Choose Furniture with Built-In Storage!
The trickiest part of organizing a small room is figuring out where to put all your stuff. Maximize space for clothes, accessories, and personal items without crowding the room by picking nightstands with drawers, using storage boxes under the bed hidden by a stylish bedspread, or opting for a bed with built-in linen storage.
Create the Illusion of More Space!
Add a mirror to instantly open up the room. "Try placing a mirror opposite a window to reflect natural light, or above nightstands to mimic additional windows," suggests Kerrie Kelly, Creative Director at Kerrie Kelly Design Lab.
Lighting is key to making a space feel bigger, notes Keith Miller from Miller Interior Design. "Indirect lighting on the ceiling or baseboards (or both) expands the sense of scale, along with adjustable accent lighting and small recessed spotlights." To save floor space, choose wall-mounted lights instead of floor lamps.
Striped flooring or wall patterns can also stretch the room vertically, horizontally, or diagonally—breaking up any cramped feeling with organic movement.
Lighting is key to making a space feel bigger, notes Keith Miller from Miller Interior Design. "Indirect lighting on the ceiling or baseboards (or both) expands the sense of scale, along with adjustable accent lighting and small recessed spotlights." To save floor space, choose wall-mounted lights instead of floor lamps.
Striped flooring or wall patterns can also stretch the room vertically, horizontally, or diagonally—breaking up any cramped feeling with organic movement.
Cut Back on Extra Seating
"We love a corner chair, a bench at the foot of the bed, or a dresser for extra storage, but these pieces can quickly overwhelm a small space," says Kelly.
Since your bed will be the coziest spot in the room, focus on that rather than creating a lounge area. "A comfortable, upholstered headboard can make your bed perfect for both resting and sleeping, letting you skip extra seating altogether," adds Keith Miller.
Since your bed will be the coziest spot in the room, focus on that rather than creating a lounge area. "A comfortable, upholstered headboard can make your bed perfect for both resting and sleeping, letting you skip extra seating altogether," adds Keith Miller.
Bring in Symmetry
Arranging your room symmetrically helps keep the space feeling orderly. "Symmetry is calming for the brain, and in a small sanctuary-like room, it makes everything easier to take in and visually soothing," says interior designer Liz MacPhail.
One simple way is to center your bed in the room. "If space forces you to push one side of the bed against a wall, balance the other side with a desk or dresser," Kelly advises. "A substantial piece opposite the bed adds weight and helps the room feel balanced and harmonious."
One simple way is to center your bed in the room. "If space forces you to push one side of the bed against a wall, balance the other side with a desk or dresser," Kelly advises. "A substantial piece opposite the bed adds weight and helps the room feel balanced and harmonious."
