The secret to living large in a tiny bedroom is in the details.
Don’t choose big, bulky furniture that barely fits in the room. Look for furniture that has a narrower width, skinny arms and clean lines.(GETTY IMAGES)
We live in a big world with big ideas, and we want big spaces to hold all our stuff. Unfortunately, the more square footage one possesses, the higher the cost. There’s a reason some homeowners and renters are turning toward the tiny house movement, or downsizing to live in a simpler, more efficient space.
In today’s housing market, homebuyers face all-time high prices and high mortgage rates. And since larger homes mean bigger price tags, 25% of all buyers in 2022 compromised on home size when selecting a house to purchase, according to the 2023 National Association of Realtors Home Buyers and Sellers Generational Trends report.
But even if you have a small bedroom, there are ways to make it feel bigger and cozier.
Make Use of Corner Space
The corner of a room is often overlooked, so rather than leave it empty, squeeze in an extra accent chair or a corner bookshelf, making your room more livable. Adding some plants that belong in the bedroom to a bookshelf will add a splash of color and can improve your air quality.
Hang Curtains Higher
To create the illusion of larger windows, install curtain rods a bit above the window frame. This will draw the eye upward and not only make the bedroom windows seem a bit taller, but the entire room as well.
Need to increase the width of your windows? Hang the rod a few inches past the sides of the panes so the window covers the wall and not the glass.
Don’t Overcrowd
Avoid having everything jampacked into a room. Items should have some space between each other and the walls. When planning the accessories for a room, use items that are in proportion to one another.
Don’t Buy Bulky Furniture or Bed Frames
Don’t choose big, bulky furniture that barely fits in the room. Look for furniture that has a narrower width, skinny arms and clean lines. Rather than purchasing a sleigh bed that eats up valuable square footage, for example, try an upholstered headboard that sits snug against the wall.
Use Glass or other See-Through Furniture
Instead of using solid wood furniture, especially a television stand, which can weigh down a space, choose a see-through acrylic or glass one.
Opt for furniture that has more leg room, which means the pieces are not bottom-heavy and low to the ground. Taller pieces with visible space at the bottom gives the illusion that the furniture in the room is light and airy, which makes the space feel bigger.
Use Floating and Dual Purpose Furniture
By giving items a dual purpose you’re saving space by not having to purchase additional storage. Choose furniture that has space to store objects. For example, an ottoman with a removable top, or a floor lamp with an attached table to free up some extra space.
Floating furniture, like shelving, is another way to add more space while using visual height.
Paint the Room a Light Color
Darker colors may be cozier, but painting the bedroom room a lighter color reflects more light around the space. Take it one step further by painting the ceiling the same color to blur the lines. Adding wallpaper to an accent wall – typically the one where your headboard touches – is also a good way to draw the eye near.
Add a Mirror
Speaking of reflecting more light, try using a mirror in a small bedroom. Strategically place it across from your light source to bounce more light around the room.
Consider Metallics
Like with mirrors, get light to bounce around the room by introducing metallics on fixtures and in accessories. With light reflecting off multiple surfaces, the space will appear bigger than it actually is.
Utilize Vertical Space
Enhance space by using vertical height. Hang as much as you can on the wall – but don’t make it look cluttered – or try building a loft in extremely tall rooms to add an additional storage area . Turn the walls into functional displays. Books, plants, pictures and small decor items are good items for bedroom display.
