Choosing bedroom furniture is about much more than finding pieces that look good together. The furniture needs to fit the available space, provide enough storage, be comfortable to use and suit the way you actually live.
A bedroom that looks attractive in a showroom can become frustrating if the wardrobe doors cannot open properly, the bedside tables are too large, or there isn’t enough space to move around the bed.
Whether you are furnishing a new home, replacing old furniture or simply updating your bedroom, a little planning before you buy can prevent expensive mistakes.
This guide explains what to consider when choosing beds, wardrobes, chests of drawers, bedside tables and other bedroom furniture, including what to check when shopping online in South Africa.
1. Start by Measuring the Bedroom
The first step should always be measuring the available space.
Before looking at furniture, measure:
- Room length
- Room width
- Ceiling height
- Door openings
- Window positions
- Built-in cupboards
- Electrical outlets
- Existing furniture
Also measure the spaces through which the furniture will need to be transported.
A wardrobe might fit comfortably inside the bedroom but be impossible to get through a narrow doorway or staircase.
2. Draw a Simple Floor Plan
You don’t need specialist software to plan a bedroom.
A simple drawing showing the:
- Walls
- Door
- Windows
- Built-in cupboards
- Electrical points
- Bed
- Wardrobe
- Other furniture
can help you understand how much space is available.
Remember to leave enough room to walk around the furniture.
Don’t fill every available centimetre simply because a piece technically fits.
3. Choose the Bed First
The bed is normally the largest piece of furniture in a bedroom and should usually be the starting point for the layout.
Consider:
- Bed size
- Mattress size
- Headboard
- Frame construction
- Under-bed clearance
- Storage
- Overall room proportions
The size of the bed will influence where other furniture can be positioned.
For more detailed guidance on the bed and mattress themselves, see How to Choose the Right Bed and Mattress for Your Home.
4. Match the Bed Frame to the Mattress
Don’t assume every mattress will fit every bed frame.
Check the exact mattress dimensions and compare them with the manufacturer’s specifications for the frame.
Common problems can occur when:
- The mattress is too large
- The mattress is too small
- The frame dimensions differ from standard sizes
- The slat arrangement isn’t suitable
- The mattress support system isn’t appropriate
If you are replacing both the bed and mattress, buying them as a compatible combination can simplify the process.
5. Consider the Bed’s Height
The height of the bed can affect both comfort and appearance.
A higher bed can provide useful storage underneath, while a lower design can create a more minimalist appearance.
Think about how easily you can:
- Get into bed
- Get out of bed
- Change the bedding
- Clean underneath the bed
If you’re considering under-bed storage, make sure there is enough clearance for the containers or drawers you intend to use.
6. Decide Whether You Want Under-Bed Storage
Under-bed storage can be particularly useful in smaller bedrooms.
Options include:
- Drawers
- Lift-up bases
- Storage boxes
- Open space beneath the bed
This can provide somewhere to store:
- Spare bedding
- Seasonal clothing
- Shoes
- Luggage
- Blankets
However, don’t sacrifice convenient access simply to gain additional storage.
If you regularly need something, storage that is difficult to access may not be particularly useful.
7. Choose the Right Wardrobe
The wardrobe is often the second major piece of bedroom furniture.
Before buying one, determine how much clothing you actually need to store.
Consider:
- Hanging clothes
- Folded clothing
- Shoes
- Accessories
- Seasonal clothing
- Linen
A wardrobe that looks spacious externally may have surprisingly little usable storage internally.
8. Look Inside the Wardrobe
Don’t judge a wardrobe solely by its exterior.
Check:
- Number of hanging rails
- Shelf spacing
- Drawer availability
- Shelf adjustability
- Door configuration
- Interior depth
- Back panel construction
If possible, imagine putting your actual clothes inside it.
For example, if you have many jackets or long dresses, make sure the hanging section provides sufficient vertical space.
9. Sliding Doors vs Hinged Doors
Wardrobes generally use either hinged or sliding doors.
Hinged doors
Advantages can include:
- Full access to the wardrobe interior
- Simple construction
- Easy access to individual sections
- Often straightforward to repair
However, the doors require space to swing open.
Sliding doors
Advantages include:
- No door swing into the room
- Useful for narrow bedrooms
- Can provide a clean modern appearance
However, you cannot generally open the entire wardrobe at once, and the sliding mechanism can require maintenance.
Choose according to the available space rather than simply choosing the style you prefer.
10. Don’t Forget Door Clearance
This is an easy mistake to make when furnishing a bedroom.
Measure how far wardrobe doors, drawers and bedside tables will extend when fully opened.
A wardrobe may fit against a wall but prevent another cupboard door from opening.
Likewise, a chest of drawers needs enough space in front of it to allow you to open the drawers comfortably.
Always plan for the furniture in use, not just when everything is closed.
11. Consider a Chest of Drawers
A chest of drawers can provide useful additional storage without taking up as much hanging space as a large wardrobe.
They are useful for:
- T-shirts
- Underwear
- Sleepwear
- Folded clothing
- Accessories
- Smaller personal items
When choosing one, look at both drawer depth and drawer construction.
Very deep drawers aren’t necessarily better if smaller items become difficult to organise.
12. Check Drawer Construction
Open and close every drawer if you are buying furniture in a showroom.
Look for:
- Smooth operation
- Solid drawer bases
- Secure handles
- Strong runners
- Good alignment
- Adequate stops
For online purchases, look for detailed product photographs and customer reviews that mention drawer quality.
Furniture can look excellent in photographs while having relatively lightweight construction.
13. Choose the Right Bedside Tables
Bedside tables should be practical rather than simply decorative.
Think about what you normally keep beside the bed:
- Phone
- Reading material
- Glasses
- Lamp
- Medication
- Remote controls
- Water
A bedside table with one or more drawers can help keep these items organised.
14. Get the Height Right
Ideally, your bedside table should work comfortably with the height of your mattress.
A table that is substantially lower or higher can be inconvenient when reaching for something from bed.
Before buying, measure the approximate height of the top of your mattress from the floor.
Then compare it with the bedside table.
15. Think About Electrical Outlets
Bedroom furniture can accidentally block electrical outlets.
Before positioning a bedside table or bed, identify where the sockets are located.
This is especially important if you regularly charge:
- Phones
- Watches
- Tablets
- Laptops
Furniture with an opening or cable-management feature can sometimes make charging equipment easier to organise.
16. Consider a Dressing Table or Desk
Depending on the bedroom, you may want additional furniture such as:
- Dressing table
- Vanity
- Desk
- Small writing table
Before adding another piece, consider whether you actually need it.
Bedrooms can quickly become overcrowded.
If you work from home, a desk may be useful. If not, the same floor space might be better used for storage.
17. Don’t Forget a Mirror
A full-length mirror can be particularly useful in a bedroom.
It can be:
- Freestanding
- Wall-mounted
- Attached to a wardrobe
- Mounted on a door
If you are buying a wardrobe with an integrated mirror, consider whether that will save floor space.
If you are updating your clothing storage at the same time, see How to Build a Versatile Wardrobe Without Overspending.
18. Choose Materials Carefully
Bedroom furniture is available in many materials.
Common options include:
- Solid wood
- Veneer
- MDF
- Particleboard
- Laminated boards
- Metal
- Glass
Each has different characteristics.
Solid wood
Can be durable and repairable, but is often more expensive and heavier.
Veneer
Uses a real wood surface over another material and can provide the appearance of wood without the cost of solid construction.
MDF
Can provide a smooth surface and is widely used in modern furniture.
Particleboard
Can be economical, although quality varies considerably between products.
Metal
Can provide a strong, minimalist appearance and is often used in bed frames.
Don’t judge quality solely by material name. Construction and workmanship matter as well.
19. Check the Furniture’s Construction
Two products made from broadly similar materials can have very different quality.
Look at:
- Joint construction
- Edge finishing
- Back panels
- Drawer runners
- Hinges
- Screws and fittings
- Weight capacity
- Overall stability
A well-constructed piece of furniture should feel stable rather than flimsy.
20. Think About Furniture Weight
Heavy furniture can feel substantial and stable, but it can also be difficult to move.
This matters if you:
- Rent your home
- Move frequently
- Rearrange rooms regularly
- Live in an apartment
- Need to carry furniture upstairs
Before buying large furniture online, check the product weight and delivery arrangements.
21. Consider Assembly
Many bedroom furniture products arrive flat-packed.
This can reduce transportation costs but means you’ll need to assemble the furniture yourself or pay someone to do it.
Before buying, check:
- Whether assembly is required
- How complicated assembly is
- Whether instructions are included
- Whether assembly services are available
- Whether wall anchoring is recommended
Large wardrobes can be particularly time-consuming to assemble.
22. Safety and Furniture Stability
Large furniture should be stable and appropriately installed.
Tall wardrobes and shelving units can potentially tip if not properly secured.
If the manufacturer recommends anchoring the furniture to a wall, follow those instructions.
This is particularly important in households with children.
23. Choose a Style That Will Age Well
Bedroom furniture is not something most people replace every year.
Consider whether you will still like the style several years from now.
Popular approaches include:
- Contemporary
- Traditional
- Minimalist
- Industrial
- Scandinavian-inspired
- Rustic
- Classic
You don’t necessarily need every piece to be from the same collection.
Furniture can coordinate through:
- Colour
- Wood finish
- Hardware
- Shape
- Proportion
A coordinated bedroom doesn’t have to look like it came from a single showroom.
24. Don’t Mix Too Many Finishes
Combining different furniture finishes can create character, but too many competing colours and materials can make a bedroom feel visually cluttered.
If you already have a wooden bed, for example, consider whether the wardrobe and drawers complement it.
You don’t necessarily need identical wood finishes, but they should work together.
25. Consider Colour Carefully
Neutral colours tend to provide greater flexibility.
Common bedroom furniture colours include:
- White
- Black
- Natural wood
- Oak-style finishes
- Walnut-style finishes
- Grey
- Beige
The best choice depends on the rest of the room.
If your walls, curtains and flooring are already strongly coloured, simpler furniture may create a more balanced result.
For more advice on coordinating the overall bedroom and home, see How to Choose the Right Curtains for Your Home.
26. Think About Storage Before Decoration
It is tempting to choose bedroom furniture based primarily on appearance.
But storage should come first.
Make a list of what needs to be stored and estimate the amount of space required.
You may discover that:
- You need more hanging space
- You need additional drawers
- You don’t need a large dressing table
- Under-bed storage would be useful
- A smaller bedside table would free up walking space
Good storage planning can make a bedroom feel considerably more organised.
27. Consider Seasonal Storage
South African climates vary considerably, and many households use different clothing throughout the year.
Think about where you’ll store:
- Winter jackets
- Coats
- Blankets
- Summer clothing
- Extra bedding
- Travel luggage
If these items don’t need to be accessed frequently, they can potentially be stored in less accessible areas such as under the bed or on higher wardrobe shelves.
28. Make Room for Luggage
Don’t forget your suitcases when planning bedroom storage.
Large luggage can take up considerable floor space if it has nowhere else to go.
If your wardrobe has sufficient clearance, suitcases may be stored on top or inside a suitable compartment.
If you’re replacing your luggage as well, see How to Choose the Right Luggage for International Travel.
29. Consider the Floor
Furniture should work with the bedroom floor.
For example:
- Heavy furniture can mark some flooring
- Furniture feet can scratch floors
- Uneven floors can cause furniture to wobble
- Large rugs may need clearance around doors and drawers
If you’re furnishing the room from scratch, see How to Choose the Right Rug for Your Home: Size, Material, Style & Care.
Furniture pads or suitable protective feet can help protect certain flooring types.
30. Leave Enough Walking Space
A bedroom shouldn’t simply contain as much furniture as possible.
Walking space matters.
You should be able to:
- Walk around the bed
- Open wardrobes
- Open drawers
- Access windows
- Reach electrical outlets
- Change bedding
If furniture prevents these basic activities, the room is probably over-furnished.
31. Be Careful With Large Headboards
Large upholstered or decorative headboards can look impressive but take up additional space.
Before buying one, check:
- Overall width
- Height
- Thickness
- Wall clearance
- Whether it attaches to the bed or wall
In a smaller bedroom, a simpler headboard may leave more usable space.
32. Consider Multi-Functional Furniture
Multi-purpose furniture can be useful when space is limited.
Examples include:
- Beds with drawers
- Ottomans with storage
- Bedside tables with charging space
- Wardrobes with integrated mirrors
- Dressing tables that double as desks
- Storage benches
However, don’t choose multifunctional furniture simply because it has more features.
The additional functions should actually be useful to you.
33. Buying Bedroom Furniture Online
Online furniture shopping provides a much wider choice, but requires careful checking.
Before ordering, confirm:
Dimensions
Check every measurement, not just the headline width.
Materials
Read the full product description.
Assembly
Determine whether the product arrives assembled or flat-packed.
Delivery
Check delivery charges and whether delivery is to your home or a specific access point.
Access
Large furniture may require special delivery arrangements.
Returns
Furniture can be expensive to return, so understand the retailer’s policy before ordering.
Reviews
Look for comments about quality, assembly and whether the furniture matches its photographs.
34. Measure the Delivery Route
This deserves special attention.
Before ordering a large wardrobe, bed or chest of drawers, measure:
- Front door
- Security gate
- Passageways
- Staircases
- Lift
- Bedroom doorway
If you live in an apartment, also check the lift dimensions and any building delivery restrictions.
A delivery that cannot reach the bedroom can become an expensive problem.
35. Don’t Forget Delivery and Assembly Costs
The advertised furniture price isn’t always the final cost.
Your total expenditure may include:
- Delivery
- Assembly
- Installation
- Wall anchoring
- Removal of old furniture
When comparing products, consider the complete cost.
36. Read the Warranty Information
Furniture warranties vary considerably.
Check what is covered and for how long.
Pay particular attention to:
- Frame
- Hardware
- Drawer runners
- Hinges
- Mechanisms
- Upholstery, where applicable
Understand whether damage caused during assembly is covered.
37. Compare Furniture as a Complete Bedroom
Rather than buying each piece independently, consider how the whole bedroom will work.
For example:
Bed + bedside tables + wardrobe + drawers
Ask whether:
- The colours coordinate
- The proportions work
- There is sufficient storage
- There is enough floor space
- The furniture suits the room’s style
This approach can prevent the bedroom from becoming a collection of unrelated pieces.
38. A Practical Bedroom Furniture Buying Checklist
Before buying, ask:
Space
- Have I measured the room?
- Will the furniture fit through the door?
- Is there enough walking space?
- Can all doors and drawers open?
Bed
- Is the bed compatible with the mattress?
- Is the height comfortable?
- Is under-bed storage useful?
Wardrobe
- Is there enough hanging space?
- Are the shelves practical?
- Will the doors work in the available space?
Drawers
- Are the drawers deep enough?
- Do they operate smoothly?
- Are the runners sturdy?
Materials
- What is the furniture made from?
- Is the construction appropriate for its intended use?
Style
- Does it complement the room?
- Will the design remain useful if your décor changes?
Delivery
- Will it fit through the access route?
- What does delivery cost?
- Is assembly required?
Long-term value
- Is the furniture built to last?
- Is there a warranty?
- Are replacement components available?
39. Don’t Buy More Furniture Than You Need
One of the easiest mistakes when furnishing a bedroom is buying a complete matching set simply because everything looks attractive together.
You may not actually need:
- Two large bedside tables
- A massive chest of drawers
- A dressing table
- A large wardrobe
- A storage bench
Sometimes fewer, better-chosen pieces produce a more comfortable bedroom.
Think about what you actually use.
Final Thoughts
The best bedroom furniture is furniture that works with the room rather than simply filling it.
Start by measuring the bedroom and planning the layout. Choose the bed and mattress requirements first, then determine how much clothing and other storage you need. From there, select wardrobes, drawers, bedside tables and other pieces according to the available space.
Pay attention to construction quality, materials, drawer mechanisms, hinges and hardware rather than judging furniture solely by its appearance.
When shopping online, carefully check dimensions, delivery requirements, assembly, returns and customer reviews.
Most importantly, leave enough space to move around comfortably. A bedroom should be practical and relaxing, not a storage room packed with furniture.
A well-planned combination of bed, wardrobe, storage and bedside furniture can make even a relatively modest bedroom feel organised, comfortable and easy to live in.