Small Bedroom? No Problem: Ideas, Design, and Storage Solutions from the World’s Top Interior Designers

A small bedroom can be the perfect space to unleash your creativity. While limited in square footage, small rooms have the potential to exude charm, warmth, and character. The key to making the most of your small bedroom lies in smart design choices that maximise storage, light, and space, all while creating a cozy and inviting atmosphere. Here's how to decorate a small bedroom with top ideas from the world’s best interior designers to help you make your small room feel expansive and stylish.

1. Bold Colours and Patterns – Get Creative with Wallpaper

A small bedroom is the perfect place to experiment with bold colors and patterns. Don’t shy away from striking wallpaper with large, eye-catching patterns or paint colours that make a statement. In fact, you can create a unified, expansive feel by using the same print across various surfaces—walls, curtains, and even bedding. This cohesive design can trick the eye into thinking the space goes on forever, making the room feel larger than it is.

Designers like Kelly Wearstler often embrace these bold patterns, balancing the room’s proportions and adding interest. For example, wallpaper that blends with your bed linens can give the illusion of a continuous space, drawing your attention upward and away from the room’s boundaries.

Tip: Experiment with oversized florals, geometric designs, or even a soft, repeating pattern for a look that’s both cozy and striking.

2. Maximise Light with Mirrors – A Design Must-Have

Reflecting light is one of the most effective ways to make a small room feel bigger. As Joanna Gaines suggests, mirrors are essential in smaller spaces. Not only do they reflect natural light, but they can also create intriguing views from unexpected angles, adding depth to the room. Placing a mirror opposite or adjacent to a window is an easy way to amplify the amount of light coming into your room, making it feel brighter and more open.

Mirrors can also be used strategically as decorative accents, bringing style and functionality into one. Whether they’re framed in a bold design or simply hung as a statement piece, mirrors help the room feel lighter, which is especially crucial in small bedrooms.

Tip: Large, framed mirrors can function as both art and a light-reflecting tool—great for smaller bedrooms.

3. Use Wall Lights to Save Space

Lighting is one of the most powerful tools for transforming a small bedroom, and Studio McGee swears by wall-mounted fixtures for maximising space. Wall lights, whether integrated into the headboard or installed next to the bed, free up much-needed space on your bedside table. This allows you to declutter and create a cleaner, more streamlined look in the room.

Opt for sconces or even pendant lights to achieve a modern look while ensuring that lighting serves both form and function. The best part? These lighting options keep the space airy and save valuable real estate for other furnishings.

Tip: Consider installing dimmable wall lights so you can adjust the mood of the room based on time of day or need.

4. Multi-Functional Furniture – Dual-Purpose Design

When it comes to small bedrooms, Nate Berkus emphasises the importance of furniture that can serve multiple purposes. Look for pieces that save space and offer storage solutions—like a bed with built-in drawers or a nightstand that doubles as a storage chest. Multi-functional furniture is not only practical but also adds an element of style.

You might also consider fold-out desks or wall-mounted shelves to create a more open and flexible space. These pieces serve you during the day and tuck away at night, ensuring that the room doesn’t feel cramped.

Tip: Invest in furniture that offers hidden storage to keep the room organised and spacious, such as a bed with built-in drawers or an ottoman that doubles as seating and storage.

5. Keep it Light and Bright with a Neutral Palette

For those who want a serene, open-feeling bedroom, Elsie de Wolfe’s approach to using soft neutral palettes can be a game-changer. Light shades like soft whites, pale greys, or warm beiges create a calming effect and visually expand the space. Adding neutral tones to the walls, bed linens, and furniture pieces keeps the room light and uncluttered.

To avoid the room feeling too flat, introduce subtle texture variations, such as linen bedding, woven rugs, or leather accessories. The richness of textures combined with a light colour palette adds depth and dimension while maintaining a bright and airy atmosphere.

Tip: A light neutral colour scheme can create a sense of peacefulness, making it the perfect choice for a small bedroom. Add dimension with varied textures.

6. Vertical Storage – Making the Most of Every Inch

In small bedrooms, you often have to think vertically. Jean-Louis Deniot suggests using wall-mounted shelving, tall cabinets, or a high headboard for your bed to maximise space. By drawing the eye upward, you create the illusion of height and add a sense of openness.

Vertical storage not only clears up floor space but can also be used to store items you don’t need to access frequently, such as seasonal clothing or extra bedding. Floating shelves and tall dressers are great ways to keep everything organised without cluttering up your room.

Tip: Install floating shelves above the bed or near the walls to store books, decor, or other essentials. This ensures your floor space stays open.

7. Personalise with Unique Touches – Let Your Personality Shine

When decorating a small bedroom, it's important to remember that personalisation plays a huge role in creating a welcoming environment. David Netto advocates for infusing personality into your space by incorporating unique and meaningful items—whether it's a collection of vintage finds, personal artwork, or heirloom furniture. By using custom pieces that reflect your style, you can make the room feel like your own personal retreat.

Tip: Personal touches such as artwork, family heirlooms, or cherished travel finds can make a small room feel like a cozy sanctuary.

Final Thoughts

Small bedrooms have incredible potential to become functional and stylish spaces that reflect your personality. By drawing inspiration from world-renowned designers like Kelly Wearstler, Nate Berkus, and Joanna Gaines, you can tackle the challenges of a smaller room and create a design that’s both beautiful and practical. Use bold colours, mirrors, space-saving furniture, and personalised touches to make your small bedroom a space that’s both cozy and expansive.

Remember: Small spaces don't need to be limiting. With the right design elements, you can turn your compact bedroom into a stylish sanctuary that you’ll love coming home to.

At SJ Interior Designs, we believe in transforming every space, no matter its size. Whether you're working with a small room or a grand open space, our expert designers are here to help you create the perfect environment for you to thrive.