Make your bedroom feel bigger with these easy steps to create more comfort in your space. Apartment living and compact homes are gaining popularity as people look to reduce their environmental footprint, shorten their commute to the city, and skip the higher rent that comes with a bigger pad. There’s a lot to gain from going small, but all these positives can quickly become buried with the stress that comes from trying to manage a cramped and cluttered space.
However, with a bit of forethought and some careful decision-making, you can create the illusion of space and craft your bedroom into an oasis of relaxation. Here are our top tips to make your bedroom feel bigger and better – without the renovations!
.jpg)
Light and airy colors
Dark walls soak in the light and can make a room feel more snug than it really is. On the other hand, choosing a light, neutral color scheme will help maximize the available light and open up the space. Whites and creams pair easily with furniture and decor, while pale grays offer a modern touch of sophistication and elegance.
Resist the temptation to paint a feature wall – the strong contrast breaks up the space and can make it feel smaller. Instead, add visual interest by choosing a paler shade for wall and window trims. This simple trick makes the walls appear taller than they really are.
You can also play with your bedding and linens to create a light and airy space. Like your walls, opt for softer colors, including white and creams or even soft pastels.
Few and large furniture pieces
Perhaps the most important step when designing your modestly-proportioned room is picking the right furniture. The key is to keep it simple, yet clever.
Avoid filling up the room with lots of smaller furniture items and instead invest in a few solid pieces that can serve multiple functions. For example, you might look for a sleek bed frame with built-in storage, or a combination wardrobe offering hanging space and drawers.
A cohesive color scheme throughout the room will help to reduce those stark contrasts, so consider buying furniture that complements the wall color and window furnishings.
Keep clear for easy access
When deciding where to place your furniture, consider how you will move through the room. As much as possible, you want to keep walkways clear and easy to navigate.
Being able to move easily through the room will help you feel less closed in. Keep furniture against the walls and away from doorways. Leave space to walk through the room without having to twist and turn around the furniture.
See-through space
If your bedroom doubles as a study space or you would like to have a cozy reading nook, clear furniture items are a smart way to minimize the impact.
Glass or lucite desks, side tables and chairs are practical, will easily slot into most bedroom styles, and draw the eye beyond themselves to generate that feeling of added space.
Go up, rather than out
Save all-important floor space by making the most of the vertical zones. Wall-mounted shelving, hooks and sconce lights are just a few ways to keep things neat, tidy and spacious in your mini-sized room.
As with other elements of your design, work with a “less-is-more approach”. After saving on floor space, the last thing you want to do is crowd the walls so that they seem to shrink into the room.
Keep clutter at bay
Keep only the essentials on display, and your room will always feel fresh and comfortable. This includes decor, personal effects, jewelry and clothing. Design your space to be able to neatly put your things away out of sight, then make a habit of regularly tidying up, clearing away and encroaching clutter.
Top tip: a leafy houseplant in a statement pot can really liven up a minimalist bedroom, while soothing the senses and helping to lower stress.
Rug up for added floor space
A carefully placed rug in a block or simple stripe design can add texture and interest to your room while giving the effect of added surface area. In particular, long stripes running down the length of the room draw the eye and give a sense of distance.
Try putting a large, striped rug under the foot end of your bed, or pair a small, fluffy rug with a comfy chair and floor lamp for an inviting reading spot.
Let it shine
Natural light brightens a room and makes it feel more open. There are a couple of ways you can make the most of the light coming through your bedroom window. Thick, lush curtains and boxy blinds take up valuable space and allow less natural light into a room. Opt instead for clean, straightforward window furnishings in pale, neutral shades. A large mirror placed on an opposite or adjacent wall gives the illusion of extra space, while bouncing light around the room.
There are plenty of benefits that come with a smaller bedroom. With the right furniture and decorating, you’ll create a cozy space for you to retreat to at the end of a tiring day.
Looking for more ideas to maximize small living space areas? Check out this post.
Hello! I am Camille, a wife, mother of four, Disney obsessed, certified teacher, and believer in creating your best momlife the way you see fit. Motherhood comes with its ups and downs, my hope is you’ll find something here to make your life a little better/easier. Let’s be friends on social!
