26 Of The Smartest Small Bedroom Ideas With Pictures

Small Bedroom Ideas

You might think that the ideal bedroom retreat needs to be spacious. But here’s the good news; a small bedroom can be just as restful and inviting. In fact, sometimes, the coziness a small room evokes is preferable to a stark, wide-open space.

No matter what the size, your bedroom should be a place where you can go to relax and unwind after a busy day. It’s a place for renewal and rejuvenation, and it should also reflect your style and personal aesthetic. It also needs to provide some practical functions, like storage and a place to get ready.

When designing your bedroom, focus on including elements that help transform it into your perfect sanctuary. If you have a small bedroom, then you’ve come to the right place. We’ve rounded up 26 of the most innovative small bedroom ideas for 2023, so you can create the bedroom retreat of your dreams. 

1. Reflect Light with Mirrors

Image source: Braun + Adams via Instagram

Never underestimate the power of a great mirror; it makes you look fabulous, and it does the same for your room, too. Just check out these stunning mirrored closet doors in this IKEA hack found on Braun + Adams Instagram. The trim and oversized gold handles elevate the look with just the right touch of sophistication and charm.

But the best part is what mirrors do for a small space. They reflect light, bouncing it around the room, making the whole area feel more open and airy. Using mirrors is also a great solution in a room that has little natural light. 

2. Create More Space with Storage Under the Bed

Image source: Pottery Barn

When space is at a premium in your bedroom, storage becomes extremely important. After all, you can’t have a very restful retreat if your clothes end up all over your bed. But, with a small space comes limited places for things like dressers and wardrobes. 

So, instead of piling up your clothes on the bed, why not store them underneath it? Storage beds come in a variety of styles that offer a wide assortment of storage options to match your needs. You can find beds with built-in drawers, shelves, and others feature cubbies for baskets and bins, like this beauty from Pottery Barn

3. Now You See It, Now You Don’t with a Murphy Bed

Image source: Wayfair

Are you trying to create a bedroom for guests but don’t want to take up valuable floor space in your spare room? Then, a Murphy bed, like this one from Wayfair, provides you with a perfect solution. It’s a great way to transform a home office or study into a bedroom quickly and easily when you need one. 

Adding artwork on the wall behind the bed helps give the room a more finished feel when the bed is pulled down. Plus, many Murphy beds provide multiple functions. Some feature built-in storage, while others even feature attached desks when they’re upright.

4. Maximize Natural Light

Image source: The Grit and Polish

Natural light not only helps a room feel bigger and brighter, but it’s good for the soul. Waking up to a room full of sunshine is a great way to start the day. Don’t worry; you don’t necessarily have to start adding windows to your space. 

However, you do want to maximize the ones you have by using sheers instead of heavy drapery, like in this small bedroom from The Grit and Polish. Of course, if you have the budget and means to do so, adding an extra window can work wonders. Even a small privacy window like the one shown here.

5. Use a Variety of Textures

Image source: Magnolia Lane via Instagram

When you’re working with a small bedroom, go ahead and embrace the coziness. Don’t be afraid to mix up textures and patterns in a space. Not only does it help create visual interest, but it also makes a room feel more comfortable. 

And you’re not limited to fabrics and your bedding when it comes to texture. Take a cue from Magnolia Lane’s Instagram and bring in texture through your accessories and furniture, too. The basket-style pendant light pairs well with the wooden nightstands and fur rug. While the oversized, braided blanket offers a nice contrast to the lighter materials on the bed.

6. Add Art with a Gallery Wall

Image source: Chris Loves Julia

When designing a small space, you can still make a big statement without it becoming overwhelming. It’s all about your arrangement. One idea is to keep things simple with a gallery wall, like this one from Chris Loves Julia. It organizes all of your wall art into one area, allowing the other walls to stay clear and open. 

Plus, you still get to display multiple pieces of art. For example, you can choose from family portraits, landscapes, or abstract prints. Or, opt for fun collections like vintage plates, framed fabrics, or anything else that suits your style. 

7. Double Your Space with a Loft Bed

Image source: Coleman Furniture

Here’s a great idea for maximizing space in a kid’s or teen’s room. Take the bed to new heights with a loft bed like this one from Coleman Furniture. Positioning the desk beneath the bed gives you double the space within the same footprint. 

You can apply the same idea to a loft bed over a dresser or reading nook or place it over a full bed to add extra sleeping space in a guest room. Loft beds come in tons of different styles and colors, too, so you can easily find one to suit your space.

8. Go with a Monochromatic Color Scheme

Image source: Exquisitely Unremarkable

If you’re thinking monochromatic means all-white or blah, think again. Instead, it’s all about using variations from the same color family to create a cohesive and calming scheme, whether white, blue, green or even purple, like this charming room from Exquisitely Unremarkable. The similar shades, hues, and tones help a space feel larger.

But don’t be fooled by this simple design; you still want to make thoughtful choices. To avoid getting boring, spice up the design with a variety of textures, patterns, and fabrics. You can also help balance stronger colors by incorporating some hints of neutrals throughout the space.  

9. Surround Your Bed with Storage

Image source: The Lily Pad Cottage

Instead of taking up floor space throughout a small bedroom with storage furniture, place your storage around your bed. Not only does it look amazing, but it’s practical too. The Lily Pad Cottage does a great job of bringing a cohesive and charming look to this nautical-inspired bedroom. 

Plus, connecting the units with a complementary shelf not only adds extra storage but gives everything a polished look. You can create this look with matching wardrobes, bookshelves or go full-tilt with built-ins. The options are endless, and the design is only limited by your imagination. 

10. Use a Wall-Mounted Vanity

Image source: Not on the High Street

You might think having a dressing table is a luxury reserved for lavish bedrooms, but Not on the High Street proves otherwise with this floating vanity. It keeps the floor free and clear, which helps reduce visual clutter. Plus, it provides just enough space for your essentials so that you can get ready in style and comfort. 

To finish the look hang a mirror on the wall above and mount a lamp, keeping the surface free for makeup, jewelry, and other items. Pair it with a stool that can slide underneath easily when not in use.

11. Have Fun with Paint

Image source: J&J Design Group

Any designer worth their salt knows that one of the most cost-effective ways to make an impact is with paint. But that’s not paint’s only super-power; you can also use it to transform the size of a room. Depending on your color choices and techniques, paint can make a room feel taller, cozier, or larger. 

This bold print in this bedroom from J&J Design Group certainly shows just how much paint can do. Not only is the striped pattern eye-catching and fun, but the horizontal stripes also draw your eye around the room. The overall effect is a room that appears bigger.

12. Hang Your Headboard

Image source: Posh Diggs

In a small bedroom, every inch is valuable, so don’t waste any and push your bed right up against the wall. Instead of using a traditional headboard, opt for a hanging one. For example, you can use a curtain rod with a pretty tapestry, mount a piece of stained wood, or hang some statement art above your bed.

The best part is, you don’t have to break a sweat; just take some inspiration from this stunning design from Posh Diggs. All you need are some fun hooks and cushions that complement yur room’s design. You can purchase already-made headboard cushions or make your own.

 

13. Put Lighting on the Walls

Image source: That Home Bird Life

Lighting is a critical part of any design, so it’s the last thing you want to skimp on in any space. When it comes to bedrooms, bedside lighting is key for things like reading in bed or if you need to get up in the middle of the night. But, taking up priceless surface space on your nightstand? No good. 

Go for wall-mounted lighting instead, like That Home Bird Life, on either side of your bed. You can choose from many styles, special features like dimmers and remotes, and with corded designs, you don’t even need to call an electrician.

14. Maximize Vertical Storage

Image source: Tia via Pinterest

Tap into wasted space by going vertical with your storage, like this setup from Tia via Pinterest. Cabinets hung right below the ceiling offer a great way to hide away items you don’t need to use often, while long, narrow shelves are suitable for displaying special items. 

Other excellent ways to optimize vertical storage are installing shelves above doorways and using floor-to-ceiling shelving. Just make sure to balance the amount of hidden and open storage to keep things from looking cluttered. Also, avoid overly tall pieces of bulky furniture as they can tend to overpower a small space.

15. Keep Nightstands Clutter-Free

Image source: Restonic

Even if you decide to wall mount your lamps, don’t think that means you can clutter up your nightstand with everything else. Nightstands tend to become a catchall for books, eyeglasses, phone chargers, medicine, and tons of other odds and ends. 

All of this clutter not only leads to a cramped style, but it can stress you out. Try to limit the number of things on your bedside table to 2-3 items like this one from Restonic. Also, it helps if you choose a table with at least one drawer where you can keep some essentials. 

16. Ditch Hinged Closet Doors

Image source: Michelle Neary via Pinterest

A bedroom needs to function, but it also needs to be relaxing. However, if you can’t move around the room easily, it becomes frustrating. For example, if you open your closet door and the door takes up a third of your floor space, that can get old real quick. 

So, forgo traditional hinged closet doors for other, more space-efficient styles. You can try designs like bi-fold doors or sliding doors, but sometimes these options can make it hard to access the items in your closet. A practical and pretty alternative is to use curtains, like Michelle Neary via Pinterest.

17. Create an Accent Wall

Image source: Contemporist

Even a small room needs a focal point, and in a bedroom, that spot is often the bed. So if you’re dealing with a small bedroom, go for a major impact around the bed with an accent wall, creating a true WOW moment. The dramatic design instantly catches the eye and draws you in, making the room feel more substantial.

The fun thing about accent walls is you can do so many things. Whether it’s a bold wallpaper, contrasting paint color, or a three-dimensional effect like this wood wall from Contemporist, let your imagination run wild. 

18. Utilize Raised Furniture

Image source: Wayfair

To keep things from feeling cluttered, choose elevated furniture items instead of pieces that sit directly on the floor. When you can see more floor space, it tricks the eye into thinking the space is larger. You don’t necessarily need to do it with every piece in the room, but avoid having all of your furniture flat on the floor. 

Low-profile pieces are still an excellent option for a small bedroom but look for styles with legs, like this mid-century modern dresser from Wayfair. The added bonus with raised furniture is it makes it a lot easier to clean and catch those dust bunnies.

19. Split the Space

Image source: Tidbits & Twine

Whether in a kid’s room or a guest room, consider using a set of twin beds to help widen the space. This charming guest retreat redo from Tidbits & Twine creates a symmetrical design using matching twin beds and rattan trunks against opposite walls. The hutch in the middle doubles as extra storage and bedside tables for both beds. 

Using the twin beds in this way and keeping the side walls clear help create the illusion of a more expansive bedroom. Plus, the pretty bedskirts serve as the perfect way to hide extra storage underneath the beds. 

20. Incorporate Hidden Storage Into Your Headboard

Image source: Ikea

There are probably hundreds, if not more, Ikea hacks out there to help create more storage in unique ways. This one uses Ikea’s TRONES pull-out shoe storage cabinets to create a headboard full of hidden storage. And, they aren’t just for shoes. You can store pretty much anything you want, including clothes, books, or even your kid’s stuffed animal collection.

A string of rope LED lights adds a glamorous touch to this design, but you can keep it is as simple or as luxe as you want. And with a bit of paint and elbow grease, you can do even more.

21. Let a Chair Double as a Bedside Table

Image source: Our Yellow Love Nest

Any small space works better when you can incorporate furniture that works double-duty. Having a separate place to sit in a bedroom is always a nice touch. It gives you a place to put on shoes, read a book, or just rest a bit without messing up your bed. 

But, in a small bedroom, you don’t want to pile in too much furniture. Therefore, select a chair that goes with your room’s design that you can quickly transform into a bedside table. Then, simply pull it next to your bed at night, like Our Yellow Love Nest.

22. Tap Into Unused Spaces

Image source: Her Waise Choice

We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again; in a small bedroom, every inch of available space counts. If you don’t want to (or can’t) fit a dresser or dressing table into your room, turn to other surfaces. 

A windowsill can become the perfect place to display photos, keep a few favorite books, or organize your jewelry, like Her Waise Choice. The key is to do it in an appealing and intentional way so it looks purposeful instead of cluttered. Just be aware to avoid storing anything by the window that shouldn’t be in sunlight for long periods.

23. Use Furniture with Open Space

Image source: Crate & Barrel

When selecting furniture for your small bedroom, look for open, airy styles to help keep the overall look light. The negative space will also help your eye travel around the space instead of multiple, solid pieces chopping up the room. 

Nightstands with lots of space beneath, like this elegant piece from Crate & Barrel are a nice touch. You could also achieve a similar effect with glass bedside tables. Additionally, consider choosing items like a thin iron or metal headboard, a backless bookcase, or an acrylic bench for the foot of the bed. 

24. Reconsider the Size of Your Bed

Image source: Pottery Barn

It’s natural to assume in a plush and inviting bedroom, a bigger bed is a must. But, stuffing a king-size bed, and sometimes even a queen, into a small bedroom can work against you. Instead of being cozy, you end up feeling confined, struggling to maneuver around the space.

Therefore, take some time to really think about your bed size. Depending on your circumstances, you might happily discover you can trade your king for a queen or even a full-size bed. And smaller doesn’t make a bed any less stylish; as you can see with the Mateo platform bed from Pottery Barn.

25. Trick the Eye with Fake Bookshelves

Image source: Amazon

Here’s a fun and unique way to make a small bedroom appear larger. It’s time to channel your inner illusionist; move over Chris Angel, okay maybe not that extreme. But, you can do some amazing things with design, and often, very much like magic, it’s all about tricking the eye.

If you don’t have room for real bookcases, create the impression with this quirky library-themed wallpaper from Amazon. It makes the room appear bigger because of the perceived depth of the bookcases. Tada! It’s all about making the eye see what you want it to see.

26. Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark

Image source: Coco Lapine Design

People often shy away from using dark colors in a small space because they think it automatically makes a room feel smaller and claustrophobic. But, take a tip from this gorgeous, moody bedroom from Coco Lapine Design; don’t be afraid to go dark. 

In contrast to closing a room in, a well-executed dark color scheme can actually make a room appear larger. The darker shades cause the walls to recede, thus expanding the space visually. Whether you opt for deep navy, dark gray, or go full-throttle with black, all of these have the potential to work wonders in a small space.