6 ways to make a small bedroom look bigger

Having a small bedroom certainly has its perks – there’s less space to clean, fewer pieces of furniture to buy, and it’s easier to feel warm and cosy. With these 6 simple tips, you can design a petite space that works perfectly for you.

Whether you’re navigating troublesome alcoves, squeezing into tight spaces or working around windows, small bedrooms come in all shapes and sizes.

If you’re looking for ideas on how to make your compact bedroom look bigger, you’ve come to the right place. Discover 6 simple ways to make your room appear bigger and brighter, no construction work required.

1. Consider your bedside furniture

Deep drawers, USB charging ports and spacious shelves – bedside chests are a great way to organise your room and create the sense of a fuss-free space.

Featuring your choice of drawer configurations, bedside chests keep your essentials close at hand without creating clutter. With a range of slim designs that still incorporate plenty of storage, you can choose a fabric that matches your bed frame to create cohesion that won’t dominate your space.

For bedrooms where width is on your side, our hotel-style beds feature built-in headboards with all the conveniences you need. Complete with spotlights, USB charging ports, and shelves, the Owen Ottoman Bed Frame with added bedside tables means you don’t have to worry about those pesky extras that eat up space.

If you’re working with a narrower space, it might be helpful to think about whether you really need bedside tables. For example, could a divan base with built-in drawers give you all the storage space you need? How about a conveniently located shelf to keep your knick-knacks nearby?

2. Mirror, mirror on the wall

Looking good! Mirrors not only allow you to check out your own reflection, they can make your bedroom feel bigger, too.

Because they reflect light and create the illusion of extra space within their depths, mirrors are a great choice of wall décor for small spaces. If your room allows, try to hang more than one mirror. Bouncing light around the room and reflecting off each other, too, they’ll create a wonderful optical illusion of much more space.

If you’re lacking natural light in your compact bedroom, mirrors can also be an excellent substitute for windows. Opt for large mirrors in gently curved or ornately carved finishes to mimic the look of windows pouring in sunlight.

3. Choose multitasking furniture

If you invest in smart bedroom staples that offer multiple uses, you reduce the risk of overcrowding your bedroom with furniture.

From storage beds to bedsides with built-in charging ports, there isn’t much your bedroom furniture can’t do for you these days. We think it doesn’t get much better than a cool and cosy ottoman TV bed like the Seoul. This premium bed frame has a high quilted headboard and a footboard that discreetly encases up to a 43-inch SMART 4K TV. At the touch of a button, the TV slowly rises and then lowers away after use.

Keeping your TV off the wall will instantly make your room feel bigger. What’s more, the Seoul bed frame offers a side opening ottoman so you can hide away bed linen, clothing and accessories that would otherwise be clogging up your precious space.

With a built-in media tray and your choice of audio upgrades, the Seoul has plenty of fun and function to bring your bedroom to life. Boxset, anyone…?

4. Give your furniture a lift

Light and height play a key role in making your bedroom feel bigger and brighter.

Bedroom furniture that’s raised on legs lets light pour underneath, which helps to create a sense of space. Our stunning Alana Bed is incredibly inviting, raised on dark wood-effect legs with gold-tone castors to draw the eye up and create a light, airy feeling. But Alana’s wonders don’t stop there. With a convenient shadow ottoman design, you’ll still have plenty of room to store your essentials without losing the raised feeling.

If you’ve already invested in your perfect bed, a bedside table or chest of drawers with some height can create a similar effect – try it out with your next piece and see for yourself!

5. Let there be light

A small poorly lit room can feel gloomy and even a little claustrophobic, but don’t worry – some well-chosen lighting can banish this feeling instantly.

Add some bedside lamps and a floor lamp to create a glow that lights up the space. Where possible, open your curtains and blinds to allow natural light to flood into your bedroom – it’s good for the soul and will create a feeling of open freshness.

If you’re short on room, why not skip the lamps and opt for wall-attached bedside lighting? Using the walls or ceiling can save precious floor or surface space, as well as looking incredibly chic.

6. Ditch the footboard

If your room has little space around your bed, it may be time to say farewell to the footboard.

Beds without a low foot end are a great option for spreading out, and give you plenty of options for creating your dream bedscape. By ditching the footboard, you can drape a throw over the end of your bed instead. This unbroken line of fabric will create an illusion of elongation and extra space. Or, if you prefer a hotel look, try tucking your sheets into the bed base for a clean, refined finish.

Our classic upholstered Yardley bed has a slim, discreet headboard to suit almost any interior style. With its low foot end, it’s easy to access the end-opening ottoman storage for even more hiding places.

Ready to restyle your small bedroom? A good old fashioned tidy up is a great place to start. Check out our tips for decluttering your bedroom.