Small Bedroom Ideas To Maximize Space & Style

Discover helpful small bedroom ideas to maximize space and style!

These design tips will show you how to design your small bedroom – the right way  – to create a cohesive look that feels stylish, cozy and looks pulled together!

Including small bedroom storage ideas, furniture arrangement and layout tips.

I love helping my design clients create stunning small bedrooms that are functional and gorgeous – these are the design solutions I use!

25 Small Bedroom Ideas To Maximize Space and Style

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How do I make my small bedroom look nice?

source: Amber Interiors

Do you have a small bedroom? Living in a studio apartment or tiny condo?

Or maybe you are moving into a small dorm room!

No worries! As a Designer and True Color Expert® I’m sharing strategic ways that you can create a beautiful & functional bedroom in a small space!

The biggest question regarding a small bedroom is how do you fit a bed, nightstands and a dresser in it?

When your bedroom is teeny, tiny it can feel next to impossible to fit the bedroom furniture into it and make it look stylish!

However there are a LOT of design solutions to make a small bedroom work!

Let’s get started!

1. The bedroom floor plan

To select the bed bedroom layout and choose the right sized furniture a bedroom floor plan is essential.

A floor plan drawing of your bedroom will allow you to plan and optimize storage and style.

1. Draw the small bedroom’s size and shape on a piece of graph paper.
2. Include windows and doors so that you know how much wall space you have below windows and beside windows and doors.
3. Include floor vents, wall vents and electrical outlets so they aren’t blocked.
4. Measure the ceiling height so you know how much vertical space you have to work with.

See How to Make A Mood Board For Interior Design

The next step is to determine the right bed location and correct bed size.

2. Bed location and bed size

Now that you have your measurements and bedroom floor plan drawing, determine the wall that the headboard of the bed will go against.

Also determine the biggest sized bed that can fit.

It’s best for the headboard of a bed to go against a blank wall area.

But if the bed headboard is low it could go under a window frame or in front of a window.

Design tip: When locating your bed near a wall remember that a bed needs a minimum of a hand’s width spacing on each side to allow enough room to make the bed. Don’t put the bed right up against a wall!

3. Is it Ok to put a bed in front of a window?

Yes, you can put a bed in front of a window!

Just make sure that there is room behind the bed for the window drapes (if you have drapes) to move across the rod.

Also ensure there’s room for the drapes to hang when they are opened and pulled back to the ends of the rod.

I recommend skipping the curtains and just place a roman shade on the window behind the bed.

Note: A bed with a low headboard looks better in front of a window compared to a tall headboard. This will prevent blocking the light.

4. How do I arrange my small bedroom?

Keep your furniture pieces to a minimum and eliminate clutter.

Eliminate bulky beds, chairs, cabinets and desks.

Use sleek, clean lined pieces that take up as little space as possible.

Keep as much as possible off of the floor too.

To arrange a small bedroom the first step is to place the bed.

Once you have that decided you can add one piece of furniture at a time until you have maxed out the square footage of the room.

5. Add a storage bed with pull out drawers

Add a beautiful storage platform bed and place it in front of a window with clearance for the drapes to hang properly, with a wall sconce and shelves for storage and as a small accent table, as a nightstand.

This is the perfect small bedroom idea for a small kids room, dorm room or small apartment:

This gorgeous upholstered bed with pull-out drawer storage and USB outlets is a great small bedroom solution when you need extra storage!

When you have a small bedroom you need to make your bed as functional and versatile as possible.

This means having a bed with storage built into it to store clothing, shoes, linens ect.

A storage bed with pull out drawers underneath the bed frame is the perfect solution!

This will allow you to eliminate a dresser or chest of drawers and maximize the foot print of your small bedroom.

Here are my favorite stylish storage beds :

6. Turn your headboard into storage

Another storage bed idea is this Space Saving Bed With Storage Panels!

It’s such a clever design!

It’s part of this space-saving modular storage system where you can combine pieces to perfectly fit your small bedroom!

For this bed idea, five slatted back panels add loads of storage options to the platform bed.

I’ve used this modular wall slat storage system with bench and hooks in clients small entryways too!

This modular system even has a gorgeous storage bench option to create seating and extra storage!

More small space ideas: How To Fake An Entryway When You Enter Right Into The Living Room

7. Swap the bed for a sofa bed or daybed

Barely have space to move in your bedroom?

Add a day bed in a kids room or guest bedroom or sofa bed for a guest room!

Here are a ton of gorgeous sleeper sofa ideas!

They take up less square footage and can sit right up against the wall.

Design tip: make sure a small bedroom has enough room for the sofa to be fully pulled out and add 24-30 inches for movement.

A day bed can even go in front of a window since is doesn’t have a headboard.

See these beautiful day beds:

8. Floating nightstands and shelves

Skip a regular nightstand with legs and add a floating nightstand or shelf instead!

These are my favorite floating nightstand and floating shelf options:

9. Skip the nightstand

When space is tight, skip the nightstand altogether and use something else instead!

Small wood stools and small drink tables add just the right amount of surface to display your device, a glass, plant or book!

Here are some ideas:

10. Use wall sconces instead of table lamps

Table lamps can require a large surface to sit on.

Skip the table lamps and add wall sconces beside and above the bed.

Design tip: Battery operated wall sconces are a great idea if you can’t hardwire lighting into the wall

Wall sconces that have a head that pivots or pivoting arms will allow you to move the light where you need it.

See these gorgeous wall sconces- 2 are hardwired but there are also plug-in and battery operated sconces:

How far should sconces be hung from the bed?

Design tip: Place the wall sconce so the middle of the light bulb is 5′ above the floor.

Or 30-36″ from top of the mattress.

Hang the sconce lights 10-12″ from the edge of the bed.

Adjust these measurements if you are tall.

Overall,  you want the lightbulb to be at a position where it comfortable lights your book or device when you are sitting and laying in bed.

See these gorgeous battery operated and plug in wall sconces:

11. Add hanging pendant lights instead of table lamps

The other lighting option is to hang pendant lights from the ceiling and skip the table lamps.

This is such a stylish look!

12. Use vertical space

In a small bedroom using your vertical space is essential!

From the floor to the ceiling, use your walls as much as possible!

Even if you have very little wall space, with clever design it’s possible to create a beautiful, serene bedroom.

Add baskets to the top of a wardrobe cabinet.

Add a few floating shelves to display decor and decorative boxes.

An etagere or bookshelf is a beautiful way to add extra storage and style too!

A cubby bookshelf filled with gorgeous baskets will give you more storage to tuck away everything you need.

Plants displayed in hanging wall planters will add style and texture to the bedroom.

Hang narrow art shelves to display art, small candleholders and sculptures

Here are some beautiful shelves, etageres and bookcases:

13. Adding a mirror in a small bedroom will make a small bedroom look bigger

Adding a mirror above the bed and one above a dresser will make a small bedroom feel bigger and brighter!

Mirrors bounce the light around a space, which will make your space feel larger and less dark and gloomy.

See 5 Design Tricks To Brighten A Dark Room

Another mirror idea is to lean a floor mirror against a wall or hang a wall mirror above the bed.

Here are some gorgeous floor and wall mirrors:

14. Skip the drapes

If your small bedroom doesn’t have room for drapes- add roman shades!

Inside mount roman shades don’t take up floor space, don’t project out from the wall and will keep your small bedroom looking neat, uncluttered and clean-lined!

Design tip: Select a white roman shade to blend into white window trim for a cohesive look.

15. Small bedroom desk ideas

Skip a traditional desk and add a wall desk!

This folding desk with USB port takes up very little space.

Check out these beautiful wall desk ideas:

16. Turn awkward corners into storage

If you have an angled ceiling or awkward nook turn it into built in storage or add a small chair.

17. Add closet storage on each side of the bed

When your bedroom is tiny add a wardrobe cabinet on both sides of the bed

Painting the cabinets the same color as the walls creates a beautiful built-in aesthetic!

This is a great idea if you don’t have a separate closet or just need more room to hang clothes, store folded sweaters, store shoes, bedding ect.

18. Use a storage bench at the foot of the bed

When space is at a premium all of your furniture pieces must be versatile!

Use multifunctional furniture pieces like a storage bench instead of a regular bench to store seasonal clothing, shoes, extra bedding, towels ect.

Here are some beautiful storage bench options:

19. Under the bed storage bins

See these amazing under bed storage drawers

Keep one or two functional, hardworking storage bins under the bed.

They are perfect for storing seasonal clothing, extra towels and bedding!

Here are my favorite under the bed storage bins

20. The best paint color for a small bedroom

Yes! The wall color of a small bedroom is a big design moment and can make it look bigger!

Wh is the best color for a small bedroom?

1. I recommend using light airy colors like white, cream or ivory to make your tight bedroom feel as big as possible.

See Top 50 Bestselling Paint Colors At Sherwin Williams

See How To Identify Paint Color Undertones – To Choose The Right Color

These are my favorite white/ beige neutrals:

• SW Pure White
• SW Alabaster
• Benjamin Moore White Dove
• Chantilly Lace

2. Beige and greige is a popular, on trend wall color right now.

• The Best Greige Paint Colors for a Timeless Home
• 2026 Interior Design Trends for Everyday Homes

Even a light-medium tone sage green will look beautiful.

2 beautiful and popular greens are:

• Sherwin Williams Evergreen Fog 
• Sherwin Williams Acacia Haze 

3. You also can use a moody, dark wall color like black or earthy brown or a jewel tone to make your small space feel cozy!

• SW Tricorn Black
• Benjamin Moore Silhouette – a beautiful earthy brown
• Paint Color Trends Of 2026 That You Need To Know! 

21. Small Bedroom Desk Idea

Create a beautiful functional work zone with these design tricks.

If you need a desk in your small bedroom you can cleverly add workspace with a floating desk

Add hanging magnetic panels above the desk for pens and pencils ect

Hang a small battery operated table lamp, plug in wall sconce or a battery operated picture light above the desk, for task lighting.

Here are some small bedroom desk ideas:

22. Tone on tone color scheme

Create a restful bedroom by duplicating a light wall color such as light blue, white or cream in your bedding and decor.

A neutral on neutral color palette will feel serene and make you room look bigger.

5 Ways To Create A Whole Home Paint Color Scheme

Soothing Bedroom Color Schemes

23. Area rugs

In a small bedroom adding an area rug is essential.

You can even layer an area rug on top of wall to wall carpeting!

An area rug will make your bedroom feel cozy and will add style and pattern.

Most importantly it will ground your bed and add visual interest to the room.

Here are my favorite area rugs:

 

24. Can you fit 2 beds into a small bedroom?

Yes you can! Use 2 twin beds and add a small nightstand or wall shelf in between.

Add roman shades or woven blinds to windows instead of curtains to free up as much space as possible.

Add a beautiful pendant light to add wow factor.

25. Visit stores that cater to apartment living, condo living, dorm living and container stores

Visiting stores that cater to small spaces will give you lots of inspiration for your small bedroom!

These stores often display room vignettes so you can get tons of great ideas.

Apartment sized furniture is designed in smaller shapes and sizes – to fit small condos and apartments.

So they are perfect for small bedroom furniture selection!

Here are some of my favorite stores for small space inspiration:

• Pottery Barn Teen
• Pottery Barn Dorm
• Apt2B
• Ikea
• The Container Store

I hope you enjoyed these small bedroom design ideas!

Do you have any other design tricks that you use in your small bedroom to make it feel bigger and more functional?

More Design and Decor Ideas:

• How To Arrange Furniture In A Small Living Room
• 7 Ways To Make A Small Room Feel Larger Instantly!
• How to Make Your Home Look Cohesive and Pulled Together – The Right Way!
• 7 Ways To Make A Small Living Room Feel Larger Instantly!
• How to Make Your Small Outdoor Space Look Bigger
• 6 Small Space Landscaping Plants
• How To Create An Inexpensive, Small Space Home Gym
• Repose Gray – Undertones & Coordinating Colors
• Agreeable Gray – Undertones & Coordinating Colors
• Understand The Color Wheel – Color Schemes To Become A Better Decorator
• How to Mix Design Styles So They Don’t Clash!
• How to Pick Paint Colors With Confidence!
• Sherwin Williams Oceanside