Your Bed Is Doing More Than You Think

Your Bed Is Doing More Than You Think

In a compact flat or a maisonette bedroom, a bed can work far harder than most people realise. With a few practical additions it becomes a daytime spot for working, relaxing and even eating, not just sleeping.

One bed, two zones, no renovation

Hanging a curtain across the middle of a wide bed splits it into two distinct areas without any building work, which suits a small bedroom well. One side stays made up for rest, while the other turns into a proper workspace, with a reading lamp clipped nearby, a cushion propped against the headboard for support, and a laptop stand that sits over the knees. It is a simple way to carve out a desk in a room that has no space for one, and the curtain can be drawn back the moment the working day ends.

One bed, two zones, no renovation
OLSERÖD side table, anthracite/birch effect dark yellow, 53x50 cmOLSERÖD side table, anthracite/birch effect dark yellow, 53x50 cmELLOVEN monitor stand with drawer, anthracite, 47x10x26 cmELLOVEN monitor stand with drawer, anthracite, 47x10x26 cmELLOVEN monitor stand with drawer, white, 47x10x26 cmELLOVEN monitor stand with drawer, white, 47x10x26 cmVATTENKAR laptop/monitor stand, birch, 52x26 cmVATTENKAR laptop/monitor stand, birch, 52x26 cmVITTSJÖ laptop stand, black-brown/glass, 35x65 cmVITTSJÖ laptop stand, black-brown/glass, 35x65 cmBOLLSIDAN laptop stand, white, 68x36 cmBOLLSIDAN laptop stand, white, 68x36 cm

Shop IKEA Laptop Stands

Turning the mattress into a living room

Once a bedspread and a generous pile of cushions go on, a bed stops looking like a bed and starts working as a second sofa. It becomes the natural spot to gather for a board game or an evening of study, especially useful when a living room is small or doing double duty as something else already. Keep games, books and study materials in boxes underneath so the surface stays clear and inviting, ready to be reset for sleep in moments.

Turning the mattress into a living room
PÄRKLA storage case, 55x49x19 cmPÄRKLA storage case, 55x49x19 cmSAMLA box with lid, transparent, 57x39x28 cm/45 lSAMLA box with lid, transparent, 57x39x28 cm/45 lKNAGGLIG box, pine, 46x31x25 cmKNAGGLIG box, pine, 46x31x25 cmSAMLA box, transparent, 56x39x28 cm/45 lSAMLA box, transparent, 56x39x28 cm/45 lSAMLA box, transparent, 78x56x43 cm/130 lSAMLA box, transparent, 78x56x43 cm/130 lKNAGGLIG box, pine, 23x31x15 cmKNAGGLIG box, pine, 23x31x15 cm

Shop IKEA Storage boxes

An unexpected spot for dinner

For a change from the usual table, try eating on the bed itself. Lay a length of fabric over a mattress protector to catch any spills before they reach the mattress, then set plates and glasses straight on top. The rest of the bed doubles as seating for whoever joins in, and the whole arrangement folds away as easily as it was set up, which makes it a pleasant option for a lazy weekend breakfast in a Maltese home with little room to spare.

An unexpected spot for dinner
INDIRA bedspread, natural/unbleached cotton, 230x250 cmINDIRA bedspread, natural/unbleached cotton, 230x250 cmTRATTVIVA bedspread, yellow-brown, 230x250 cmTRATTVIVA bedspread, yellow-brown, 230x250 cmTJÄRBLOMSTER bedspread, grey, 150x210 cmTJÄRBLOMSTER bedspread, grey, 150x210 cmINDIRA bedspread, grey-green, 150x250 cmINDIRA bedspread, grey-green, 150x250 cmTRATTVIVA bedspread, dark grey-blue, 150x250 cmTRATTVIVA bedspread, dark grey-blue, 150x250 cmGULLSTRÅLE bedspread, white, 230x250 cmGULLSTRÅLE bedspread, white, 230x250 cm

Shop Bedspreads

Maltashopper carries the cushions, throws and storage pieces to help a bed in Malta or Gozo work this hard, with orders delivered to the door.

More bedroom ideas

Back to blog