Whether it’s your primary bedroom or a spare, many of us are left wondering about how to decorate a small bedroom. Is there really only space for a bed? Is there any room for decor? How can you style it so that the room is still functional?
While you may have to reconsider a mahogany sleigh bed or that large double cabinet, there are still lots of things you can do to make the most of every corner of a small bedroom.
Our experts are going to share their tips and tricks with you to make smaller rooms seem spacious, welcoming and perfectly styled.
11 Tips to Style a Small Bedroom
Here are some of the best ways that you can make small bedrooms seem bright and designed while still being fully functional.
1. Choose a Focal Point
Focal points are really important in any room, but especially smaller ones. They help to draw the eye (so it doesn’t get distracted by the smaller space) and streamline the furniture. Good focal points in a bedroom could be an ornate headboard, a piece of art or even a bed cushion. If you are unsure where to hang your art, our blog’s tips on where to hang art are worth a read.
2. Ditch The Bedside Table
I know, that can feel like a lot. But by not having a bedside table you’ll save around 40cm on either side of the bed – which is a lot when space is limited. If you’re worried about where to put a lamp, you could always mount a sconce (a light on the wall) which can be both beautiful and practical. Unique sconces on either side of the bed will help to bring symmetry to the room and they can even act as your focal point too!
You could also think about a different type of headboard. There are plenty of non-traditional headboards with storage space for books, chargers, lamps and clocks. They tend to fit neatly behind the bed, meaning they don’t take up too much space.
3. Move Things Upwards
By taking things off the ground, you help to move the eye upwards which makes the space feel bigger. You could get creative with your light fixtures or hang shelves on the wall. If you opt for a taller and thinner wardrobe rather than a lower chest of draws, the room will appear more spacious and less cramped lower down.
4. Go for Streamlined Furniture
One thing you want to avoid when it comes to small spaces (actually, most spaces) is over-cluttering them. Extra objects on display and ornate pieces of furniture can quickly make the space feel smaller than it is. Minimal details can work really well in a small bedroom, for instance, black finishings can help to make the room feel airy and bright.
5. Think About Colours
Simplifying your colour palette in a small bedroom is a good idea. Neutral colours often work well but, even if you do decide to go bolder, try to limit the colours to three or so. This helps to make the space tranquil and relaxed rather than busy and overcrowded.
6. Choose Your Bedsheets Carefully
People tend to notice everything in a small bedroom which is why details are so important. The biggest feature in your room is going to be your bed, so you need to think about the design and quality of the bedsheets. Go for an interesting bedspread and accessorise it with cushions and throws. Well-put-together beds can help the room to feel cosy but not cramped.
7. Consider and Optimise Storage
Storage is one of the biggest problems when it comes to small bedrooms and we often end up having to display things we’d rather have behind a cupboard door. But small bedrooms give you the opportunity to get creative with storage. Beds with built-in storage can work really well, as can optimising the space below a regular bed. Don’t just put spare duvets and pillows in old boxes and hurriedly push them under the bed. Think about using boxes that add to the design of the room. Just remember to check that you have space to comfortably pull them out! You could also use a valance to stylishly hide the boxes under the bed.
8. Use Mirrors
There are so many great ways to use mirrors in interior design and one of the best is to make them a focal point so the reflection helps to maximise space. Hanging a mirror on one of the walls in a small bedroom can make the room feel spacious, bright and very light. You could even think about putting the mirror behind the bed, which works particularly well if the bed faces a window as you’ll double all that beautiful natural light.
9. Consider Bespoke Solutions
This might be one of the more expensive options when it comes to decorating small bedrooms but it can be beneficial for some. Small bedrooms can often have nooks and crannies that are difficult to put furniture in, so a bespoke option can work really well. A made-to-measure, fitted wardrobe can maximise difficult spaces without the need for bulky furniture that doesn’t really fit.
You can also build into alcoves and use difficult spaces to hang shelves. Shelves come in all shapes, sizes and designs, so you can usually find one to fit even the most awkward space. When a shelf is styled well it can be beautiful and fully functional.
10. Paint an Accent Wall
Accent walls are fool-proof ways to make small spaces seem bigger. An accent wall behind the bed works particularly well as it draws in the focus and helps to expand the rest of the room. If you don’t want to paint an entire wall or if perhaps you’re renting, gallery walls and hanging material can look good too. They create texture, act as a focal point and make the room appear larger.
11. Use Plants and Greenery
Even the smallest of bedrooms has space for a houseplant. OK, so it may not be a large monstera, but small plants can also help to bring life and tranquillity to a room. You can put a trailing plant on a shelf or a small succulent in a beautiful pot by the bed. Not only do plants help to calm a space but they add vibrancy and colour at the same time too.
Conclusion – Decorating a Small Bedroom
There are so many ways that you can make small spaces seem much bigger. The key is not to overcrowd them with big or bulky furniture and be creative when it comes to using the whole space and storage ideas. Through clever design and a couple of easy tricks, you can transform your tiny bedroom into a cosy, beautiful and functional space that you want to spend time in.