How to Design a Small Bedroom

Designing a small bedroom can be overwhelming and downright frustrating, but it doesn't have to be. Check out our favorite designer tips and tricks, and see which solutions work best for your small space.

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Big Style for Your Small Bedroom

You may consider your small bedroom a curse, but we’re here to challenge that. Instead of focusing on the drawbacks, think of the positives. For example, in a small space, a little decorating goes a long way, meaning you can afford to spend money on the items you really love and make it your happy place. So, here are 30+ ways to make the most of your tiny bedroom.

From: Kerra Michele Huerta

Use Accessories as Decor

Short on storage space? Think of clever ways to work your accessories in as decor pieces. Hats make for unique wall hangings, and your jewelry is like tiny pieces of art anyway, so why hide it? Style the blank space above your bed with some of our top ideas, below.

See More Photos: 36 Fresh New Ways to Decorate Above the Bed

Install Horizontal Planks to Emphasize Width

Smart design in small spaces is all about visual trickery. If you want a room to feel wider than it is, install some horizontal planking on one or more of the walls. We promise you'll be shocked at the results. Shiplap your way to greatness with our step-by-step guide to DIY shiplap, below.

GET THE HOW-TO: How to Install Shiplap

Then, Emphasize Height With a Tall Bed

The vertical space above your bed is more or less wasted, so why not use it to your advantage? A tall, slender canopy bed like this will draw attention to your room's height, making it look infinitely taller. Use it to emphasize high ceilings or make low ceilings look a little higher than they are. Raise the roof with a few of our favorite looks, below.

See More Photos: 24 Dreamy Canopy Beds

From: Turnstyle Interior Design

Hang Plants From the Ceiling

One thing you don't want to sacrifice in a small bedroom is your houseplants. They make the space feel fresh, inviting and oh-so-clean. So, if you're low on floor space, take your plants to the ceiling. You'll get all the benefits with none of the drawbacks. Take your houseplants to new heights with our ideas, below.

See More Photos: 15 Picturesque Homes for Your Hanging Plant Needs

Never Waste Natural Light

No matter how small a bedroom is, if you cut off the natural light with thick curtains or bulky furniture, it will feel even more closed in. Avoid this by positioning furniture away from the windows and using sheer curtains whenever possible. Find more inspiration from this stylish small space, below.

learn more: Small Space Ideas for the Bedroom and Home Office

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Then, Reflect It With a Mirror

Everyone knows that big mirrors can visually enlarge a space, but did you know that the mirror's placement is equally important? Position large floor mirrors opposite or adjacent to natural light sources to encourage the light to bounce around the space. For more great ways to decorate your bedroom with mirrors, follow the link, below.

See More Photos: Stylish Ways to Decorate With Mirrors in the Bedroom

Say Hello to a Storage Bed

If you have a small bedroom but no storage bed, you're simply doing it wrong. A bed like this with drawers across the bottom effectively gives you a second dresser without taking up an ounce of your precious floor space. Solve your storage dilemmas with our favorite storage beds, below.

learn more: 10 Best Beds With Storage for Every Style

Or, Go for a Murphy Bed Instead

Whether you're wanting more room for workouts, lounging or just extra space to move around, a Murphy bed is a time-tested solution for freeing up floor space. Because really, how else can you make your bed disappear? Give yourself some more square footage with our how-to, below.

From: Caitlin McCarthy Designs

Use a Desk as a Nighstand

If your bedroom doubles as your workspace, sub a desk for a standard nightstand. The two furniture pieces serve very specific purposes, and it's a great way to double up and save on space. Get to work with some of our favorite small-space desks, below.

learn more: 15 Small Space-Friendly Desks Under $350

From: Marie Flanigan Interiors

Add Drama and Height With Your Headboard

Here's a massive style upgrade that takes up no additional space. Swap your run-of-the-mill headboard out for something dramatic that stretches to the ceiling (drawing the eye with it) like this funky rattan beauty. Your now even more stylish small bedroom will thank you. But don't stop there, see even more over-the-top headboards, below.

See More Photos: 20 High-Impact Headboards

Or, Trade It for Some Storage Space

Swap your traditional headboard out for one with storage. This practical (but pretty!) option can also be achieved by sliding a skinny bookcase behind your bed. Slide in some more storage today with our how-to, below.

GET THE HOW-TO: How to Make a Headboard With Storage

From: Regan Baker

Or, Just Ditch the Headboard Altogether

Visually decluttering a small space can make it feel brighter and more open. Our tip? Ditch the headboard altogether. Instead, invest in some cozy, statement-making linens to make your bed the focal point. Turn your bedroom into a minimalists' dream space with our favorite looks, below.

See More Photos: Minimalist Bedroom Designs

From: Natalie Myers

Hang a Nightstand From the Ceiling

Let's be honest, beyond beautifying the space, the modern-day nightstand's main purpose is holding your phone and maybe a book or two. This option, suspended from the ceiling, gives you all the functionality while freeing up the floor space underneath, making room for a storage basket, a small shoe shelf or nothing at all. Check out more quirky nightstand alternatives, below.

See More Photos: 20 Quirky Alternatives to Nightstands

Or, Mount It on the Wall

Mount a minimalist nightstand on the wall next to your bed for a similar hanging effect that offers a slightly more rigid storage solution. This modern walnut shelf adds a touch of color to the crisp white room and bed linens. Craft your own from an old table with our how-to, below.

GET THE HOW-TO: Creative and Chic DIY Nightstands

From: Clara Jung

Then, Mount Bedside Lighting on the Walls

Make the most of your tiny nightstand by removing the biggest space hog of all: the table lamp. Instead, hang your light from the walls above your nightstand, and since there are a variety of stylish ways to do this, it shouldn't be a problem to find a look that suits your space. Learn more about bedroom wall lighting, below.

Learn More: Bedroom Wall Lights

From: Casagrande Studio

Or, Place It on a Shelf

Love the idea but also love your lamps? Get the same result by mounting shelves on either side of your bed to hold your lamps. Be inspired by more space-saving nightstand ideas, below.

From: Nest Design Group

Use Large Artwork as a Focal Point

Contrary to popular belief, employing large artwork on your small bedroom walls can actually make the space look bigger. While small art tends to look random and busy, larger pieces look intentional and authoritative. Dress your walls to impress with more ideas, below.

See More Photos: 25 Ways to Dress Up Blank Walls

Splurge on Quality Linens

You spend so much of your life in bed, you might as well treat yourself to a comfy surface for sleeping, reading, working, binge-watching and, yes, even snacking. Start with high-thread-count, 100% cotton, linen or bamboo sheets, then add a thick duvet or quilt and pile on lots of fluffy pillows. Learn how to layer your bedding like a pro, below.

See More Photos: Beautiful Bedrooms: Layered Bedding Looks We Love

From: H. Camille Smith

Add Storage in Unexpected Places

Finding storage in a small bedroom requires a little creative thinking, so start by looking in unexpected places. Here, the designer placed an extra-long shelf on the unused portion of the wall close to the ceiling, making room for an extensive collection of books.

Hang Curtains Near the Ceiling

If you want your ceilings to appear 10-feet tall when they're really nowhere near that, do yourself a favor and hang your curtains near the ceiling. Long, airy curtains stretching from the floor to the ceiling give the impression that the ceilings are much higher than they are. Hang curtains like a pro with our tips, below.

learn more: How to Hang a Curtain Rod

From: cityhomeCOLLECTIVE

Cover Your Dark Floor With a Light Rug

Dark floors can be beautiful, but they tend to absorb a lot of light and show off an impressive collection of dust and debris, making your room feel smaller and dirtier. An easy fix is to cover them up with a light-colored rug. Learn more ways to shed light on a dark room, below.

Watch the Video: Lightening Up a Dark Home

From: Linda McDougald

Center Your Bed to Create Space on Each Side

When it comes to your small bedroom's layout, you may be tempted to place the bed against the wall in order to create more space on one side, but this will actually make the room look and feel smaller. Instead, center your bed on a wall to create equal space on each side. Get the inside scoop on bedroom floor plans, below.

See More Photos: Bedroom Floor Plans

From: Lauren Nelson

Position the Bed to Visually Elongate the Room

In addition to not placing your bed against the wall, another best practice is to position your bed opposite the doorway. This draws the eye to the furthest point as you enter the room, emphasizing the size by creating a visual destination. Check out our tips for an ideal bedroom layout, below.

learn more: Designer Tips for an Ideal Bedroom Layout

From: Benjamin Cruz

Add a Bold, Painted Accent Wall

Additionally, a bold paint color on the wall behind the bed will attract the eye and visually elongate the room. When paired with light walls and bright furniture, a vibrant hue can make a dramatic impact without downsizing a room. Give your room a colorful boost with our bedroom paint picks, below.

See More Photos: Bedroom Color Ideas: Which Paint to Pick

From: Amy Elbaum

Or, Accent With Wallpaper

Love an accent wall effect but want more texture? Swap out bold paint for bold wallpaper. You can go loud with texture or color or double down on visual impact and swing for both. Add an eye-catching feature wall to your bedroom with our top tips, below.

See More Photos: Tips for Wallpapering a Bedroom

From: Lindye Galloway

Contrast Walls to Avoid a Tunnel-Like Visual

Long, skinny bedrooms often suffer from a tunnel-like vibe that makes the room feel smaller than it is. To counter this, paint opposing walls in different colors or even hang wallpaper on one but not the other. This will break up the tunnel effect and make the room feel larger. Contrast your way to colorful greatness, below.

From: Allison Lind

Make It Light, Bright and Airy

Want your space to feel massive? Go light, bright and airy with your decor. Pale, fluffy linens, brightly painted walls and desaturated artwork will allow light to bounce around the room while everything else takes a backseat. Make your bright white dreams a reality with our best looks, below.

See More Photos: 20 Dreamy Ideas for a Not-Boring White Bedroom

From: WAKE + LOOM

Or, Embrace the Coziness With Dark Hues

If you're in love with cozy, then why should a small bedroom deter you? Embrace the coziness with dark hues, billowy bedding and moody artwork. While it won't necessarily make your small room look bigger, this palette in a small bedroom makes for other-worldly coziness. Bring this look to life without breaking the bank with our top tips, below.

See More Photos: 26 Budget-Friendly Ideas for a Cozy Bedroom

Wrap Paint Onto the Ceiling

No matter your color preference, consider color-matching your ceilings to your walls as designer Brian Patrick Flynn did here. This blurs the line where the walls stop and the ceiling begins and makes your small bedroom feel endless. Learn more reasons designers are painting ceilings, below.

See More Photos: 8 Reasons Designers Are Painting Ceilings

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Or, Let Your Ceiling Make Its Own Statement

Accentuating the unique ceilings in this small bedroom makes a big impact in a space with limited decorating potential. This draws the eye upward — away from the short walls — making the space feel larger than life. We've got more great bedroom ceiling design ideas, below.

learn more: Bedroom Ceiling Design Ideas

From: Lindye Galloway

Go Bright and All White

An all-white color palette creates a fresh, bright atmosphere that helps small spaces feel larger. Mix in soft creams and off-whites to add warmth. Get the all-white look without it looking boring with our ideas, below.

See More Photos: 20 Dreamy Ideas for a Not-Boring White Bedroom

Or, Go Bold With Color

But — if you love color, go for it! Bold hues and attention-grabbing patterns can actually help distract from the small size of a space. Get our top tips for choosing a color scheme, below.

See More Photos: 15 Designer Tricks for Picking a Perfect Color Palette

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

How to Design a Small Bedroom

Related To:

Shop This Look

Big Style for Your Small Bedroom

Use Accessories as Decor

Install Horizontal Planks to Emphasize Width

Then, Emphasize Height With a Tall Bed

Hang Plants From the Ceiling

Never Waste Natural Light

Then, Reflect It With a Mirror

Say Hello to a Storage Bed

Or, Go for a Murphy Bed Instead

Use a Desk as a Nighstand

Add Drama and Height With Your Headboard

Or, Trade It for Some Storage Space

Or, Just Ditch the Headboard Altogether

Hang a Nightstand From the Ceiling

Or, Mount It on the Wall

Then, Mount Bedside Lighting on the Walls

Or, Place It on a Shelf

Use Large Artwork as a Focal Point

Splurge on Quality Linens

Add Storage in Unexpected Places

Hang Curtains Near the Ceiling

Cover Your Dark Floor With a Light Rug

Center Your Bed to Create Space on Each Side

Position the Bed to Visually Elongate the Room

Add a Bold, Painted Accent Wall

Or, Accent With Wallpaper

Contrast Walls to Avoid a Tunnel-Like Visual

Make It Light, Bright and Airy

Or, Embrace the Coziness With Dark Hues

Wrap Paint Onto the Ceiling

Or, Let Your Ceiling Make Its Own Statement

Go Bright and All White

Or, Go Bold With Color

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