Small bedroom ideas to maximize your space

Feeling down because your bedroom is so small? We understand. This is why we've rounded up the best small-bedroom design ideas that will maximize your space and give your room a whole new feel. You might think your options are limited to fitting a bed and—if you’re lucky—a nightstand in your small room, but there's still plenty of ways to maximize your space. Also, don't overlook the advantages. "I prefer smaller rooms to larger ones,” said Portland, Oregon, designer Max Humphrey, whose own bedroom is on the small side. A cozier space is no waste of money if nobody uses it, since there’s no seating area there either.

You're ready to embrace your small bedroom? Check out these tips for how to maximize your small bedroom with design, decor, and layout inspiration, as well as insight from Max.

The layout must be straightforward. The bedroom layout does not involve any magic tricks. It is usually obvious which wall of the bedroom to place the bed on, and I don't like to be too creative when arranging beds; for instance, floating them centered in the room, or putting them at an angle in the corner,” says Max. The designer also suggests placing the bed in the middle of the room, rather than pushed up against the wall on either side. “Having space both ways to walk is key not only for room flow but also to give you the ability to make your bed,” he says.

Do not be afraid to go dark You are not limited to a white or neutral room when it comes to painting colors. “I don’t believe in painting small spaces light colors,” Max claims. “I believe in embracing the size, moodiness, and intimacy a small room brings. Painting a space in charcoal gray, navy blue, or olive green can feel stylish and calming.”

But make sure it’s bright Whether you go for a moody hue or stick to a crisp pale shade, adding plenty of light sources is the key to keeping the room from feeling cramped and dark. “Decorative overhead lighting like a pendant or chandelier lighting, a floor lamp, and even reading sconces will add ambiance to the bedroom,” says Warhol. “Like the artist himself, I believe in low lighting and trick mirrors." 

Color Accents. "I'm sure people think white is calming, but I can't sleep in an all-white bedroom. I prefer cooler shades in a bedroom, such as blues, instead of warm tones. "I think a black-and-white bedroom always works and can be a good foundation to add some color-like a patterned rug—to brighten it up. Everybody would be a little happier with some pops of color in their bedrooms."

 

Ditch the Shrunken Nightstands “One of my pet peeves is miniature bedside tables. “Especially next to a bigger bed and mattress,” says Max, who keeps in mind that normal-sized pieces make a small room look bigger. “It really makes a room look bigger and is more usable.

Getting the illusion of space is another of our favorite ideas for small bedroom design. “Hanging drapes as close to the ceiling as possible works,” says, “it’ll bring the eye up. And for picking curtains, match the fabric to the wall color. It will blend in with the décor and won't distract from it in smaller spaces.”

Cut Out Clutter All the square footage in the world won’t make a difference if it’s overrun with stuff. "Another little trick that won't cost you anything is to keep your room clean," says Peter. "You still can accessorize your room, but don't get distracted by extra stuff." 

It’s possible to go big on the scale, but Max advocates something different when it comes to scaling. He also likes to utilize the largest area rug that will fit. “A canopy bed makes a cool juxtaposition in a small space. It is unexpected, and playing with scale (large bed, small room) can be a fun and playful way to upset the design purists.”

Bring a little outdoor life into Don't forget to invest a bit of that life into your space. There's no reason why you can't have houseplants in the bedroom! I've even used potted trees in small rooms like a fig tree sometimes. They seem to bring the eye up, and they'll feel fresh and clean in a stuffy room, too. 

Get a second job for your bed Your mattress is used for sleeping between midnight and 7 a.m. The rest of the time, you can arrange the pillows against the wall so that it becomes a makeshift day bed to lounge on and work on your laptop. If you have some room leftover, you can even add a small coffee table to make it look even better.