3 Tips To Maximize Space And Style In A Small Bedroom
I’m thrilled to share our latest room reveal – a beautifully overhauled small bedroom in our historic 1886 home! With the right furniture and design strategies, even the tiniest spaces can feel spacious and inviting. I’ve learned a thing or two about maximizing space during this project, and I’m excited to pass on my expertise to you. Whether you’re working with a large or small bedroom, these three essential tips will help you create a cozy retreat that’s perfect for relaxing and recharging.
As an added bonus, I’ll be sharing another room reveal from our home-turned-vacation-rental soon! For context, if you missed it, I previously shared our Master Bedroom reveal and outlined my 7 Steps to Creating the Perfect Dream Master Bedroom – check out that post here. As always, all opinions expressed are my own, and this post is sponsored by The Brick.
1) Take Measurements to Maximize Your Small Bedroom Space
When it comes to creating a beautiful space in a compact area, accurate measurements are crucial. It’s easy to overlook this step and instead rely on intuition or rough estimates, but doing so can lead to costly mistakes down the line. By taking precise measurements, you’ll be able to visualize the space more effectively and make informed decisions about what can fit comfortably within its boundaries.
This simple yet essential step allows you to experiment with different layouts and configurations, ultimately saving time and frustration in the long run.
How and What to Measure in a Small Bedroom
When approaching the layout of a small bedroom like this one, it’s essential to consider how the doorway affects the space. In our case, the door opens onto the main wall, which means we need to factor that into our design. Ideally, the bed should be placed against the longest wall, allowing for comfortable bedside table placement. However, in smaller spaces, there may only be one suitable wall for the bed.
After accounting for the closet wall, doorway, windows, and radiator, we’re left with a single wall option. To determine the usable length of this wall, we need to subtract any obstructions, such as the radiator or door swing, from its total length. This will give us our working dimensions, allowing us to create a functional and harmonious layout.
Must Have – A Gorgeous Upholstered Queen Bed!
As I design my bedroom, my primary objective is to accommodate a queen-sized bed, which I believe is ideal for couples and a wise choice as children grow. In fact, when transitioning a child to a larger room, I often opt for a queen bed if the space allows it, considering it provides greater comfort and eliminates the need for a future transition. This approach has been my go-to strategy in the past, and I find it streamlines the process.
For our guest room, I selected the ‘Grace Queen Bed’ specifically because of its elegant design and functional features. Had this bed not been available, I would have still chosen it as an ideal option for my daughter Penelope’s bedroom. The key attributes I look for in a bed, whether for guests or my own child, are an upholstered headboard with ornate details and curved lines.
Upholstered headboards offer the added benefit of providing a comfortable surface for sitting and reading, scrolling through one’s phone, completing homework, or typing away (much like I am doing currently).
Maximum Comfort with the Perfect Mattress
When it comes to furnishing a bedroom, one of the most crucial components is undoubtedly a high-quality mattress. For my bedroom, I opted for the Sealy Posturepedic Crown Germaine Queen Mattress Set, which boasts an impressive array of features that set it apart from others on the market. I was drawn to this particular mattress because of its unique combination of pocket coils and pressure-relieving memory foam.
The pocket coils provide targeted support for each part of the body, making it an excellent choice for guests with back issues. Additionally, the Pressure Relief memory foam layer responds to individual pressure points, offering unparalleled comfort. But what truly sets this mattress apart is its ability to regulate temperature thanks to its gel-infused high-density foam and SealyAIR fibre construction.
This means that even the most discerning sleepers – like my own father, who has a reputation for being tough on mattresses – will find it comfortable and supportive.
The Reviews Speak for Themeselves
We’re thrilled to share that our establishment boasts a flawless 5-star review track record. And we’re confident that it’s all thanks to one key factor: the perfect mattress. The fact is, the way you sleep can make or break your overall stay experience. So, we’ve made sure to get it just right – and it shows in our unwavering commitment to providing a restful retreat for every guest.
Subtract Bed From Your Measurements
Now that we’ve considered the bed’s placement against the wall, let’s focus on creating a plan for the remaining space. To do this, simply subtract the bed’s width from the wall measurement to determine how much room is left over. This leftover space will be used to accommodate the rest of your furniture, allowing you to visualize and arrange everything in harmony.
2) Chose Narrow furniture and Decor to Pull-Off the Ultimate Layout and Maximize Style in Your Small Bedroom
To maintain harmony and balance in my compact bedroom, I’ve chosen to center my bed despite the limited space. The symmetrical placement of matching bedside tables on either side creates a hotel-like ambiance, allowing both individuals to place their belongings and enjoy a sense of tranquility. In the past, I experienced the negative impact of an asymmetrical setup when I had one large bedside table on one side and nothing on the other – it felt unbalanced.
This time around, I was determined to find narrow options that would still allow me to achieve my ideal bedroom layout. A thorough search revealed a vast array of widths available beyond traditional ‘bedside tables’, which often tend to be wider than necessary. The Brick offered some fantastic slim options, and I opted for the Enna accent cabinet with a width of just 16 inches! These cabinets also come in a larger 32-inch size, providing a more typical bedside table look.
I’m so enamored with these cabinets that I’ve even used them in my Glam Transitional Family Room in the wider size. By choosing narrow options, I was able to replicate the traditional bedside table aesthetic while ensuring it fit seamlessly into my small space.
Skinny Mirrors and Lamps to Elevate Your Small Space
There’s something undeniably chic about matching bedside tables flanked by identical mirrors above. To achieve this look in a compact bedroom, it’s essential to select a narrow mirror that harmonizes with the table’s proportions. A mirror wider than its counterpart would create an unbalanced feel, so I opted for the Venetian Mirror from The Brick.
Its unique design and exquisite beauty make it a stunning addition to our small space, and I’m already envisioning how it would complement a matching pair above a vanity. For those with more generous rooms, the Mansard mirror offers the same style in a larger size. To complete the look, I found the perfect skinny Crystal Lamps, featuring slim shades that still exude maximum style despite the room’s constraints.
The result is a space where luxury and elegance thrive, even in the smallest of areas.
When Everything is Narrow You Create an Optical Illusion
The art of optical illusion is at play when it comes to creating a harmonious balance between furniture and space. A clever trick lies in proportionality – when tables, mirrors, and lamps are deliberately chosen to be narrow, the entire visual landscape shifts. The room suddenly feels ‘normal sized’, as if the pieces were designed specifically for this exact space.
This delightful harmony is what makes it feel spacious, even with identical pieces placed elsewhere would seem out of place and diminutive.
3) Use Hidden Power Bars to Maximize Layout Functionality and Number of Outlets Without an Electrician
This 1886 house didn’t have outlets on its walls, but that’s where a clever power bar hack comes in handy! The idea came from our contractor, Matt Cornies, who wanted to solve the problem of limited charging options when furniture fills up all available wall space. With a power strip featuring outlets on both sides, each person can charge their devices, work in bed, or simply enjoy some extra convenience.
To make it work, if the outlet is located on a different wall, you can run the cord along the baseboard and plug it in at the first available outlet. This hack is perfect for small bedrooms with limited outlet options.
Do Not Sacrifice Anything in a Small Bedroom
The moral of this story is that, regardless of the size of your space, you don’t have to compromise on style or luxury. By taking precise measurements, selecting slimline furniture and decor, and utilizing clever electrical solutions, it’s possible to create a grandiose atmosphere in even the most compact rooms.
For instance, you can still fit a plush queen-sized bed with matching bedside tables, mirrors, and lamps that evoke the feeling of a luxurious hotel suite, all within the confines of a small room.
