Designing a small bedroom can be tricky, to say the least, because with limited space, it’s easy to call into traps that can make the room feel even smaller or less practical than it needs to be. But don’t worry; there are plenty of fantastic (and simple!) solutions to some of the common mistakes we all make, and we’ll go over some of them in this blog post. With that in mind, keep reading to discover the small bedroom design mistakes to avoid; knowing them really could change everything.
Ignoring Vertical Space
One of the biggest mistakes people make in small bedrooms is not taking advantage of the masses of vertical space they’ve got. After all, when floor space is limited, using wall space makes a lot of sense, and you’ll find you can keep things clean and tidy – it’s ideal. Use shelves, tall wardrobes, and even having wall-mounted lights instead of ceiling ones can all help to free up valuable space and also make the room feel bigger in general.
And don’t be afraid to go high with your furniture and storage options either – tall bookshelves or a wardrobe that reaches the ceiling can give you loads of storage without taking up too much room. All you need to do is balance it out with smaller items so the room doesn’t end up feeling cramped.
Choosing Oversized Furniture
It’s tempting to think that your bedroom is going to be really comfortable and perhaps even luxurious with large, comfy furniture stuffed into it, but in a small space this idea can really backfire because oversized furniture eats up space and makes the room feel smaller (and it is smaller if you’ve got less space to move around in). So instead of that, you’ll want pieces that are more proportionate to the size of the room.
For example, rather than getting a big, bulky chest of drawers, consider a smaller one or even a specially made slimline one or perhaps some wall-mounted storage, as we mentioned above. And when it comes to your bed, a bed with storage is a great option because not only does it take up less visual space, but it also gives you more places to put your stuff, which is great no matter what size room you have.
Forgetting About Lighting
Lighting can often be a bit of an afterthought in bedroom design, but in a small space it’s massively important to get right – bad lighting can make a room feel smaller and more confined, which is never what you’re going to want. To avoid that happening, it’s a good idea to use a number of different light sources, which could be a combination of different things like overhead lights, bedside lamps, wall lighting, and natural light where you can get it.
Wall-mounted lights are especially useful in a small bedroom because they free up space on the bedside table or the floor if you prefer a standing lamp. Plus, you can use different lights to highlight different areas of the room, like a cosy reading nook or a piece of artwork, and that can make everything feel a lot more comfortable all round, meaning you can use the room in the way you want to without any problems.
Not Using Mirrors
Mirrors are a brilliant tool for making small spaces feeling larger; by reflecting light and creating the illusion of depth, they can open up the room nicely and make everything feel much more spacious. The issue is that many people either don’t know about how it works or don’t think about it when they’re designing a room, and that’s a wasted opportunity.
If you’re not using mirrors in your small bedroom, you’re missing out on an easy (and even stylish) way to make the room feel more spacious. The fact is that a large mirror placed right across from a window can reflect all that lovely natural light and instantly brighten up the space, and even smaller mirrors (or perhaps mirrored furniture if you like that idea) can have a big impact if you put them in the right places.
Choosing The Wrong Color Palette
Something else that’s going to make a difference when it comes to designing a small bedroom is the color palette you pick – that can make or break the overall feel of the room. Dark, heavy colors can make the space feel really closed in and uncomfortable, whereas light colors give you a great sense of freshness and openness. Don’t worry, though; that doesn’t mean you have to stick to white walls if you don’t want to – soft, pastel kind of tones and neutrals can also help make the room feel bigger.
If you do love bold colors, you can still use them, but use them sparingly like on a feature wall or some soft furnishings, for example. In that way, you still get the colors you love, but you don’t make the room feel small while you’re doing it.