Small bedroom paint ideas – 14 ways to turn your tiny sleeping space into an elegant yet cosy retreat

There are several ways in which you can transform and elevate a small bedroom. A fresh lick of paint is one of the easiest and most effective methods. A new layer of your existing paint will already do wonders for the space but employing some paint tricks and choosing the right colours make for even better small bedroom paint ideas.

These 14 small bedroom ideas make the most of optical illusions and colour tones to make your tiny sleeping space look bigger or make it feel cosier. But either way, these expert-approved and recommended tips and tricks always make the room look and feel elegant, elevated and contemporary. What more could one want from a bedroom?

Small bedroom paint ideas

Most of us are not often inclined to go overly bold with our bedroom paint ideas, especially when dealing with a small space. Probably for the fear of doing something wrong. But consider us your cheerleaders to give that crazy paint idea you’ve had for a while a go. Worse comes to worst, you can always paint over it.

But if you need a little bit of inspiration to give you that extra little push, here are 14 of our favourite paint ideas for a small bedroom.

1. Create a cocooning feeling with darker colours

‘When working with smaller bedrooms, we're typically inclined to go with whites or pastels to create a light and airy feeling, however, the use of a rich, bold paint colour is a better way to inject instant character and take a small space from drab to stylish,’ says Helen Shaw, international director of marketing at Benjamin Moore.

Also, by embracing a darker shade onto the walls (and perhaps also ceiling) of your small bedroom, you can create the atmosphere of a cosy bedroom idea that feels like a comforting cocoon.

Stephanie King, creative lead at Dulux, adds that dark colours can actually end up making your small space appear larger, ‘Don’t be scared to go with a dark and deeper colour as they create the perception of depth. Almost like a magic trick, colours such as Indigo Shade or Sapphire Salute, can camouflage the size of the room.’

2. Go for light, neutral shades instead of white

We know we just said to go bold and go for a dark colour. But equally, you can opt for a light shade, especially if you want to create an airy and bright feel. But if you do go light, experts recommend soft neutrals over classic white paint.

‘Lighter neutrals like off-whites, beiges, creams and pale pastels can make a small bedroom look bigger as these shades reflect more light, which helps to create the illusion of a brighter and more open feel,’ says Michael Rolland, managing director at The Paint Shed. ‘I’d suggest moving away from traditional crisp whites, as although they are reflective, and can give the illusion of a bigger room, they can often look somewhat clinical and harsh. Instead, opt for light beiges, yellows, pinks and off-whites as they can be more effective in bringing softness to your bedroom.’

3. Prioritise painting the ceiling

While painting the ceiling something other than white and giving it your attention before turning to the walls might not be on your list of priorities, Stephanie from Dulux thinks it should be as even a soft pastel shade instead of white can be truly impactful on a small bedroom ceiling.

‘Maybe a controversial choice but in a small space I’d actually prioritise painting the ceiling. It doesn’t have to be in a dark, statement colour either, even a subtle pink like Blush Pink or a joyful yellow like Daffodil White, both would do a wonderful job of bringing the colour but without restricting your feeling of space. Who wouldn’t want to be woken by an optimistic shade of sunshine?’ she says.

4. Create the illusion of extra height with paint

There are several ways of tricking the eye into perceiving your tiny bedroom as more spacious than it is. One such method is by creating the illusion of height where width and depth are lacking. And that alone will make the room look bigger.

‘Create the illusion of height by painting your wall colour up to about 10 centimetres below the ceiling, then paint everything above this white. The extra band of white will visually stretch the ceiling height, making the room appear taller,’ Stephanie says.

She continues, ‘Or if you are feeling braver, do the opposite and paint your ceiling in a subtle shade like Coastal Greyor Blush Pink, and take this down onto your walls by around 10 to 15 centimetres for a shot of colourful interest, without the overwhelm.’

5. Use all-over colour for a cohesive look

Tall ceilings are a dream in a small bedroom as they give the illusion of space, so if you're lucky enough to have a room with height, use paint to draw focus to this feature. Sticking to one colour, not just on the walls, but for the doors and architrave too, will ensure the spotlight will be on those tall ceilings. Don’t be afraid to go dark either, as it will give an intimate, cocooning feel and is a wonderful bedroom paint idea no matter the size of your room.

In this beautiful blue-drenched room, even the flooring is in the same tone. Pale bedding adds lightness, while pops of colour come courtesy of throws and cushions.

6. Add panelling for interest in a small space

Bedroom wall panelling is an easy win in a small bedroom, as it adds instant style to a flat wall, so you don’t need a lot else. You may be lucky enough to have inherited it, but if not, it’s easy to achieve if you are a competent DIY-er.

When it comes to painting the wall, a pale blush tone makes this bedroom feel calm and peaceful – a lovely small bedroom paint idea. The upholstered bed adds extra colour and takes centre stage in an elegant peppermint green with a statement, Art Deco-style headboard.

7. Consider a paint effect for an individual look

There are lots of brilliant paint effects that can be achieved in a small bedroom to add interest to a compact space, and they don’t have to be overpowering. Using shades of the same colour is one way – with different tones of the same colour on each wall. Alternatively, pick out architectural details in a different shade or paint an ombre design to create an aged effect, as shown here.

8. Think about which way the room is facing

Green is a colour taken from nature and a popular choice for a small bedroom. There are so many different shades so choose from for green bedroom ideas, from dark forest greens, to pale leaf tones, so choose one that suits the aspect of the room. If it’s north-facing, choose a green with some warmth to it to counteract the blue light. If the room is south-facing, then you could choose a green with more blue in it, which will take the heat out of the colour.

In a room with an interesting shape, like this one, use the colour to accentuate the angles and keep the other walls white. Shown here is Botany Bay by Crown.

9. Choose complementary colours for graduated stripes

A lovely way to stamp your own style on a small bedroom is to create stripes of different sizes. Choose co-ordinating colours such as this muted spicy palette from Dulux, with the first colour reaching dado height, a co-ordinating colour used above and finally a different colour on the ceiling. To add another element, a broad stripe has been added just below the ceiling.

It’s easy to do with masking or frog tape to get a clean line, it just takes a bit more time. Buy tester pots to try out the scheme first to see if you are happy with it before taking the plunge.

10. Zone the space with colour

In a room with two doors, the only place to put the bed is between them, to zone the space, but that's not what makes this bedroom so striking. The hot pink paint colour from Yes Colours on the wall contrasts with the deep green bed, and the door architraves have been picked out in a complementary tone. Opting for matching bedside tables and colourful wall lights adds symmetry.

11. Create a feature wall using paint

A clever small bedroom paint idea is to create a bedroom feature wall so it’s the first thing you see as you walk in. Geometrics are a timeless trend, so perhaps use simple lines as a theme.

Firstly, paint the wall in a colour of your choice – sage green is a good base – then add the wow factor with gold lines in a grid design. Again, you just need to be a dab-hand with masking tape.

A gold-coloured headboard complements the coloured lines, then bring in other complementary shades with bedding and throws. Hanging lights on either side of the bed is a great space-saving idea and means you don’t need bedside tables if it’s a small space.

12. Have fun with a trompe l'oeil effect

A mix of trompe l'oeil completely transforms the look of this room. The red and white striped ceiling that bleed down into the wall play with the height of the room and has a circus feel about it.

If you look closely, you'll see the headboards are actually painted onto the wall. This little trick is a good idea for a small bedroom, where every inch counts, as there's no headboard to take up space. You could always use a stencil if you aren’t sure of your abilities.

A small table between the beds is sufficient, rather than two bedside tables on either side, and it's been painted in red to pick out the colour of the ceiling and bed throws.

13. Paint a deep border as a design feature

Another great paint idea for a small bedroom is to paint the walls in two halves. Use a darker colour at the bottom of the wall, as it’s more likely to get scuffed and dark colours show marks less, with a lighter colour above. Take the darker paint around the room, even painting any cupboards or doors. It’s a really easy design trick, but looks fabulous.

14. Accentuate the shape of an awkward room

Rather than trying to disguise the shape of a less-than-perfect compact bedroom, make a feature out of it by painting the facing wall in a different colour to the others. Pale blue is a good choice for a bedroom, as it's relaxing and calming.

In this children's bedroom idea, the alcove space has been made into a bed platform with storage beneath. A great idea and the perfect solution to an awkward small area. It could be used as a bedroom or a play area for children.

FAQs

Which walls to paint in a small bedroom?

When it comes to a small space, the end goal is usually to make it look bigger than it is. And you can achieve that with paint and a bit of trickery by strategically choosing which walls to paint what colour.

‘If you paint the wall facing the door into the room the same colour as the ceiling, almost like a path from the room door to the back of the room, it will elongate the room,’ says Stephanie King, creative lead at Dulux. ‘Plus, not many people do this, so it’ll be something unique for your home.’

But you can also stick to the bedroom feature wall idea, of course. ‘An accent wall can be effective in a small bedroom, but it’s important to choose the right wall. The wall behind the bed would be most advisable as this is already usually the room’s focal point, so switching up the colour for this wall can further enhance depth and character without making the room feel smaller,’ says Michael Rolland, managing director at The Paint Shed.

What colour should I paint my bedroom with little natural light?

Tackling a small bedroom can be a challenge on its own. But when it’s a dark one at that, lacking in natural light, that makes things even more difficult. But having said this, you can make your dark bedroom look a bit brighter with the help of paint.

‘Small bedrooms, particularly when they lack natural light, can feel cool so will benefit from hues with a yellow or red undertone for a hint of warmth,’ says Helen Shaw, international director of marketing at Benjamin Moore. ‘Consider a higher finish on trim, like semi-gloss or high-gloss, to bring reflection and dimension to slightly darker spaces.’

What colour paint is best for a small bedroom?

‘Don’t shy away from pink, it can make the smallest of rooms feel bigger when used across the whole space,’ says Emma Bestley, co-founder of Yes Colours.

‘Pink is often used as a neutral, and is a perfect choice for a tender, soft setting to relax and sleep. It’s a nurturing shade depending on the saturation of the colour – a bright bubblegum pink may be too intense, but a muted, paler version of pink will create a serene atmosphere ideal for relaxation. Don’t forget the fifth wall: the ceiling. Painting the whole room in a soft pink can have a positive impact on the body and mind.’

What colour makes a small bedroom look bigger?

‘All small spaces benefit from colours that recede,’ says Marianne Shillingford, creative director of Dulux. ‘This means that the walls they are painted on look further away from us. It’s all to do with visual wavelengths – the shorter the wavelength a colour has, the further away it looks.

'Blue, green and violet are the shortest wavelength colours, especially pale versions of these colours; which coincidentally remind us of the biggest elements of the great outdoors like the sea, sky and fields and are perfect for small bedrooms. Try Dulux's Nordic Spa, Atmosphere and Cotton Breeze.’

Should you paint small bedrooms light or dark?

‘To make a bedroom more versatile, a neutral colour palette is a good choice,’ says Justyna Korczynska, senior designer at Crown. ‘It doesn't mean we need to limit ourselves only to creams and beiges. You can choose colours from different colour families, but it's best to keep to softer and muted shades rather than strong saturated colours that can overpower the room and make it feel smaller.

'A muted and gentle colour palette is easy on the eye and can create a relaxing and cosy space,' she continues. 'Lighter colours will make a room feel more open while darker muted shades are good for creating a cosy and cocooning space. While softer shades can be used all over the room, the bright colours are best used in moderation and used as an accent in smaller spaces.'

But small bedroom or not, paint and colour is one of the best and easiest ways to transform a space that one shouldn’t shy away from.