25 IDEAS TO ADD SPACE TO A SMALL BEDROOM | An Architect Suggests
2. USE A STRIPED WALLPAPER
Vertical stripes, create the illusion of height. In this bedroom the walls are decorated in a classic blue stripe and a plush blue velvet quilt and charming vintage artworks lend the space a cozy storybook quality.
3. STACK YOUR ACCESSORIES
In addition to striped wallpaper which adds height, the accessories stacked vertically on the nightstand, works with the upward lines of the wallpaper and headboard. In this boho-chic bedroom, the largely blue color palette keeps the look cozy.
4. TRY AN ALL-OVER PATTERN
You might think a maximalist pattern would overpower a small space. But it actually—like a mirror—conceals where the walls start and end. In this room, the wild cheetah-print look, adds glamour that is surprisingly neutral.
5. USE SPACE SAVING FURNITURE
Not all small bedroom design ideas are optical illusions. Obviously, the less furniture that you have in your bedroom, the bigger it will look. A simple solution would be raising your bed with risers and then storing your clothes beneath. You can also purchase beds with built in storage beneath, like the bed pictured here. Utilize folding desks and chairs and store them when you aren’t using them.
6. AVOID EXCESSIVE FURNITURE
It is always nice to have extra things to make your life easier, but if space is an issue, less furniture will make your room seem much bigger. You don’t always need two bedside tables or a dresser or a TV unit especially in a small room. This tip is relatively simple on paper, but somewhat harder in practice. By avoiding furniture on the wall opposite the bed, this small bedroom looks much bigger.
7. FOUR POSTER BED
You can create a room-within-a-room with a striking four-poster bed like this chic bed. This draws the eye to the bed and you forget the small size of the room. 
8. INSTALL A CANOPY
If you don’t have a four poster bed, install a canopy above the bed; the structure doesn’t occupy an ounce of additional square footage and has the delightful effect of creating a “room-within-a-room.” Limited space doesn’t mean you can’t sleep like a queen! Like this whimsical butterfly-print cloth that forms a canopy over the bed.
9. PLAY WITH YOUR BED FRAME
If a fabric canopy isn’t quite your vibe, consider choosing a bed frame that adds architectural interest instead and becomes the focal point. In this bedroom, the walls and ceiling have been left crisp and white to let the custom four-poster bed be the hero element in the space.
If you don’t want to go through the hassle of fixing wallpaper or are too timid for a bold, patterned look all over the room, then you could opt for a tapestry. Simply hang one behind your bed to give the sense of an expanded headboard and a richly textured chic mural. Similarly, instead of peppering the room with photos, use a single bold piece of art. This will help create a focal point in the room, giving it structure and depth and a way to draw all of the eyes to one point in the room.
11. AMP UP THE STYLE IN YOUR SMALL SPACE
Just because your bedroom is small, you don’t have to skim on style. Floating sconces, a towering hammered-copper headboard, a diminutive bedside table that can stash bedtime reading material and space-heightening striped wallpaper or an all-over floral one can amp up the style and give off a cozy feel. See in the image below.
12. EMBRACE PRETTY BUT TONE IT DOWN
Even the smallest sleeping space can look amazing with pared back, pretty furniture and accessories. See this bright bedroom with a heirloom, pale blue Chippendale bed that adds a sense of vintage romance without being over the top.
14. PICK THE BEST BEDSPREAD
If your budget is tight, consider shelling out for one investment piece for your small bedroom, like a exquisite bedspread or coverlet. Here, a checkered one with matching pillows works with the rest of the room’s moody palette, creating the feeling of being tucked away in a cozy cave with nature just in view.
15. USE COMPLEMENTARY PATTERNS
When you pile on complementary block-printed fabrics it gives plenty of personality to the small space giving the illusion of grandness and bigness. In this centuries old house, the small garret bedroom has a sufficient amount of personality in the aqua blue shades.
16. CHOOSE DEEP JEWEL TONES
Make your tiny bedroom feel like a cave; but that doesn’t mean it can’t be a chic cave. Painting the small bedroom in deep jewel tones, can spell deep slumber. Take this bedroom painted in naval blue and the bed upholstered in a wine-colored fabric—deep hues that create an atmosphere which encourages deep slumber. 
17. PILE YOUR PILLOWS
When space is at a premium, be sure to make the most of your bed itself by piling on the pillows and cushions in interesting fabrics and designs. Here, the antique bed is piled with pillows and becomes an eye catching focal point.
Built-in beds with their integrated storage and compartments make the perfect space-savers and can be quite cozy. See this adorable children’s nook which has all the basic necessities in a tiny space. It doesn’t look cramped but rather gives off a feeling of comfort, warmth and relaxation.
19. MIRRORS ARE THE ULTIMATE ILLUSION
If you have a bare wall or door in your bedroom, add some mirrors to make it look bigger. Mirrors not only reflect light, but a cleverly angled mirror will also create depth or height. Optimally, you would want your mirrors to go floor-to-ceiling. The most common use of this would be mirrored closet doors, but those aren’t always part of every small bedroom design. The mirrors in the room here are placed on either side of the bed near the window, giving an even wider sense of space for a small room.
20. MOUNT SHELVES
A simple way to keep things off of the floor and free up walking space is to mount shelves. Use them to store books, picture frames, or even clothes. However, be sure to keep the colors of shelves coordinated throughout the room. The items on the shelf should also be organized and color-coded if possible. This will create a sense of unity and coherence. In this bedroom, the shelves constructed above the bed are a great space saver and perfectly match the side tables. Even the decor items match with the shelves.
21. ORGANIZE AND KEEP IT CLUTTER FREE
A clutter free room is key to the perception of space and will make a small bedroom look much bigger. Keep your clothes in drawers, your pencils in a jar, and your loose pennies in your piggy bank. In this small room, all the stuff is hidden away in all the cabinets opposite the bed and so overall, the room looks and feels much larger than it actually is.
22. HAVE SEVERAL LAMPS AROUND THE ROOM
Instead of having a lone source light in the middle of your ceiling, try using several smaller lamps around the room. This will draw the eyes around the room, exaggerating your sense of space like this cozy bedroom pictured here.
24. AVOID DARK DRAPES
Although you may want to keep out the bright, early morning sun, the natural light is going to expand your bedroom’s sense of space. So, the best way to make your room feel bigger is by utilizing sheer, white drapes like the ones pictured in this image; stay away from dark colors. By letting your drapes run all the way to the floor, you are cutting off the flow of the room. They shouldn’t run and pool on the floor. A great idea is to tie them up or leave a few inches below, like pictured in this photo.
25. KEEP IT SIMPLE
For more ideas on bedroom furniture and the proper placement of furniture in the room, you can read my posts on:
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Really liked these ideas—especially how storage and layout were handled without making the room feel cramped. As someone who deals closely with materials used in interiors, I’ve seen how the right plywood, hardware, and fittings can completely change how much usable space you get in a small bedroom. A lot of people underestimate how much impact smart storage hardware and lightweight panels can have. Great read overall, very practical suggestions 👍