Transforming Your Small Bedroom into a Serene Sanctuary
Plenty of valid annoyances come with having a small bedroom, and we understand why. It can be challenging to find a layout that can house all your things without feeling cramped and cluttered. Your bedroom must be a space where you feel relaxed and happy – tripping over your dresser won’t get you there. However, there are plenty of small bedroom ideas that’ll make your space feel cozy and intimate rather than claustrophobic.
The Power of Mindset and Clever Design
It’ll take both a mindset shift and a handful of clever design solutions to get you there, though. And no, you won’t have to get rid of most of your belongings or become an extreme minimalist. Your room can be both bursting with personality and have a small footprint.
Key Principles for Small Bedroom Design
The best small bedroom ideas prioritize making the space feel larger, and you can do this through clever optical illusions like using mirrors, hanging smaller art pieces, or painting the ceiling to draw the eye upward. Lighter paint colors, like whites and blues, can brighten a small bedroom and help it appear bigger. It’s also a good idea to limit clutter where you can – use closed storage rather than open shelves or cubbies to keep messiness out of your sightline.
35 Expert Small Bedroom Ideas to Inspire You
To ease your small bedroom worries, we’ve gathered 35 of the best small bedroom ideas straight from designers.
1. Wrap Your Drapes Around Your Bed
In a small bedroom, there’s often little choice regarding where to place your bed. If it’s too close to a window, take advantage of the curtains and wrap them around your bed frame as well to create a cozy and cocooning feel. The design instantly becomes cohesive when the same fabric is used across the entire room.
2. Choose a Daybed
Small bedroom ideas, especially in a shared apartment or home, have to be multipurpose. Ensure there’s room for both gathering and relaxing by swapping your traditional bed for a daybed. Now, your friends have somewhere to sit and you can easily add a duvet when it’s time to hit the hay.
3. Repurpose a Closet
There’s not a lot of wall space in a small bedroom, so if you already have plenty of storage, build out a closet alcove to create a serene work-from-home area. Here, shelves and cabinets maintain the closet’s functional qualities, but a fun wallpaper and peachy pink paint color liven up a dimly lit space.
- Pattern drenching can make any small space seem larger.
- Extending your headboard to span the length of your walls can create the optical illusion of a wider space.
- Using miniature art can minimize visual clutter and make your room feel larger.
- Adding wall sconces can save space on your nightstand and provide ambient lighting.
8. Choose a Low Bed Frame
Sometimes with a small bedroom idea, you must accept the fact that your bed – if you want one bigger than a twin size – is going to take up all the floor space, and that’s okay. You can still create a stylish room that feels spacious like Noz Nozawa did in her Lake Tahoe home. Opting for a low bed frame makes the ceiling feel higher and creates more room for the statement pendant light to tie the space together.
9. Use a Bare Canopy Bed Frame
Nothing beats the elegant look of a canopy bed frame, but if you have a small space, we suggest not hanging any drapery on it and letting it go bare. In this bedroom by Noz Nozawa, the canopy frame still looks chic, but it doesn’t make the room feel too cluttered or heavy with added drapery.
Maximizing Storage and Functionality
In a small bedroom, it’s essential to maximize storage and functionality. Here are a few ideas:
- Work with awkward alcoves to create a cozy sleeping area.
- Install high shelves to store items out of the way.
- Cover your walls in a dark hue to create a cozy and intimate atmosphere.
- Add wood paneling to add dimension and intrigue to your room.
14. Choose Roman Shades
The drapery you choose for your room is extremely important when considering the heaviness of a space. Thick drapes and extra-long curtains can make a small bedroom feel even tinier since they generally take up a lot of mass, but Roman shades – like in this bedroom by Ashley Gilbreath – are ideal for rooms with less square footage.
Creating a Multi-Functional Space
In a small bedroom, it’s crucial to create a multi-functional space that serves more than one purpose. Here are a few ideas:
- Create multi-use storage by incorporating drawers or shelves into your furniture.
- Have multifunctional furniture that serves more than one purpose, like a desk with storage.
- Add vertical storage to maximize your wall space.
- Stack your bunks to maximize sleeping space with minimal square footage.
19. Plaster the Walls
Embrace the tight quarters and transform your small bedroom idea into a cocooning sanctuary with a wall texture. Plastered walls in this small bedroom by Katie Hodges instantly create a warm and inviting environment. Include the ceiling for an enveloping look.
Final Tips for a Stylish and Functional Small Bedroom
To create a stylish and functional small bedroom, remember to keep furniture light, use optical illusions to make the space feel larger, and maximize storage and functionality. With these expert tips and ideas, you’ll be well on your way to transforming your small bedroom into a serene sanctuary that you’ll love spending time in.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are some key principles for designing a small bedroom?
Prioritize making the space feel larger through optical illusions, lighter paint colors, and limiting clutter.
How can I make my small bedroom feel cozier?
Use curtains to create a cocooning feel, choose a daybed, or add wall texture like plastered walls.
What type of bed frame should I choose for a small bedroom?
A low bed frame or a bare canopy bed frame can create a sense of more space.
How can I maximize storage in a small bedroom?
Use closed storage, install high shelves, and incorporate drawers or shelves into your furniture.
What type of drapes are suitable for a small bedroom?
Roman shades are ideal as they don’t take up too much mass and make the room feel tinier.
How can I create a multi-functional space in a small bedroom?
Use multi-use storage, multifunctional furniture, and add vertical storage to maximize wall space.
