How to organise a small bedroom – 13 tips for a functional and clutter-free space to promote restful sleep

Small sleeping spaces are not uncommon but there are ways in which you can make the most of what you’re working with. And knowing how to organise a small bedroom can really make or break the already limited space.

Small bedroom ideas are where you need to get creative and solution driven. But we’re here to help with our 13 expert-approved tips on how to organise a small bedroom – from the best small bedroom storage ideas to choosing the correct furniture that will aid in maximising a tiny space.

These will help you create a functional bedroom that’s also stylish and clutter-free, despite its small size – all with the aim to promote restful sleep and the feel of a relaxing and soothing refuge away from the stresses of everyday life as that’s exactly what your bedroom should be.

How to organise a small bedroom

‘Organising a small room can be challenging, but with a few clever strategies, you can maximise the space and create a functional and tidy environment,’ says Jenny Wilkins, founder of Rejig Organising and APDO member.

In general, putting together a well-designed and practical bedroom is hard enough. But with the added layer of a small bedroom layout, it’s even more challenging. However, with these ingenious ideas you can make a bedroom of any size work.

1. Keep things in the space to a minimum

When you have a small bedroom on your hands, the worst thing you can do is overwhelm it with a lot of stuff – whether that’s decor or other items you don’t know where else to place. But this will only result in a cluttered-looking space that will likely appear even smaller than it already is. Hence, the key is keeping only the essentials in the room.

‘Bedroom is a space to relax, unwind and of course to sleep, so keep your belongings to a minimum, make sure everything has its place,’ says Jasmina Gluszynski, founder of Forty Home Staging and APDO member. ‘The more you have the harder it is to tidy, so try to limit your belongings, whether it is books, clothes or decorations. If you like a bold style, try swapping decorations and trinkets with bold patterned bedding and cushions, wallpaper and colour. This way you will limit the amount of physical things to clean, but keep your style.’

Laura Haddy, founder of Clear The Chaos Ltd and APDO member, continues, ‘Start with the bed and surrounding area. This should be your sanctuary, so keep it free of unnecessary items that don't promote or help you sleep. Take a look at your bedside table – what’s in there? Only keep essentials like a lamp, alarm clock, a book. etc. Anything else should be relocated to a more appropriate spot. Keep only items that are truly worth the space they occupy.’

2. Get items off the floor

‘Too much furniture or furniture that’s too big for the space can make a room feel really small,’ says Siân Pelleschi, owner of Sorted! and APDO president. ‘Showing as much of the floor space as possible opens up even the smallest of areas so making sure your floor doesn’t become a floordrobe is really important.’

This goes for clutter as well as pieces of furniture like bedside tables – in a small space, you can replace traditional bedside tables with a bedside shelf instead and show more floor that way. ‘Use wall mounted shelves instead of bedside cabinets and wall lamps to free up floor space around the bed,’ Jenny recommends.

3. Utilise vertical space

When thinking of the size of a room, we usually refer to its width and depth. But that doesn’t usually account for its height and vertical space often goes under-utilised. Which is a small bedroom mistake that should be avoided.

‘Optimise the height space in the room - go up,’ Jenny exclaims. ‘For additional storage use high to the ceiling shelving, this can be done all around the room but will be above head height so will feel less cluttered.’

This includes floating shelves, wall cabinets but also installing hooks and peg boards on the wall. ‘Use wall-mounted hooks or pegboards for accessories and small items, eliminating the need for additional furniture,’ says Gemma Samuels, lead designer at interior design studio Happi Habitat.

4. Choose space-busting fitted wardrobes

Fitted wardrobes were made for small bedrooms as they are the best way of utilising every available inch of space. Rather than doors that open outwards into the room, choose fitted wardrobes with sliding doors or doors that slot back into the recess as they have here. 

If you want to include a dressing table, this can be fitted in too and hidden behind a door. A stool can tuck underneath and you can close the door when you have finished using it for a sleek finish.

5. Disguise storage furniture with paint

In older houses wardrobes were often narrow from front to back, so to cope with the number of modern clothes, build out the cupboard into the room, then disguise it by painting it the same colour as the walls and it will seem to ‘disappear.’

‘If you have a freestanding wardrobe, placing it next to or close to the door can make the room feel crowded,' says Antanas Budvytis, managing director of wardrobe specialists,  Instrument.London. ‘Wardrobes should be tucked into corners where possible. Consider built-in storage if you’re considering investing in your bedroom space, as this can be tailored to help make the room layout more appealing.’ 

6. Invest in an ottoman for spare bedding

Houses rarely have linen cupboards anymore, so where do you put the spare bedding? An old-fashioned blanket box or ottoman is the perfect solution and a great way to organise a small bedroom. 

The lid lifts up to offer an easy bedroom storage idea, they are usually narrow, so they don’t take up too much space at the end of the bed, and they provide a seat too. You can also lay throws across them when you get into bed.

7. Think about a headboard with hidden storage

Storage headboard ideas were designed with small bedrooms in mind. Such a nifty idea and a great way to organise a small bedroom. 

The headboard opens forwards so items such as throws, towels or spare bedding can be stored inside. Or there are versions with cubby holes in the sides for small items such as books, an e-reader or a phone charger. 

8. Make use of the ceiling with a hanging rail

If there isn’t room for a wardrobe, an alternative storage idea for a small bedroom is to choose a set of drawers with a hanging rail above. It’s ideal for smaller items such as blouses or shirts, bags or belts or anything you may be wearing that day, and all within easy reach. It frees up floor space and as it’s above the drawers it won’t get in the way. Choose coloured, matching hangers for a neat look.

9. Use mirrors to make a small bedroom seem larger

An oldie but a goodie, mirrors really do make a room seem bigger than it is. Mirrored wardrobes sometimes get a bad rep, but they help make a small bedroom look bigger by reflecting the space. Choose sliding doors so they don’t open into the room, offering an ideal way to organise a small with a small storage footprint.

10. Utilise the dead space above the bed

Sometimes there is only one place the bed can go in a tight space, which doesn’t leave a lot of room for anything else. Think outside the box and use whatever space you can, like this high shelf above the window. Make it deep enough to place storage baskets on top and label them so you can see what is in them at a glance. 

Choose a small double bed which is 4ft wide in a tight spot, or build a wooden platform and just buy a mattress.

11. Choose a storage divan bed

Storage beds are a great solution in a small space. Any spare bedding, towels, throws or cushions can be stored underneath the bed in roomy drawers. Or they could be used for out of season clothes, all neatly tucked away, freeing up floor space in the room. 

‘Always get the best quality and biggest bed and mattress the room can take and spend the most you can as these are investment pieces that will be with you for a long time,’ says Emma Deterding, founder and creative director of Kelling Designs. ‘Choose a bed that has storage underneath, for instance an ottoman-style bed. It'll allow you to store things away underneath the bed and maximise every inch of space available.’

12. Create a compact bedroom office

If your bedroom doubles up as an office, choose compact pieces of furniture like this fold-down desk to make good use of the space. It can be folded down during the day to work, then folded back up in the evening. 

It’s narrow so it doesn’t take up a lot of wall space and frees up much-needed floor space too.

13. Think about the inside of doors

If you are short on space, don’t forget the doors. Hooks and rails can be attached to the inside or outside of doors to store accessories, jewellery, and even toiletries. 

There are plenty of small storage items out there that would work well. And instead of a bedside table, think about a stool, it can then double up as extra seating.

FAQs

How do you organise a lot of things in a small bedroom?

‘To keep lots of things organised in a smaller bedroom, it is important to choose super functional storage to make the most of the space,' says Sarah and Sally Wilkie, founders of Home Barn. ‘Opting for rustic storage, like cabinets with cupboard doors gives you plenty of room for larger pieces and stackable items like books. 

'Extra points for cupboards with shelves inside, which make it much easier to keep things organised. Choosing something with drawers allows you to keep special things grouped together. Additionally, choosing pieces with either draws or doors means you can keep the trappings of modern life, such as electricals and wires, out of sight and mind. Putting away gadgets will give the living space an extra calming feel, allowing you to truly unwind and enjoy the bedroom.'

What is the best way to organise a small bedroom?

‘Storage is key when you have limited space,' says Ann Marie Cousins, founder of AMC Design. ‘So, get pretty baskets for the top of the wardrobe and think about an ottoman bed or drawer that slide away under your bed, keeping clutter out of sight.'

'Use mirrors to make the space feel bigger – use them to trick the eye. Make sure furniture and patterns are to scale but don't forget to add a sense of drama to the scheme- small doesn't have to mean boring and being brave will make the scheme come to life.’

How do you reduce clutter in a small bedroom?

‘People are increasingly looking for ways to utilise their bedrooms more efficiently, which seems to be the effect that the influx of influencers such as Marie Kondo are having,’ says Adam Black, co-founder of Button & Sprung. 

‘The idea of clever organisation and storage, coupled with decluttering unwanted items, has been linked to a happier mindset. In spaces that are much smaller, you have to be clever about storage. This is why we have seen more and more people opting for bedroom storage and, in terms of beds, choosing models such as the ottoman which includes under-mattress storage space.’

The bottom line is that storage and minimising visual clutter is key – and nailing this will make for a serene yet functional small bedroom.