Who Gets More Space in the Bedroom?
Rachel MarshallOne of the best things about living with your significant other is falling asleep next to each other every night. Or is it?
Cuddling up before dozing off could be your idea of heaven, but what if your partner needs their space in order to get a good night’s sleep?
We were interested in finding out if space is shared equally between you and your partner when it comes to the bedroom. Not just in bed, but other areas, such as wardrobe or drawer space.
So, we conducted a survey with couples across the UK to find out who could do with more room in the bedroom and how you can get back your fair share of space.
Who gets more room in bed?
Everyone has their own way of getting comfortable in bed. For some, it’s throwing the duvet off and lying spread-eagled, while for others, it’s curling up into a ball and getting snuggly under their duvet. Unfortunately, if you and your partner are total opposites when it comes to sleeping, it can lead to a disruptive night’s sleep for both of you.
Of the couples we surveyed, partners stealing their side of the bed and taking the quilt were two of the most common issues reported.This seems to be most prevalent amongst younger couples, as more than 35% of those aged 16 to 24 said their partner steals the quilt at least one to two nights per week, compared to just over 10% of those aged 55 and over (a). And when it comes to taking up space in bed, over 21% of people aged 16 to 24 said their partner steals their side of the bed at least three to four nights per week, compared to just over 3% of those aged 55 and above (b).
Find the solution for your bedtime troubles
You don’t have to wait until you’re over the age of 55 to get the space you need in bed. If your partner hogs most of the bed and you’re left with a tiny amount of space, consider upgrading to a king or super king if you have the room. The extra space may just be what you both need to get a peaceful night’s sleep.
Alternatively, if you find you and your partner often roll into each other during the night, you may benefit from a pocket sprung mattress, such as the iGel Advance, which has up to 3000 pocket springs. Each spring is individually encased in its own fabric ‘pocket’,which allows the springs to move independently, therefore minimising movement and disruption when you both turn over during the night.
If your other half regularly steals the duvet, it could be they are feeling too cold in bed. To remedy the problem, you may want to look at climate control bedding. The special fibres in these pillows and duvets may help regulate your body temperature so that you both stay warm, comfy, and with your fair share of the quilt all night.
For some expert guidance on what type of mattress and bedding would work best for you, pop into your local Bensons for Beds branch and try out our sleeppro® technology. In just a few minutes, we can build your own sleep profile based on your body position while in bed to help advise you on what type of mattress would work best for you and your partner.
Where else do you need more space in the bedroom?
Our bed isn’t the only area of the bedroom we seem to be lacking space. Our survey results revealed wardrobes and general storage were also areas where additional space is required.
Our survey results show that men are faring worse when it comes to getting their fair share of space in the bedroom. More than 51% of the men we surveyed said their partner has more space than them in the wardrobe, compared to just over 13% of women who said the same (c). And it didn’t get any better with general storage space (such as in drawers or on the dressing table), as 48% of men said their partner had more room than them, compared to just over 16% of women (d).
So, what can you do to make the space in your bedroom more equally shared?
Maximise your wardrobe space
If you’re like the 26% of people we surveyed who identified the wardrobe as the place where they needed the most additional space (e), there are changes you can make to maximise the room you have available.
If you’re living out of drawers because of an awkward bedroom layout that doesn’t offer you much wall space, you may want to consider a corner wardrobe. These are specifically designed to fit neatly into the corner of your room, an area that’s often unused. Our Lorenzo corner wardrobe features full and half-length hanging space, plenty of interior shelves and overhead storage, so you can have extra room for your clothes without losing wall space.
You can also buy wardrobes, such as the Sicily bi fold wardrobe that come with the option to add in two extra drawers to maximise the storage you’ll have available. Or opt for a wardrobe with sliding doors that takes up less room than traditional hinged doors, as you don’t need to have the space for them to open outwards.
Mirrored wardrobes are also a great way to help make your room feel bigger, and they also mean you don’t need to take up extra space with a separate mirror.
Hanging fabric storage shelves inside your wardrobe can be a great place to house bulkier items such as shoes and jeans that often take up a lot of wardrobe space, and it helps to keep them neat and tidy.
Give your general storage a boost
Of the 698 people in a relationship we surveyed, getting enough general storage space in the bedroom was a particular problem for those in same-sex couples;60% of those in all-male and all-female couples reported their partner gets more storage space than they do (f).
To maximise your general storage space, you may need to get creative. If your bedroom can’t accommodate a chest of drawers, how about a set of bedside tables? They don’t take up as much space but can be a handy addition to your bedroom. Many bedside tables come with additional storage underneath, providing a convenient place to store jewellery, pyjamas, underwear, or socks.
For those who do have room for a chest of drawers, consider opting for a wider or taller set of drawers to increase available storage. You could also use drawer dividers to separate your items from your partner’s easily. Not only will this make it quicker to find what you’re looking for, but it will also help to keep the space more equal.
Ottoman storage boxes are also a fantastic alternative to drawers and look great when stored at the foot of the bed or underneath a window. They come in a variety of fabrics, styles and colours to match any décor and are a stylish way to store blankets, pillows or even books.
Staples and Co Artisan Grand Divan Bed Set with Ottoman Storage Box
One of the easiest ways to add discreet storage to your bedroom is with a divan bed. You can choose between two or four drawer options depending on what you need, and they offer a convenient place to store extra bedding or even shoes.
If you want to maximise the space you have in your bedroom, Bensons for Beds has a wide selection of wardrobes, drawers, ottomans, and storage solutions available. Browse our range here.
Sources:
- 35 of 99 people surveyed aged 16 to 24 answered ‘1-2 nights per week’ when asked ‘How many nights per week, if at all, does your partner steal the quilt?’ 26 of 240 people surveyed aged 55 and over answered ‘1-2 nights per week’ when asked ‘How many nights per week, if at all, does your partner steal the quilt?’
- 21 of 99 people surveyed aged 16 to 24 answered ‘3-4 nights per week’ when asked ‘How many nights per week, if at all, does your partner steal your side of the bed?’ 9 of 240 people surveyed aged 55 and over answered ‘3-4 nights per week’ when asked ‘How many nights per week, if at all, does your partner steal your side of the bed?’
- 193 of 373 men surveyed answered ‘my partner’ when asked ‘In the bedroom, who, if anyone, gets more room in the wardrobe?’ 43 of 325 women surveyed answered ‘my partner’ when asked ‘In the bedroom, who, if anyone, gets more room in the wardrobe?’
- 181 of 373 men surveyed answered ‘my partner’ when asked ‘‘In the bedroom, who, if anyone, gets more room in general storage?’ 54 of 325 men surveyed answered ‘my partner’ when asked ‘In the bedroom, who, if anyone, gets more room in general storage?’
- 266 of 1000 people surveyed answered ‘wardrobe’ when asked ‘Which, if any, is the main area in your bedroom where you most need additional space?’
- Of the 99 people we surveyed in same-sex couples, 42 out of 69 people in all-male couples answered ‘partner’ when asked ‘In the bedroom who, if anyone, gets more room in general storage?’ 18 of 30 people in all-female couples answered ‘partner’ when asked ‘In the bedroom who, if anyone, gets more room in general storage?’