How to Make The Most of Your Small Bedroom Space

Do you find yourself constantly running out of space in your bedroom? Are you struggling to fit all your belongings into your limited floor space? We all want the ideal bedroom with plenty of room to relax and sleep soundly. However, most of us make do with a somewhat smaller bedroom space that can often feel cramped, especially when clutter and clothes build up.

However, there’s no need to worry, as there are ways to transform a small room into a more spacious-feeling den with the right amount of careful consideration and planning. At John Ryan, we’re all about the details that really matter, and we’ve got a few ideas to help you revitalise, refresh and make the most of your bedroom space.

Space-Savings Tips for Small Bedrooms

If you have a small bedroom, you’ll know how challenging it can be to make the most of the limited space. Therefore, it’s important to think creatively. Here are some tips to help you create a more spacious and organised bedroom:

Declutter & Organise

The biggest thing you can do to get a small bedroom looking a lot more spacious is to start reducing all the clutter. Get rid of any unnecessary items that are taking up valuable space. Sort through your belongings and donate, sell, or dispose of anything you no longer need. You can then re-organise the remaining items. Keep your clothes and shoes stored away, and any accessories neatly arranged. Less mess will really maximise your bedroom space, and remember to stick to only having essential furniture in the room too. If you must have a table and chair in your bedroom, choose them so they blend in with other furnishings, as this will create a sense of openness.

Utilise Vertical Space

When you’re short on floor space, it’s important to make use of your walls. Install shelves or floating cabinets to store items away from the floor, and use hooks to hang clothing, bags, and other items. This not only frees up floor space, but also adds visual interest to your room.

Use Multi-Functional Furniture

Look for items with built-in storage or a desk that doubles as a nightstand. This allows you to maximise your available space and minimise clutter. Your bed will, of course, be the largest item of furniture in your bedroom, and take up the biggest amount of floor space. Choosing a bed base designed for storage will really help you to make use of the wasted area underneath your mattress, and free up more space in the rest of your room.

Create the Illusion of Space

It might not actually create physical floorspace, but the style of your bedroom can help to improve your sleep quality, and it can also add to the illusion of space! There are a number of style choices you can make to really enhance how big a small bedroom feels, including:

• Using vertically-striped wallpaper to give the room a sense of height. You could also use a striped rug to make the room appear as though it’s receding backwards.
• Painting everything – from the walls to the ceiling and floors – in a similar tone. This will help blur the boundaries of the space.
• Using lighter paint colours can certainly help, but white isn’t always the best option. Try using calming blues or greens to make it look and feel bigger.
• Hanging up just one art piece – instead of multiple pieces – in a prominent position will draw the eye to a single focal point in the room.
• Making use of a decorative mirror to trick the eye into thinking there’s even more space. A large enough mirror can even give the effect of a second room.
• Using fitted furniture can help you to ensure that every square inch of your room is being put to good use. Floor space will then be freed up and the clean lines of fitted furniture can create the illusion that they’re disappearing into the space.
• Hanging curtains all the way from floor to ceiling, and making sure they’re a similar tone to your walls, will help them to blend into the overall space.
• Put up sleek blinds (or even shutters) if you’re not that bothered about having curtains. These will be less bulky and take up less space, creating a more clean, spacious look.

Choosing the Right Bed Size for Your Room

As well as space-saving tips, the solution for you may lie in choosing a better bed size for your room, as this alone can make a big difference!

When it comes to selecting the right bed size, you’ll want to consider the size of your room, your budget, and your personal preferences. There are numerous available bed sizes, and you can find out more about each of them in our Guide to Bed & Mattress Sizes, but the 3 usual choices are:

Single Bed

A single bed is the smallest common bed size. This size is perfect for people who want to maximise their space, especially within smaller rooms. It’s also an excellent choice for solo sleepers who don’t need a lot of space! Single beds typically measure 36 inches wide by 75 inches long, so they’re great for children’s rooms or guest bedrooms. Some single beds also come with built-in storage, making them a highly practical choice too.

Double Bed

A double bed is the go-to for couples who want to share the same sleeping space, or for single sleepers who appreciate the extra room! A double bed typically measures 54 inches wide by 75 inches long, and provides ample sleeping space without taking up excessive floor space. It’s therefore a realistic option for small to medium-sized bedrooms. One thing to note about double beds is that they may not provide enough space for taller individuals (especially if they prefer to stretch out while sleeping). In this case, something like a king-sized bed may be a better option.

King Bed

Now the most common UK bed size, a king bed is the largest available standard size, providing space for couples who want maximum comfort and luxury. With a width of 76 inches and length of 80 inches, a king size bed is perfect for those who want plenty of room to stretch out and get a good night’s sleep. Due to the large dimensions, a king size bed is most suitable for roomy bedrooms with plenty of floor space, and it’s undeniably a great option for taller individuals.

When selecting a bed size, you’ll want to ensure that your bed fits comfortably in your room without feeling cramped or overcrowded. If you’re looking for space-saving solutions, John Ryan offers beds with built-in storage, and many of the bed bases in our collection are tailored to give you the maximum amount of storage within your sleep space. For example, our Contemporary Platform Divan base (see above) offers a finely-crafted solid timber frame, but also has built-in drawers that can be tailored depending on whether or not you’re using a bedside table. We even have a small number of Ottoman beds in our outlet (see below), which allow the entire mattress to be lifted up so you can access a wealth of additional storage space underneath it.

Arranging Your Furniture & Decor

Once you’ve selected the right bed size for your bedroom, there are several ways to optimise the space around your bed:

Place your bed against a wall

By placing your bed against a wall, you can free up space in the centre of your room and create a more streamlined look. If you have a small bedroom, consider placing your bed against the longest wall to maximise floor space.

Use a floating shelf as a nightstand

Instead of using a traditional nightstand, try installing a floating shelf next to your bed. This not only frees up floor space but also serves as a statement area to display your favourite decor pieces, such as a vase or a small plant.

Choose a low profile headboard

A low-profile headboard can actually help create the illusion of more space in your bedroom. Try to choose a headboard that doesn’t extend too far above your bed frame. A headboard with built-in storage can also be a practical solution for storing extra bedding or clothing.

Use a room divider

If you have a large bedroom or share a room with someone else, consider using a room divider to create separate sleeping areas. This can offer a sense of privacy and make your room feel more spacious. Even a bookshelf or a folding screen can act as a functional room divider.

Keep your decor simple

When it comes to decorating your bedroom, less is often more. Stick to a simple colour scheme and avoid cluttering your walls with too many decorations. This approach creates a calming and relaxing atmosphere. You could consider adding a few accent pieces too, such as a colourful throw, pillow or a piece of art to add personality to your space.

Choosing the right bed size is an important decision when it comes to maximising the floor space in your bedroom. And whether you opt for a single, double, king, or even a more niche size of bed, investing in a high-quality mattress and bedding can also further improve your quality of sleep and the overall comfort levels in your bedroom.

If you’ve made the decision to move to a different bed size and want a new mattress to fit, then you can find plenty of information to help you find the ideal mattress for your needs in the following articles…

• Our Guide to Buying a New Mattress – including 7 must-ask questions.
• Our Guide on How to Choose a Mattress – our ultimate bed-buying guide!

If you have any other questions, you can also call us on 0161 437 4419 to receive friendly advice that’s tailored to your situation, or send us an email on [email protected].