Whether you’re decorating a compact guest room, a rented flat or just trying to make your own tiny bedroom more liveable, here are 5 small bedroom design ideas that really work.
Decorating a small bedroom can be a real challenge! We want a tiny bedroom to be both functional and stylish which can be hard to achieve. That is where I can step in to help you. As an interior stylist, I want to share with you my top 5 design tricks which will turn even the smallest sleep space into a room that feels open, airy and inviting.
All these design ideas I use in real homes, on photo shoots, and in my own space, and they really do make a BIG difference. Let me show you how!
My Own experience of decorating A Small bedroom
Decorating a small bedroom is no easy task, and I know this as I’ve done it twice in my own home. I’ve got two tiny bedrooms to work with in my little house: one is my main bedroom, the other is my guest room. And honestly? Figuring out how to make them feel calm and clutter-free but also pack them with personality took a lot of trial and error. It’s one thing to style a space for a photo shoot but it is quite another to make it work for real life especially when you factor in my bulging wardrobe of clothes and my small dog thrown in the mix.
But, let me tell you, once you crack the style code when decorating a small bedroom, the end result can be genuinely transformational for you and your home. And you’ll have a calm place to sleep in, and an organised room that will help you unwind at the end of the day.
5 Design Ideas For Small Bedrooms
1. Choose A CLEVER Ottoman Bed
In any bedroom, the bed takes centre stage both visually and physically. In smaller bedrooms, it’s the one single item that can make or break the layout. That’s why choosing the right bed is key.
Why choosing the right bed matters for your space:
The bed isn’t just for sleeping. It’s also the largest item in the room. I’m a huge fan of an ottoman bed, as they perfectly balance hidden storage beneath the mattress but they also look good too. This makes them a dream for compact spaces.
A smart storage bed can double the space in a small bedroom
I have two ottoman beds, and let me tell you they offer so much storage space for seasonal clothes, suitcases and my styling props. An ottoman bed house so much stuff which means you don’t have to fill up your bedroom with a additional storage furniture like an extra chest of drawers. And unlike other storage beds, an ottoman bed keeps things visually clear and uncluttered.
What I love most about an ottoman bed is how easy it is to access everything you need, simply by lifting up the bed. Unlike beds with drawers, you don’t need lots of space around the bed to access your stored belongings. You can even get single ottoman bed with mattress which is perfect for children’s rooms, smaller flats or tiny guest rooms where every inch matters.
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2. Use a Colour to Open Up YOUR BEDROOM
One of the simplest tricks to make a bedroom feel bigger is by using colour cleverly. To cheat a space to look bigger – then you’ll want to decorate your space in lighter tones like off-white, pale blues, sage or dusky pinks as these colours reflect light and give the illusion of space. They make walls recede and help open up the room which is especially important when square footage is in short supply. Look out for highly pigmented paints that will bounce natural light around your room.
But if you prefer your decor to have more punch, then small bedrooms can really handle a bold colour scheme. Think all-over patterns, rich colours and a mix of prints. The more visually interesting your room is, the more likely you are to spend time in there. Bold graphic prints and deep colours can embrace the warm and cosy nature of smaller rooms too.
In my main bedroom, I went for white walls but then added a blush accent with a pretty mural. The result is a warm, restful space that still feels light and airy. You can see more of that space in my small bedroom makeover on my blog. But my guest bedroom is wallpaper with vintage maps which makes it feels so welcoming to guests (so they tell me!)
3. Go Vertical WITH YOUR STORAGE
Although your floor space may be limited, your walls are full of potential! Vertical storage makes all the difference in a small bedroom. Floating shelves above the bed or door, wall-mounted hooks, and high peg rails help you store and display and keep clutter off the floor.
In my guest bedroom, I turned an alcove into a tall concealed cupboard which I have packed with storage shelves. It’s barely noticeable but holds a surprising amount of stuff! You can see how I styled it in this post on decorating ideas for guest bedrooms.
4. DECLUTTER YOUR BELONGINGS
We all know that tiny bedrooms really can’t afford to be cluttered as it makes them feel so much smaller. One too many items on a bedside table or chest of drawers can tip a bedroom from stylish to messy. Try to your best to keep surfaces clear, with just a few well-chosen pieces on show: think a lamp, a candle, a small dish for jewellery, and maybe a single framed photo.
Use trays, lidded boxes or inside drawers to store everyday items out of sight. Think of it as ‘curating’, not clearing. You’re not aiming for emptiness, just intentional placement of your belongings. There is nothing worse when our bedrooms feel like a junk room from the rest of the house.
Stylist tip: I treat small bedrooms like a capsule wardrobe. Fewer pieces, better chosen. The visual space this creates is just as important as physical storage.
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5. Layer Lighting IN A SMALL DARK BEDROOM
If a small room looks dark, it will feel smaller. You’ll want to add as many sources of light as you can in your bedroom to brighten it up!
I feel that just relying on overhead lighting in smaller bedrooms isn’t enough. Instead, layer your light sources to create softness and flexibility. I’m talking about installing wall-mounted bedside lights which are perfect for freeing up table space. A statement central pendant above that catches the eye. Even a string of fairy lights over your bed will help set the tone.
And in dark corners with no plug, you can invest in rechargeable bedside light bulbs or USB lamps that can illuminate a space without the need for extra plugs or messy extension cables.
In my guest room, I have a clip on wall light as my reading lamp which is attached to my shelves. Not it adds character to my space, it avoids cluttering my small bedside table too.
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MY FINAL THOUGHTS ON Small BedroomS
What I hope this blog post has taught you is that small bedrooms don’t have to be basic. With the right design choices, soft colour palettes, clever storage, and well-planned lighting, you can easily make your space look and feel bigger, brighter and better suited to the way you live. I’d love to know your thoughts!
Looking for even more ideas? Tune into my How to Home podcast episode on ‘How to make a small home feel bigger‘ is packed with design chat, real-life tips and plenty of styling inspiration
And for more ideas, check out my other small space styling ideas over at maxinebrady.com, where I share everything from clever storage hacks to compact home office makeovers.
Oh – and while i”m here, please don’t forget to follow me on Instagram at @maxinebradystyling (51K followers) for daily design tips, behind-the-scenes styling, and all the cosy bedroom vibes 🙂
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