10 small bedroom ideas that will let you dream big

With the right small bedroom ideas, even the most bijou of boudoirs can be transformed into restful, calming spaces that make bedtime super serene.

Bedroom design in general needs careful thought and planning – after all, this is the room in which you go to reset and recharge. That said, for many people, the bedroom also has to provide other functions, such as an area from which to work from home.

If you are scratching your head wondering how to make the best use of a more compact bedroom, we've gathered together plenty of brilliant and beautiful ideas that prove that bigger is not always better. 

Planning your small bedroom ideas

For any space within the home to work well, it is crucial to take time to list down every single activity that will be taking place there and all the functions that the room will be expected to handle. If you're establishing how to make a small bedroom look bigger, good room planning becomes even more important to ensure not just that you won't be wasting any precious space, but also that the room doesn't feel cluttered.

This applies just as much to those looking for master bedroom ideas as it does to homeowners looking for ways to lay out and design a child's bedroom.

Begin by noting down how you will be using the space, then add in all the items you will need to store in the room. Make sure you take into account the position of windows, doors and radiators too. From here you will be able to see the pieces of non-negotiable furniture you'll need to make the room work.

With the practicalities sorted, you can turn your attention to the more decorative aspects – wall colours, lighting schemes and so on.

1. Choose flexible pieces of furniture

In a small bedroom you want to make every item of furniture count. Whether that means investing in bespoke pieces that slot seamlessly into the space and will look great within modern bedroom ideas, or items that perform more than one job.

"Modular furniture is an ideal solution for small bedrooms due to its inherent versatility and space-saving design," advises Kate Palmer, creative director at The Painted Furniture Company. "The adaptability of modular pieces allows you to make the most of the space, with a bespoke layout to suit the specific dimensions of the room, however small."  

Items of furniture with added storage make so much sense in small bedrooms. This beautiful example is the Oxford Bed Frame from The Painted Furniture Company.

2. Plan your bedroom layout carefully

You bedroom layout ideas matter more than ever in a small room. 

"In terms of layout, make the most of vertical space by incorporating tall modular shelving units or wardrobes," suggests Kate Palmer. "This helps keep the floor area open and provides additional storage without crowding the room. 

"Avoid overcrowding the room with too many pieces, leaving enough open space to create a sense of airiness and prevent the room from feeling cramped. If you can, incorporate mirrors into the furniture to create an illusion of space and reflect the light. This simple trick can visually expand the room and make it feel more open."

Kate Palmer

Kate Palmer is the creative director at The Painted Furniture Company, a company renowned for its support of British design and manufacturing. With a background in fashion design and passion for colour and interiors, Kate has helped many customers to achieve the exact look they desired for their home. From helping them find the right style for their space, to selecting the perfect colour, Kate is always on hand to help advise and find the best solution.

3. Don't underestimate the importance of flooring

Your bedroom flooring ideas can have a huge impact on the look and feel of the room and if you want flooring to help in adding a sense of spaciousness, keeping things light and airy could just be the way forward. 

‘If you’re looking to make a bedroom appear bigger, it’s important to use light coloured materials like pale hardwood, light laminate or neutral-coloured carpets," advises Carly Greening, creative product manager at The Floor Room. "This type of flooring reflects more light, making the room feel brighter and more spacious. Lighter colours also provide a neutral base for decorating, allowing for more flexibility in choosing furniture and accent colours."

4. Create balance with a symmetrical layout

The bedroom should be a space which fosters a sense of harmony and balance and using a neat, symmetrical layout for your furniture is a great way to encourage this. 

Follow the ideals of feng shui and consider placing the bed in the centre of the largest wall in the room, then flank it with matching bedside tables and lamps on either side, as has been done in this bright and airy space. Note too the placement of the artwork which adds to the overall look.

5. Use a neutral colour scheme to stretch the space

Using neutral bedroom ideas is a fantastic way to visually add a sense of spaciousness to a room.

"When it comes to choosing colours for a small bedroom, it's essential to prioritise light and neutral tones," says Debbie Leigh, design manager at ILIV. "Light colours, such as soft pastels or whites, create a sense of spaciousness and reflect natural light, making the room feel airy and open. Avoid dark and intense colours, as they can make the space appear smaller and more confined."

"In a small bedroom, it's generally a good idea to avoid colours that can make the space feel even more cramped or overwhelming," agrees Kate Palmer. "Deep, dark colours, for example, can absorb light and make a small bedroom feel even smaller. While they can create a sense of cosiness in larger rooms, in small spaces they can be overwhelming and may make the room feel cave-like. 

"It’s also a good idea to be careful with overly bright and vibrant colours in a small bedroom," continues Kate. "Although in some instances they can add energy and excitement to a room, they are also very visually stimulating which can make a small bedroom feel chaotic. Instead, if you love bold colours, consider using them as accents rather than on all walls."

Debbie Leigh

Debbie is an expert in creating beautifully coordinated fabric collections that can be easily combined to create harmonious interior schemes. With more than 30 years of experience, she takes every design from conception right through to the finished textile - inspired by the latest trends and techniques from every continent.

6. Don't forget to look up

Which brings us nicely on to this next idea – introducing a little warmth and interest through some beautiful ceiling ideas. 

“Consider opting for calming neutrals or soft pastels to accentuate the sense of more space in a bedroom, and create a serene and focused atmosphere," suggests Bailey Oates, colour expert at Earthborn. "To introduce a touch of colour without being overly distracting, you can also choose to paint your ceiling. Dubbed the 'fifth wall', this space offers a unique opportunity to infuse the room with subtle hues that enhance the perception of space while maintaining a harmonious atmosphere.”

7. Use wallpaper as an eye-catching focal point

Creating a focal point in a small room is a brilliant way to distract the eye from the more compact proportions of the space. Get to grips with how to wallpaper and use your walls to add lots of character.

“Wallpaper is the perfect decorating choice if your bedroom is on the small side," says Rebecca Drury, co founder of MissPrint. "Choose a wallpaper that works with the rest of your bedroom colour scheme and injects a bit of interest and pattern. Make sure you choose a design that doesn’t overpower, but instead brings a focal point and feature to your walls. 

"Whether you opt to wallpaper just one or all walls, you will find your room will feel more homely and inviting just through an injection of colour and pattern.”

8. Include plenty of texture for added interest

While keeping things nice and neutral is a great way to increase a sense of space, you want to ensure that the room doesn't end up looking bland or lacking in personality. A great way to do this is to introduce lots of texture. 

“Neutral tones such as creams, whites and browns will brighten a bedroom, creating a light, airy feel," says Sofie Flachs-Melson, director and partner at Color & Co." "Incorporate tactile textures through natural roller blinds to add depth and create a natural design scheme that complements light shades. This fusion will result in a warm, welcoming environment that maximises on space to create a personal haven of relaxation.”

Layering up different fabrics and using interesting plaster finishes, such as tadelakt, on the walls will also help impart a sense of warmth and character.

8. Opt for furniture with hidden storage

In any kind of small space it makes sense to invest in pieces of furniture that are capable of multitasking, even more so in a bedroom where there is an array of items that you need to find bedroom storage ideas for. That could mean an ottoman chest that offers seating and somewhere to stow away bedding, or an armchair that pulls out into a handy guest bed. 

This cosy-looking bed, is the Barking King Storage Ottoman, from Darlings of Chelsea, shown with their Windsor headboard. It features two large storage compartments – perfect for stashing extra blankets or out-of-season duvets. 

9. Expand your options with fitted furniture 

Whether you are after children's bedroom ideas, or plan on using a guest bedroom as a home office, opting for a bespoke or fitted furniture scheme can ensure you are getting the very most use out of the space you have available.

Here, a handy office space, complete with lighting and storage shelves above, provides somewhere to work during the day, yet can be neatly shut away, out of sight once the working day is done.

10. Don't discount an ensuite in a small bedroom

An ensuite bathroom can make life so much easier and means you can slide easily from bed to bathroom without disturbing the rest of the household. 

If you have a bedroom on the smaller side, you can still enjoy these benefits and there are plenty of small ensuite ideas out there to consider. While you might not be able to fit in a full bathroom suite, a walk in shower, hand basin and toilet are usually all that's needed. 

In this gorgeous bedroom scheme, designed by Claire Garner Interiors, it has still been possible to include a handy WC. 

FAQs

What is the best way to light a small bedroom?

Whether you are looking for bedroom lighting ideas for a small or large bedroom, you should take a layered approach. This means including light sources that provide different kinds of light for different activities and different times of the day.

One tip that works particularly well for compact bedrooms is to opt for wall lamps, or hanging pendants, either side of the bed rather than bedside table lamps. This keeps the tables free for all your essentials.  

Can dark colours work in a small bedroom?

While much of the colour advice surrounding making the most of small spaces tends to focus on the use of paler neutrals, in certain cases, really embracing the small proportions of a room and being bold with colour and pattern can result in some of the most stunning schemes and cosy bedroom ideas.

The décor of this tiny bedroom is unashamedly busy and is packed full of jewel-like shades of garnet and navy – and with plenty of accessories too. If you want your bedroom to feel like a cosy cocoon, this could just be the right route for you.

Sometimes, small rooms end up being amongst the most beautifully-designed spaces within a home due to the need to think more creatively to overcome their tight proportions.

Similarly, bedroom loft conversion ideas usually take a little more consideration to get right due to sloping ceilings and a lack of storage space – yet, once again, the results of having to think outside the box can be stunning.