Our 2 small dogs sleep in our bedroom, and most of the night they're up on the bed. This hasn't really been a problem up to now but, as we're getting older, hubby and I are starting to feel the need for a bit more comfort and space so we're wondering if we'd get away with banishing the dogs to the hall or kitchen.

I don't think we'd have a problem with the older one (age 9), he's always been quite easy-going about where he sleeps so I think he'd soon adapt.  But the younger one (almost 4) is  very clingy and can't bear being apart from us.  We've tried him in his crate by the side of our bed but after an hour or so of whining we give in and let him out. 
Also one of the main reasons we had them in the bedroom was so we would know if they wanted to go out during the night and in this respect it's been a worthwhile arrangement.  I'd hate to think of them standing by the back door for hours waiting for one of us to get up and let them out (they're both very clean dogs, never any messes indoors).

Do you think we have any chance of changing things ? - if so a few tips as to how to start afresh would be really appreciated. :)

Maybe not giving in would help, You know what you want, just prepare yourself some sleepless nights while you retrain them, good luck
Danielle

I've gotten a bigger bed just for my Bella :) just a suggestion.

I'd say yes, as our Rufus sleeps in a cage in the bedroom (which was fantastic for house-training as he simply whimpered to let us know he needed to go out). But with older dogs it will take longer and you can't give in. Try doing it at the weekend when you don't need so much sleep! And it might be worth giving him a treat to take into his crate at night. We did that with ours and now when he hears it's bedtime he runs upstairs in front of us in a mad rush to get to his crate. By the time we arrive there he is sitting waiting patiently in his crate for his Bonio.