How to Make the Most Out of a Small Bedroom
Bedrooms are a wondrous combination of playroom and place of rest. They can provide adventure at the same time they provide a place to sleep, sometimes at the same time. However, as those living with multiple siblings or those who have obtained phenomenal cosmic power can attest, the itty-bitty living space of a small bedroom can be troublesome. That said, there are ways to make the most of any bedroom, no matter how small, as long as you know how to go about making the most of the limited space.
Regardless of whether you plan to have just a few pieces of furniture or full solid wood bedroom sets, make sure whatever your layout is, that you keep it simple. Trying to get fancy with bed placement can create headaches later on, mainly with walking space. Also make sure to have plenty of light. Bright rooms are more inviting and welcoming, and while those lights will be off at night, it’s worth having some brightness during the day. If you have a window for natural light, all the better.
That said, a lot of light tends to reveal how small a room looks. There are ways around this, though. Amish mirrors are a great way to make a room seem larger, and the use of mirrors in small rooms is one of the oldest tricks in the book. Another good trick is to lead eye movement upward with high hanging drapes and the like. For even better results, match the drape colors to the floor.
While leading eyes up can make a room look larger, just remember that it actually isn’t, and thus walking space is important. Clutter can be a problem in any bedroom, and in a small one it creates issues for ease of movement. Clear walkways and lack of clutter are also great ways to make a place appear larger. Few layouts remind people how small a room is by having them navigate around furniture and stuff. At the end of the day, there is a fine line between “cozy” and “cluttered.”
Of course, having storage space in a small room is a tricky prospect. An old trick is to store stuff under the bed itself. While a great idea, only so much can be placed under a bed, especially a smaller one. Another trick, and one dependent on plenty of walking space, is to line the walls with shelves, cabinets, and the like. As long as the furniture doesn’t stick out too far, it can provide a great boon for storage and de-cluttering.
Speaking of furniture, it can be tempting to utilize smaller pieces to fit the room. This is a bad idea. They tend to not look very good once the cuteness factor has worn off, and they’re usually not nearly as effective as their full size counterparts. While smaller pieces, like miniature nightstands, are passable in a children’s room, for a small adult bedroom they’re just too small and inefficient for what they are supposed to do. This means the piece is taking up space instead of utilizing it to the fullest.
Withal that full-sized furniture and shelving, floor space is starting to become premium land, especially when it needs to stay open for inviting walk spaces to prevent stubbed toes. This means lights are looking for places to sit, so avoid the floor and place them on the ceiling. Ceiling and wall lamps are great ways to provide much needed lighting without taking up valuable floor space. If you have a window handy, congratulations! Not only do you have free light during the day, you can also keep the blinds or curtains open to help the room look a little more open. Plus it’s nice to know what the weather is up to without having to depend on the local weather forecast.
With space at a premium, multitasking is key. Full-sized nightstands with dressers are an excellent example of that. Since the miniature versions are out, you’re best making the most of them by having them pull double duty. A spare chair or stool for transfer storage of clothes is a good idea too, as long as it remains temporary, of course.
Small bedrooms can be a cozy place to rest and relax after the day is done. There is a fine line, however between cozy and cramped. Cozy can often be used pejoratively to mean small, but to counter such sentiments, making the most of what space is available will go a long way. Utilize lighting, mirrors, and windows to create the illusion of larger, more open space. Keep walkways clear so that you can walk freely about without feeling enclosed. Utilize whatever free space you can for storage, and don’t be afraid to have furniture multitask. It’s your room, after all, so have fun with it, no matter the size.
