Space Saving Ideas for Small Bedrooms

A bedroom isn’t just a place to sleep, it’s somewhere to unwind, binge on a boxset, read your favourite books and get some all-important ‘me time’.

By dedicating a little of your time and energy, the most compact of spaces can be transformed into a tranquil retreat. Whether you use your room for working or watching films, make it truly your own with the help of these space saving ideas for small bedrooms.

How to Decide on a Small Bedroom Layout

When you’re working with limited space, choosing how to position your furniture is key. You want to avoid obstructing radiators and doors while maximising floor space.

As the largest item of furniture in any bedroom, the biggest decision is choosing where to place the bed. When working out how to position furniture in a small bedroom, steer clear of positioning your bed centrally with a bedside table on both sides, as creating two narrow corridors on either side of the bed is an inefficient use of space and will make the room feel cramped.

Small bedroom with open wardrobe decorated with a gallery wall and a row of coat hooks

Instead, place the bed against a wall and position a larger chest of drawers in place of a traditional bedside table. Not only will this provide additional storage but having one open floor area rather than two small, separate zones either side of the bed will make the room feel more spacious.

Next, consider what you use your bedroom for. Do you need a desk, a wardrobe or a mirror? Position any additional furniture along one of the remaining empty walls. This will leave at least one wall without any furniture against it, which is an important tip if you want to avoid making a small bedroom feel cramped.

Think Outside the Box with Small Bedroom Storage Ideas

With a little creative thinking, even the tiniest of box rooms can offer ample storage. Rather than seeing your floorplan as a limiting factor, look to your walls for a storage solution. There are a number of different storage ideas for small bedrooms, including:

Smart Shelving

Blank walls above beds, desks and drawers call out for a little attention. With bespoke floating shelves, you can create an attractive feature that can be used to display your favourite trinkets while helping to keep the floor clutter-free.

Affordable, easy to install and customisable to your needs, opt for a single shelf or fit several to create a gravity-defying bookcase.

When deciding on the finishing touches, you could either paint your shelves in a bright shade for a burst of colour or keep things co-ordinated with your walls. This is simply down to personal preference and whether you like to show some playful personality in your interiors or keep things minimalist with a cohesive colour palette. Custom shelving also works particularly well in bedrooms with a slanted roof or an asymmetric alcove, as they can be cut to size to fill a space that would otherwise be wasted.

Bedroom Storage Furniture Ideas

Furnishing small spaces is all about sneaking in storage where you’d least expect it. If you need a desk chair, consider choosing a stool with concealed storage. Similarly, an ottoman that opens to reveal a handy storage trunk is both beautiful and brilliantly practical.

If upcycling is your thing, you can’t go far wrong with a vintage bureau updated with a lick of paint. They’re truly multipurpose, with an ornate chest of drawers and a fold-out desk. A bureau is a great option if you use your bedroom as a workspace but don’t want documents and a laptop distracting you when you’re turning in for the night. Tuck everything out of sight when not in use so you can minimise distractions while you’re trying to sleep.

Under the Bed Storage Ideas

When it comes to storage for a small bedroom, the area under your bed also has plenty of untapped potential.

Under-bed storage boxes are wider and shallower than standard storage containers. This allows them to slide unobtrusively under a bed frame. They’re a great place to keep spare bedding, towels, toiletries and even a useful way to store books.

How to Store Clothes in a Small Bedroom

If you don’t have room for a big double wardrobe, don’t worry! There are plenty of other innovative clothes storage solutions to choose from.

Under-bed storage, as mentioned above, is a space-savvy way to store your winter wardrobe during the summer months (and vice versa).

If you do plan to store clothes under your bed, consider investing in vacuum packing bags. That way, you can maximise your storage space and keep your winter jumpers safe from moths and dust until you need them.

If you’re looking for wardrobe storage ideas for a small bedroom, an open-frame wardrobe or hanging rail will transform an otherwise awkward-sized area into a mini ‘walk-in’ wardrobe. Many people say that having an open wardrobe transforms the way they wear their clothes, making it easier to come up with new outfit combinations. What’s more, it makes it easier to tell when it’s time for that shirt you never wear to take a trip to the charity shop – freeing up more precious storage space.

Corner wardrobes are also a great option if you’re looking for box room bedroom ideas. They occupy an area of that is often disused and save you some all-important floorspace in the centre of the room.

Finally, you’re going to want to find somewhere to store your coats, scarves and bags. We recommend adding hooks to the rear of your door or even a hanging door organiser.

Top Tip: You can find more handy advice in our guide to wardrobe storage ideas.

Small Bedroom Decorating Ideas to Emphasise Light and Space

When it comes to decorating a small bedroom, styling it with purpose is the aim of the game. If something doesn’t have a function, ask yourself if you really need it. This will prevent your room from feeling cramped and cluttered. After all – if your bedroom doesn’t feel like somewhere you can go to relax, then it’s not doing its job.

Mirror Ideas for Small Bedrooms

A minimalist approach doesn’t mean that a small bedroom can’t have a magazine-worthy interior. A statement mirror is essential for any compact room. Don’t be afraid to go big – a mirror will reflect light (especially if placed opposite a window), creating the appearance of a larger space.

Add Personality with Pictures and Prints

A simple way to establish a colour scheme or express your personality is by hanging an array of wall art to draw attention to the walls rather than the floor. This will bring the eyeline up and out rather than concentrating it in the centre of the room, creating a clever optical illusion.

If you have a low ceiling, hang pictures slightly further down than you would usually, with the bottom edge of the frame about halfway up the wall. The ceiling will feel higher as a result.

Sumptuous Soft Furnishings

Bedrooms are meant to be cosy, and creating a luxurious but relaxing feel is actually far easier in a smaller room, as they naturally have a more snug feel.

Indulge in plush soft furnishings in a variety of textures: think thick woollen throws, velvet cushions and a deep-pile rug. For a fancy spa hotel feel, keep your colour palette tonal.

Lighting Ideas for Small Bedrooms

Direct, overhead lighting can feel harsh and unwelcoming, particularly in a smaller room. While ceiling lighting can have a compressing effect on a small space, low-level lighting creates a more intimate atmosphere, softening the edges of a room rather than drawing attention to them.

Cosy small bedroom with warm lighting and floating shelf above bed

If wall lights aren’t an option for you, opt for a unique table lamp or two. When deciding on home lighting ideas with an inviting feel, fairy lights will also create a cosy atmosphere in a bedroom for kids or teens.

Small Bedroom Colour Ideas

Avoid using cool tones, like pale blues and greys, in a smaller space as these cooler shades can make a small room feel dark and uninviting.

If you’re inspired by minimalist or Scandi stylings, you can’t go wrong with neutral whites and creams, which will also help to reflect light for an airier feel. Alternatively, warm terracottas and dusky pinks will create a soothing atmosphere for slumber-friendly décor.

People often shy away from darker shades when decorating small rooms, but they can be a fantastic way to create a statement interior that still feels cosy and inviting. If you’re after something a little bolder, then exploring a few dark bedroom ideas could help to kick-start your transformation.

Petite but perfectly formed, some of our favourite interiors are to be found in the smallest of spaces. If there’s one thing to take away from our small bedroom ideas, it’s that big isn’t always best!

With the right furniture arranged in a layout that suits your space, a compact room can feel like the most luxurious of bedtime retreats. Explore our range of bedroom furniture today to find the perfect pieces for your small space.