Should You Put Shelves Above A Bed? (Ideas & Advice)
The space above a bed is often overlooked which is a shame because it can be used as a feature wall to display cool things and to create additional storage space in a room. When people realize this, their first inclination is to consider shelving. But, should you put shelves above a bed?
There are plenty of reasons why you should put shelves above the bed. For starters, the space above your bed is naturally the focus of your bedroom. As such, shelving will catch the attention of any visitors to your room. Moreover, having a shelf above your bed is a great way to store books. It also allows you to store things such as lamps, alarm clocks, and other lightweight objects that don’t necessarily have anywhere else to go.
If you have a bed with a headboard, it can get quite cluttered. However, with a shelf in place, it will free up space and allow you to see the headboard of your bed while maximizing space.
Prior to renovating my room, the space above my bed was unused and wasted. Since then, I have had cupboards built in on either side of my bed. To make use of the space above the bed, I decided to install a shelf that connects the cupboards as well.
On these shelves above my bed, I have stored all sorts of display items like books, artifacts, plastic plants, and much more. In my view, it is the highlight of my room and has added some of my personality to the decor.
I think you would greatly benefit aesthetically and functionally by putting shelves above a bed and it’s definitely something to consider.
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Factors To Consider Before Putting Shelves Above A Bed
You should take a number of factors into consideration before putting shelves above the bed. These include;
1. The Purpose Of The Shelves
The shelves above a bed should come with a functional aspect.
They can be used for light items such as family photography, placing morning necessities such as phones, optical wares, or kids’ arts and crafts projects and toys.
It could also be used to conceal issues with the wall or to add some color to a room that is designed rather minimally or clinically.
In a small bedroom, it is paramount for you to make use of wall space to create more storage units.
Read Also: 10 Reasons To Use Shelves: Why It’s A Must-Have!
2. The Height Of The Shelves
Ensure that the shelf is some distance above the bed such that you don’t bump into it. Moreover, it should not interfere with the bed-making process.
Another thing to consider is whether it looks appropriate. Placing a shelf above the bed that is too high will look out of place.
You want to aim for a good distance between the bed and ceiling, preferably equal in distance. Also, if you’re adding multiple shelves, you need to consider the height of the items that will be stored and displayed.
You’ll need adequate spacing between shelves for items like books because they vary in dimension.
3. The Weight Of The Items Placed On The Shelves
Consider placing lightweight items above the bed shelves. As such, in the event they fall, there will not be much impact or damage done.
Also, you don’t want to risk the weight of the items to impact the shelves. The last thing you want is for those shelves to collapse onto you or someone else.
For this reason, consider the weight that will be distributed on the shelves and consider different ways to secure them in place.
Ideas For Above The Bed Shelves
A major part of your bedroom furniture is the bed itself. However, consider the space above your bed and make that space more inviting.
In the event that you are putting shelves above the bed, there are plenty of ideas. Some of the most popular ones include;
Floating Shelves
Floating shelves earned their prestigious name because of their ability to float above the head of the bed. Their brackets are concealed and they do not include many arms.
You can use them to display decorative items such as family pictures or small decorative objects.
It can also be used as another way to bring life to a bedroom without overpowering the rest of your bedroom decor.
Moreover, they can be used to emphasize the focal point of your bedroom. There are plenty of floating shelves available that can be placed above the bed.
For example, they come in a variety of materials, shapes, and designs:
Rustic Floating Shelf
Hexagonal Floating Shelves
Hanging Swing Rope Shelves
Consider an elegant shelf that is larger than the bed’s headboard or a wall-to-wall floating shelf, ideal for placing late-night reads and family photos.
You can get creative when decorating it to draw the attention it needs.
Building The Shelving Into A Headboard
If your bed does not have a headboard, you can use your wall space for built-in shelves that mimic a headboard.
The idea here is to keep it simple by incorporating shelves that will break up the storage.
To attain the calmness and serenity of a bedroom, ensure that you do not clutter the space. Instead, aim for a minimalistic look by ensuring that each decor piece is purposeful.
Reasons For Not Putting Shelves Above the Bed
There are also some equally good reasons why you shouldn’t put shelves above the bed. One big argument against putting shelves above the bed regards your safety.
The placement of shelves above the bed requires some degree of planning.
As such, if not properly installed, the risk of the shelve detaching from the wall and falling is higher. Also, you risk things falling off into your bed while you sleep.
Another reason why it may not be the best idea to put shelves above a bed is because of dust. Dust will accumulate in places that store items. If you aren’t cleaning regularly, you’ll find a lot of dust or spider webs will accumulate on these shelves.
For someone who has sinus issues, this will terribly aggravate your sinuses.
Again, the matter of cleaning comes up. You have to make time to remove the items from the shelves above the bed and clean them.
Also, you have to wipe down and dry those shelves to keep them clean and pristine. It’s not such a big deal if you have no issue with cleaning but it’s definitely something to consider.
When painting, these shelves may get in the way. You would have to remove these shelves to paint the entire wall, which would be inconvenient.
However, most people don’t paint their bedrooms for a couple of years at a time, so it’s not a frequent issue to deal with.
Other Places To Put Shelves
Above your work desk
Shelves installed above a workstation or desk are an excellent idea for creating more storage space for tools and equipment.
You can place pen holders, books, planners, plants, lights, and a clock or calendar that are all related to your work life.
Apart from that, the aesthetic appeal of displaying items above a work desk is unmatched.
It adds character and personality to an otherwise boring or serious location.
On either side of a window
More often than not, the space on either side of a window is wasted.
Ironically, it’s the best location for displaying plants and flowers because of the natural sunlight that enters through the windows.
Installing a row of shelves on these side walls can be a wonderful idea for adding color and earthiness to a bedroom, especially with all the plants that can be placed on these shelves.
On either side of the bed
Just because you shouldn’t put shelves above your bed for safety reasons doesn’t mean you can’t have shelves near your bed.
In fact, there are many instances when homeowners will install shelves on either side of their bed to double as nightstands for lamps, decorations, and electronic devices.
Due to the location of these shelves, there’s no risk of harm since they are not floating directly above your head while you sleep.
Since they are on either side of the bed, anything you store on them is at arm’s length which is convenient at night when you don’t want to get out of bed for a bottle of water or your electronic devices.
Final Thoughts
To wrap this up, let’s just touch on whether or not you should put shelves above your bed. Yes. Shelves can be put above the bed. You should not stress over the amount of space in your bedroom. Instead, utilize it properly to the max by adding shelves above your bed. However, shelving above the bed is largely a personal preference.
If you’re in a place that allows it, there are plenty of good reasons to do so. The space above your bed will become more functional and allow you to store things with ease and get rid of clutter.
However, you need to be careful as they can come untethered, and if they are too heavy or bulky, they need to be properly attached.
With that being said, if you enjoyed this article and found it to be useful, feel free to check out some of the articles below:
1. How to decorate living room shelves
