Making a tiny bedroom into a stylish, liveable retreat can be a challenge, but there are some clever design tricks you can use to create a room that is both comfortable and spacious.
Dual-task furniture and smart colour choices can help you make the most out of every inch of your small bedroom.
We come with several smart ideas, tricks and tips to inspire you in your small but cozy space.
Under-the-Bed Storage: Hidden Potential
Storage under the bed is the unsung hero of small bedroom design.
Invest in a bed with built-in drawers, or buy a set of under-bed boxes that you can hide with a bed skirt – you can stuff them with off-season clothing and spare linens.
- Keeps less frequently used items tucked away and organized
- Enhances the functionality of your bed
- Available in various styles to match your bedroom decor
Think of a bed frame with pull-out, streamlined drawers – all of a sudden, your bedroom looks much neater, and feels a lot more spacious.
Vertical Storage
Finding vertical storage can dramatically increase storage capacity in a bedroom that has no extra floor space. Here’s how:
Tall, slim, ceiling-hugging bookcases: They’re great for storage, and taking your eye up to the ceiling makes a room look more spacious. Adjustable-shelf bookcases make it easy to display items of different sizes.
Wall-Mounted Shelves: hanging shelves above the bed, desks, or even doors can expand your storage space without taking up a single extra inch of floor space.
Use these for books, decorative objects, or other items you might need to keep handy.
Floating shelves with hidden mounting brackets are a great option for keeping the look clean and streamlined.
Hooks and Hanging Systems: If you have a door or an available wall space, you can install hooks or pegboards to hang bags, jackets, jewellery, accessories, and anything else you need to store.
Over-the-door hangers are perfect for shoes and other small items that can be mounted on a door and kept off the floor, maximising your space.
Not only do you keep the floor clear, but you also organise your stuff so that everything is easy to find, and the space itself becomes more useful and pleasant.
By using vertical space, you achieve functional beauty.
Install A Long Floating Shelf
A floating shelf above the bed or along an empty wall is a great way of holding books, photos and other small items without taking up floor space.
Design Trick: Display functional and decorative items on the shelf, alternating them with books.
It’s the perfect small bedroom ideas with desk workaround if you are space-poor.
Mirror Magic: Creating the Illusion of Space
You can make your bedroom feel bigger by using mirrors. A tall mirror will reflect light around the room and trick your eye into thinking the space is twice as big.
- Amplifies natural light, especially in dimly lit rooms
- Can be used as a statement piece or integrated into furniture like wardrobe doors
- Visually expands the room
Imagine, a full length mirror that is tall and free-standing. Not only useful, but also pretty, right?
Light Colors: The Magic of Visual Expansion
Another easy way to make a small bedroom appear bigger is to use light colours.
Light colours tend to reflect more light, so they can make a space feel larger and airier.
Some colour tips to try:
Paint walls and ceiling the same pale colour to maximise the sense of light and space.
Go for pastels or neutrals – white, light grey or soft blues and greens.
Consider monochromatic color schemes for a cohesive and soothing environment.
Add Decorative Throw Pillows
A few throw pillows is an inexpensive and quick way to add beauty to a small bedroom without taking up any additional space.
Pillows can add a sense of luxury and comfort to your bedroom by complementing existing decor.
Style Tip: Mix and match textures and patterns for drama, like sumptuous velvet and breezy linen pillows
Use Small Dressers For Nightstands
If you are going for a small bedroom ideas for couples, consider swapping out a regular nightstand for a small dresser – which is both functional and provides more storage.
Dressers with a sleek, minimalist design will keep the space feeling open and uncluttered.
Use more Under-The-Bed Storage
Make good use of the available space under your bed by fitting it out with a supply of boxes or drawers. This is a great place to keep seasonal clothes, footwear or extra bedclothes, freeing up wardrobe space.
Find a bed that has storage built in or add storage, such as pretty baskets or bins, that suit your room’s style.
Choosing an Effective Design Style
You can use your choice of design style to make your bedroom appear larger:
– Minimalist: It’s the best for making a bedroom seem bigger.
– Industrial: This style can help too, especially if you use lots of white and grey colour.
– Scandinavian: Using white and cream colour is also good for making your bedroom look wider.
Mix that look with a minimalist aesthetic to maintain a balance between personal style and feng shui.
Opt for Minimalist, Japanese, or Scandinavian styles with their simple lines and uncluttered looks.
Go Simple With Furniture Pieces
Choose simple, uncluttered furniture pieces. Keep it lean and unadorned.
The shape should be sleek and the profile thin.
Furniture Choice: a skinny, floaty bed with an open frame, say, rather than a solid, chunky one will uphold a feeling of space.
Go With A Bunk Bed
Bunk beds are a great space saver in kids’ rooms or multi-use guest rooms, and modern designs can include storage or a study area below the top bunk.
Add Curtains For Height
Hang curtains from the ceiling to the floor to give the impression of height. This draws the eye upward, making the room seem taller.
Light fabrics will ‘float’ and stop the look from becoming overly heavy, while the airy fabrics allows for natural light to pass through.
Multi-Functional Furniture: Work, Sleep, and Play
Where space is limited, the next stage is multifunctional furniture: beds that fold into the wall when not in use – also known as Murphy beds – and daybeds that serve as sofa by day, and bed at night.
Furniture that functions differently, depending on your lifestyle.
- Saves significant amounts of space
- Great for rooms that serve multiple purposes (guest room, office, and bedroom)
- Typically offers additional storage or seating options
Imagine a modern Murphy bed that opens and closes effortlessly like a sleek piece of furniture, ready to serve as a bed at night and stow away, returning your room to a living space, during the day.
Make It Interesting With Wall Art
So keep your individuality and style intact with some artwork on the walls – the more eclectic the better. This is a cool way to make a small bedroom decor.
Gallery Appeal: Include various sizes and frames to create a dynamic wall arrangement.
Get Cozy With Dark and Light Shades
Courageously use dark colours in a small space. Dark and light colours create depth and drama.
A dark-coloured wall makes the light-coloured walls on either side feel like they’re moved further away, thereby enlarging the space.
Color Balance: Pair a dark wall with light bedding and furniture to maintain balance.
Elevated and Airy: The Magic of Wall-Mounted Shelves
In a small bedroom, square footage is hard to spare – and wall-mounted shelves also add a vertical dimension to your decor and draw the eye upwards, which helps make a small space feel bigger.
Ideal for books, plants, and other knick-knacks
Adds personality and charm to the bedroom
Creates additional storage without cluttering the floor
Think of turning a blank wall into a statement with a series of asymmetrical, floating shelves filled with your favourite books and keepsakes – not only an organising solution, but also an ever-shifting gallery.
Opt For French Grey and White
A muted grey of French grey and white is a classic, romantic combination that works just as well in small spaces as it does for large ones. It’s calming so is ideal in tiny areas.
Elegant Simplicity: Accessorize with metallic accents for a subtle touch of luxury without overdoing it.
Expanding on Small Bedroom Solutions
To make the most out of a small bedroom, focusing on innovative storage solutions and versatile furniture is essential.
Here’s an in-depth look at two key strategies: vertical storage and multi-functional furniture.
Multi-functional Furniture
If one can focus on the storage space and furniture that can be used for more than one purpose, one can make the most of a small bedroom.
Here’s a detailed account of the two vital strategies: vertical storage and multi-purpose furniture.
Murphy Beds
The ‘Murphy bed’ is the classic space saver, where the bed is lifted open into a wall cabinet.
This then frees up a great deal of floor space to be used for another activity during the day, such as a workout area or home office.
Storage Beds
These beds feature built-in drawers beneath the mattress platform and allow you to store clothes, bedding or other bulky items while keeping them out of sight, reducing the need for a dresser or wardrobe.
Convertible Desks
Especially if you’re trying to furnish a tiny space, a desk that can be put away or turn into another piece of furniture, like a side table, is a great option.
Storage Ottomans
An ottoman at the foot of the bed provides additional seating as well as storage.
Go With A Platform Bed Frame
A low-profile platform bed frame keeps a small bedroom looking open and airy. Choose a frame with clean lines and without a footboard for the best effect.
Minimalist Approach: Enhance with crisp, white linens for a fresh and inviting look.
Light and Neutral Color Schemes: Enhancing Spaciousness
Depending on the colour palette you’ve chosen, you can make your small bedroom feel larger or more intimate. Light and neutral colours like whites, beiges and light grays reflect light and open up the space, making it seem larger and more spacious.
- Creates a serene and peaceful environment
- Makes the room feel airy and less cramped
- Easy to match with various decor styles
Visualise airy, cushy walls that can both make your little nest quieter and cosier, and less claustrophobic.
Declutter and Unclutter
Leaving the bedroom uncluttered is probably one of the best ways to make it feel spacious and relaxing:
- Regularly assess and remove items that you no longer need or use.
- Maintain a minimalist approach to both furniture and decor to keep the room feeling open.
Small Bedroom Ideas with Desk
Fold-Down Desk
A fold-down desk is a great space-saving option for ultra-small bedrooms. This type of desk is installed on the wall and is folded out when needed, and folded away after use, conserving floor space.
Accompany it with a folding chair that can be mounted on the wall or stowed in a closet when not in use.
This combination not only limits the number of objects in the room, but also prevents the room from looking cluttered.
Corner Workstation
Embrace your most unused space by putting a corner desk into the room, so you can maximise the space, squeezing out of the corner and using an area that’s likely to be overlooked when it comes to furniture.
Pair this with some vertical shelving units above the desk, or a bulletin board to keep track of what you need to do, and tasks, and ideas – it’s a fantastic opportunity to use every inch in your small bedroom.
Multi-Purpose Vanity Desk
Have a desk that’s a vanity that holds both your computer and your makeup or grooming supplies.
Find a desk that has two or more drawers for separating work materials from your personal items.
Put a good mirror above the desk and light it with a multi-functional lamp that pivots towards the mirror and towards the desktop.
Not only do you save space but you also make getting dressed for work or going out more convenient.
FAQ: Small Bedroom Ideas
1. How can I make a small bedroom feel bigger?
- Use light colours on walls and ceilings to reflect light, which creates the illusion of more space.
- Incorporate mirrors to reflect light and create an illusion of depth.
Opt for multi-functional furniture, like Murphy beds or ottomans with storage.
2. What are some storage solutions for small bedrooms?
Consider beds with built-in drawers or use stylish under-bed storage boxes.
Maximize vertical space with tall bookcases and wall-mounted shelves.
Utilize multi-functional furniture like storage ottomans or desks with built-in storage.
3. Can dark colors work in a small bedroom?
Certainly, when employed correctly.
Dark colours can add depth, and give the impression of greater space when offset by light hues on the other walls and in the furnishings.
4. What type of furniture should I choose for a small bedroom?
Stick with pieces that have simple lines and a low-impact footprint: a small dresser might work as a nightstand, and a platform bed frame should have a low profile to keep the room feeling open.
5. How can I decorate my small bedroom without it feeling cluttered?
Focus on simplicity and maintain a minimalist approach to avoid clutter.
Look for wall art that’s stylistically appropriate to the room and in keeping with the colour scheme, and take care not to add too many pieces that detract from its focal point.
Choose throw pillows or floating shelves as decorations, but don’t take up space with furniture.
6. Are there any specific bed types recommended for small bedrooms?
Platform beds and Murphy beds both work well because the underlying frame is hidden.
Bunk beds make good use of vertical space in a children’s room or for guests.
7. What is the best way to utilize under-the-bed space?
Store off-season clothes, shoes or extra bedding under the bed in drawers or boxes, to make better use of the floor.
8. How can I set up a work area in a small bedroom?
A fold-down desk or a corner work area are good ways to use floor space and a often-neglected corner.
A multi-purpose vanity desk can serve as both a workspace and a grooming area.
9. How do I choose the right curtains for a small bedroom?
Suspend curtains from the ceiling to the floor to add the illusion of height and, to maximise light, opt for light, floaty fabrics.
10. Any tips for keeping a small bedroom organized?
Regularly declutter the space and remove items you no longer use.
Use hooks, hanging systems or over-the-door organisers to keep everyday items easy to reach, but out of sight.
Conclusion
These clever small bedroom ideas can show you how to use every inch of your space with functional and attractive solutions.
With a little planning and the addition of some key features, your small bedroom can become a comfortable haven that is full of practicality and your own personal style.
Taking these into consideration will help you create a small bedroom that’s stunning, practical and suits your needs.
Whether it’s smart storage, or clever furniture, there’s always a way to make a tiny bedroom work for you. It isn’t just about what you need, but how you need it!
