Zadaz
Does your tiny bedroom look more like a claustrophobic wardrobe than a place to go and relax? How to make a small bedroom look bigger is surprisingly easy with the right design tricks.
A bedroom may appear large in the early stages, but once furniture is added, several homeowners find that they can barely be able to move. Luckily, small bedrooms do not need to be dreadfully stuffy and cramped. A number of interior design tricks exist that we can use to make your sleeping haven feel larger than it is. Whether it is making use of vertical space on the wall to guide the eye upwards or selecting light colours that provide reflections instead of absorbing light, we will be discussing some of the tested methods that will help make the room look bigger.
Even a very simple measure, such as painting all the walls in the same colour can soften the boundaries and make the space appear larger. In this article, we are going to discover these professional tricks that will help you make your small bedroom look much bigger, lighter, and airier.
The colour selection is something that can change the perceived size of your bedroom drastically. Optical illusions are achieved through the right paint colors and types of finishes on a wall that open up and air out small spaces without physically relocating a single wall.
Light colours are magical in creating an illusion of spaciousness in small bedrooms. To choose paint, the following light colours should be noted to make the room look bigger:
Whites and off-whites: You can never go wrong with whites and off-whites, such as a Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee OC-45 or Acadia White OC-38, that will brighten up a room that does not get natural light.
Soft blues: Such colours automatically recede which gives an illusion of space expansion.
Pale grays: Light grays such as the Polished Pebble by Dulux create a modern cool feeling but still provide an airy quality.
Pale neutrals: Soft beiges, creams and warm neutrals produce a smooth, open-looking effect.
The reason behind this effect is simple: lighter paint colours reflect more natural and artificial light, which rebounds around the room and makes the scene open. Benjamin Moore states that blues fade, and this contributes to the illusion of opening a space.
To create a little trick in expanding the space, paint your walls and ceiling in the same colour. In this method, which can also be referred to as colour drenching, uniformity is established between the architectural elements in a room, and obscured boundaries are blurred.
Painting the wall and ceiling in the same colours removes the visual gap between the areas, and it is hard to figure out where the corners start and end. As a result, your eye flows smoothly throughout the room without hitting colour boundaries. This flow of colours creates an impression of the ceiling being higher and the whole room being larger.
The lighter colours are more effective in this method, which gives an illusion that the room is bigger as the colour blends from the wall to the ceiling without a clear wall between them. Moreover, the method makes vertical lines appear longer optically, which makes the space seem larger.
Dark colours may be used to provide a cozy environment, but most of the time, they would make a small bedroom look even tinier. Dark colors absorb light instead of reflecting light which makes your space look smaller.
Strong contrasting colour schemes, such as white ceilings and dark walls, produce a clear visual contrast that focuses on the real size of the room. Rather, use colour,s of the same tonal family to achieve a unified look.
In case you want to use darker colours, then the "dark-to-light rule" comes in: have darker colours closer to the floor, and lighter colours going higher. This pattern resembles the natural lighting patterns and does not make the ceiling feel low.
In the case of accent walls, use the wall behind your bed because it is already the central point of the room. This method adds depth without creating the impression that the whole room is small.
The finish of your paint can really change how spacious your bedroom feels. Soft sheen finishes are great at reflecting light, which can make smaller spaces look larger and brighter. These paints offer a gentle, elegant touch with a subtle gloss that not only enhances the colour but also keeps things looking refined. Plus, they’re practical for bedrooms since they’re more durable and easier to clean than completely flat finishes.
Experts from Benjamin Moore point out that higher sheen levels are more reflective, creating the illusion of more light in the room. For the best results, think about using semi-gloss on trim and woodwork; it adds those little light-reflecting points that can brighten up the whole space.
Soft sheen finishes can really help brighten up smaller rooms. Take Dulux Light + Space Matt, for example, it reflects up to twice as much light compared to standard paints, making even the tiniest rooms feel more open. Don’t forget to pair your paint choices with some well-placed mirrors to boost light reflection, essentially giving you the effect of an extra window in your bedroom.
When you’re short on floor space, the trick to making a small bedroom feel bigger is to drag the attention upward. Vertical space often gets overlooked, but using it wisely can really change how spacious your bedroom feels. By thinking beyond the floor, you can unlock new storage options, design ideas, and create the illusion of height.
Floating shelves are a fantastic minimalist solution that serves two purposes—they offer essential storage while keeping your space looking stylish and uncluttered. By mounting shelves on the walls, you can free up valuable floor space and draw the eye upward, which makes your room feel taller. This technique works particularly well above beds, desks, or in those awkward corner spaces that often go unused.
For the best effect, place floating shelves just above eye level. This positioning naturally guides the eye upward, enhancing the perceived height of your walls. Plus, decorating these shelves with tall vases or vertical objects can really emphasize those vertical lines, tricking the eye into thinking the space is larger than it is.
Tall bookcases, especially those that reach from floor to ceiling, are another great way to maximize vertical space while minimizing the footprint. Unlike wider bookcases that take up precious floor area, tall ones stretch upward, optimizing storage without sacrificing space. If you want a built-in look without the hassle of remodeling, try placing floor-to-ceiling wardrobe units against the wall and adding some molding around the top.
It is a clever design trick that many interior designers love to use. Not only do they add a touch of sophistication to your bedroom, but they also create the illusion of height and space. When a headboard extends upward, it naturally draws your gaze vertically, making your ceilings seem higher than they really are.
This vertical emphasis is especially useful in small bedrooms where every inch counts. By drawing the eye upward, tall headboards can make a room feel more open and less cramped. But it’s not just about space; they also serve to anchor the bed as the centerpiece, creating a harmonious design where the bed truly stands out.
In rooms with high ceilings, tall headboards help to balance the vertical space and add depth. Plus, they offer practical perks, like providing extra support for reading or lounging in bed, all while giving off that luxurious, hotel-like vibe.
The placement of your curtain rod can really change how spacious your room feels. When you raise the rod, it naturally draws your gaze upward, making your windows look taller and giving the illusion of higher ceilings. If curtains are hung too low, it can make the windows feel cramped and smaller.
For the best effect, aim to position your curtain rod halfway to two-thirds of the way between the window frame and the ceiling. Some designers even suggest mounting it as high as four to six inches above the window, though this can vary based on your wall height.
Don’t forget about the width of your curtain rod! Extending it 8-12 inches wider than your window can create the illusion of larger windows. And make sure your curtains reach the floor or even puddle a bit to really enhance that height effect.
Verticals also make your space look longer automatically by the movement of the eye upwards. Take note of such effective techniques:
Vertical striped wallpaper will help the eye travel up the wall and apparently raise the ceiling
Vertical paneling on the wall gives an impression of height in low ceilings
The vertical tiling or wood paneling also works towards the extension of space, by making the eye move upwards and downwards
Designer Kit Kemp assures, vertical stripes on the walls will create an illusion of vertical space in rooms with lower ceilings. Vertical lines also lead the eye up towards the ceiling making the room seem higher visually". Likewise, designer Max Humphrey recommends, "One way of making a low-ceiling room look taller is to install vertical paneling on the floor and the ceiling and this draws the eye upwards".
Finally, the use of vertical space by utilizing creative shelf placement, tall furniture selection, high-hanging curtains and vertical design features is also a way to make the smallest bedroom feel much larger and airy.
When choosing furniture, it becomes the key to designing a spacious impression of any small bedroom. The right pieces do not only satisfy your practical needs, but also create the visual effect of the increased size of your space with the help of the shrewd design decisions.
The furniture with the open legs has an airy and free effect and makes the small bedroom look larger naturally. Where the light can pass under your bed, under your nightstands or under your dressers, one gets a perception that the floor is longer and thus the room seems to be larger. The reason the trick works is that the eye sees more of the floor and this in effect adds to the perceived size of the room. Additionally, higher furniture contributes to a lighter, airier atmosphere as opposed to solid, heavy-looking solutions.
The slender, sleek furniture has a dramatic effect on the space available in your small bedroom. Choose narrow wardrobes which use less floor space but more vertical space. The sleek profile is achieved through slimline or armless chairs, which do not forego comfort. The low profile of furniture, furniture that has a reduced overall height, produces an open look that makes the ceiling seem to be higher. Use little pedestals or side tables rather than the regular bedside cabinets to save valuable floor space when it comes to nightstands.
Large furniture makes small bedrooms feel small, cramped and overcrowded. First of all, you should think about your bed size, although king-size beds are luxurious, they take away the precious space of the floor. Always get rid of the furniture you do not need and instead have the basics. In case you need a certain type of furniture, find simplified variants of them: chairs without armrests, tables with slender frames, or glass furniture that looks as though it occupies less space.
The multifunctional furniture is your greatest friend when it comes to utilizing the small bedroom. Ottoman beds are raised to create spacious storage holes below which are ideal to store seasonal clothes, bedding or bulky objects. Divan beds that have in-built drawers are similarly convenient but have a sleek appearance. Other than beds, consider:
Desk or dressing tables which convert into bedside tables
Sofa beds converting guest rooms or multi purpose rooms
Separable, stackable nesting tables which can be undone when required and stacked when not
Instead of full wardrobes to hang clothes, hanging rails were used.
The mass of furniture has a great influence on the perceived space. You can do this by selecting items that serve dual purposes thus you will not need to have more furniture that will make your room look cluttered and smaller.
Mirrors and strategic lighting stand as powerful tools for expanding your small bedroom visually without removing a single wall. These elements work together to create depth, brightness, and the illusion of spaciousness through clever optical tricks.
Strategic mirror placement transforms how light moves through your bedroom. Positioning a large mirror directly across from a window creates a remarkable effect, it reflects the outdoors, adding depth while bringing in additional natural light. This arrangement essentially doubles your window's impact, making the room feel more expansive and brighter. Alternatively, hanging a mirror perpendicular to a window helps bounce light into darker corners that wouldn't otherwise receive illumination.
Mirrored furniture serves dual purposes in compact bedrooms, practical function and visual expansion. Consider these options:
Mirrored closet doors that visually double your space
Mirrored bedside tables that appear to disappear into the room
Mirrored dressers that reflect light while providing storage
Glass or mirrored coffee tables that maintain visual openness
These reflective surfaces create the illusion that your bedroom extends beyond its actual boundaries, subsequently making even the smallest spaces feel more generous.
Wall-mounted lighting frees up precious surface area on nightstands and dressers. Wall sconces with adjustable arms allow you to direct light precisely where needed for reading or ambient illumination. For maximum flexibility, look for sconces with swivel heads or bendable arms that let you customize lighting direction. Furthermore, installing sconces at eye level creates balanced illumination that eliminates harsh shadows.
Effective bedroom lighting requires multiple sources at different heights. This layering approach adds dimension and visual interest while eliminating dark corners. Interior designers recommend at least seven different light sources throughout a room for optimal flexibility. Combine overhead fixtures for general illumination, wall sconces for task lighting, and floor or table lamps for warmth and ambience. Dimmable options allow you to adjust brightness levels based on time of day and activities.
Strategic décor choices and thoughtful layout decisions can dramatically amplify the sense of space in a compact bedroom. Even small adjustments to your bedroom's accessories and arrangement can create a remarkable difference in how spacious it feels.
A properly sized rug anchors your bedroom while creating the illusion of more space. Aim for a rug large enough to extend at least 18-24 inches beyond each side of your bed - this creates a luxurious, spacious feel rather than a cramped one. For maximum impact, position the rug underneath the bottom two-thirds of the bed, allowing nightstands to rest directly on the floor. This placement creates both a hotel-style atmosphere and a soft landing for your feet each morning.
Bedding plays a crucial role in creating an airy feel. Choose lightweight materials like cotton or linen that won't overwhelm the space. Opt for neutral colours, whites, soft grays, or pastel shades, as these reflect light and create the illusion of openness. Avoid busy patterns that create visual clutter; instead, select solid colours or subtle geometric designs that add style without overwhelming the room.
Although pillows add comfort, too many can make a small bedroom feel cramped. Limit yourself to a few strategically placed throw pillows, perhaps two larger ones for support and one or two smaller ones for texture. Throughout the room, minimize decorative items and photographs, as excessive décor can make the space feel cluttered and smaller.
Transparent furniture creates an optical illusion that maximizes perceived space. Glass, acrylic, or lucite pieces allow light to pass through, preventing visual interruptions that make rooms feel smaller. Consider incorporating:
Glass or acrylic side tables
Transparent coffee tables
Clear acrylic chairs or ghost chairs
Glass-topped dressers
These pieces add functionality without the visual weight of solid furniture.
When window frames match your wall colour, they visually disappear, creating a seamless look that makes the room feel more expansive. This simple trick prevents the eye from stopping at contrasting window trim, allowing your gaze to travel continuously around the room. For an even greater space-enhancing effect, consider matching curtain rods and hardware to your wall colour as well.
Transforming a small bedroom into a space that feels open and airy certainly doesn't require knocking down walls. Throughout this article, we've explored numerous design techniques that create the illusion of spaciousness while maintaining functionality and style.
Light colours work wonders by reflecting rather than absorbing light, especially when walls and ceilings share the same shade to blur boundaries. Additionally, maximizing vertical space draws the eye upward, making ceilings appear higher through tall headboards, strategically placed curtains, and vertical design elements.
Furniture selection plays a crucial role as well. Pieces with visible legs allow more floor visibility, while slim profiles prevent visual heaviness. Storage beds and multifunctional furniture reduce clutter without sacrificing practicality. Furthermore, mirrors amplify natural light when positioned thoughtfully, essentially doubling your window's impact and creating depth where none existed before.
The final touches matter significantly. A properly sized rug anchors the space while simple bedding in light colours maintains airiness. Remember to keep decorative elements minimal, less true when working with limited square footage.
Most importantly, these techniques work together rather than in isolation. Combining colour strategies with smart furniture choices and strategic lighting creates a comprehensive approach to space enhancement. Though your bedroom's dimensions remain unchanged, these design secrets trick the eye into perceiving a much larger area.
Your small bedroom can absolutely feel like the spacious retreat you deserve. Start with one or two of these techniques, then gradually implement others as your budget and time allow. The transformation might surprise you, that formerly cramped space will soon become your favorite room in the house.
Light colours such as whites, soft blues, pale grays, and gentle neutrals are excellent choices for making a small bedroom look bigger. These hues reflect more light, creating an open and airy atmosphere that visually expands the space.
Utilize multifunctional furniture like storage beds or ottoman beds, install floating shelves, and use tall bookcases to maximize vertical space. Consider furniture with built-in storage, and use under-bed storage boxes to keep the room clutter-free and organized.
Options for furniture with visible legs to show more floor space, choose low-profile or slim pieces, and avoid bulky items. Transparent or glass furniture can also help create an illusion of more space. Multifunctional pieces like sofa beds or nesting tables are excellent space-saving options.
Use multiple light sources at different heights to create depth and eliminate dark corners. Install wall sconces to free up surface space. Place large mirrors near windows to reflect light and create the illusion of more space. Consider mirrored furniture or closet doors to visually expand the room.
Use a large rug under the bed to anchor the space, keep bedding simple and light-coloured, and limit decorative items to reduce visual clutter. Match window frames to wall colour for a seamless look, and consider vertical design elements like striped wallpaper or paneling to draw the eye upward and create the illusion of a bigger room.
