How To Make A Small Bedroom Feel Designer

If you’re working with a small bedroom space, it can be hard to know what to prioritize when furnishing it. Can you go without a dresser? What if a pair of nightstands won’t fit? Whether you’re designing a guest bedroom, a primary bedroom, or a kid’s bedroom, creating a space that feels like a sanctuary is possible, regardless of the room’s square footage. After working with all kinds of bedroom spaces, Shea and the design team have learned that although there is no one-size-fits-all solution, there are a few tricks to keep in mind. These may offer the cure for your small-space conundrum, or you may get inspired by something else, but here are a few of our go-to small bedroom design tips.

Read more bedroom design tips here.

Although we love the form and function of nightstands, sometimes you need to rethink how they work in small bedroom spaces. Choosing smaller, legged pieces is always a good idea for bringing a more open feeling to the room, and in the case of this teenage room in our Tahoe Pines project, sometimes it’s best to forgo a pair and instead bring in a larger one between the two beds. If you’re going this route, we suggest having a stool or small side table elsewhere in the room that can be pulled over and repurposed as a nightstand if need be, or add a pouf to the foot of the bed that can used for multiple purposes.

Nancy Woven Hanging Shade

McGee & Co.

Maxine Pillow Cover

McGee & Co.

Ackley Leather Ottoman

McGee & Co.

The truth is, you probably don’t need as much as you think you do in a bedroom. In our opinion, a bed is the only necessity. But paring back can be easier said than done when you are low on square footage, but overcrowding the room with furniture will only make the space feel smaller.

Sometimes you don’t have room on both sides of the bed for a pair of nightstands. In this case, consider an asymmetrical look. If your closet door swings too close to one of your nightstands, or the door to the bathroom or hallway, try forgoing a nightstand on one side or even breaking the “rules” and skipping nightstands altogether! This guest bedroom in our Houston Estate project only had room for one nightstand so Shea and the design team brought in a larger-scale table to balance the look and provide a place for overnight essentials.   

Sutherland Bed

McGee & Co.

Cassana Floral Pillow Cover

McGee & Co.

Tavin Side Table

McGee & Co.

A small room can still be visually interesting without a lot of typical bedroom styling pieces on the floor. Creating a focal point by hanging art above the bed, on an empty wall, or even above a nightstand will give the eye a place to rest and give the illusion of more space. We also suggest maximizing the functionality of the room by using the wall space as storage.

Additionally, in a small bedroom, incorporating wall treatments like paneling can instantly make the space feel more intentional. We love using vertical paneling to draw the eye up to the ceilings and make them look taller. In this boys room in our Hilltop Estate project, Shea and the design team utilized the wall space to bring character to the smaller-scale space.

Another thing we really love about this bedroom is how incorporating minimal and lighter-weight materials can give a small room a relaxed, open feeling. Think whites and creams, and materials like cotton and linen.

Derowen Plaid Wallpaper

McGee & Co.

Ainsworth Bed

McGee & Co.

Gingham Kids Chair

McGee & Co.

Mood lighting is especially important in a bedroom, and layering different types of lighting can help illuminate each vignette, making a small room feel more interesting. If you don’t have room for a floor lamp (or even table lamps), try incorporating sconces above your nightstands. Or, in the case of this bedroom in our Summit Estate project, have a pair of hanging fixtures suspended from the ceiling. This frees up room on your nightstand if space is limited.

Wrenna Nightstand

McGee & Co.

Hendricks Chocolate Cotton Duvet

McGee & Co

Isameta Rug

McGee & Co.

Whether they’re on the floor or hung above a dresser or console, mirrors do wonders for making the room feel bigger and more open. Plus, it’s pretty convenient to have a full-length shot when you or a guest is getting dressed. Floor mirrors are a great way to fill the space without taking up a lot of room. Mirrors hung on the walls trick the eye into thinking the space is larger than it appears.

In one of the guest bedrooms of our Water’s Edge project, Shea and the design team leaned a full-length mirror against the wall to maximize square footage and provide a handy tool for guests in their client’s home.

Mackenna White Oak Dresser

McGee & Co.

Dutch Landscape Study

McGee & Co.

Walt Bed Low Headboard

McGee & Co.