8 Space-Smart Moves for the Small Bedroom
Live well and comfortably in a small bedroom with these styling tips
Aditi Sharma Maheshwari
1 March 2018
Blogger, dog mom
A shoebox-size bedroom can still be an inviting, multifunctional and utterly chic yet homey space. With the right storage hacks, clever decor staples and a smart colour palette, it can serve you well while seeming larger than it is. Here’s how.
1. Reduce clutter
The foremost strategy for making a small bedroom seem bigger is to cut down on the clutter. Discard things that no longer serve any purpose, and always remember to keep your clothes folded, your shoes stored away and your accessories neatly arranged on shelves and in cupboards. The messier a room, the more cramped it looks.
Tip: If you want to maximise a room’s space, do away with as much furniture as possible and keep only the essentials, such as a table and chair. In this room, the transparent acrylic chair and beige-toned table that blends with the other furnishings add to the sense of openness.
Here’s to happy, clutter-free bedrooms
The foremost strategy for making a small bedroom seem bigger is to cut down on the clutter. Discard things that no longer serve any purpose, and always remember to keep your clothes folded, your shoes stored away and your accessories neatly arranged on shelves and in cupboards. The messier a room, the more cramped it looks.
Tip: If you want to maximise a room’s space, do away with as much furniture as possible and keep only the essentials, such as a table and chair. In this room, the transparent acrylic chair and beige-toned table that blends with the other furnishings add to the sense of openness.
Here’s to happy, clutter-free bedrooms
2. Maximise storage
In a small bedroom, use the walls for storage. Consider installing floor-to-ceiling and wall-to-wall cabinets (the same colour as the walls) to hold photographs, accessories, books and personal items. Also, fold-down desks that can be stowed when not in use are great space savers.
Tip: If your bed has some space under it, use that for storage too. If you’re purchasing a new bed, one with built-in storage is a good idea.
In a small bedroom, use the walls for storage. Consider installing floor-to-ceiling and wall-to-wall cabinets (the same colour as the walls) to hold photographs, accessories, books and personal items. Also, fold-down desks that can be stowed when not in use are great space savers.
Tip: If your bed has some space under it, use that for storage too. If you’re purchasing a new bed, one with built-in storage is a good idea.
3. Consider multifunctional or hidden furniture
Choose furniture that can perform more than one function. This bed, for instance, folds up to become a sofa.
Choose furniture that can perform more than one function. This bed, for instance, folds up to become a sofa.
Or you could hide the bed altogether. In this room, a large cabinet conceals a Murphy bed, so that by day the room can serve as a study.
Double duty furniture that solve small space dilemmas
Double duty furniture that solve small space dilemmas
4. Extend the headboard
In this bedroom, the white headboard’s embossed pattern adds texture and subtle contrast to the overall design scheme. And its dimensions make the entire bed area seem larger than it actually is.
In this bedroom, the white headboard’s embossed pattern adds texture and subtle contrast to the overall design scheme. And its dimensions make the entire bed area seem larger than it actually is.
5. Use a mirror
Large wall mirrors can create an illusion of extended or dual space while also serving as pretty decor.
Large wall mirrors can create an illusion of extended or dual space while also serving as pretty decor.
6. Let in natural light
Ample sunlight can make a room feel bright, large, airy and energetic. In this room, the bed’s placement next to a window that fills the room with natural light creates an indoor-outdoor connection.
6 approaches to pinpoint the right location for your bed
Ample sunlight can make a room feel bright, large, airy and energetic. In this room, the bed’s placement next to a window that fills the room with natural light creates an indoor-outdoor connection.
6 approaches to pinpoint the right location for your bed
7. Go with a white colour scheme
White reflects maximum light, making any space look bright and welcoming. Even the tiniest, most claustrophobia-inducing rooms will seem more spacious with white walls, ceiling and bedding.
White reflects maximum light, making any space look bright and welcoming. Even the tiniest, most claustrophobia-inducing rooms will seem more spacious with white walls, ceiling and bedding.
8. Create visual impact
In a micro space, a generously sized decorative piece can help distract from the size of the room. Look at the large chandelier and the vibrant picture next to the bed: The eye has so much to look at that it barely registers the room’s small dimensions.
TELL US
What tricks have you used to make your small bedroom look larger? Share them in the Comments below.
MORE
Read more stories on small spaces
In a micro space, a generously sized decorative piece can help distract from the size of the room. Look at the large chandelier and the vibrant picture next to the bed: The eye has so much to look at that it barely registers the room’s small dimensions.
TELL US
What tricks have you used to make your small bedroom look larger? Share them in the Comments below.
MORE
Read more stories on small spaces
Related Stories
More Rooms
Design Your Dream Bedroom With These Key Measurements
Dream big with these essential dimensions that will help your bed and other furnishings fit neatly and comfortably
Full Story
Most Popular
Best of the Week: 36 Platform Beds for Sound Sleep Plus Storage
By Niki Bruce
Platform beds give a modern twist to your bedroom decor and offer lots of extra storage
Full Story
Most Popular
Why Build a Platform Bed
Need more reasons to ask your designer to custom-build a platform bed for your room? Here are six
Full Story
More Rooms
Best of the Week: 29 Stylish Storage Ideas for the Bedroom
How do you keep your sleep sanctuary stylish and clutter-free? These 29 designs lead the way
Full Story
More Rooms
Picture Perfect: 26 Ideas for Using Panelling in Your Bedroom
By Kate Burt
From smart squares to crisp planks, a beautiful panelled wall can really elevate your room
Full Story
More Rooms
7 Ideas to Steal from Well-Designed Tiny Bedrooms
Take inspiration from the clever layouts and genius design tricks in these small but mighty bedrooms
Full Story
More Rooms
Picture Perfect: 20 Bold and Beautiful Bedscapes
Explore this collection of photos where the wall behind the bed takes center stage
Full Story
More Rooms
Best of the Week: 36 Bedside Table Set-Ups
Whether simple will suffice or you want everything within reach, here are 36 bedside situations to get you dreaming
Full Story
More Rooms
10 Ways to Create a Hotel Bedroom at Home
Come home to a 5-star bedroom every day with these 10 easy tips
Full Story
More Rooms
Best of the Week: 20 Small Bedrooms With Super-Sized Storage
Built-in storage can solve small-bedroom woes. Be inspired by 20 sleeping spaces that salute customised cabinetry
Full Story
^^^That's when you know that you have put a bed in a space that is not meant to be a bedroom.
Nice to see an article about small bedroomss - many of us don't have one of those beautiful big ones. The poor person who has to change the sheets in Room #6!