11 bedroom layout ideas that will help you make the most of your square footage

Bedroom layout ideas are an essential part of your room's design. How your bedroom is arranged will have a huge impact on the functionality of your space, so it's important to get it right from the beginning.

Finding the right bedroom layout can be a daunting task, as there are an infinite number of ways to arrange a bedroom depending on the size, shape, and specific function of the room. Whether you're looking to create a large and luxurious master bedroom or tackling a small space, the best place to start when it comes to how to design a bedroom is to make a floor plan, say the experts.

'We typically start by collecting the dimensions of the bedroom to help us determine what we can fit into a space without it feeling crowded,' says designer Bria Hammel. 'We first take into consideration where the windows, door frame, and/or fireplace are located. This will help us determine the natural flow of the space. Next, we'll section off the space, dividing it into bed/nightstand area, dresser/closet area, and lounge/sitting area.'

Once you have a clear floor plan, it will make it easier to determine the flow of the space and where to position your furniture. So to help get you inspired, we've rounded up an array of bedroom ideas to help you lay out the perfect sleep space, along with some plenty more handy tips from the experts.

1. Start with the position of the bed

When deciding on a bedroom layout, especially for small bedroom layout ideas, the most important decision to make is where to position the bed. Being the largest piece of furniture in the room it will have a big impact on how the space functions, looks, and feels.

'When designing a bedroom, the bed always goes first and you design around it,' says designer Esther Dormer. 'The most typical bedroom layout has the bed headboard facing you as you enter the room.'

'When positioned opposite a doorway, a bed can be a focal point that draws you into the room and gives you a sense of balance and symmetry,' adds Zac Houghton, CEO at Loftera. 'If you place a bed in front of a window, it can block natural light and create a sense of imbalance.'

It's also important to think about the size of the wall the bed sits against and other architectural features in the room, explains Bria Hammel. 'In most of our bedroom layouts, the bed is positioned on the main, longest wall with no obstruction. If a bedroom has a fireplace, we love to place the bed on the opposite wall and ensure that it's in alignment with the fireplace.'

2. Layout your bedroom based on the aspect

There's nothing like waking up to a beautiful view to put you in a good frame of mind for the rest of the day. So if you're lucky enough to have a bedroom with beautiful views, then be sure to position the bed with a clear line of sight to the window in order to make the most of them.

Take care to create a bedroom layout where the furniture does not obscure or obstruct the window, and choose bedroom window treatments that can easily be pulled back so there's no visual bulk blocking the view or the natural light.

3. Use the principles of Feng Shui 

Symmetry is an interior design trick used to create tailored layouts, and it's perfect for the bedroom. In Feng Shui, pairs are thought to promote harmonious energy, so kit your Feng Shui bedroom layout for two people using these Feng Shui principles.

‘Symmetry provides balance within bedroom layouts and it often starts from the focal point, whether that be a statement bed, headboard, or piece of furniture,' says Liv Wallers from the British design studio, Yellow London. 'It brings a sense of comfort and rhythm to a space which is an integral part of the bedroom design process. It can be used right down to the smaller details of the room, pillows on the bed to lamps on a bedside table.’

4. Create zones with in your bedroom layout

Do you use your main bedroom as a multifunctional space? Does it double up as a home office or maybe a space to do yoga? Perhaps you want to create a dressing room area?

Zoning the space using a curtain or freestanding screen can be a quick way to define separate areas. Of course, this does depend on the size of the space and whether the shape lends itself to being divided. Choosing a sheer curtain is a brilliant way to separate areas in a bedroom, as it can help a sleeping area feel more intimate in the evening while keeping the overall space feeling bright and light throughout the day.

5. Consider adding a seating area

If you have the space, adding a bedroom seating area to your layout can give your space a hotel-like feel. A space away from the main living room to relax (without a TV) and read and drink coffee in the morning.

Having an additional seating area alongside the sitting room offers an extra place to escape to at the end of the day, especially when you want some quiet time away from the bustle of the main household. If adding a seating area consider arranging it near a window where views can be enjoyed.

6. Add an ensuite

Perhaps the ultimate in luxury bedroom ideas, an ensuite bathroom is the perfect addition to a restful sanctuary, allowing you to bathe, relax, and unwind for bed in the privacy of a self-contained space.

Reminiscent of boutique hotels, a popular bedroom layout when adding an ensuite bathroom is for it to be tucked behind a partition wall with a doorless entryway. When an ensuite is in the same line of sight as a bedroo,m think about decorating the rooms with complementary materials and finishes to help unite the space as demonstrated in this design by Humbert & Poyet. Designed in tandem, both spaces display dark wood warmed up with metallic detail.

7. Link your bedroom with a walk-in closet

Walk-in closet ideas are one of the best ways to maximize space in a bedroom layout. Dedicating a separate (yet linked) room to store clothes, shoes, and bags will free up valuable floor space in a bedroom, leaving the area feeling neat, tidy, and clutter-free.

Fitting bespoke closets is a brilliant way to make the most of the height of the space. 'Fitted closets are the perfect solution for individuals looking to store lots of clothing items, without dominating too much space in the bedroom. The big advantage of adding a fitted closet room to your bedroom layout is, of course, that it can fill the space and cope with any idiosyncrasies,' says senior designer at Neville Johnson, Simon Tcherniak.

8. Make the most of awkward angles

While they may boast characterful features like wooden roof beams, bedrooms with sloping ceilings, such as loft conversions and attic bedrooms, can make designing the layout particularly tricky. However, with some clever thinking, these awkward spaces can make beautiful multifunctional bedrooms, as demonstrated in this ingenious layout.

In this beautiful guest bedroom, the designers at Vanrenen GW Designs have made the most of awkward alcoves by fitting them with bespoke closets as well as a luxurious roll top bath set behind a curtain to create a fun ensuite bathroom idea.

9. Try a twin bed layout

Reminiscent of boutique hotels, twin bedroom ideas can serve multiple functions. If you often have visitors staying, you may want to consider a twin bedroom as a flexible alternative to a traditional double guest room, as it offers multiple sleeping options with the ability for two beds to be moved together for when couples stay. This type of layout can also work well for bedrooms for siblings or, as a single child's room that offers an extra bed – perfect for sleepovers.

When it comes to twin bedroom layouts, symmetry is a common theme. Opting for matching bed designs separated by a single nightstand will create visual harmony. If the twin bedroom is reserved for guests and not used regularly, then you can afford to be a bit more experimental with interior design, so why not create a talking point with matching upholstered headboard ideas?

10. Create a bed nook

Where space is at a premium, why not embrace the small proportions to create an intimate bed nook? A perfect small bedroom layout idea, fitting a bed into a tight corner and enclosing it with a curtain will create a cozy hideaway to shut yourself off from the world after a long day, plus makes a playful talking point in a guest bedroom.

To enhance the cocooning atmosphere, you could also introduce dark bedroom paint ideas as done here in this space by Thurstan.

‘We would usually lean towards quieter palette combinations, but darker shades can work really well within smaller spaces,' says founder James Thurstan Waterworth. 'They create a perception of depth and lend a cozy, cocoon-like feel – welcome in every bedroom. For the walls, we suggest a deep midnight blue or a petrol green, then lift this by layering careful accents of color, perhaps a burnt orange or a similar earth-toned hue – ochre, terracotta or a softer peach.’

11. Make room for a work space

If you don't have space for a home office, then the bedroom can double as a work space during the day. But if you are thinking about a bedroom layout with a desk, then be sure to consider where you position it.

'Most people want their bedroom to be a place to relax and unwind, so if you are also using it as a workspace, try to position the desk away from the bed to create a separate space in the room,' says Sarit Marcus, professional interior designer and founder of Minted Space. 'I recommend putting the desk on a separate wall from the bed.'

'If a desk is to be incorporated, you might make sure it is placed near to natural light, ideally in front of a window,' adds Louise Wicksteed, design director at Sims Hilditch.

What is the best way to layout a bedroom?

The best way to lay out a bedroom will depend on many factors, including the size, shape, and purpose of the space. For example, a master bedroom will have different layout requirements to a guest bedroom or a child's bedroom. 'The layout will also depend on what storage requirements you need, but also whether the room needs to fulfil any additional functions,' says designer Sarit Marcus.

'Will there be a sitting area? A desk? A dressing table? Once you have determined the various uses for the bedroom, creating a balanced layout and determining the focal point are key elements to establishing a cohesive layout.'

While the type of bedroom will determine the layout, there are some design principles that are common practice among many interior designers.

'A classic bedroom layout that we typically follow is to put your bed in the center of the most visible wall, and add two nightstands to either side if you have the space,' says Anna Franklin of Stone House Collective. 'I recommend putting the bed in the center of a main wall, and whenever possible, ensuring that it does not block any windows.'

Similarly, Bria Hammel explains that, 'In every bedroom we create, the bed is positioned on the main, longest wall with no obstruction. If a bedroom has a fireplace, we love to place the bed on the opposite wall and ensure that it's in alignment with the fireplace.'

Being restful, relaxing spaces, symmetrical layouts are a good choice as they bring harmony and balance.

The key to a good bedroom layout is planning. So, before you start moving furniture, create a mock-up of your floor plan, including dimensions and the position of doorways, windows, and any other architectural features like fireplaces and alcoves.

'Using a piece of paper to sketch out a general floor plan of the space is a simple and easy way to visually plan a bedroom. Alternatively, if you have access to an online tool, this can help with the accuracy of size and leftover space while playing around with the design,' suggests Anna Franklin. 'Then play around with different layouts. You could even measure your largest pieces and tape them out in the bedroom so you can feel the amount of space you have for foot traffic rather than just seeing the dimensions on a piece of paper.'