Hey there,
Living in a small bedroom can feel limiting, but it doesn’t have to. Even the tiniest spaces can look and feel much bigger with the right tricks. Whether you’re decorating a small apartment or simply working with a compact bedroom, these smart ideas will help you create an open and airy feel. A well-organized, thoughtfully decorated space can make a significant difference in how comfortable and inviting your bedroom feels. By making intentional design choices, you can create a room that looks bigger and functions better for your lifestyle.
Here are 19 ways to make your small bedroom look bigger:
1. Choose Light Colors for the Walls
Dark walls can make a room feel small and enclosed, while light colors help reflect natural light and create a more open, airy atmosphere. Soft shades like white, beige, pastels, or light gray are ideal for making the space feel more expansive. If you want to add some depth, consider using a slightly darker shade on one accent wall while keeping the rest of the walls light. This contrast can create the illusion of depth without overwhelming the room.
Additionally, using the same light shade for walls, ceilings, and trim can help blend boundaries and make the space feel even larger.
2. Keep Clutter to a Minimum
A cluttered room will always feel small and cramped. One of the simplest yet most effective ways to make your bedroom appear bigger is to declutter regularly. Start by assessing which items are essential and which are just taking up valuable space. Store unnecessary belongings in hidden storage solutions such as under-bed drawers or sleek baskets. Keeping your surfaces clear and organized allows your space to breathe, making it look much more spacious. Adopting a “less is more” approach with decor and furniture can also prevent visual chaos, helping the room feel more open and relaxing.
3. Add Large Mirrors
Mirrors are one of the most powerful tools in small-space design. They reflect light and create the illusion of depth, making a room appear twice as big.
Placing a large mirror on a wall or across from a window can instantly brighten the space and give it an airy feel. For an even greater effect, consider mirrored furniture pieces, such as wardrobes or nightstands, which add storage without contributing to visual bulk. If possible, use floor-length mirrors to enhance the vertical space and make the room feel taller.
4. Let in Natural Light
Heavy, dark curtains can block light and make a space feel enclosed. To make your bedroom feel larger, let in as much natural light as possible. Opt for sheer curtains or blinds that allow light to filter through while maintaining privacy. If you have limited natural light, strategically placing mirrors to reflect existing light sources can help brighten the room. A bright space always feels bigger than a dark one, so maximize every opportunity to bring in daylight.
5. Keep Furniture Simple
Bulky furniture can overwhelm a small bedroom, making it feel cramped and cluttered. Instead, opt for sleek, simple designs that don’t take up too much space. Choose furniture with clean lines and compact proportions to maintain an open feel.
When selecting furniture, consider pieces that serve multiple purposes, such as a bed with built-in storage or a wall-mounted desk. The less visual clutter your furniture creates, the bigger your room will appear.
6. Invest in Multi-Functional Furniture
Multi-functional furniture is a game-changer for small bedrooms. A bed with built-in drawers, a foldable desk, or an ottoman with storage can help you save space while keeping the room organized. Pieces that serve more than one function allow you to maximize every inch of space while maintaining a stylish, uncluttered look. Consider a Murphy bed if you need additional floor space during the day, or a storage bench that doubles as seating and hidden storage.
7. Raise Your Bed
Raising your bed is an excellent way to free up valuable floor space. Loft beds, high-raised frames, or platform beds with built-in drawers provide extra storage without taking up additional room. This space underneath can be used for storing baskets, seasonal clothing, or even creating a small workspace.
Utilizing vertical space effectively is key in a small bedroom, and an elevated bed helps make the most of your limited square footage.
8. Use Built-In Storage Solutions
Built-in storage can be one of the most effective ways to make a small bedroom look bigger. Whether it’s built-in wardrobes, custom shelving, or under-bed storage, these solutions help utilize every inch of space. Custom storage solutions keep the floor clear, allowing your room to look more open. Consider incorporating hidden storage compartments behind mirrors or inside headboards to make the most of every available area.
9. Install Floating Shelves
Floating shelves are a great way to add storage without using floor space. Mount them on walls to hold books, plants, or decorative items, keeping your surfaces clear and clutter-free.
They offer a stylish way to display essential items while maximizing vertical storage. Using shelves that blend with the wall color can create a seamless look, making the room feel less crowded.
10. Pick Compact Furniture
Oversized furniture can make a small bedroom feel overwhelmed and tight. Instead, choose slim, space-saving designs that fit the scale of your room. Compact nightstands, wall-mounted desks, and foldable chairs can help maintain an open, functional space without sacrificing comfort.
11. Hang Curtains Higher
One of the best tricks to make a room feel larger is to hang curtains higher than the window. Mounting curtains close to the ceiling creates the illusion of taller walls and makes the space feel more expansive.
Floor-length curtains in a light, airy fabric can add to this effect and make your room feel grander.
12. Add Vertical Stripes
Vertical stripes naturally draw the eye upward, making ceilings appear higher. Whether you incorporate striped wallpaper, a tall bookcase, or vertical decor elements, this design trick can add height and dimension to your room.
13. Keep Furniture Low to the Ground
Low-profile furniture, such as platform beds and short dressers, can make a room appear more spacious. When furniture sits lower, it leaves more open wall space, which enhances the illusion of height.
14. Use Every Corner Wisely
Corners are often underutilized in small bedrooms. Add corner shelves, a small desk, or even a hanging plant to make the most of these overlooked spaces. Smart corner usage helps reduce wasted areas and increases functionality.
15. Stick to a Simple Color Palette
Using too many bold or contrasting colors in a small bedroom can make the space feel chaotic and even smaller. A simple, cohesive color palette creates harmony and openness. Light neutrals like white, beige, soft gray, or pastel tones reflect more light, making the room feel airy. You can still add personality with subtle pops of color through bedding, decor, or artwork, but keeping the main tones consistent will help the space feel more expansive and uncluttered.
16. Choose Transparent Furniture
Bulky furniture can overwhelm a small bedroom, making it look more cramped. Transparent furniture, like glass or acrylic chairs, tables, or nightstands, reduces visual weight and makes the room feel lighter.
Because they allow light to pass through, they create the illusion of more space. A clear acrylic desk or a glass bedside table blends seamlessly into the room without adding heaviness, making the overall design feel more open and sophisticated.
17. Mount Lights on the Wall
Traditional table lamps can take up valuable surface space on nightstands or dressers, making a small bedroom feel cluttered. Instead, opt for wall-mounted sconces or hanging pendant lights to free up surfaces while still providing cozy lighting. These fixtures save space and create a stylish and modern look. Adjustable wall lights can also add functionality, allowing you to direct the light where needed without taking up extra room.
18. Define the Space with a Rug
A well-placed rug can make a small bedroom feel more put-together and visually larger. Choosing a rug that extends beyond the bed helps create the illusion of more floor space, making the room feel bigger than it actually is. Lighter-colored rugs or ones with subtle patterns can further enhance this effect. Additionally, a soft rug adds warmth and texture, making the bedroom feel more inviting and comfortable.
19. Keep the Floor Clear
The more floor space you can see, the larger your bedroom will feel. Cluttered floors make a small room look even tighter, so keeping things off the ground is key. Use wall-mounted storage solutions like floating shelves, hanging organizers, or mounted nightstands to keep bulky furniture and decor to a minimum. Store unnecessary items under the bed or inside multi-functional furniture to maintain a clean, open look that makes the room feel airy and spacious.
If you need more inspiration for a small living room, just read this post: The best 12 budget-friendly small living room ideas | Bloom and Boughs
If you’re looking for more house design and lifestyle tips, feel free to explore my Pinterest page as well!
Conclusion
Making a small bedroom look bigger is all about smart design choices. By using light colors, mirrors, vertical lines, and space-saving furniture, you can transform your tiny bedroom into a stylish and functional space. Try a few of these tips and see the difference! Do you have your own space-saving tricks? Share them in the comments below!
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