5 design tips for a small bedroom

Buying appropriate furniture and making clever interior design choices can make a small bedroom perfectly usable. 

If you maintain a minimum amount of floor space, even the smallest ‘box’ rooms can work without sacrificing comfort or storage. 

For instance, an ottoman bed instantly solves your storage needs, and a wardrobe with drawers can replace a chest of drawers — perfect if your bedroom’s size or shape doesn’t allow for all the traditional furniture pieces. 

Join us below for tips on small bedroom design.

Ottoman bed

You can transform the dead space under your mattress into a storage paradise with an ottoman bed. The entire mattress lifts on hydraulic struts, revealing a massive storage cavity perfect for bedding, seasonal clothes, and boxes. 

Side-lift versions work brilliantly under sloped ceilings, while end-lift models suit rooms with restricted side access.

Pictured: Milan Bed Company Side Lift Leather Ottoman Bed – White. Priced £251 (Available from Bedstar)

Divan base

Save precious inches in your small bedroom with a divan base that sits flush with your mattress dimensions. 

The lack of a headboard or protruding frame means you can position it exactly where needed—whether snug against a radiator or tucked into a corner. 

Wardrobe with drawers

A wardrobe with built-in drawers eliminates the need for a separate chest of drawers to preserve maximum floor space. 

Choose a tall design that reaches near your ceiling for hanging space and multiple drawers below. Some models have sliding doors to prevent clearance issues.

Tall furniture, not deep

Make vertical space work harder in your small bedroom by selecting furniture that stretches upward rather than outward. 

Slim bookcases, narrow wardrobes, and floating bedside tables create essential storage while preserving precious floor space. Narrow furniture will help maintain clear pathways around your bed and prevent that cramped feeling.

Pictured: Giltedge Beds Divan Base. Priced £223 (Available from Bedstar)

Lightweight curtains with a blackout blind

Let natural light flood your bedroom with sheer, flowing curtains that soften your room’s edges. Layer these with a sleek blackout blind for perfect sleep conditions. 

Lightweight curtains and a blackout blind create depth without bulk, while the flowing fabric adds texture without overwhelming your space. 

Wall shelves

Mount shelves above your bed or desk to free up valuable floor space. Floating light wood or white shelves create storage without visual weight, perfect for books, photos, games, collectables, and decorative items. 

Install them high enough to prevent head bumps but low enough to reach easily. Consider staggering multiple shelves for visual interest – for instance, you could install three shelves with different widths to draw the eye upward. 

Over-door storage

Use that unused door space with hanging organisers or hooks. These clever solutions are perfect for accessories, shoes, or beauty products. 

Mesh organisers keep everything visible, while pocket systems maximise vertical storage. Always check your door’s clearance to ensure smooth operation with added storage.

White and light pastel colours

Brighten your small bedroom with white walls and soft pastel accents. This colour scheme reflects light beautifully, making your space airy and open. 

Add depth with different textures in the same colour family – think white linens, cream throws, and pale grey curtains. Avoid dark colours that shrink your space.

Pictured: Scandinavian Bed Frame. Brighten your small bedroom with white walls and soft pastel accents to accentuate the feeling of space.

Be mindful of drawer clearance

Your drawers need space to open, so consider their trajectory carefully in your small bedroom. Ottoman beds eliminate this problem while sliding wardrobe doors prevent clearance issues. 

If you want traditional drawers, ensure that there is enough room to open them fully without hitting other furniture or walls. Corner units can maximise drawer accessibility with a small sacrifice in drawer space.

Summing up

Transform your small bedroom into a functional sanctuary by choosing smart storage solutions like an ottoman bed and a wardrobe with built-in drawers. 

Keep furniture slim and tall, embrace natural light with layered window treatments, and let white walls create an airy feel. Remember – your walls are valuable for floating shelves and over-door organisers.