Small bedroom ideas – how to decorate and furnish a compact bedroom

Our pick of the best small bedroom ideas can turn even a tiny bedroom into a warm and cozy retreat.

With practical storage solutions, curated color choices and enviable interior design schemes, these bedroom ideas are bound to inspire you to create a restful and practical space.

Small bedroom ideas

1. Play up to a room's assets in a box bedroom

When it comes to box room ideas, sometimes it's best to embrace the coziness of a small space.

'If it’s small and dark, don't try to change it – painting it white will make it look cold, so opt for a cozy feel instead,' says Mary Barber-Fray of Mary Barber-Fray Interior Design. 


'And don’t be afraid to place a large piece of furniture – or an oversized accessory – in a small space. 
It will look much better than a number of smaller pieces.'

2. Paint or wallpaper a headboard in small bedroom ideas

Try to think outside the box. If there is no space for a headboard, then get creative with your wall decor for the bedroom and paint one on the wall. 

In all bedrooms, small or large, a sense of real luxury comes from a good mattress, high thread-count sheets, and a soft rug to step out of bed onto. These are the things that make the most difference to a sense of well-being.

3. Prioritise form and function 

Another option is to go for a statement bed and little else. If you follow this route, use a bed that offers plenty of in-built hidden small bedroom storage, or space underneath to store boxes and vacuum bags. 

Choose bedside tables with multiple drawers either side, or if room does not allow, choose ergonomic wall-mounted lights as seen here.

4. Fit in furniture in a small bedroom

Maximise storage by using clever multi-functional furniture where suitable, using the walls and height of the room as well as the floor space. 

Bespoke fitted furniture is a good option for a small space or apartment bedroom ideas.

5. Add interest in small bedroom design ideas

Provide one or two key focal points to draw the eye to the outer spaces of the room, for example a striking piece of artwork, patterned wallpaper or headboard covered in stunning fabric. 

It only takes one wall to give small bedrooms the wow factor. Generally your feature wall will be the one you see first when entering a room but you could choose a bedroom accent wall behind a key piece of furniture, such as behind the bed or sofa.

6. Paint a small bedroom in white

Decorating schemes will never tire of white, but all-white rooms can make a real statement. Glamorous yet relaxed, mix up different tones of white for a fresh and airy feel. 

Avoid the clinical look by make sure that there are some elements of natural materials in the room – perhaps wooden furniture or wicker storage baskets.

7. Convert a loft into an extra bedroom

A loft conversion can be one of the most straightforward ways to introduce extra space into your home. There are an array of cozy bedroom ideas to prove just how inviting these spaces can be.

Given the right loft space, the addition of another bedroom, office or just extra storage will make all the difference, and can mean you’re able to stay on in a house that you may have thought was too small – plus it will add value to your home, too.

8. Enhance light in small bedroom ideas

Ensuring adequate light is crucial. When it comes to decorating, light bedroom color ideas are a safe and effective choice: sunlight flooding through a roof light onto crisp, white walls creates an uplifting sense of space. 

You will also need to think carefully about furniture placement in a loft bedroom, as sloping walls may limit your options.

9. Make small bedroom ideas feel more luxurious

Small bedroom ideas can really benefit from rich, luxurious soft furnishings. Your bedroom should be a haven of peace and it should reflect your true self. 

Simple pattern, subtle textures and soothing colors will create the perfect refuge from the stress of a long day.

10. Think about doors in a compact space

Think about the entrance door too in small bedroom ideas.

'If you can’t re-hang it so that it opens away from the room rather than into it, consider sliding pocket doors that neatly slide out of view when open and don’t eat in to the usable space,' says Mary Barber-Fray.

11. Get the lighting right 

The right bedroom lighting ideas will help to visually maximize the space. For example, try lighting the narrower sides of the room to provide a sense of width, whether with wall lights or recessed spotlights that can be tilted. 

Choose lampshades that allow light to reflect upwards if you need to give some height to a low ceiling too.

12. Use pattern to add visual interest 

The elaborate botanical print fabric hanging behind the headboard draws the eye to the outer edge of the room, enhancing this elegant, muted pale green scheme.

13. Make the most of available space

Built-in furniture, using the full height of the room, will maximize floor space. The clever storage solution above also incorporates a multi-purpose shelving unit and dressing table for additional practicality.

How do I arrange my small bedroom?

Like any small space, the key to successful small bedroom ideas is to create adequate storage within a functional layout. 

Often when decorating a guest bedroom, a couple of large, hard-working pieces of furniture will create a less cluttered look than several small pieces. 

Consider how the space can serve more than one function, such a doubling up as a workstation too. When square footage is at a premium, try incorporating a wall bed instead of a traditional sofa bed. It takes a standard mattress, offering greater comfort, and can fold away to look like a wardrobe or cabinet, freeing up valuable floor space for a desk and chair. 

Ensure that the surrounding furniture is lightweight so that it can easily be moved to accommodate a pull-down bed. If you have adequate ceiling height, look at bespoke options, such as a simple mezzanine incorporating a sleeping area on a raised platform with a wardrobe or shelving below.

What are the best colors for a small bedroom?

The best color for small bedroom ideas is white. If you want to know how to make a small bedroom look bigger then look no further than an all-white scheme.

Although all-white schemes can make a real statement, why not experiment by combining different white hues to create a light and breezy feel.

Not all whites match but it’s ok to layer up different tones including buttermilk, cream, nearly-taupe, soft white and pure white as long as you feel they blend. The variety of tones will add a depth to your scheme.