The Simple Bedroom Trick That Makes Any Small Room Feel Bigger
Living in a small bedroom doesn’t mean you have to feel boxed in. Sometimes, one or two small tweaks in how you set up your space can completely change the way it feels. If your room has started to feel more cramped than cozy, there’s a few surprisingly simple tricks that can open the space right up. And we aren’t going to tell you to start knocking down walls or buying new furniture either. It’s all about working with what you’ve already got, just in a slightly different way.
Pull Your Furniture Away From the Walls
It sounds backward, right? You’d think pushing your bed or dresser right up against the wall would give you more floor space and make things feel bigger. But here’s the truth: when furniture is crammed tight to the edges of a room, the space can actually feel smaller. Pulling your bed out just a few inches creates breathing room and adds dimension. That tiny bit of space tricks your eye into thinking there’s more square footage than there really is.
Let in the Light
Light can make or break a room. If your curtains are heavy or your shades are always drawn, your small bedroom is going to feel even smaller than it is. Try using light-filtering curtains or pulling your curtains all the way open during the day. You’d be amazed at how different the room feels. Letting more light in isn’t just about seeing better, it’s about inviting a feeling of openness, even if your room is only ten feet across.
Go Low With the Bed
When everything in the room is at eye level, the space can feel like everything is being squeezed in. A lower-profile bed shifts your sightline and gives the illusion of taller ceilings. I’m not telling you to start sleeping on the floor, but opting for a platform bed or ditching a tall headboard can make a big difference. Suddenly, you’ve unlocked more vertical space to breathe. And that sense of height goes a long way in making a small bedroom feel less like a shoebox.
Keep the Palette Simple
Bold color can be beautiful, but in a tight space, it can also feel overwhelming. Keeping the walls, bedding, and furniture in a similar light or neutral color can create a calmer, more spacious look. Think soft grays, warm whites, or light blues. And don’t write off these paint colors as boring, there are still a lot of interesting options within a soft gray color palette. Neutrals are great at creating flow so your eye moves around the room easily, without getting stuck on contrasting colors.
Use Mirrors Strategically
A mirror isn’t just for checking your outfit. Placing one opposite a window or other light source can bounce light and make the room feel bigger than it is. The mirror gives the illusion of more space without adding clutter. A tall mirror can also draw the eye upward, which is a neat trick for making ceilings feel higher. It’s a classic hack that many interior designers use because it works, and you probably already have the perfect mirror tucked in a closet somewhere.
Tidy the Surfaces
It’s a small change, but it really matters. Keeping your dresser top, nightstand, or windowsill clear of excess clutter helps the room feel lighter and more open. Even just clearing one surface can shift the whole vibe of the space. Clutter crowds a room, visually and mentally, and a small space needs breathing room wherever it can get it. Bonus: you’ll also sleep better without piles of things reminding you of all the chores you need to do the next day.
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Most of us sadly don’t get to custom-build our dream bedroom. But the way we use what we have can totally shift the energy and feeling of a space. Rearranging a piece of furniture or clearing a surface might not sound groundbreaking, but it’s often just the thing to make your room feel like it finally fits your needs. A few easy changes, and suddenly, your small bedroom isn’t so small after all.
Bliss Donahue-Power
