Even though we would all love to have huge bedrooms at our disposal, the reality is that many homes’ sleeping spaces are pretty compact. And as much as the lack of space is often a source of frustration, it’s also the perfect opportunity to get creative and employ clever solutions and small bedroom ideas.
This list of bedroom ideas for tiny spaces comes recommended and approved by interior and bedroom experts – and it covers everything from making the space look stylish and elevated, making it practical, serving all your needs without looking and feeling cramped or cluttered and even making it appear larger than it actually is.
‘Regardless of room size, we all need our bedrooms to be an oasis at the end of a long day, and an inspiration to wake up to in the morning,’ says Georgia Metcalfe, founder and creative director at French Bedroom. ‘What small bedrooms lack in square footage, they can still exude in clever styling and thoughtful design.’
Small bedroom ideas
The key (or keys, we should say) to a well-designed and decorated small bedroom are solid small bedroom storage ideas and knowing what the best and most effective small bedroom layouts are.
‘The limited space shouldn’t stop you from having an aesthetically pleasing bedroom,’ says Josh Branigan, furniture and home interiors expert at Bed Kingdom. ‘Embrace the room’s size by tailoring the interior design, layout, and furnishing choices to the room’s measurements.’
1. Go for soft lighting
Lighting is one of the most important and effective tools when it comes to creating a mood and an atmosphere in a space, no matter how small it is. In bedrooms, opting for soft lighting is the best way to go as it softens the look and feel of the room. But layered lighting, one of the biggest lighting trends of the year, is another approach that works really well as a small bedroom lighting idea.
‘Having multiple light sources in a bedroom can be transformative,’ says Dev Jeynes, showroom manager at BoConcept. ‘Layered lighting will not only allow you to toggle the mood with the flick of a switch, but it can keep dark corners illuminated, which results in the room feeling larger. Ideas for secondary lighting include lamps, sconces, twinkle lights, and candles.’
Rachel Marshall, brand manager at Bensons For Beds, adds, ‘For a softer feel and a more neutral bedroom, swap out harsh overhead lights for softer lighting.’
2. Base the colour scheme on the amount of natural light
The well-known approach to choosing a small bedroom colour scheme is opting for light shades as they make a room appear larger, while darker colours make a room look smaller. But Dev at BoConcept says that it’s not all about the size of the room, but rather about the amount of natural light it receives.
‘Don’t base your paint colour on the size of the room, but instead on the amount of natural light it gets. What does this mean? If your small bedroom has a large window that floods it with light, then that dark and dramatic shade you’ve been wishing you could pull off should be on your shopping list,’ he says.
3. Elevate the space with high-quality bed linen
In most small bedrooms, the bed takes up the majority of the space. So dressing it well with stylish and high-quality bed linen is one of the best and easiest ways to elevate the room. Plus, you can easily change the look of the space by opting for various prints and colours, as long as you know where to buy the best bedding.
‘Invest in quality bedding, natural fibres like cotton and linen will always feel luxurious, and will elevate even the most compact of spaces,’ Georgia at French Bedroom says.
4. Opt for curved furniture
Curved interiors and specifically furniture have been one of the biggest home decor trends of the last couple of years. And in small spaces like a tiny bedroom, opting for curvy shapes is not just a question of aesthetics, it can also aid in making the room appear larger – or at least, not make it look any smaller than it already is as harsh angles often do.
‘I’d always advise opting for sweeping silhouettes rather than angular shapes as these can make a room feel boxy. Instead, choose furniture with gentle edges and curves, which will bring a softening touch and help guide the eye around your room effortlessly, creating a greater sense of space. Gentle curves also promote a sense of comfort which is perfect for creating the welcoming and relaxed atmosphere we all long for in our bedrooms,’ Georgia at French Bedroom says.
5. Invest in long curtains
If you’re looking for small bedroom curtain ideas - or window dressings and treatments in general - then don’t make the mistake of going for short curtains, mimicking the petite size of the room. Instead, go all out – or rather long to take advantage of your bedroom’s vertical space. And it’s also the perfect way to make your bedroom curtains look expensive.
‘Buying longer curtains is a great way to add a touch of luxury to your bedroom as well as give the illusion that it has taller ceilings and, therefore, more spacious dimensions,’ Rachel at Bensons For Beds says.
Interior designer Benji Lewis suggests an alternative way to point to the vertical space of your bedroom, ‘Look at your ceiling height; if it's decent then create impact by putting a four poster bed in the room – what the space lacks in footprint perhaps it makes up for in ceiling height.’
6. Make the bed the centrepiece of the room
As far as the most popular bedroom layout ideas go, putting the bed in the centre of the main wall and revolving everything else around it is the top one. And for good reason – it works, even in a small space in fact.
‘Your bed is the most important piece of furniture in any bedroom and it’s everything your small bedroom design will revolve around. Placing your bed in the centre of the wall opposite the door will give the room some symmetry so that you can make the most of the space you have available. Make sure there’s enough space either side of the bed if you share it, so that you can both get in and out of it easily! If you need more room either side, then ditch the bedside tables,’ Rachel at Bensons For Beds advises.
7. Utilise the back of your doors
Finding ways to include enough bedroom storage ideas can be tricky, especially in a small space. But the key is often to try thinking outside the box. For example, look at underutilised areas of the room and ask yourself what could be done with it. The back of a door is the perfect example of a wasted space that could be useful if utilised well.
‘Whether for coats and jackets or just your dressing gown, hooks on the backs of doors are essential for nifty storage. They are also ideal for placing on the inside of wardrobes for extra hanging space,’ Rachel at Bensons For Beds says.
8. Lean into the room’s cosy, cocooning feel
Often when we’re faced with a small space, our first instinct is to fight its lack of space and try to make it look bigger. But why not embrace its compact nature instead and create a cocooning feel with some cosy bedroom ideas?
‘There are some obvious difficulties when arranging a small bedroom, often struggling with storage but there are also some benefits. It is much easier to make a small bedroom feel cosy and inviting, forcing you to put practical storage elsewhere,’ says Lucinda Bullock-Webster, interior designer and founder of LBW Interiors. ‘It is a great excuse to wrap the room in paint or wallpaper to create a cosy cocoon.’
Warm hues like earthy tones tend to be the best colours to make a bedroom feel cosier.
9. Stick to symmetrical arrangements
Going for asymmetrical arrangements and features in a small bedroom can not only look awkward but it can also make the space look even smaller than it already is. Instead, focus on creating symmetrical set-ups – place the bed in the middle of the wall with matching bedside tables and table lamps on either side, for example.
‘Symmetry in small spaces can not only create a feeling of calm but can also create a feeling of enhanced space in smaller rooms,’ Lucinda Bullock-Webster says.
10. Cover under-bed storage with a pretty valance
The space under the bed is one of the best areas to utilise for storage, especially in a small bedroom. But to prevent any cluttered scenes or not very pretty storage boxes peeking out from under the bed from certain angles, a good idea is to cover that part with a nice valance like the Kumla cotton muslin valance from La Redoute.
‘Use the space under the bed for storage, drawers in a divan base can be covered with a pretty bed valance or chunky baskets can be placed under beds for boots and shoes,’ Lucinda shares.
And for a cohesive look, you could match the valance to your headboard or scatter cushions decorating the bed.
11. Keep only what needs to be there
When you’re dealing with a small space, it’s important to perform regular decluttering of the bedroom so that only what needs to be in the room is kept there. Otherwise, the room could end up looking messy and cluttered.
‘Clutter is the enemy of an already-small bedroom,’ Melissa Denham, interior stylist at Hammonds Fitted Furniture. ‘If yours is littered with clothes, books and other personal items, perhaps it’s time for a clear out. Get to work on your wardrobe, surfaces and floor to remove any unwanted items, donating or selling what you can to continue their lifecycle.’
She adds, ‘Stripping back decorations can also make a difference. Avoid overloading walls and surfaces with too many art pieces, souvenirs or other accessories. You could always find a home for them elsewhere.’
12. Invest in an ottoman bed
As already mentioned, utilising the space under the bed for storage is one of the smartest things you can do in a small bedroom. But you can take your under-the-bed storage to the next level with built-in storage by investing in an ottoman bed like the Ascot ottoman bed from DUSK.
‘You can get the ultimate bed storage solution with an ottoman design. These let you utilise your under-bed space as you lift the frame beneath the mattress to reveal a huge storage compartment. This is perfect for items like spare bedding or shoes,’ Melissa at Hammonds Fitted Furniture says.
13. Use alternative bedside table solutions
Bedside tables are often what ends up being sacrificed in a small bedroom, since you can’t get rid of the bed. But you can sleep without a bedside table, even though it’s annoying not to have a surface to rest your phone and perhaps a book and pair of glasses on. But with some clever bedside table alternatives, you can have that space to do just that.
‘Floating furniture will create so much space in your room and there are plenty of different options. Floating shelves provide a chic solution and can be “stacked” on top of each other to provide extra space,’ Melissa says.
Alternatively, you can go even a step further and build a bedside alcove into the wall. ‘If you can, it is very effective to create a shallow niche on either side of the bed, deep enough for a book and a glass of water, line the niche with a foxed mirror or a contrast colour or wallpaper to make it not just a clever storage solution but also a clever design feature,’ Lucinda suggests.
14. Create the illusion of space
If there's one thing we learned from The Mummy (hey, you weren't expecting that now, were you?) it's this: mirrors are excellent at bouncing light around a room – and creating the illusion of more space in a small bedroom, too.
'Mirrors are a perfect way to reflect light and give the illusion of more space,' Georgia at French Bedroom agrees.
'Position your mirror either opposite a window to bounce light back into your room, or stand a long tall mirror on the wall directly in front of the door to give the illusion of a deeper room.'
15. Have fun with your headboard
While the maximalist bedroom trend of an oversized headboard is perhaps better suited to a spacious room, there are still plenty of ways to incorporate a statement piece like this into your list of small bedroom ideas.
'If you're looking to add the trend at home, but have a small bedroom, then opt for a muted colour and simple pattern, as anything too bold may make the room appear smaller,' suggests Harriet Pringle, the founder of Narchie, aka the social marketplace for homeware.
You can take things one step further (and pay homage to Carrie's IKEA bed in And Just Like That) by hanging a rail above your bed and attaching cushions or material to it, for an eye-catching and space-saving DIY headboard.
16. Try colour drenching
If you thought all of our small bedroom ideas would involve painting the room white, think again! Going bolder with your colour choices might actually prove more beneficial.
'In small bedrooms, people often avoid the bold use of colour and steer towards white or beige,' says Shelley Cochrane, accessories buyer at Furniture Village. 'I would advise that they try colour drenching the room instead.'
Going on to explain that 'monotone interiors schemes create an enveloping and cocooning space', Shelley adds that this can reduce the level of visual noise in the room, helping to evoke a calming atmosphere.
'This is particularly important in smaller bedrooms which can easily begin to feel cluttered due to the lack of space,' she says, noting that you can emphasise this effect by opting for earthy tones like terracotta which naturally exudes warmth.
'To avoid the look feeling flat, add in accent colours with a slight tonal variation through the furniture and accessories you choose so the overall look still feels cohesive,' she finishes.
17. Build in a vanity unit
To ensure that your small bedroom ideas remain clutter-free, include a built-in dressing table so that your make-up trinkets can be shut away to give the room a streamlined look.
If you have space for a walk-in wardrobe, then this is a great way to free up the space where the bed would be placed, meaning the room can appear from streamlined and less cluttered.
18. Be smart with storage in a box room
If your small bedroom is more of a box room, you'll want to know how to arrange furniture in a bedroom to make the most of the space.
Make a feature of a high shelf on decorative brackets, with grab-handled baskets that fit flush to the ceiling. Use a wall-mounted wire magazine rack as a book holder if there's no space for a bedside table.
It's also important to make a small room feel as airy as possible, and one way to do this is enhancing the natural light levels.
'One of the key aspects to brighten up a small bedroom is by letting the natural light in,' explains Nic Shacklock, head of marketing at Online-Bedrooms.co.uk.
'Try not to block any windows with headboards or plants but allow the light in to make the room feel more spacious. Having natural light will also create an uplifting environment within the room and won’t make it feel shallow and tight.”
19. Shop around for neutrals and pale woods
Keeping to a consistent neutral colour scheme is a great way to create an air of spaciousness – especially if you opt for pale woods and creamy accessories, too.
'Lighter woods and furnishings are generally better for smaller spaces as they feel less imposing, especially when it comes to larger pieces of furniture like beds and wardrobes,' says French Bedroom's Georgia.
'Lighter colours also reflect the light, helping to keep your room feeling bright and airy.'
20. Invest in bespoke solutions
While fitted wardrobe ideas may seem pricey, it's worth the investment to maximise the space in your small bedroom.
'There are many options for personalising a fitted wardrobe to ensure it works perfectly for your lifestyle,' says Rachal Hutcheson, national retail manager at Sharps.
'For example combining hanging rails with pigeonhole shelving, internal drawers and shoe storage will help keep you organised whilst allowing easy access to the clothes you need, when you need them.'
'Consider curved corner rails, pull out trouser rails, and pull down hanging rails to ensure your wardrobe is as efficient as it can be.'
21. Use multifunctional furniture
When space is at a premium, multifunctional furniture comes into its own. Look for pieces that can double up, such as this Hardy bedside storage ottoman from sofa.com, that can be used at the foot of the bed as a seat while acting also acting as the ideal place for extra blankets and layers to pull out at a moments notice.
Keeping the extra bedding out of sight helps to create a clutter-free space, which contributes to making your small bedroom ideas feel bigger.
'A clutter free space should be a priority when looking at small bedroom ideas and their layouts,' advises Patricia Gibbons, head of merchandising and buying at sofa.com.
But even the bedside table can fulfill more than one function. 'If your bedside table is looking a little cluttered, opt for cupboard storage such as a bedside locker,' says Becca Stern, creative director and co-founder of Mustard Made. 'Our lockers are designed to be versatile, so you can customise the structure of your shelves and space inside to maximise storage in a way that works for you.' Alternatively, you can use a chest of drawers as a bedside table, just like in the picture above.
22. Utilise all awkward corners
When space is premium it calls for savvy solutions. Using an otherwise unusable space for concealed small bedroom storage ideas helps to prevent clutter from encroaching on an already limited space.
Out of sight is best when considering small bedroom ideas. Any visible items will make the room feel overcrowded – therefore feeling even smaller.
22. Get clever with paint patterns
Paint is a marvellous solution for so many decorating problems. Not only can a splash of colour instantly help to invigorate a space, making it feel more inviting, it can also be used in a way that helps to combat wider aesthetic issues, such as making small spaces feel bigger.
Take for instance this bedroom paint idea, where a combination of colours has helped to create a border, and therefore has created a new perspective for the walls. An optical illusion of sorts.
The thoughtful combination of the green shade on the bottom half, topped by white helps to break the room – lengthening the walls. A great paint solution to tackle the perils of small spaces.
23. Make your headboard work harder
If space is in short supply, ditch the usual style of headboard for one with space for storage and a surface area, where you can place things. This means you can do away with bulky bedside tables, as you'll have a convenient spot to stash your bedtime reading.
Plus, this works for budget bedroom ideas too as you're getting two pieces of furniture for one! Go one better with your bedroom ideas for small rooms and install wall lamps too.
24. Build into alcoves
Whether you have alcoves or awkward spaces caused by eaves as part of your small bedroom ideas, make the most of them by creating smart storage solutions. The architectural nature of alcoves provides the perfect place to feature a run of open shelves, with bespoke cupboards below.
The shelves of this savvy alcove idea are ideal for housing books and things you wish to have on display, while the cupboards are perfect for bigger items such as extra bedding or boxes of life admin.
25. Double up your dressing table
With working from home the norm, at least on occasion, for many, even the bedroom has been brought onto the roster. While it's not ideal to work or have your computer in the bedroom, can your dressing table double up as a writing desk?
Even if it's just somewhere to peacefully gather your thoughts and write your to do list, it's worth keeping the surface area clear rather than cluttering it with lotions and potions.
26. Use uplifting colour to open up the space
Using an uplifting bedroom colour scheme, such as a sunshine yellow, can help to invigorate any small space, just be mindful of how you use the colour. Painting the bright colour up to mid room height will help to anchor the colour to the bottom half of the room.
Finish the rest of the painting in a bright white or similar neutral to help keep the look airy and spacious. Allow the added splash of colour to determine a tonal palette for bedding, accessories and floor rugs to create a cohesive look.
27. Wall-mount the lighting
Wall-mounted bedroom lighting ideas can help to free up some much needed surface space. Using the wall allows you to perfectly place the task lighting to enhance the layout.
Wall lighting can be expensive and if you're unsure about buying electrical items second-hand then it's worth exploring home decor discount codes to help reduce costs.
28. Swap the bed for a sofa bed
When square footage is at a premium, try incorporating a wall bed instead of a traditional sofa bed. It takes a standard mattress, offering greater comfort, and can fold away to look like a wardrobe or cabinet, freeing up valuable floor space for a desk and chair.
Ensure that the surrounding furniture is lightweight so that it can easily be moved to accommodate a pull-down bed.
Even small bedroom ideas may have adequate ceiling height to enable you look at bespoke options, such as a simple mezzanine incorporating a sleeping area on a raised platform with a wardrobe or shelving below.
29. Opt for sliding doors
When it comes to bedroom ideas for small rooms, it's important to take a wardrobe’s doors into consideration to ensure they are easily opened.
'If a bed is in close proximity to wardrobe, opt for sliding doors like these Sharps ones, available from £2000, to provide a sleek, effective alternative,' says Rachal at Sharps.
Mirrored styles will, too, help to make a space look bigger.
30. Create a feature wall
Be bold with a striking wallpaper and/or eye-catching artwork and turn play with bedroom feature wall ideas to create a focal point in a small space. Opt for a restricted colour palette with crisp white bed linen and furniture made from reclaimed wood.
'Another trick when it comes to walls and small rooms is adding some patterned wallpaper to the wall furthest from the door. This will add a focal point and give the illusion of more depth – just be sure to keep everything else in the room simple as not to make it visually overwhelming,' Dev at BoConcept says.
Stick to mostly white bed linen so the look isn't overly busy and introduce a splash of colour to liven up the scheme a notch.
Sage green is the colour of the moment and its soothing quality is perfect for any bedroom. Which is why we're so taken with the organic look of this La Redoute sage green valance made with cotton muslin and decorated with bow on every corner.
If you want your valance to bring a little more drama through pattern and extra ruffles, look no further than this striped number from the John Lewis x Sanderson collaboration. So pretty!
If you want to inject your little space with a bit of seasonal colour, terracotta is the best way to go as it won't overwhelm the space owing to its earthy undertone. And we love the bow detail of this Dunelm valance, too.
At £279, we think this is an affordably priced ottoman bed indeed. And while DUSK's ottoman bed offering is quite a large one, we particularly enjoy the Ascot style for the curved edges of the headboard - very trendy.
Boasting over 3500 five-star reviews, this ottoman bed frame from Dreams is clearly a very popular and much loved design. We especially love the grandiose-looking curvature on the top of the headboard and the foot of the bed.
When you think of an ottoman bed, you'll likely think of a fabric-covered design. Which is why we love the look of the wooden Carson style from Happy Beds, complete with an on-trend rattan headboard.
FAQs
Which colour is best for a small bedroom?
Generally speaking white and neutral are thought best for decorating tiny space because the colours are calming and tranquil.
'Styling small bedroom ideas can be the make-or-break difference in having a cluttered small space or a clean and tidy room,' notes Nic from Online-Bedrooms.co.uk. 'Selecting the colour scheme for a small bedroom is the first step in maximising space.'
'Having white on the walls can make a bedroom feel airier and makes the room look bigger and spacious. If white isn’t to your personal taste, bright colours such as sky blues and soft greens can also do the trick.'
Having said that there are ways in which you can incorporate colour into a small bedroom space without overwhelming the space as these bedroom paint ideas prove.
How do I arrange my small bedroom?
Try to minimise clutter within small bedroom ideas to instantly make the room feel more spacious. A clutter-free bedroom is also key to getting a good night's sleep too.
Keep furniture to a minimum in a small bedroom. Where you can opt for elevated designs, those on legs rather than flush to the ground in order to free up floor space.
And let's not forget the the benefit of bespoke furniture when it comes to planning and arranging your space.
'Small spaces don’t necessarily translate to small storage opportunity,' notes Simon Tcherniak, senior designer at Neville Johnson. 'Fitted furniture can be configured to any size and shape of room, even small and awkward alcoves or nooks.'
'Using clever and innovative fitted furniture means you have control over how your space is crafted, to ensure all of your storage needs are met.'
There is also the storage potential under beds, but just be sure your items are stored out of sight at all times. The calming effect of a bedroom is ruined when sports equipment or surplus shoes are spilling into the room.
The aim is to keep as much off the floor to create a sense of space, look up at the ceiling to remind yourself of the floorspace within the room.
And of course make sure the space is comforting, whether large or small this is always the most important factor when arranging a bedroom layout.
How do you maximise space in a small bedroom?
Storage solutions are key to creating space in more compact sleeping areas which is hopefully where our small bedroom ideas can help.
But as well as ensuring it is a practical space, you also want it to be an inviting and beautiful space too, so it's important you strike a balance of the two.
'Effective storage solutions are a prerequisite for a functional, orderly and practical bedroom,' says David King, founder of King Living.
'A storage bed will help you steer clear of additional furniture like cupboards, and chest of drawers – in turn freeing up more floor space. Ottoman beds with generous built-in storage compartments are an ideal fit for large and small bedrooms alike and are always popular options amongst our customers.'
'Functional bedside tables are an essential in the bedroom, they not only provide an ideal home for lighting, vases and reading material, but also offer discreet storage to maintain a clutter-free sleeping environment.'
'Space permitting, accenting the bedroom with additional elements such as an occasional chair or ottoman will build flexibility within the room.'
'Ottoman bed provide hidden but impressive storage with the entire mattress base lifting up with an easy-to-operate mechanism,' agrees Laura from Feather & Black. 'These are perfect for those looking for extra space to store spare linens and bulky items such as bedding.'
'The same rules apply when buying an ottoman as with any other bed - consider the style and size first. As an ottoman has a solid base it can feel larger than a classic bedstead with legs, so it’s important to think about whether a wooden or upholstered ottoman is better aesthetically, and then decide on colour or fabric and how it will feel in your room - darker colours can be dramatic and statement making, but also feel more imposing.'
So no matter the size of your bedroom, even if it’s as big as a shoebox, there are still ways you can make the most of it.
You must confirm your public display name before commenting
Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.