How can I make the most of my small bedroom?
Consider each piece you add to the space and make sure it serves the mood you’re trying to evoke in your small bedroom. If you’re hoping for a relaxing space, maybe it’d be best to give that colorful dresser you got as a hand-me-down a naturally toned coat of paint. If you want everything to feel super unique, maybe you could skip the IKEA furniture and just go for secondhand.
How do I plan a layout for a small bedroom?
When planning the layout for a small bedroom, consider what furniture pieces are most essential to you. Are you without a closet and need some place to put your clothes? Then chances are you’ll need to prioritize a dresser or clothing rack. Do you tend to spend time in bed even when you’re not sleeping or preparing to? Maybe a daybed or trundle bed are in order. (There are lots of mattresses on Amazon with sizing designed to fit non-traditional bed frames.) Is there a deep windowsill next to your bed? Then maybe you can skip a nightstand and put that surface to work instead.
How do couples style a small bedroom?
If you’re styling a bedroom for you and a partner, sit down with each other and figure out your needs as outlined above. Since you both might have different priorities for the space, you’ll likely need to compromise. In any case, it’s likely your best bet to look into a storage bed or some under-the-bed storage if you’re trying to keep double the amount of belongings in one small bedroom.
What’s the best approach to furniture in a small bedroom?
Downing sees many people try to fit too much furniture into a small bedroom layout. “Instead, focus on functionality: Fewer, high-quality, multifunctional pieces make the space work harder and feel less crowded,” she advises. “Prioritize flow, so the room feels open and inviting. And don’t forget wall-mounted options, like sconces, floating shelves, or wall-mounted side tables,” she says, noting that built-in cabinets or shelving free up floor space while adding storage.
Make your furniture pull double duty
Echoing Downing’s sentiment, Higham says to think about the purpose of each piece of furniture in a small bedroom, and, more importantly, aim for multifunctional furnishings. “For example, could you place a desk next to a bed in lieu of a nightstand? You could still have a table lamp for a reading light, but you’ve gained a workspace. Or perhaps you have a dresser in place of a nightstand for more storage,” she says.
Be reasonable with your bed size
Along those lines, Jennifer Press, founder of Press Interiors in New York City, says the biggest mistake she sees clients making when designing a small bedroom is selecting a bed that’s too large for the space—which makes it impossible to add appropriately sized nightstands. “Many people prioritize having a king bed in a room that can really, only truly fit a queen,” she says.
…But beware of too-small furniture
In steering clear of furniture overload or ill-fitting bed frames, it’s also important not to invest in too-small pieces for your square footage. Zehner counsels clients not to play things “too safe” by opting for everything on a small scale. “An example we see often is selecting rugs that are too small or choosing undersized nightstands and furnishings, which can make the room feel disjointed rather than cohesive,” she says. “While it’s important not to overcrowd the space, maximizing it with appropriately scaled furniture can create a sense of balance and functionality.”
How can I take advantage of vertical space in small bedrooms?
“Incorporating some bookshelves horizontally is a great way to sneak in some more storage—just remember that these items will be on display,” Higham advises. “I would be thoughtful about what you put in them. They are better suited for books, decorative items and mementos.” Pro tip: Keep frequently used items low for easy access—this is especially important in nurseries or kids rooms.
As shown in the small bedroom ideas above, other great uses of vertical space include wall sconces, bunk beds, and loft areas. Desks with built-in bookshelves above them offer another solid storage solution. Similarly, Maggio says that floating shelves or full-height furniture can increase storage and surface area when designing a small bedroom. And along with wall sconces, you probably want to save some real estate (perhaps on a dresser or nightstand) for a lamp. “A single overhead light can make a small space feel oppressive,” says Maggio. “It’s important to have additional ambient lighting.”
Can you paint a small bedroom a dark color?
A dark bedroom color palette is absolutely suitable for a small bedroom, and ditto for selecting a dark wallpaper design in tight spaces. “It may feel counterintuitive, but drenching the room in a darker hue can make it feel cozy and a bit more sophisticated,” Higham says. Maggio expresses a similar view, but recommends limiting the dark hue to the ceiling only; she notes that dark ceilings can make the room feel taller, as long as they contrast with the walls.
In general, Zehner believes homeowners should avoid overly neutral or minimalist color palettes in small bedrooms. Though you don’t necessarily need to settle on a dark paint hue or wallpaper, “incorporating color, texture, and thoughtfully chosen accents—rather than defaulting to plain white walls—adds warmth and personality” to a small bedroom, she says.
Where should I buy furniture for small bedrooms?
There’s no shortage of brands that create furniture, carpets, bedding, and the like for small spaces. To help narrow down your search, here’s a hot tip from Downing: Midcentury furniture tends to be more minimal and smaller scale, so pieces from that era or inspired by the aesthetic often work well for small rooms, she says, offering the Design Within Reach Corbel Shelf as an example.
Press recommends perusing lines made with a younger age range, like teens, in mind. Higham agrees, noting that vendors like Urban Outfitters often carry pieces that are sized for small space living. Press mentions the Laguna 2-Drawer Nightstand from RH Teen as an option that packs in a ton of storage for a small footprint without looking sophomoric. Her other go-tos include Serena & Lily for its nice collection of headboards, which can be paired with a bed skirt if your room cannot accommodate a complete bed frame and the Container Store’s Boot Box to store items under a crib in a nursery (hide it behind a cute crib skirt like the Windowpane Plaid Organic Cotton Baby Crib Skirt from Crate & Kids to keep things looking nice and tidy, she says).
Maggio steers small space dwellers towards the Emerson bedside table from Room & Board, which comes in multiple sizes, including 19 inches, if you are squeezed for space. Higham’s top choice for under bed storage is West Elm’s Myla Pop-Up Storage Bed; “I like the pop-up functionality because oftentimes the space will be even too small for a bed with storage drawers!”
