If you lie in bed at night wondering how to make a small bedroom look and feel bigger, you’re not alone. A small bedroom makes for a perfect cosy retreat, but sometimes small just feels cramped and a little bit overwhelming. Not having enough storage space, falling over piles of clutter and finding floor space is at a premium are all common problems that make a small bedroom feel small. With a few décor and furniture changes you can make your small bedroom feel bigger without an expensive renovation.
Light and Color
The first and easiest way to make a small bedroom look bigger is to use light in your room to your advantage. Making your room bright and maximising the light you have will help the room to look bigger.
Wall color
Dark wall colors makes rooms feel small, so opt for lighter shades of your favourite colour or go for a neutral colour. Light shades of natural colors like green and pink that offer a tint to white paint are your best color options. Beige, taupe or a very light blush will bring warmth and reflect light to create a more spacious feel.
Windows
Avoid hanging dark heavy curtains on your windows if you can. They will make your room feel smaller, instead opt for light voile or a night and day blind to let as much natural light in as possible.
Mirrors
The perfect solution for creating the illusion of space, especially when placed opposite a window. Consider opting for a full length wall mirror with a narrow frame to create a minimalist style.
Alternatively, to maximise space, opt for a full length storage mirror. Having somewhere to keep small every day items like make-up, accessories and other small items helps to keep clutter at bay and surfaces clear.
If space is an issue, make your room look bigger by hanging a mirror on the back of your door. This space saving tip is great for small rooms as it gives the illusion of space.
Lighting options
LED backlighting is a secret weapon for small spaces. Instead of buying a table lamp for that cosy bedtime feel, buy an LED strip and backlight your bed. The cost is similar, and you can buy your lights with a remote to turn them on and off from bed. You can change the color and brightness with some, like these, so you can adjust your lighting for your needs.
Avoid large lampshades and low hanging lighting for your main light in your bedroom, this style can overpower a small bedroom and make it feel smaller. Opt for a minimalist main light that offers good lighting in your room. Then layer lighting around your room with built in lights or by adding LED strip lighting yourself.
Bedding and textile colors
Although dark bedding and textiles have a luxe look and you can find some beautiful designs, if you are looking to make your small bedroom feel bigger avoid these colours and patterns. Picking light coloured bedding will make your room feel larger. If you like bold dark colors like emerald green, navy blue and amethyst, add a dark throw blanket to the foot of your bed or scatter cushion to the top. This will give you an accent color without making the room feel small.
Avoid having lots of extra scatter cushions and throws in your room, opt for a handful of well-placed items that don’t overwhelm your space or end up constantly chucked on the floor because they serve no purpose. Your bedding and textiles need to be functional not just solely decorative in a small bedroom otherwise they end up cluttering the space and making it feel small.
Minimalist storage furniture
When space feels at a premium and you are looking to make somewhere look bigger you need to optimise storage to reduce clutter. Minimalist furniture is the perfect design to create the illusion of space as it doesn’t use thick framing which takes up space, it prioritises functionality in a sleek design.
Storage furniture is perfect for keeping all your essential bedroom items stored and tidy rather than spilling out of cupboards or piling on the floor. The following storage furniture ideas are great for small bedrooms:
1: Storage bed
A bed with storage is a great way to hide those items you don’t need every day. Choosing one with under bed storage which lifts up is ideal for a small space as you don’t need room to open drawers. There’s nothing more frustrating than catching your ankle on a drawer or not being able to open it all the way because there isn’t enough space.
This modern grey fabric ottoman storage bed is perfect for storing towels and bedding, even holiday clothes or items you don’t need often. It’s easy push up feature makes it easy to access as it opens vertically. If you need a bed that lifts a little easier, look for one with a gas lift, which isn’t as budget friendly, but won’t need as much oomph.
2: Floating nightstand
Freeing up floor space with a compact floating nightstand is a great way to give the illusion of space on the floor. The modern cube shape with straight lines also gives a clean line and works well with other minimalist style furniture choices.
This concrete style Italian designed floating nightstand has one drawer for personal items and a small surface area for a phone or book. It’s light color and compact design are perfect for giving the illusion of space, but the design and style don’t compromise on quality.
3: Small storage ottoman
A small storage ottoman in a light color that can double as a seat is a perfect addition to a small room as it is multipurpose. The cube shape again adds to the minimalist look for furniture. It’s one of the best buys for a small space as you can use it to sit and dry hair, apply make-up, get dressed, even sit at a laptop if you need to. You can put bags, blankets, jumpers, anything you like inside, preventing clutter from building up and making the space look small.
Declutter and Stay Organized
Keeping your room clutter free and organised will help it to look and feel larger. Having furniture with storage options is important as it helps you to achieve and maintain a clutter free bedroom as everything has a space. Even a small amount of clutter in a small bedroom can instantly make it feel more cramped.
Drawer dividers and closet organisers are a perfect way to keep everything tidy and prevent doors from not shutting properly. In a small space, ajar draws and doors with clothing sticking out make rooms feel smaller. Good organisation that is easy to maintain is key to keeping a small room feel larger all the time, not just after you’ve tidied up.
Keep your floor clear
Keeping the floor free of clothing, pillows, footwear and decorative accessories is key to making your room look bigger. Bedrooms where you can’t see the floor not only look and feel smaller, they feel overwhelming and enclosed. Often you end up stubbing your toe and it can be hard to relax in spaces where it is hard to move around.
Choose furniture that has legs so you can see the floor underneath. It’s easier to maintain and it also lets light fall on to the floor. Open space on the floor and under furniture creates a greater illusion of space in a small bedroom.
Maximize your Vertical Space
Vertical space needs to be kept free of too much decoration, whilst also being utilised for storage. The key is to find a balance. Choose a single decorative piece or an arrangement of three or five items to go your wall.
If you like plants, opt for a floating shelf and add a few decorative plants to them to bring the outdoors into your room. You can also store a few books and display your memories in photos on these shelves.
Keep Doors Unobstructed
In small bedrooms, even the smallest obstruction can make the room feel smaller. All of your doors need to be able to open and close comfortably without any obstruction. Consider fitting sliding doors to your wardrobes or a light curtain if doors won’t open fully. You will find getting your clothes out easier and that will make your small room look and feel bigger. It will also give you more space to get ready and move around.
If you want, you can consider adding a pocket or sliding door to your room too to increase your overall floor space. This is a great way to resolve the thought of how to make a small bedroom look bigger.
Final Thoughts
Making a small bedroom look bigger is all about smart design choices and using space efficiently. From storage friendly furniture to having a home for all your belongings, making a small room look bigger just takes a few strategic design choices.
Key Takeaways:
- Use light, neutral colors to reflect light and make the room feel more spacious.
- Choose minimalist, multi-functional furniture to free up floor space.
- Maximize vertical storage and keep your space decluttered for a more open feel.
By following these tips, you’ll be able to make your small bedroom feel much bigger without the need for costly renovations. Your small bedroom will feel like a roomy, cosy, serene retreat in no time.
