Welcome to the world of tiny rooms, where arranging and decorating a small bedroom becomes an exciting endeavor. Despite the limited space, you can conquer the challenge effortlessly by making thoughtful choices in colors and patterns and incorporating clever storage solutions. Read more as we will dive in and discover the art of creating a beautiful and functional small bedroom!
Use Very Inch
Check out this adorable bed nook with a vaulted ceiling! It’s super cute but not very spacious. The queen-size bed occupies all the available space, leaving no room for nightstands. However, the clever designers at Nest Design Group came up with a solution. They installed slim shelves and reading lights on the walls next to the bed. Framing the bed with these symmetrical shelves, the clever designers made the nook feel more intentional and cozy.
Don’t Be Afraid of Bold Color
In the 2010s, the focus was on safe neutrals, but now the trends are shifting towards vibrant and eye-catching colors. There’s a common belief in design that small spaces cannot accommodate color or that dark colors will make a room seem smaller.
While this may be true if you paint all your walls black, you can still incorporate deep and rich colors in small spaces without feeling cramped. Emerald green is one of the popular colors for the new decade and the maximalism movement. You can experiment with it by using playful wallpaper or a velvet throw.
Opt for Industrial Style
Instead of using upholstered or sleigh bed-style headboards and footboards, which can be bulky and take up a lot of space, consider opting for an industrial-style metal bed frame. These frames offer a streamlined look while also occupying less floor space. You can easily find new models online, or if you’re looking for a more affordable option, try checking out local flea markets, thrift shops, or antique stores for a vintage version.
Choose Super-Slim Furniture
Despite the small size of this apartment bedroom, it surprisingly fits a standard-width dresser with plenty of drawers. How did they do it? Well, the dresser is wide but designed to be extra slim, similar to a media console.
It neatly hugs the wall under the window, making the most of the available space. If you can’t find a slim dresser, you can even consider using a media console from a big-box store instead. Another brilliant idea is the cleverly hung nightstand, which swings against the wall. It’s truly a stroke of genius!
Don’t Get Pillow Happy
Do you remember that scene from Never Been Kissed when Drew Barrymore’s character adds yet another embroidered pillow to her already overflowing bed? It’s a classic case of having too many pillows! While throws and shams are wonderful for showcasing color, pattern, and texture in a space, having an excess of them in a small bedroom can make it feel more cluttered than beautifully decorated.
In this particular small bedroom, there are just a few textured throw pillows, but they are thoughtfully placed around the room. Another excellent option for adding textile charm without occupying too much space is hanging a tapestry, like the one positioned above the bed.
Share Furniture
One of the cleverest approaches to designing a small guest bedroom, or any guest bedroom for that matter, is to opt for two twin beds instead of a single full or queen bed. This choice provides you with more flexibility when you have visitors. You can keep the beds separate with a nightstand in between to share if space is limited.
However, if you have a couple staying over, you can easily push the twin beds together. This is a common practice in European hotels to accommodate couples. When you combine two twin beds, they are approximately the same size as a king bed, allowing king-size sheets to fit perfectly across both.
Go Low
If your ceilings are low, avoid using bed risers or tall foundations, and choose low furniture instead. This will create the illusion of a taller room.
Go High
If you have sufficient ceiling height, a lofted bed is an excellent option to maximize storage and create a dedicated desk area. It works especially well in shared kids’ rooms, as it helps separate sleeping, playing, and homework areas.
Between Low or High
Raising a bed to a lofted position is a fantastic solution for a teenager’s room. However, when designing a room for an elementary school-aged child, you may prefer a bed that isn’t too high. In such cases, a semi-lofted bed is a wonderful compromise. While it may not provide enough height to accommodate a desk underneath, it still offers ample space to store baskets filled with toys.
Tiny Maximalism
In the new decade, maximalism takes center stage with its vibrant colors and patterns. It’s time to rediscover the joy of design and move away from the obsession with modern, minimalist spaces. While minimal rooms have their tranquility, they can sometimes feel cold and sterile.
The beauty of maximalism is that you can embrace it in any room, regardless of its size. Just take a look at this small nursery as an example. It’s filled with funky patterns, from the walls to the art and even the ceiling. What makes it work is the presence of a cohesive color palette that ties all the patterns together harmoniously.
Modular Bed Storage
If you’re dealing with extremely limited space where there’s no room for even a couple of inches between the bedside table and the bed, there’s a solution. Simply forget about that space and opt for a modular bed instead.
This modern bed frame combines the nightstand with ample under-bed storage as an integral part of the bed itself. The bonus is that you’ll never have to worry about accidentally dropping your phone between the bed and the nightstand again.
Try Floating Shelves
If you’re short on space for nightstands, consider using floating shelves as a smart alternative. These shelves offer convenient bedside storage without occupying any floor space. By keeping the shelves white, they seamlessly blend into the wall, creating a cohesive and unobtrusive appearance.
Above-the-Head Nightstand
Adding shelving above the bed is an excellent way to create additional storage space. However, it’s crucial to ensure the shelf is securely hung using appropriate wall anchors or have a professional install it. This way, you can have peace of mind, knowing that the shelf and its contents will remain firmly in place.
Paint the Floor
To create a more open and spacious feel in a small area, opt for light-colored walls and ceilings. For a fun and vibrant touch, consider painting the floorboards in a playful pop of color.
Float the Furniture
You don’t have to place your bed directly against the wall, especially if you have built-ins or door openings that might obstruct it. In this serene bedroom, the bed looks fantastic, positioned a few inches away from a bay window, creating a visually pleasing floating effect.
Make the Most of Unused Space
Designer Layla Palmer transformed an underutilized bathroom into a charming and bright guest room. With dimensions of just 6’x6′, the space was too small for a full-size bed but ideal for a daybed and nightstand, making it a perfect accommodation for a visiting child or a single adult.
Add Art Where You Can
In this petite bedroom, designer Kim Lewis found a creative solution for limited wall space by adding a sliding door with an elegant copper pattern, bringing a touch of glamour to the boho-style ambiance.
Pick a Palette
To avoid overwhelming a small space, striking a balance with colors and patterns is essential. Opt for light and airy curtains and bedding to create a simplified and open atmosphere. For a vibrant touch, incorporate a colorful throw.
Don’t Fear Patterns
There’s a common misconception that patterned wallpaper should be avoided in small spaces. However, selecting a neutral hue like this soft gray allows you to embrace patterned wallpaper and have a delightful and visually appealing space.
Add Some Glam
Metallic accents provide a way to add personal flair without overwhelming the color scheme. These brassy gold dots are eye-catching elements that draw attention toward a modern chandelier, accentuating the highest point in the room.
DIY a Daybed
If you want your guest room to serve multiple purposes, such as an office or another functional space, consider creating a designated nook on one side of the room. By using a twin bed with a corner-style headboard, you can achieve the look of a daybed without needing to purchase a separate daybed frame.
Stack a Nightstand
Vintage suitcases offer both style and practical storage solutions. They are perfect for storing out-of-season clothing or items that you don’t need regular access to, such as holiday decorations. Moreover, their flat sides allow for easy stacking, creating a convenient bedside table option.
Utilize the Natural Light
The walls of windows in this small house bedroom play a vital role in preventing it from feeling claustrophobic. These panoramic windows open up the room, connecting it to the outdoors and flooding it with natural light.
Add Large Mirrors
To create the illusion of more space, mirrors are a fantastic solution. A wide floor-to-ceiling mirror adds a sense of expansiveness and grandeur to this compact master bedroom.
Embrace Vertical Stripes
Applying a fashion rule to interior design, vertical stripes can make objects appear longer. In this tiny bedroom, vertical wall paneling, striped bedding, and a graphic trellis-patterned rug create the impression of increased height and depth.
Add a Partition
With studio apartments becoming increasingly smaller, it can be challenging to establish a dedicated bedroom area. Sheer curtains offer an effective solution by creating a partition without consuming space or appearing bulky.
Include Multifunctional Furniture
In this bedroom loft, a clever floating shelf behind the bed serves as a tiny desk area and a nightstand.
Save Space With a Murphy Bed
When it comes to multipurpose rooms, a Murphy bed is a fantastic solution, especially if you need additional floor space for various activities like working or exercising.
Creatively Add Reading Lights
If there’s no room for traditional nightstands, pendant lights come to the rescue. These industrial-style pendants are cleverly hung from an over-the-bed shelf, providing task lighting without taking up any space.
Go Retro
The seventies style is currently enjoying a resurgence, and this retro spread brings a delightful sense of joy. Step aboard this groovy houseboat, where the below-deck bedroom stands at just three feet tall. Yes, it’s super small. However, thanks to the playful design, this cozy captain’s quarter doesn’t feel claustrophobic at all. In fact, dare we say that the pattern in the crochet blanket actually enhances the sense of openness in the space?
