Tiny Bedroom? These 10 Tips Will Transform It From Depressing to Dreamy
Try these decorating, storage and layout techniques to get the most out of your small bedroom
Jennifer Louise Ebert
22 September 2014
Houzz contributor and UK-based freelance journalist with more than 5 years experience of writing for interiors and lifestyle publications.
Houzz contributor and UK-based freelance journalist with more than 5 years experience... More
Planning a small bedroom can be fun (honestly). With the right design tips and techniques, you can turn your snug room into a dreamy retreat. From clever storage solutions to multi-tasking furniture, these great ideas will breathe new life into your compact scheme.
1. Stick to a limited colour palette
If all white isn’t for you, bring in your favourite colours, but in a thoughtful way. Here, the brights are limited to reds and oranges – which work beautifully with the brick wall and wooden furniture – and are teamed with plenty of white for an airy feel.
If all white isn’t for you, bring in your favourite colours, but in a thoughtful way. Here, the brights are limited to reds and oranges – which work beautifully with the brick wall and wooden furniture – and are teamed with plenty of white for an airy feel.
2. Let the light in
Keep window treatments to a minimum in a small space to make the most of the natural light and keep the look unfussy. For privacy, add plain roller blinds or hang flat panels of lace or voile.
Keep window treatments to a minimum in a small space to make the most of the natural light and keep the look unfussy. For privacy, add plain roller blinds or hang flat panels of lace or voile.
3. Maximise your storage space
A floor-to-ceiling fitted unit makes the most of every centimetre in this bedroom. It cleverly incorporates room to display treasures, shelves for books, drawers for more personal items, surfaces that act as bedside tables and reading lights. Talk about multi-tasking!
A floor-to-ceiling fitted unit makes the most of every centimetre in this bedroom. It cleverly incorporates room to display treasures, shelves for books, drawers for more personal items, surfaces that act as bedside tables and reading lights. Talk about multi-tasking!
4. Don’t be afraid to use windows
There’s no rule that says you can’t push furniture up to a window. This bed is tucked neatly at the end of this small loft, rather than blocking the centre of the room. Vertical blinds have been made to measure for privacy and to block daylight, and the window offers great reading light in the mornings.
There’s no rule that says you can’t push furniture up to a window. This bed is tucked neatly at the end of this small loft, rather than blocking the centre of the room. Vertical blinds have been made to measure for privacy and to block daylight, and the window offers great reading light in the mornings.
5. Trick the eye with mirrors
Creating the illusion of space with mirrors is a classic trick that works every time. Perfect for smaller bedrooms, a mirrored wall will visually double the space. This one does the job in style, its high position keeping the effect subtle and the antiqued surface looking elegant.
Creating the illusion of space with mirrors is a classic trick that works every time. Perfect for smaller bedrooms, a mirrored wall will visually double the space. This one does the job in style, its high position keeping the effect subtle and the antiqued surface looking elegant.
6. Have pieces made to measure
Having custom furniture made for your space can be a very worthwhile investment. This twin bed has been designed to fit under the eaves perfectly, leaving plenty of space in the rest of the room. The built-in drawers and wall-mounted bedside table and light maximise every bit of floor, while a classic transparent chair provides unobtrusive seating.
Having custom furniture made for your space can be a very worthwhile investment. This twin bed has been designed to fit under the eaves perfectly, leaving plenty of space in the rest of the room. The built-in drawers and wall-mounted bedside table and light maximise every bit of floor, while a classic transparent chair provides unobtrusive seating.
7. Detract with a feature wall
In a narrow room, bring the far wall forward with fabulous wallpaper. This pretty design links the pale blue walls and bronze quilt for a room that feels cohesive and has bags of personality.
In a narrow room, bring the far wall forward with fabulous wallpaper. This pretty design links the pale blue walls and bronze quilt for a room that feels cohesive and has bags of personality.
8. Make your headboard work hard
Using a headboard for storage is a clever way to make the most of your space. This custom solution manages to be a bedside table and bookcase as well as a headboard, and could easily be built to hold a rail and shelves on the opposite side for clothes.
Using a headboard for storage is a clever way to make the most of your space. This custom solution manages to be a bedside table and bookcase as well as a headboard, and could easily be built to hold a rail and shelves on the opposite side for clothes.
9. Go for bold
As the saying goes, “If you can’t fight, wear a big hat”. This attic bedroom shows off its sloping walls with pride and is consequently a bright, energetic space. A minimalist bed and desk area fit in neatly and make this teenager’s room a fun retreat.
As the saying goes, “If you can’t fight, wear a big hat”. This attic bedroom shows off its sloping walls with pride and is consequently a bright, energetic space. A minimalist bed and desk area fit in neatly and make this teenager’s room a fun retreat.
10. Wow with white
All white is a fail-safe space enhancer, but there are so many ways to do it. Here, soft neutrals add just the right amount of warmth, while the minimal wall decorations draw the eye to the window and the view beyond. The neat built-in wall unit keeps clutter tucked out of sight behind slick drawer fronts, creating a serene mood.
TELL US
How do you create the illusion of more space in your bedroom? Let us know, and share a photo or two, in the comments section.
MORE
7 Clever Ways to Create the Illusion of Space in a Small Bedroom
12 Tips to Make the Most of a Small Walk-in Wardrobe
Live Big in a Small House: 25 Tricks to Expand Your Space
10 Ways to Turn Up the Heat in Your Bedroom
All white is a fail-safe space enhancer, but there are so many ways to do it. Here, soft neutrals add just the right amount of warmth, while the minimal wall decorations draw the eye to the window and the view beyond. The neat built-in wall unit keeps clutter tucked out of sight behind slick drawer fronts, creating a serene mood.
TELL US
How do you create the illusion of more space in your bedroom? Let us know, and share a photo or two, in the comments section.
MORE
7 Clever Ways to Create the Illusion of Space in a Small Bedroom
12 Tips to Make the Most of a Small Walk-in Wardrobe
Live Big in a Small House: 25 Tricks to Expand Your Space
10 Ways to Turn Up the Heat in Your Bedroom
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I would like to know the size of the rooms. I am trying to find spaces for my grandkids to have their on small spaces.
own
If you have tall ceilings you could go as small as an 8' x 10' room by using bunk beds Restoration Hardware has some beautiful ones. If you're blessed with very tall ceilings you could loft the back half of the room and fit a double mattress up there leaving you tons of floor space for petite furnishings and toys. If your ceilings are average height then you can't have a double bed but you could go with a daybed and a trundle. The key to making the room not feel like a closet is to have as much natural light as possible. A large bay window with a window seat is great. If that's not possible a skylight helps. Best wishes Barbara.