​Clever decorating ideas for small bedrooms

Johannes van Graan Johannes van Graan
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A small bedroom doesn’t have to be all bad – it can feel quite cosy, if you think about it – but let’s be perfectly honest: even though you will be sleeping for the most part in that room, you still need some space and legroom to be comfortable, right? 

A small room, whether it’s the bedroom, kitchen, bathroom or study, calls for a creative use of space. That doesn’t mean letting go of elements such as storage areas or beautiful pieces, it just means re-thinking them to better suit the layout of the room in question.

Thus, today we take a look at how to unleash big potential (both space- and style wise) from your small bedroom.

1. Don’t underestimate the power of shelving

Let those walls help you out by adding some shelves and hooks for storage. These can work for quite literally anything in your bedroom, from table lamps and books to accessories and folded clothing.

2. Let mirrors expand your (small) space

Long, vertical mirrors will help to expand your small space and give the impression that the room is actually bigger than it is. Try this trick by placing mirrors on the far end of a tiny room, so the reflective surface will bounce light around the room.

3. Grab a side table

There might not be space on the sides of your bed, but how about at the front? That spot can be quite essential for a little table on which you can rest a bedside book, your phone, a glass of water, a lamp, etc. 

And when it comes to a rented apartment that doesn’t allow you to install floating shelving, a tiny table tucked underneath your bed can become a lifesaver (or space saver).

4. Focus on the lighting

A small room + multiple lighting sources = a brightened-up space. And this counts for natural lighting as well, so do what you can to keep sunshine streaming in through that window. 

Need an interior designer? How about a painter or floorer? Our list of professionals can help you out…

5. Be bold with your back wall

Introducing an eye-catching effect (like a playful pattern or striking colour) onto a small bedroom’s back wall will draw the eye all the way to the back of the room, emphasising its potential in length.

6. Don’t toss out those dark colours just yet

You might have been taught to believe that dark colours don’t belong in a small space, but in some cases it can work beautifully. A darker tone can make a smaller room feel intimate, as long as other lighter tones are introduced into the space via another wall, the ceiling, décor pieces, textiles, etc. 

Another winning touch would be to add in slim side tables, transparent materials (like glass or plastic) and/or a folding footstool to maximise the available surface area.

7. Let in some life

You may just start to feel claustrophobic in that small room; so, add in some extra oxygen with a few houseplants that you can hang from the ceiling (or place on those floating shelves you added in). 

Aside from freshness, it’s no secret that plants and flower add some colour to a space as well, meaning they can fulfil the function of décor pieces, too. 

Stuck on how to style up your bedroom, whether big or small? Let’s leave it up to the stars – see: Matching your bedroom to your Zodiac sign.

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