9 Design Tips for Small Bedrooms

A small bedroom presents a unique set of design challenges. Equipped with the proper tips, such as choosing bright colors and creating a visual focal point, will help you design a comfortable, cozy bedroom conducive to sleep and relaxation.

A small bedroom may feel like a tight, boring space with limited design options. However, embracing the small size will help you determine a layout and choose furniture and accessories that fit the existing space. When you aren't hung up on the lack of space, you'll be able to focus on design tips to expand the possibilities of the small room.

Choose light, bright colors

The most popular color for small bedrooms is white because the room may lack ample wall space or large windows, white keeps the room from looking too busy or cramped. If you want to go all-white but don't want to create a stark aesthetic, layer white-on-white patterns or multiple linens in coral fabric.

Arrange the bed in a corner of the room

Most bedroom layouts in magazines feature a bed in the

center of the room. Depending on the layout of your small room, a center arrangement may not be practical. For example, if the door is on the side of the room, positioning the bed on the opposite side of the room against the wall will open up the floor space. If the look

feels too much like a college dorm, add a headboard or hang sophisticated art pieces on the long wall above the bed.

Steer clear of four-poster beds and other large bed frames.

A four-poster or sleigh bed is wonderful in a spacious master or guest bedroom. In a small bedroom, it often takes over the entire space, leaving limited options for other furniture. You can add a simple headboard and footboard to a basic bed frame without overwhelming the room.

The ceilings.

The right four-poster bed in a room with a high ceiling may create an illusion of space. Once you've outfitted the room with a proper-sized bed, choose a dresser, nightstand, and other furniture and accessories (e.g., lamps) of a similar scale.

Add a strategically placed mirror or two

Mirrors are another affordable, effective tactic to create the illusion of space. When you're designing a bright, airy bedroom, reflecting that light back in a couple of mirrors will make the room feel even larger. Experiment with different positioning for mirrors until you find locations as possible.

Maximize under the bed storage

A raised bed frame with built-in storage underneath or room for storage containers greatly increases the bedroom storage space. Look for a bed with built-in storage, ideally drawers so you can conceal stored items, keeping the room free of clutter. A bed with room for storage bins underneath is another great option. Keep your under-the-bed storage organized, with items that you use more frequently in drawers for easy access.

Use floating shelves

Floating shelves give you the storage and display space you need in your bedroom without the bulk of heavy furniture. There is a wide range of possible uses for floating shelves in a bedroom, including an entry table, nightstand, bookcase, or laptop desk.

Build vertically

When your floor space is limited but you have high ceilings, build up instead of out. Consider lofting the bed

and arranging your desk or dresser under it or invest in shelving that goes all the way to the ceiling. Using the entire available vertical space will also create the illusion of space, drawing the eye upward so the room seems bigger.

Select a single repeating pattern

If you love the idea of bringing patterns into your compact bedroom, choose a single repeating pattern. You'll add cluttered. For example, if you want striped wallpaper for the wall behind the bed, select striped linens, and a rug to match.