Decorating a small bedroom can seem like a daunting task. With limited square footage, it can be challenging to create a space that is functional and aesthetically pleasing. However, with some planning and clever design tricks, you can transform your cozy bedroom into a stylish retreat.
Decorate A Small Bedroom
A bedroom serves many purposes – it’s a place to sleep, relax, get ready for the day, and even work or study. That’s why it’s important to decorate it in a way that promotes comfort and functionality. When working with a small bedroom, maximizing every inch of space is key.
Decorating a small bedroom comes with its own unique set of challenges. It can be difficult figuring out where to put all your furniture and belongings while maintaining an open feel. You also have to get creative with storage solutions and make smart design choices when it comes to things like color, lighting, and accessories.
With some strategic planning and innovative ideas, you can create a small bedroom that looks and feels so much bigger than its square footage. This guide covers all the essential tips and tricks for decorating a small bedroom with style.
Planning the Layout
The first step when decorating a small bedroom is assessing the space and planning an efficient layout. Take measurements of the room including the wall lengths and windows and sketch out a floor plan. This will give you a better understanding of the room’s dimensions and restrictions.
When planning the layout, focus on creating defined spaces for sleeping, dressing, and relaxing. In a small bedroom, you likely won’t be able to fit separate furniture groupings, so opt for pieces that serve multiple needs. For example, choose a nightstand that can also work as a desk or dresser that doubles as a TV console.
Also consider which pieces are essentials and which you can live without. Placement of the bed is key – situate it in a way that allows enough space to walk around both sides. Corner spots or against a wall often work best. Make sure other furniture is not blocking windows or doorways.
Choosing the Right Furniture
Since space is limited, every piece of furniture needs to earn its place in a small bedroom. When selecting pieces, multifunctional and space-saving options should take priority.
Look for furniture that serves more than one purpose, like an ottoman with hidden storage or a nightstand with a built-in bookshelf above. Items on wheels can easily be moved as needed. Furniture that hits at waist height or higher opens up the space visually. Low-profile beds with storage drawers underneath are ideal space-savers.
When it comes to size, stick with compact pieces scaled to fit the room. Measure carefully to ensure items like dressers and nightstands aren’t too bulky. Shelving units tend to work better than wide dressers in small bedrooms. You can always remove closet doors to free up space as well.
Maximizing Storage
One of the biggest challenges in a small bedroom is dealing with clutter. That’s why you need ample and clever storage solutions. When used efficiently, even the tiniest bedroom can house all your essentials.
Take advantage of vertical space with wall-mounted shelving, racks, floating nightstands and headboards with built-in storage. Floor-to-ceiling bookcases and cabinets provide hidden storage while acting as room dividers. Under-bed drawers and lift-top ottomans allow you to stash items out of sight.
Get organized with baskets, bins, and dividers so you can neatly store belongings and quickly access items. Regular purging and donating unused items is a must. Multi-purpose furniture with storage built in can also help maximize space.
Selecting Appropriate Colors
Color choice plays a big role in opening up a small bedroom visually. Lighter tones will make the space feel airy and expansive, while dark hues tend to feel cozy but can close off the room. Neutral backgrounds like off-white, beige and pale gray make a great base.
Aim for lighter wall colors paired with brighter accent hues in bedding, artwork and accessories. Cool tones like blues, greens and lavenders are serene options. Using the same color scheme throughout creates a cohesive look.
If you want to make a statement, opt for bold colors in small doses like on one accent wall or with bright patterned bedding. Just take care that the room doesn’t start to feel overwhelmed. Stick to lighter versions of vibrant colors.
Playing with Lighting
Proper lighting is essential for making a small bedroom feel bright and welcoming. Maximize natural light as much as possible by keeping windows unobstructed. Window treatments like sheer curtains lightly filter light while maintaining openness.
Supplement with layered lighting for functionality and ambiance. Overhead fixture provide general illumination while table and floor lamps allow for zonal lighting. Sconces flanking the bed is a space-saving option for reading light.
Dimmers give you flexibility to control the lighting level. To make the space sparkle, add accent lighting like wall-mounted picture lights or string lights. Night lights and mood lighting also come in handy for a small bedroom.
Utilizing Mirrors
Mirrors are an ingenious way to visually double the space in any small room. They reflect light and views to make the area appear larger and brighter.
Strategically place mirrors across from windows so they can amplify light and create a spacious illusion. Full length mirrors against a wall add depth, while a mirrored headboard makes the bed feel like the focal point.
Hang mirrors to align with lines of sight for optimal reflection. Just take care that it doesn’t become disorienting. The simple addition of a few mirrors works wonders in a tiny bedroom.
Incorporating Wall Decor
Carefully chosen wall decor prevents a small bedroom from feeling bare and boring. Just remember that less is more – stick to a few statement pieces rather than cluttering the walls.
Good options for small bedrooms include framed prints or photographs, sleek floating shelves, wall hanging plants, or decorative mirrors. Limit pieces to 2-3 focal points around the room. Opt for small to medium scale art – large pieces can overwhelm.
Cluster frames above bedside tables, the dresser or writing desk to create mini gallery walls. Wall decals, removable wallpaper, or washi tape designs add personality without taking up space. Painting designs like stripes or botanical silhouettes also works.
Window Treatments
Dressing windows properly helps control both light and privacy in a bedroom. For small spaces, opt for minimal window treatments to keep the room feeling open rather than busy.
Sheer curtains in lightweight fabrics softly filter light while maintaining the illusion of expansiveness. Neutral solids or subtle patterns complement most decors. Roll-up fabric shades also provide privacy without heaviness.
Horizontal blinds, especially in whites or neutrals, give a clean modern look. Slatted styles allow you to control light and air flow. For privacy and darkness, opt for blinds layered over sheers. Avoid heavy drapes which can overwhelm a tiny bedroom.
Bedding and Linens
Bedding is a wonderful opportunity to infuse color, texture and personality into a small bedroom. Tailor your linens and fabrics to perfectly fit the dimensions of your bed. Oversized bedding drapes unnecessarily and dwarfs the space.
Stick to lightweight, woven fabrics like cottons and linens rather than heavy materials like chenille or velvet which weigh down the room. Light duvets or quilts keep the bed feeling airy. Accent with plenty of decorative pillows and cushions for a layered lived-in look.
Don’t be afraid to have fun with patterns and prints like florals, geometrics, or graphic prints. Contrast patterns and pile on the textures. Use artful layering and restraint to avoid overwhelm.
Flooring Options
Flooring sets the tone for the whole bedroom. Hardwood or laminate flooring gives a timeless appeal. Light natural wood tones keep things airy while darker finishes feel richer. Materials like tile or stone tend to make small spaces feel cramped.
Area rugs add visual interest and warmth underfoot. They also delineate spaces in an open floor plan. Choose a plush rug for the seating area and sleek one under the bed. Hide rug corners under furniture to make the room feel more expansive.
Personalizing the Space
Even in a diminutive bedroom you can infuse style and personality. Make it feel authentic by highlighting favorite photos, art, keepsakes, and mementos around the room.
A personalized gallery wall showcases cherished memories above the bed or desk. Set out a couple of your favorite books with beautiful bookends. Arrange small decorative objects into an appealing vignette on a nightstand.
Just take care to keep surfaces decluttered. A few meaningful items displayed elegantly go a long way. Rotate objects seasonally to keep the room feeling fresh.
Greenery and Plants
Incorporating lush greenery is an easy way to add life and freshness to a small bedroom. Plants have a calming effect while purifying indoor air. They add natural texture and color contrast.
Opt for hardier varieties that can tolerate low light like pothos, philodendron, ZZ plants, or snake plants. Smaller plants like succulents and air plants fit nicely on windowsills and nightstands.
Hanging plants help bring greenery to eye-level. Trailing vines placed high on a bookshelf make great use of vertical room. Avoid large floor plants that will take up precious floor space.
Final Touches
Once you have all the major elements in place, it’s time to pull together the room with some finishing touches. Step back and re-evaluate the layout – make sure all furniture is positioned to maximize openness and functionality.
Tweak the decor with a few accent pieces like throw blankets, area rugs, accent pillows and fresh flowers. Add lamps, artwork and mirrors for ambiance. Use baskets and storage boxes to neatly contain clutter.
For a cohesive feel, repeat colors, materials and patterns throughout the space. Aim for a purposeful collected look rather than overt matchiness. Keep surfaces streamlined and edit out any unnecessary items.
Conclusion
While small bedrooms present certain challenges, they offer the chance to get creative with layout and decor. Focus on choosing space-savvy multifunctional furniture scaled to fit the room. Take advantage of vertical storage space and optimize natural light.
Neutrals and lighter tones keep the space feeling open and airy. Incorporate accent colors and textures with bedding and artwork. Cleverly placed mirrors visually expand the dimensions of the room. Lastly, infuse personal touches and greenery to make the space truly yours.
With some careful planning and strategic decorating decisions, your dreamy and stylish small bedroom retreat is within reach. The end result will be cozy resting space that belies its compact square footage.
FAQs
What are some good colors for a small bedroom?
For a small bedroom, it’s best to stick with light neutral wall colors like soft whites, grays, or beiges. They keep the background airy and spacious. Then layer in brighter accent colors with bedding, art, accessories. Soft blues, greens, and lavenders are serene accent options.
What type of bed works best in a small bedroom?
Look for beds with storage drawers built into the base to maximize space. Platform beds with low profiles and no footboards work well. For more room, choose a bed sized proportionate to the room – full or queen rather than king. If space allows, bunk beds are space-saving for two people.
What flooring is optimal for a small bedroom?
Hardwood or laminate flooring gives a timeless appeal without overwhelming a small bedroom. Light natural wood tones keep things airy. Tile or stone floors tend to make a room feel more cramped. Anchor floors with a large area rug – it delineates space and adds warmth.
Should I get rid of the closet doors in my small bedroom?
Sometimes removing closet doors can be beneficial to free up visual space in a cramped bedroom. But make sure you add stylish curtain panels or other screening so contents don’t spill out messily. Alternatives like sliding barn doors or pocket doors keep a streamlined look.
How can I make a small bedroom feel bigger?
Use mirrors strategically to visually double space and reflect light. Float furniture away from walls for a lighter, airier feel. Incorporate multifunctional furniture for efficiency. Add wall-mounted fixtures and shelving to utilize vertical room. Keep window treatments minimal. Declutter ruthlessly and organize all belongings.
What type of wall decor works in small bedrooms?
Limit pieces to 2-3 focal points and stick to smaller-scale art. Floating shelves, wall hangings, mirrors, and gallery photo arrangements are great. Add interest with removable wallpaper or framed fabric. Painted accent walls also work if done well. Just avoid cluttering up the walls.
How much lighting does a small bedroom need?
Maximize natural light during the day. Layer in ambient lighting like flush mounts and table lamps for general illumination. Add task lighting as needed by the bed or desk. For ambiance try accent lighting like pendant fixtures, sconces or string lights. Dimmer switches help control brightness.
