6 Space-saving Ideas For Small Bedrooms
Image Credit - Jody Stewart
When there's a depressingly finite amount of square footage to play with, must-haves like a bed and wardrobe can be stubborn in their lack of flexibility. Yes, we can declutter, buy appropriately sized furniture and stick to whitewash walls, but there must be another way to maximise skimpy square footage without compromising on style?
Cue game-changing, space-saving design solutions. The good news is that a little strategic styling and creative organisation will make your small space feel comfortable, chic, and as close to palatial as you can get without a king-sized bed. Even if your bedroom is on the smaller side, it doesn't mean you're doomed to a lifetime of living in a cramped and cluttered environment.
Teeny bedrooms and multipurpose spaces are something city dwellers have to live with; although, most of us would love a bedroom big enough to accommodate an en-suite bathroom and walk-in wardrobe, this isn’t a reality for most. So you have to get creative.
Your bedroom is more than just a place to sleep. It might be where you put on your make-up and style your hair, or maybe it’s where you find time to do some yoga, watch a film or even do some work. Regardless of size, the best designers know how to decorate a small bedroom to make it feel like a much roomier oasis (and stylish enough to show off!).
There are many space-saving bedroom ideas out there to help you utilise the space you have and turn any bedroom into a spacious and tranquil place. Clever, considered, and creative - Lilla Rugs have put together a list of stylish space-saving bedroom ideas that are small on space but big on impact.
MAKE THE MOST OF ALCOVES
Image Credit (left to right) - Corinne Mathern, Marianne Evenou
Take advantage of awkward niches, corners, and nooks, with built-in storage solutions. An alcove is a perfect place to build a floor-to-ceiling wardrobe – they make the most of that awkward space and usually don't protrude too much into the bedroom, freeing up floor space.
Even though it might not seem like usable space when you first look at it, you could give a small bedroom a cosy feeling by building the bed into the space between alcoves and connecting them with a headboard.
A simple bench, cushions, and wall art can give an alcove a brand new lease of life. Getting creative by opting for multipurpose furniture, using your walls, and scaling down on sizing can help.
CONSIDER A HEADBOARD WITH STORAGE
Image Credit (left to right) - Jane Taylor, Remodelista
When you have a small bedroom, it's imperative to be strategic about storage space. We already know that under-bed storage is probably the most invaluable of all the bedroom storage ideas, but that space fills up quickly, and there is only so much stuff you can cram underneath.
Storage headboards are another clever way to maximise bedroom space. A bespoke, functional storage headboard is ideal for smaller bedrooms that lack floor space (and drawer space), removing the need for other storage in the bedroom and saving space for additional furniture and decor items.
If you’re not a fan of an open display look but could use some extra storage space in your bedroom, look no further than a headboard with hidden storage. They are great for controlling visual clutter and handy for keeping nighttime essentials close to you.
LEAN A MIRROR OR TWO
Image Credit (left to right) - Alec Hemer, Beata Heuman
Fake space 'til you make space. Bedroom mirrors are much more than decorative accents - with good mirror placement, your bedroom will look larger, reflect more light, and create a functional space for getting ready.
To make the bedroom feel more extensive, lean a modern mirror against the wall or hang one opposite a window. Mirrors come in different shapes and sizes, so you're bound to find one whose decorative style supports the mood, decor, and colour palette of your space.
TUCK THE BED AWAY
Image Credit (left to right) - Fantastic Frank, Ngoc Minh Ngo
Tiny bedrooms don’t have the luxury of space, so the bed should be as compact as possible. If you live in a studio or use your bedroom for more than just sleeping, it might seem impossible to find a chic bed frame that can comfortably fit inside the room without feeling too closed.
Consider a trundle bed or a solid platform with a retractable bed under it - they can transform any multipurpose room with little to no effort - cleverly morphing from stylish ottoman to single – or even double beds in a matter of moments.
GO DARKER
Image Credit (left to right) - Amelia Stanwix, Fiona Lynch Studio
Paint colour has a huge impact on how big or small your space feels. Contrary to popular belief, dark colours don't necessarily make a room feel smaller - sometimes, they even have the opposite effect, creating the illusion of an expansive space.
A dark hue like charcoal or black will give the space a cosy, intimate feel while simultaneously giving it an appearance of grandeur. A rule of thumb is dark colours work best in north-facing rooms, while light ones look better in bright south-facing spaces. Sunset hues can do wonders to a west-facing room, especially at dusk.
INTRODUCE A ORIENTAL RUG
Image Credit (left to right) - Björn Wallander
Roll out those rugs. Whether it’s being bold with colour, layering, or clearly defining your functional zones, a rug can be your best friend. Pick a dark coloured rug, or a slightly more elaborate pattern, to draw attention away from how teeny tiny the rest of the room is, and toward the focal point.
It might sound counterintuitive but use a large rug, or even an oversized rug and fill the entire room, minus a small border, extending beyond all of the furniture. This will draw the eye wider across the full width and length of the room, making it appear bigger than it really is. Using a rug that is too small for the room will essentially emphasise the lack of square footage.
