Vibrant Blue Wardrobe with graphic Wallpaper
This wall-to-wall and floor-to-ceiling handleless wardrobe features a vibrant blue color that stands out. By pairing the blue cabinets with a graphic wallpaper in the bed niche and a polka-dot bedspread, the color palette looks balanced and unique.
Styled by Asa Copparstad, photographed by Dana Ozollapa for Historiska Hem
Cozy Elegance with Classic Overhead Wardrobe Storage
This serene bedroom showcases a clever built-in wardrobe design that maximizes vertical space without compromising comfort. The overhead cabinets offer ample storage while framing the bed beautifully, enhanced by soft white paneling that contrasts gently with the muted grey wall color.
A pair of open shelves on either side provides easy access to books and lighting, seamlessly integrated into the structure. The soft textiles, neutral tones, and a large paper pendant light bring a calm, cohesive aesthetic to the room.
via Stadshem
A cozy bedroom with a deep green wardrobe surrounding the bed
This dark green built-in wardrobe frames the bed area, creating a snug sleeping nook. The small floral wallpaper on the back wall adds depth and texture. Soft pink and beige textiles create a cozy, serene atmosphere.
via Nya Kvadrat
Frequently asked questions about built-in wardrobes around a bed
Yes, as long as the cabinets are professionally installed and properly secured to wall studs or a solid structure. Overhead cabinets should always be mounted by a qualified carpenter or joiner, especially if they span the full width of the bed. Flush-close or push-to-open doors are the safest choice for overhead units, as they eliminate the risk of open doors above your head.
Cost varies widely depending on whether you go bespoke, semi-bespoke, or DIY. A fully custom carpenter-built solution typically starts from €2,000–4,000 in Germany, and can go significantly higher depending on size, materials, and finish. A semi-bespoke option using flat-pack modules (such as IKEA kitchen cabinets) combined with custom fronts can bring this down to €500–1,500, depending on the number of modules.
Yes, one of the most cost-effective approaches is using IKEA kitchen wall cabinets above the bed, combined with tall wardrobe modules on either side. IKEA SEKTION or PAX systems can be configured to create an integrated look when painted the same color as the walls. The key is to ensure the overhead units are correctly anchored and to account for any uneven walls or ceilings, much like mounting IKEA cabinets on the kitchen wall.
There is no strict minimum, but the concept works best when the wall you’re building on is at least as wide as the bed plus two wardrobe columns (typically 50–60 cm each). In a room that’s 3 meters wide, for example, a standard double bed (140 cm) plus two 60 cm wardrobe columns fits comfortably. The overhead section above the bed can be added regardless of room width.
Not always. If your walls and ceiling are straight and you’re using modular furniture, a confident DIYer can achieve a very integrated result. A carpenter becomes necessary when you have sloped ceilings, uneven walls, crown molding to work around, or when you want a fully seamless bespoke finish with no visible gaps.
The most timeless approach is to paint the wardrobes in the same color as the walls for a tone-on-tone, integrated effect. Flat or shaker-style doors work across both modern and classic interiors. For a more dramatic look, a dark accent color on the wardrobe against lighter walls creates a strong focal point. Adding integrated lighting (wall sconces attached to the wardrobe sides or overhead reading lights built into the upper modules) elevates the result significantly.
