The internet is full of beautiful photos of beautifully organized and decorated bedrooms. Most of these bedrooms are large, with perfect natural light, and custom everything! I love the scroll, but it doesn’t always apply. We need more small bedroom design ideas.
Small Bedroom Design Ideas
Bigger isn’t always better, and it’s not what most of us have in our homes, so I’m sharing some design tips to help you love the small bedroom that you have!
Whether you’re a homeowner or renter with a smaller bedroom, this is your first apartment, or you’re trying to make the most of your freshman dorm room, I’ve got you covered. Let’s dive in.
Small Bedroom Design Ideas: Optimize Space
Maximizing space in a small bedroom starts with smart storage solutions. When you don’t have a lot of space, you need to plan ahead so you can utilize every inch.
First Step: Declutter
I know it’s basic, but before organizing, declutter. Be ruthless. If you aren’t currently using it, and you wouldn’t buy it today, give it away. You won’t love how your bedroom looks if it’s packed with clutter.
Now that you’re through with that lovely task, it’s time for the fun stuff: organizing what’s left.
*Disclaimer, Kate did not consent to give away most of her clutter (aka Barbie stuff), so we had to move on to the next step. Why do these toys have so many little accessories??
Second Step: Organize with Space Saving Products
I love under-bed drawers. Hide your stuff AND access it easily? Yes please. You can use the kind with lids to prevent dust bunnies, or use the open variety that make it easier for kids to throw stuff in.
Cute baskets attached to the wall are great for smaller things – children’s toys, hair accessories, chargers, or similar things you use daily.
To reduce visual clutter on your bedside table, pop small everyday items in a small lidded box! Flashlights, tissues, chapstick, q-tips, pens and notepads… hide them away!
What you choose to display should blend into your bedroom design. Let’s hide your less beautiful items in beautiful things!
My favorite tip for small bedroom storage is to use the closet as much as possible. I did this while organizing Kate’s bedroom. She had things that didn’t fit neatly in her room, so I changed how her clothes were stored, which made room for more toys in the closet.
Even a tiny closet can provide great organization. Knowing what you want to keep there and planning ahead will often allow you to conceal so much behind a closed door.
Third Step: Go Vertical
Don’t forget about vertical space! In a small bedroom, floor space is at a premium, so think about what can go on the walls. In Kate’s bedroom, I built these simple book racks to hold her favorite books… or her stuffies.
Wall-mounted shelves, hanging racks, and over-the-door organizers keep your small bedroom neat and organized and draw the eye upward, creating the illusion of more space.
Now that our items are organized, let’s chat room layout.
Small Bedroom Design Ideas: Functional Furniture
Room layout makes a huge difference in how spacious your small bedroom feels.
Choose pieces that are proportional to your room’s size and arrange them in a way that gives you the most open space.
Beds
Opting for less traditional beds is a smart choice if you’re designing a bedroom for multiple occupants, or if your bedroom needs to serve multiple purposes.
Cass at CassMakesHome just finished building the most dreamy Murphy Bed in her finished basement. This space functions as her office, guest room, and gym, so using a Murphy bed that can close flat against the wall saves a ton of space every day.
Hana at Hana’sHappyHome customized IKEA bunk beds for her boys. It maximizes vertical space and leaves more floor space for play. I also love how she optimized the awkward little nook into more valuable storage!
Kim at xoMyHome used a Daybed so that her small room could accommodate guests, her baby’s crib, AND a home office. She even added built-ins around and over the daybed to create more storage.
I used trundle beds in our guest room to accommodate multiple guests. If sleepovers are a common occurrence, I love a trundle. Just remember that this will eliminate any under-bed storage options.
I built storage into my boys’ bunk beds, but you can also buy bed frames with built-in drawers! Beds with storage are perfect for storing off-season clothing, extra bedding, or even books and decor objects, making them a top small bedroom idea.
Have a lot of books or fun nicknacks? Get a bookcase headboard! This adds interest, color, and texture while showing off some of your favorite things and keeping your books within easy reach.
You can buy a bookshelf headboard, or just pop some bookshelves behind the headboard that you already have! That will give you some support while giving you a cool look.
Alternatively, consider using a bookshelf as your footboard!
Nightstands
In our guest bedroom, I used wall-mounted nightstands. This type of side table offers a sleek, minimalistic look and is perfect for holding a small lamp, a book, or a glass of water.
When thinking about small bedroom design ideas, I think being able to see more of the floor (vs. everything being grounded on the floor) helps your eye expand the space.
However, if you find that you need more storage later, the space underneath remains free for additional storage options, like a small basket for more nighttime essentials.
In Kate’s bedroom, I attached these cute little cloud shelves to the sides of the bed. They make the perfect whimsical nightstand!
If you need a space to study, consider a side table that works as both a nightstand and a desk. I’ve attached some ideas below, but I think a little vintage desk or writing desk would be adorable used here.
Multi-Use Furniture
I love using multiple-use furniture in small bedrooms. Imagine that you’re moving into a dorm room. What items lend themselves well to multiple uses, and what items allow you to hide things in plain sight? Beds with built-in drawers, ottomans with storage, nesting tables, and multi-functional bedside tables are all clever ways to store belongings.
Now that you’ve got ideas, here are some higher-end looks for those items – even if you’re a college student, your bedroom design doesn’t have to look like it!
Small Bedroom Design Ideas: Paint Colors
Research small bedroom design ideas to see if you’re drawn to light, bright, and airy, or if you prefer moody vibes. Hint: Lighter paint color doesn’t necessarily make your space look larger.
This wasn’t a small bedroom, but I loved the natural light in our old primary bedroom, so I kept things light and airy.
In Kate’s bedroom, I loved using a medium-tone paint color on both the walls and ceiling to make the room feel like a cozy little nest.
The Goal: Love Where You Live
The true goal of bedroom design is to create a space where you feel safe and calm. It doesn’t need to look like a magazine spread, but if it’s too chaotic, it may be hard to relax.
When designing small bedrooms, you only have room for items you love and use often. Reduce furniture that takes up space but isn’t highly functional.
Everything we bring into a small bedroom should play an everyday role, so consider this your permission to donate items that don’t match this criteria, and start enjoying the space where you live!
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