12 Great Small Bedroom Design Ideas
A small bedroom doesn’t have to feel restrictive. With the right design approach, even the most compact space can feel open, stylish, and highly functional. The key? Smart storage, strategic color choices, and space-saving furniture that maximize every inch.
Whether you’re refreshing a cozy bedroom or working with a tiny apartment, these ideas can help you transform your space into a well-balanced, beautiful retreat.
1. Stick to a Light & Neutral Color Palette
Lighter colors usually reflect more light, making a small bedroom feel bigger and more open. Soft neutrals and pastels create a calm, airy atmosphere, while darker tones can make a space feel enclosed.
Try This:
Opt for soft, light-reflecting hues like off-white, taupe or soft pastels.
Use a monochromatic approach—walls, bedding, and furniture in varying shades of the same color trick the eye to see the room as a large space.
Introduce warmth through natural textures—think linen drapes, light wood furniture, and soft wool rugs.
Pro Tip: Consider painting trim and ceilings in the same shade as your walls to create a seamless, expansive effect.
2. Use Mirrors to Reflect Light & Open Up the Space
Mirrors are a classic trick to make small rooms feel larger and brighter. They reflect natural and artificial light, creating the illusion of more depth.
Try This:
Place a large mirror opposite a window to reflect natural light throughout the room.
Add a mirror above your nightstands which will bounce the light from table lamps around the room.
Pro Tip: If space allows, lean a full-length mirror against a wall to elongate the room and create vertical depth.
3. Choose Multi-Functional & Space-Saving Furniture
In a small bedroom, furniture needs to work twice as hard. Look for multi-purpose pieces that provide storage, fold away, or serve more than one function.
Try This:
Choose a bed with built-in drawers or a lift-up storage base to store seasonal clothes and linens.
Incorporate a wall-mounted folding desk—ideal for work-from-home setups without taking up floor space.
Opt for an upholstered storage ottoman at the foot of the bed for extra seating and hidden storage.
Pro Tip: Look for furniture with slender legs and open bases—pieces that allow light to pass through create a more spacious feel.
4. Keep Furniture Low & Streamlined for an Open Look
Low-profile furniture keeps sightlines clear, making the ceiling feel higher and the room more open. Tall, bulky pieces can overwhelm a small space.
Try This:
Opt for a low platform bed instead of a traditional high frame.
Select sleek, minimal nightstands with clean lines and an open base.
Choose low-profile dressers or storage benches that keep sightlines unobstructed.
Pro Tip: A statement light fixture or tall plant can counterbalance low-profile furniture and add a sense of height to the room.
5. Declutter & Go Minimalist
A cluttered room feels even smaller. Adopting a minimalist approach ensures your space remains clean, calm, and visually expansive.
Try This:
Limit decor to a few statement pieces.
Keep nightstands and dressers free from excess clutter.
Use hidden storage solutions like under-bed drawers or storage benches.
Pro Tip: Invest in stylish storage boxes that blend with your decor to keep miscellaneous items organized and out of sight.
6. Swap Heavy Curtains for Sheer or Floor-Length Drapes
Heavy, dark curtains can make a space feel smaller. Light, sheer drapes allow natural light to flow while giving the room a more airy, elegant look.
Try This:
Choose sheer or lightweight curtains in neutral hues to keep the space feeling bright.
Mount curtain rods closer to the ceiling to create the illusion of taller walls.
Opt for floor-length drapes rather than short curtains to elongate the room.
Pro Tip: Hang both sheer curtains and blackout panels for flexibility between light and privacy.
7. Choose Compact & Floating Nightstands
Traditional nightstands can feel bulky in a small bedroom. Instead, opt for compact or floating nightstands that provide storage without taking up valuable floor space.
Try This:
Install a floating shelf or wall-mounted nightstand to free up floor space.
Choose a narrow, minimalist nightstand with drawers for hidden storage.
Use wall-mounted sconces or pendant lights instead of table lamps to maximize space.
Pro Tip: A round nightstand can help soften a room’s lines and prevent a boxed-in look.
8. Use Smart Lighting to Enhance Depth
Lighting isn’t just about visibility—it plays a crucial role in perception and depth. A well-lit room feels larger and more inviting, while harsh overhead lighting can create shadows that make the space feel cramped.
Try This:
Use LED strip lighting under shelves to create a soft, ambient glow.
Opt for wall-mounted sconces instead of table lamps to free up table space.
Layer warm lighting with adjustable dimmers to create a cozy, inviting atmosphere.
Pro Tip: Place a tall, slim floor lamp in a corner to draw the eye upward and enhance vertical space.
9. Use Sliding or Pocket Doors
Swinging doors require clearance space that can limit furniture placement in a small bedroom. A sliding or pocket door can free up valuable square footage while enhancing the flow of the room.
Try This:
Install a pocket door that disappears into the wall, eliminating the need for clearance.
Choose a sliding barn door to add architectural interest while saving space.
Pro Tip: A frosted glass pocket door maintains privacy while allowing light to filter through, keeping the room bright and airy.
10. Go for a Statement Piece Instead of Multiple Decor Items
When designing a small bedroom, it’s tempting to use lots of small decorative pieces, but this can make the room feel cluttered. Instead, opt for one bold statement piece that draws the eye and anchors the space.
Try This:
Hang a large-scale painting or framed photograph above the bed instead of a gallery wall.
Use a sculptural pendant light as both decor and functional lighting.
Invest in a upholstered headboard to add texture and presence without overcrowding the space.
Pro Tip: If your statement piece is visually bold, keep the surrounding decor neutral to let it stand out effortlessly.
11. Hang Artwork Strategically to Expand the Room Visually
Artwork is more than just decor—it can also manipulate the way a space feels. Thoughtfully placed pieces can draw the eye upward, create depth, and add character without overwhelming the room.
Try This:
Hang a large-scale painting slightly above eye level to create a sense of height.
Choose a vertical diptych or stacked frames to elongate the walls.
Pro Tip: Keep artwork cohesive in color and style to maintain a streamlined, curated aesthetic.
12. Keep It Simple & Personalized
A well-designed small bedroom should feel intentional yet personal. The key is to strike a balance between minimalism and warmth, incorporating meaningful elements without overwhelming the space.
Try This:
Choose high-quality, statement bedding to introduce texture and elegance.
Display a single sentimental item—a framed photograph, a cherished book, or a piece of sculptural decor.
Layer soft lighting and natural materials for an effortlessly cozy atmosphere.
Pro Tip: Keep the foundation neutral, then incorporate small, interchangeable accent pieces to refresh the space without redesigning it entirely.
Designing a small bedroom is not about working around limitations. It’s about embracing possibilities! With strategic planning and intentional choices, even the most compact spaces can feel spacious, refined, and deeply personal.
Remember, great design is not about how much space you have, but how you use it. The right design can transform your bedroom into a beautiful, livable retreat.
After all, the best interiors are not just designed—they’re curated, lived in, and evolved to reflect the people who call them home.
Which of these expert ideas will you implement first? Have a design challenge or a unique small-space solution of your own? We’d love to help you solve your small space challenges and let’s work together!
YAY! I’m Christine, owner of Saltwood Interiors.
I’m passionate about helping people transform their spaces into homes they love.
