19 Best Small Bedroom Ideas: Tips and Tricks for Maximizing Space
Looking for the best small bedroom ideas to make the most of your space? You’ve come to the right place.
1. Let the light in
The more natural light, the better. Light, bright spaces feel bigger, and dark, dingy rooms can feel even more cramped.
First things first, wash your windows and replace heavy curtains with sheer or light-filtering options. If you don’t have access to natural light, consider adding a skylight, solar tube, or a window to an adjacent room.
Pro tip: If you’re a renter or just not ready to make a big investment, install a faux window or add a mirror to your space to create the illusion of a window.
2. Maximize your storage space
Storage is the name of the game when it comes to small bedroom design. Whether you add in a new piece of furniture with built-in storage or you make use of the space you already have, it’s important to find a place for everything.
In this small bedroom, a nightstand with drawers and a bench at the end of the bed provide ample storage space. A wall-mounted sconce keeps the nightstand surface clutter-free.
3. Don’t be afraid to use color…but in moderation
Think you can’t use color in a small bedroom? Think again. This room by studio Three Birds Renovations proves that even the most neutral-phobic can have a little fun with color. The trick is to choose a palette and stick to it. Here, the designers used a pretty pastel palette and brought it in with the artwork, pillows, and throw. The rest of the space is kept neutral, which keeps the room feeling light and airy.
4. Add color to the ceiling
When it comes to decorating a small bedroom, the ceiling is the perfect place to add a pop of color or a bold statement.
In this small bedroom, the ceiling was painted a pretty shade of pink, which draws the eye up and makes the room feel taller.
Paired with the blush pink walls and black and white accents, this small bedroom is brimming with personality.
5. Embrace minimalism
If you’re working with a small bedroom, the last thing you want to do is weigh down the space with bulky furniture and heavy decor. Instead, embrace the minimalist aesthetic and keep things streamlined.
This bedroom designed by Shaun Smith is a masterclass in minimalism. The pared-back design allows the beautiful architectural details to shine, and the simple color palette keeps the focus on the room’s stunning waterfront views.
6. Choose multi-functional furniture
If you’re working with a small bedroom, you’ll want to be sure that every piece of furniture you choose serves a purpose.
“Choose pieces that are multi-functional, like a dresser that can also be used as a nightstand,” says designer Emily Henderson. “Or a bench that provides additional seating and also has storage.”
This will help you maximize the space you have and prevent the room from feeling cluttered.
7. Create a focal point
In this small bedroom designed by Arent & Pyke, the custom corner headboard is upholstered in an embroidered fabric and flanked by two wall-mounted pendant lights. It’s a unique focal point and frees up floor space in the small bedroom.
The bold, striped rug and vibrant wall art add just the right amount of interest without overdoing the design.
8. Use patterns to your advantage
Patterns are a small-space dweller’s best friend. By drawing the eye upward and outward, patterns can make a small room feel much larger and more interesting.
In this bedroom designed by Tamsin Johnson, the graphic wallpaper sets the stage for the rest of the room. The blues and greens are carried throughout the space in the bedding, artwork, and draperies.
9. Get rid of clutter
Clutter is a small bedroom’s worst enemy. When you have limited space, it’s important to keep things organized and tidy—otherwise, your room can feel much smaller than it actually is.
A few key strategies to help you keep clutter at bay: Use baskets, bins, and decorative boxes to corral items like shoes, books, and accessories; make sure everything in your bedroom has a designated home; and keep your surfaces clear of any unnecessary items.
10. Add a mirror
Mirrors are one of the best decorating tools for any space, but they’re especially useful in small bedrooms. Not only do they reflect light and make a space feel larger, but they also can be used to make a statement.
In this bedroom by Redmond Aldrich Design, the large, round mirror is a focal point hanging above the bed. The leather strap adds a casual, yet sophisticated touch.
11. Create a cozy reading nook
If you have a little extra room in your bedroom that you’re not sure what to do with, consider creating a cozy reading nojsonok. To make the space feel like its own little nook, use a rug to define the area, and add a small side table or a bookshelf to hold your favorite reads.
Top the space off with a comfy chair or a chaise lounge that you can curl up on. And of course, don’t forget to add plenty of pillows and a throw blanket.
12. Use curtains to add height
Don’t have the luxury of high ceilings in your small bedroom? No problem. You can create the illusion of height by hanging your curtains higher than the top of your window.
This will draw the eye up and make the room feel taller. Plus, it’s a great way to add a touch of drama to your space.
13. Add a pop of color
Just because your bedroom is small doesn’t mean you can’t have fun with color. A bright color, like this orange headboard designed by Arent & Pyke, can be the perfect way to add a pop of color to a neutral room.
If you’re not ready to go all in with a bold color, you can always start small with colorful accents, like pillows and throws, and build from there.
14. Use a headboard for storage
If your bedroom is on the smaller side, you may not have the luxury of a walk-in closet. Instead, you can use a headboard with built-in storage to keep your clothes, shoes and accessories organized.
This is also a great option for those who don’t want to overwhelm the room with bulky dressers and armoires. A headboard with built-in storage is sleek and keeps everything within arm’s reach.
15. Add floating shelves
Floating shelves are the perfect solution for small bedroom storage ideas. They give you a place to display your favorite items, and you can even use them to hold baskets for smaller items.
Best of all, they don’t take up any floor space, and they’re a great way to add a bit of visual interest to your walls.
16. Create a gallery wall
A gallery wall is a great way to add personality to your small bedroom. It’s also a good option if you’re renting and can’t paint or hang wallpaper.
There’s no right or wrong way to create a gallery wall, but most people start by choosing a theme or color scheme. You could also base your gallery wall around a piece of art or a mirror you love and want to hang.
To create a gallery wall, you’ll need to gather a collection of items you want to hang, like:
• Artwork
• Mirrors
• Photographs
• Hats
• Baskets
• Plates
• Textiles
• Wreaths
• Macramé
• Signs
• Clocks
• Shelves
Then, you’ll need to determine how you want to arrange your items. You could create a symmetrical gallery wall using the same size frames or mirrors, or you could go for a more eclectic look with mismatched items.
17. Use a daybed
A daybed is a great way to add a cozy sleeping area to a small bedroom without taking up too much space. You can use it as a sofa during the day and a bed at night, and it won’t look out of place.
You can even add a set of drawers underneath a daybed, like in this small bedroom by Lorraine G. Vale, to maximize storage space.
18. Hang a canopy
The idea of hanging a canopy in a small bedroom might seem counterintuitive, but it actually has the opposite effect. The fabric creates a soft, billowy ceiling that draws the eye up and makes the room feel much larger than it actually is.
This is a great option for a kid’s room or a bedroom with a boho vibe. Choose a fabric that complements your color scheme and hang it from the ceiling with a simple hook.
19. Go bold
Don’t be afraid to go bold in a small space. In fact, using a bold color on the walls can make a small bedroom feel more interesting and spacious.
To keep things from feeling too overwhelming, stick to one main color and add in a few neutral touches. In this bedroom designed by Arent & Pyke, the bold, green walls are tempered with a pink and white headboard, a graphic-patterned rug, and a few touches of black.
Conclusion
A bedroom should look cozy and simple, sophisticated, and elegant, regardless of what style of decorating you choose. For ease of movement, leave a minimum of three feet between the bed and side walls or large pieces of furniture and at least two feet between the bed and low furniture, like tables and dressers. If you have to walk around the bed to get from the closet to the bathroom, think of how you can move the bed. For more ideas, see our tips for designing your bedroom.
