How To Make A Small Bedroom Look Bigger We've gathered the top tricks interior designers use so you can learn how to make a small bedroom look bigger.
1. Use Vertical Space To 'Lift' The Ceiling
Firstly, how cozy does this bedroom look? Despite the size of this space, it still comfortably fits a bed, small sofa and armchair – and the built-in bookcase. It works because the fabulous interior design team at Kitesgrove have used the vertical space to create built-in small bedroom storage ideas, and made the room feel larger as a result.
2. Fit A Bed Under The Eaves
When looking for beds for small rooms, a cabin bed should be just what you are after. Usually constructed against a wall, in a corner, or under the eaves, this chic bunk offers a secluded, snug and secure feel for the best night’s sleep for all ages. This simple place to snooze also makes light work of storage with pull-out storage drawers underneath.
3. Invest In Handleless Storage
Sleek, clean and fuss-free, handleless bedroom storage brings a streamlined and contemporary edge to your space. The simplicity of the design acts like a blank canvas that you can build any style into, be it Scandinavian, industrial or even rustic. This design is especially popular for tiny bedrooms, as they visually take up less space.
4. Exaggerate Vertical Space With Vertical Panels
Whether you have a high ceiling in your space or not, you can make a small bedroom look bigger by exaggerating the room's ceiling height with vertical panels or stripes. This is overt in this room – but even a vertically striped wallpaper will do the trick.
5. Pick A Tall Headboard
When space is tight, you can use clever headboard ideas to make it feel bigger. You don’t want to fill it with a large chunky headboard that dominates the room – as lovely as they are, it’s not the right fit in this situation.
6. Lean A Floor-Standing Mirror Adjacent To A Window
‘Fill a tight nook in a bedroom with a floor-length mirror to make it appear larger. They are great for adding a functional yet decorative element in any space.’ Placing a mirror adjacent to a window is the best position for it to reflect the maximum amount of light. If your bedroom scheme is pretty plain, then a gold floor-length mirror with a hint of detail on the top curve will work wonders to add a warmer feel to the scheme.
7. Choose Furniture With Slim, Tapered Legs
If you can see right beneath pieces of furniture then your bedroom will automatically feel more spacious. If your room has high ceilings, a bed on tall legs will feel more in proportion; in a room with a lower ceiling, a low-slung bed will feel more appropriate.
8. Use An Over Mantel Mirror To Broaden A Small Space
‘Unlike bathroom or dressing room mirrors, bedroom mirrors are more for mood than practicality, and so an old mercury mirror, with its charming imperfections, is appropriate.
'This is especially true of more traditional rooms that have the mirror built in above the chimney. They tend to be higher up than bathroom mirrors, offering an interesting perspective on the room and catching the natural light.’
9. Pick Low-Slung Furniture To Fake A Higher Ceiling
A bed that's lower than the standard height, coupled with a shorter bedside table, will allow for more wall space. This will help to make your bedroom feel larger, like in this eclectic scheme by Clarke & Clarke Interiors.
10. Boost Square Footage – And Light – With Alcove Mirrors
Mirror, mirror – often forgotten but oh-so-useful, the humble mirror can really transform a space. If you hang it near a window it will bounce the light around and reflect beautifully, it’s an interior design trick that’s definitely worth doing.
11. Swap Table Lamps For Space-Enhancing Wall Lights
If your bedroom is small you might have to compromise on the width of your bedside table, which means any space you can get back is a bonus. The answer is to install wall lights on each side of the bed, like in this room by House Nine Design.
12. Opt For Ditsy Prints Instead Of Large-Scale Designs
Bold designs, be they wallpaper or fabrics, will fill a space visually, so choose small and intricate designs instead – perfect if cozy bedroom ideas are more to your taste, as these create a homely feel like in this traditional design by Penny Morrison.
13. Paint Walls In A Barely There Color
We asked Patrick O’Donnell, brand ambassador at Farrow & Ball for his advice on how to make a small bedroom look bigger. ‘I would keep your bedroom colour ideas light and airy, and try to avoid too many contrasts by using one color for all surfaces – even the ceiling and built-in wardrobes. This is where soft, light colors work best, so go for a soft, nuanced white bedroom or delicate pastel shades.’
14. Make Bulky Furniture Seem Slimmer With Mirrors
It’s not just bog-standard mirrors that will reflect and make your bedroom feel larger; mirrored furniture can do the trick perfectly too, even when it comes to bed ideas.
‘This bed was crafted to stand almost 3 meters tall, so as not to be dwarfed by the high ceilings, and mirrored glass was chosen rather than traditional timber or metal in order to create a wow factor.
15. Create A Nook Bed To Fake Square Footage
Small bedroom layouts can be tricky, so if you are juggling with ideas for how to arrange a small bedroom, consider a this: divide the sleeping area off with a nook bed, leaving the rest of the floor in the central part of the room free.
16. Create A Faux Wall With A Drape
With most rooms in the house having to work a little harder as more of us are working from home, the peaceful haven of our bedrooms has had to adapt slightly. Or perhaps you're looking for box room ideas that can allow a small bedroom to function as both an office and guest space?
In this instance, there are some clever ways to make it work whilst still making it feel spacious. Splitting the room by having a drape hung three-quarters or halfway across the room ensures you have that work life balance, both mentally and visually.
What Colors Make A Small Bedroom Look Bigger?
Colors that make a small bedroom look bigger tend to be those that reflect light, from the wide selection of whites to pastels and diluted primaries. However, don't just rely on colors when planning how to make a small bedroom look bigger – paint and bedroom wallpaper ideas will also have an effect, with those that have a soft sheen reflecting space-enhancing light usefully from both walls and the ceiling. Bear in mind, though, that sheens will show up imperfections more than matte finishes, so plasterwork needs to be in good shape.
Do Low Beds Make A Room Look Bigger?
Low beds do make a room look bigger, and the same can be applied to all furniture, in all rooms. However, just because a room is small, that doesn't mean the ceiling is low; if the ceiling is tall in a small room, you want to mitigate the poor proportions, and using taller furniture – or even a tall headboard – can do this. That said, if your room has a low ceiling, a low bed is your best choice.