Taking Inspiration from “The Great British Sewing Bee”
For fans of “The Great British Sewing Bee“, the dream of a dedicated sewing room, a creative escape filled with perfectly organised fabrics and equipment, often lingers in the imagination. For one enthusiastic Wokingham resident, this dream recently became a stunning reality, thanks to our expert design and installation team here at DAY & KNIGHT.
Inspired by the popular BBC programme, the client sought to transform a spare bedroom into a sewing haven, while also ensuring it remained a practical space for dressing, ironing and welcoming any overnight guests.
Creating a Multi-Purpose “Changing Rooms” Space
We approached the project with a brief that called for flexibility. The room needed to seamlessly switch between four roles: sewing studio, dressing area, ironing station, and guest bedroom. The solution required clever planning and precise execution.
Two new sets of fitted wardrobes formed the backbone of the transformation. The centrepiece was a set designed to house a Murphy bed (often referred to as a wall bed in the UK). This ingenious addition allows the guest bed to fold away neatly when not in use, freeing up valuable floor space for sewing or other activities. When friends or family come to stay, the bed folds down effortlessly, providing a comfortable and stylish place to sleep.
The Murphy Bed Advantage
At the heart of this transformation lies a Murphy bed; a brilliant space-saving invention that has been solving small-space dilemmas for over a century. Originally patented by William Lawrence Murphy in 1900, this ingenious piece of furniture allows a full-size bed to fold vertically into a cupboard or wardrobe when not in use. The mechanism relies on a carefully balanced spring system that makes raising and lowering the bed surprisingly effortless, even for a single person.
Modern Murphy beds have evolved far beyond their basic origins, now incorporating sophisticated safety features and sleek designs that blend seamlessly with contemporary interiors. For this Wokingham project, the Murphy bed would become the centrepiece of a carefully orchestrated storage solution.
Bespoke Wardrobe Design: Form Meets Function
The first set of fitted wardrobes was designed specifically to accommodate the Murphy bed whilst providing dedicated storage for the client’s growing collection of sewing equipment. Two single fitted wardrobes bookend the central Murphy bed compartment, creating a unified three-section unit that maximises both sleeping space and storage capacity.
These end wardrobes house the majority of the client’s sewing machines, fabric collections, and crafting supplies, with adjustable shelving and custom compartments ensuring everything has its designated place. The clean lines of single-panel shaker doors in contemporary porcelain white create a timeless aesthetic that complements any décor whilst maintaining the room’s bright, airy atmosphere.
Mirrored Door Wardrobes to Maximise Light and Space
Directly opposite the Murphy bed unit, a second set of fitted wardrobes was installed to complete the room’s transformation. These bespoke fitted wardrobes feature full-height mirrored doors that serve a dual purpose: providing essential storage whilst creating the optical illusion of expanded space and enhanced natural light.
The mirror doors prove particularly valuable when the room functions as a dressing area, offering full-length reflection whilst maintaining the clean, uncluttered lines essential to the overall design. This strategic placement ensures the room never feels cramped, regardless of its current configuration.
Expert Installation by DAY & KNIGHT
The transformation was brought to life by Albert and Finn from DAY & KNIGHT’s trusted installation team. Their meticulous attention to detail ensured perfect alignment, smooth operation of all moving parts, and flawless integration with the room’s existing architecture.
The installation process required careful coordination to accommodate the complex Murphy bed mechanism whilst maintaining the structural integrity of the surrounding wardrobes. Albert and Finn’s expertise shone through in the seamless final result, where every component works in perfect harmony.
“We’re really pleased with our new wall bed. It has turned the spare room into a multi functional room – ironing, sewing, drying area and of course a guest room. We can definitely recommend Day and Knight – they have fitted furniture in most rooms of the house over the past 10 years or so and the quality of workmanship is always excellent. I can’t recommend the company highly enough.”
A Delighted Client—and a Room That Delivers
The client was thrilled with their new multipurpose space, commenting on how DAY & KNIGHT had, yet again, surpassed expectations. The fresh, creative energy of “The Great British Sewing Bee” now fills the space, with everything at hand for sewing, crafting or welcoming guests. Whether ironing, dressing for the day, or laying out a new pattern, the room adapts effortlessly to each task.
For anyone in Wokingham, or beyond, looking to bring genuine versatility and smart design into their home, our renowned attention to detail and passion for practical elegance makes us a top choice. The only question left is: what will you create in your own “changing room” next?