Nine Decoration Tips for a Small Bedroom To Help It Feel Spacious

Whether you’re downsizing or redesigning a spare room into a guest room, finding decoration tips for a small bedroom doesn’t have to be disheartening. With a little creativity, organization, and style, you can make a small room seem as if it has plenty of space.

Considering that U.S. homes are getting smaller and smaller, getting small bedroom ideas can only be beneficial. Keep reading for tips on how to decorate a small room in a way that’s functional and fashionable.

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Where Should a Bed Be Placed in a Small Bedroom? 

Generally, the bed should be placed accordingly: 

• The head of the bed is up against a wall
• The bed faces the door
• The bed has space on both sides

However, these traditional design principles can quickly become problematic in a small bedroom. Therefore, the first two design principles are going to be more important than the third. For example, if the bed needs to go up against two walls to optimize space, that’s fine. Simply move your statement piece to the wall that is central to the room to catch the eye.

Decoration Tips for a Small Bedroom

When it comes to decorating tips for a small bedroom, one of the best things you can do is to start by making a list of “must haves in the bedroom” and “donate or store somewhere else.” This can be key because if everything has a place, the room tends to seem purposeful, open, and as if there is plenty of room.

Tip 1: Create a Focal Point 

One of the best decoration tips for making a space look larger is to make a style choice that draws the eye away from the size. For example, a tried-and-true method is to incorporate a statement wall in a darker color or a printed wallpaper (generally, the statement wall will be the wall behind the bed). In a bedroom, you could also do this with a quirky headboard or an art piece hung over the bed that draws the eye. 

Tip 2: Choose Functional and Minimalist Furniture

For smaller bedrooms, you’ll want to think about how many uses you can get out of a piece of furniture, so it’s worth how much space it takes up. For example:

• Dressers: Get a dresser with plenty of space for clothes and is sturdy enough to support your entertainment system. Or you could use a shorter chest of drawers for clothes that don’t hang in the closet, and the top can be used as a nightstand and to display important knickknacks. Or, if the dresser is the appropriate height, use the dresser as a makeshift desk.
• Nightstand: Consider a short bookcase and use the corner of it as a nightstand. For a minimalist look, get a nice stool to use as a nightstand and only put a couple of items on it that can easily be removed when the need for additional seating arises. 
• Chair(s): Ensure any chair is needed, size appropriate, and serves as two types of seating. For example, maybe use a cozy, smaller chair as a desk chair and as a reading nook chair. 

Tip 3: Take Advantage of Vertical Space 

With less floor space to work with, it can be vital to take advantage of the wall space. For example, you could install shelves or wall hooks and hang bedside lighting instead of using floor space for a lamp, etc. Ideally, desks should be stored in a different room, but if that’s not an option for your lifestyle, you can get a desk with vertical storage space above it or create storage above it by hanging shelves. 

Tip 4: Stick To a Lighter Color Scheme

Generally, the way to open up a room is by bringing in lighter shades when adding color and sticking to neutral tones as much as your style allows. According to the Sleep Foundation, blue is most often associated with relaxation, and green is most often associated with nature and calmness. Therefore, the ideal color palette for a bedroom tends to be light shades of blue and green to aid in relaxation and better sleep. 

Shades of white are also an option, as white tends to be less stimulating to the brain, so it’s less likely to keep you awake. For example, you could paint the walls a shade of off-white and add bedding that mixes light blues and cream colors, such as the Enchantment comforter set or the Paisley Grace quilt set. 

Tip 5: Consider a Daybed

A daybed can be ideal for bedrooms used for multiple purposes and is generally the perfect way of creating more space for the single sleeper. Daybeds look great up against a wall and will look even better with the Pure Melody six-piece daybed cover set in green or aqua. Hang a statement piece of art above the bed and enjoy having more space to work with.

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Tip 6: Take Advantage of Empty Spaces for Storage

The ultimate goal of creative storage is to rid the room of clutter, as clutter has no space in a small bedroom (quite literally). Find areas where there is pointless empty space and utilize them for storage. For example:

• Consider storing off-season clothing, extra blankets, etc., under the bed.
• Invest in storage options for shoes, accessories, books, etc., to store in the closet under your hanging clothes.
• Consider a headboard with hidden storage options.

Bonus tip: Consider purchasing a bed skirt so any under-the-bed storage isn’t unsightly.

Tip 7: Hang a Mirror 

Architectural Digest recommends the design principle of hanging a mirror to give the impression of more space in small rooms. Ideally, you should choose a mirror that hangs on the wall so as not to take up any floor space. Also, avoid hanging the mirror where you can see yourself when lying in bed.

Tip 8: Be Purposeful With Lighting

Maintaining warm and layered lighting in a small room is extra important. Harsh, white lighting can quickly become reminiscent of a medical exam room in a small bedroom. That’s likely not the vibe you’re going for. Take advantage of natural light by keeping the window unblocked and sticking to warm lighting for nighttime. In a small bedroom, an overhead light fixture with a dimmer and a small bedside light source should be plenty.

Tip 9: Don’t Overdo the Décor 

Be wary of decorating the room to make it feel overcrowded and cluttered. When decorating a small room, after you’ve successfully implemented your decorative focal point, it’s best to keep the décor minimal and tasteful. 

You can open up any small room by learning to optimize space, decorating usefully, and investing in simplistic and stylish bedding. At Southshore Fine Linens, you can find affordable and luxurious bedding options for any small bedroom.

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Sources:

Davies, R. (2025). 33 Small Bedroom Ideas for When Your Bed Takes Up the Whole Damn Room.

Summer, J. (2023). What Color Helps You Sleep?

Taylor, J. (2024). The Incredible Shrinking U.S. Home — Including One Standard Feature That Is Fading Fast.