How to Organize a Small Bedroom: Tips for Small Spaces
Having a small bedroom can be challenging, especially if you have a lot of stuff, but it doesn’t have to be. In fact, with the right organization tips, you can transform any small room into a relaxing and functional space. In this post, we will share some practical ideas for how to organize a small bedroom. From maximizing the space under your bed to investing in multi-functional furniture, you’ll feel more confident when approaching small bedroom organization.
Whether you’re a homeowner, apartment owner, or renter, these tips will help you declutter your small bedroom and make the most of its square footage.
It will also help any parents with children in small bedrooms! Sometimes it’s hard to fit all of your child’s toys and belongings in a tiny bedroom, but it can be done!
Keep reading for tips on how to organize a small bedroom. No more sacrificing style because of space constraints!
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How to Organize a Small Bedroom
Small bedroom organization might not be the easiest, but it’s not impossible. While you’re in the process of getting your small bedroom organized, you might need to be creative to find that extra space and find storage potential in random areas, but you can do it.
And luckily, you don’t have to do it alone. Here are some fun ideas you can implement in a tiny apartment or small bedroom to make the room feel bigger and look beautiful.
Purge Unnecessary Items
Start by purging unnecessary items! Before you start re-arranging furniture or buying new storage solutions, it’s essential to declutter your bedroom.
Go through all your belongings and decide what to keep, donate, or throw away. Be honest with yourself and get rid of anything you no longer need or use regularly. You’ll be surprised at how much space you can free up just by getting rid of unnecessary items.
Do you need 13 T-shirts? Maybe! Or maybe not. Don’t get rid of things you actually wear, love, or need, but make sure you’re not keeping things just for the sake of having them. Your bedroom belongings should be items you truly love or need.
Small Bedroom Storage
Headboard with Drawers
This is a fantastic way to add storage to your small bedroom! This allows you to make the most of your space by adding extra storage under your bed!
The Philosophy of Purging
The philosophy of purging your bedroom is rooted in the idea of minimalism. Simplicity is a virtue in a small bedroom, where every item must serve a purpose or bring joy. You don’t necessarily have to go that far, but by eliminating the clutter, you make room for the things that matter.
Don’t rush the process. Purging or decluttering requires time and patience. Start with one area at a time, such as a closet or a dresser. Categorize items into keep, donate, recycle, or trash. As you sort, ask yourself when you last used the item. If it’s been more than a year, it might be time to part ways.
Remember, purging doesn’t mean you have to live without it. It means you’re creating a more efficient and pleasing environment. Items that are only used occasionally, such as seasonal clothing, can be stored under the bed or high up in the closet. This way, they’ll be out of sight but still accessible when needed.
Through this process, you may encounter items with sentimental value that you rarely use. Consider ways to honor these memories without holding onto physical items. Photos or digital scans are excellent ways to preserve these memories without the clutter.
By purging your bedroom of unnecessary items and decluttering your space, you’ll create a more organized, relaxing environment that truly feels like a sanctuary.
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How to Arrange Furniture to Make the Room Appear Bigger
Once you get your room purged and know what you need to find room for, it’s time to organize your furniture.
One of the best ways to make a small bedroom appear larger is to arrange furniture in a way that creates more space. There are several ways to do this.
Get furniture with thinner legs.
Furniture with thin legs can help create an illusion of openness and spaciousness in a small bedroom. By revealing more floor space, it offers a visual extension of the room’s area, creating the impression of a larger, airier space. Instead of blocky furniture that sits directly on the floor, opt for pieces with longer, thinner legs.
The lifted furniture presents a less cluttered look, allowing for a more unobstructed view across the room. This can make the bedroom feel more expansive than it actually is. It’s a simple trick, but it goes a long way in maximizing the perceived size of your small bedroom.
Now, keep in mind that this might mean you can’t store anything under the bed, which would eliminate a great storage solution. So you might not want a bed frame with thin legs, but you can definitely implement this tip with your other bedroom furniture.
Small Bedroom Storage
Headboard with Drawers
This is a fantastic way to add storage to your small bedroom! This allows you to store things in your headboard as well as underneath!
Emphasize vertical space.
Emphasizing vertical space is another effective strategy for making a small room appear larger. Rather than focusing solely on the limited floor space, consider utilizing the room’s vertical space for storage and decor.
Shelves or tall cabinets can help draw the eye upwards, creating the illusion of a higher ceiling and a more spacious room. Similarly, wall-mounted bookshelves or decorative floating shelves can offer additional storage without consuming valuable floor space, making the room feel less cluttered and more open.
Hanging artwork can also help. By placing these items at eye level or higher, you create a vertical line of sight that makes the room appear taller.
I love this example from Instagram. The built-in cabinets are super tall, and those combined with the pop of wallpaper draw the eye up, making the ceiling look higher and the room look larger.
Remember, decorating vertically doesn’t mean you have to fill every inch of your walls. Instead, try to create a balance between empty spaces and decor. This can help prevent the room from feeling too cluttered or overwhelming.
Add mirrors and let in natural light.
Mirrors are the best friend of any interior designer, especially when it comes to small spaces.
By reflecting light and room images, mirrors create an optical illusion of additional space, making your small bedroom appear larger. Strategically placing a large mirror on a wall can immediately double the room’s visual capacity. Mirrors can also reflect both artificial and natural light to brighten the room at any time of the day.
Natural light is another key player in making a small room feel bigger and breezier. It provides a sense of openness and connection with the outside, diluting the confines of a small space.
To maximize natural light, avoid heavy, dark window coverings and opt for sheer curtains instead. If privacy isn’t an issue, leaving the windows bare would allow the maximum amount of sunlight to enter the room. Incorporating these tips into your small bedroom will not only enhance the perception of space but also create a more comfortable and enjoyable environment.
Keep textures breezy.
The use of lighter and breezier fabrics in a small bedroom can significantly enhance the illusion of space. These materials, when used in bed linens, curtains, and rugs, can lend an airy, open feel to the room, making it seem larger than it actually is.
Lighter fabrics like cotton, linen, or sheer materials allow for better light penetration, making the room brighter and subsequently giving an impression of more space.
It can be fun to add darker or heavier textures and fabrics in places, but keeping most of the decor light and breezy will help your room feel natural and big. By incorporating lighter and breezier fabrics into your bedroom decor, you can trick the eye into perceiving a more spacious environment.
Use light colors.
In addition to textures, the color scheme of your bedroom can greatly affect the perception of its size. Lighter colors tend to reflect light better, making the room brighter and giving it an airy, open feel. Painting your walls with shades of white, cream, or pastel can make your small bedroom appear larger.
Of course, if you like a darker color scheme, you can definitely do that! It’s your bedroom, so you should love it. But if you’re trying to keep the bedroom open and bright, a lighter color scheme with some accents of darker colors is a great idea.
Incorporate multipurpose furniture.
Remember that less is more in a small bedroom. Resist the temptation to fill every corner with furniture – instead, select only the pieces you truly need. Using multi-functional furniture, like an ottoman with storage or a bed with built-in drawers, can also help reduce clutter and make the room feel more spacious.
Have your furniture do double-duty if possible. This smart use of furniture allows you to limit the number of items in the room, leading to a less cluttered and more spacious look.
Be intentional about furniture placement.
Being intentional about furniture placement can dramatically improve the look and feel of a small bedroom. When arranging furniture, consider the room’s layout and the function of each piece.
The bed should be placed first because the bed takes up the most space. Ideally, position it opposite the door or the largest window or against the longest wall in the bedroom, which can make the room seem larger. If possible, try to leave as much space as possible on one side of the room to create a sense of openness.
Next, consider where to place your other essential pieces of furniture. A common trick is to push larger items, like dressers or desks, against the wall rather than having them float in the room. This can help maximize your floor space and create clear pathways around the room.
Keeping furniture around the edge of the room and using the wall space keeps the floor empty and helps the room feel bigger. Here’s a great example of that concept in a small bedroom!
For example, place the dresser or desk against a perpendicular wall, and the nightstand on the other side of the bed. Make sure there’s enough space to move around the room comfortably and avoid cluttering up the space with too many decorations or accessories.
Lastly, keep furniture scale in mind. Large, heavy pieces can overpower a small room and make it feel cramped. Opt for furniture that fits the room’s scale for a balanced and spacious look.
By being intentional about your furniture placement and using these strategies, you can make your small bedroom feel much more spacious and comfortable.
Ways to Create More Space in a Bedroom
When it comes to small bedroom organization, you’re probably going to focus on maximizing space and finding storage options in very little space.
As stated before, finding furniture that can act as both furniture and storage can be a great way to save space. Here are some small bedroom organization ideas to help you when saving space and keeping your bedroom tidy.
how to organize your small bedroom with Under the Bed storage
If you’re not already using the space under your bed, you’re missing out on valuable storage space.
Invest in some under-bed storage containers or boxes and use them to store off-season clothes, shoes, extra linens, or anything else that takes up space in your closet or dresser. You can also use a bed skirt to hide the containers and create a more organized look.
Invest in a Bed with Built-In Drawers Under the Mattress
To take full advantage of under-the-bed storage, get bedroom furniture with drawers under the bed!
I like this example of adding baskets in cubbies under the bed. This gives you easy access to anything you need under the bed, and the woven baskets are more stylish than plastic containers or storage boxes.
This photo shows a bed with built-in drawers, which is also an excellent way to use the space beneath the bed. You can easily slide out the drawers to access any clothes, nighttime essentials you’d normally keep on a bedside table, or other accessories you want to store.
Make a Lofted Bed
A lofted bed is a game-changer in a small bedroom, especially in rooms with high ceilings. By raising the sleeping space off the floor and onto a higher level, it opens up a considerable amount of usable space beneath it. This under-bed space can be utilized for various purposes – you could arrange a workstation, create a cozy reading nook, or even fit in a small closet.
I love this idea because the bed frame is high enough that someone could sit underneath and read or hang out!
Loft beds come in various designs, some with desks, shelves, or cupboards built-in underneath, like this one, offering even more storage options. A well-placed loft bed can also create a distinct separation of areas in your room, making it feel like you have more space than you actually do.
In some cases, the bed’s platform could also be used as additional storage space, with compartments or drawers carved into the sides. A loft bed can help your small bedroom feel larger and provide the additional benefit of storage.
Invest in a Headboard with Built-In Storage
When you have a small bedroom, every piece of furniture counts. That’s why investing in multi-functional furniture is a smart idea. For example, you can buy a headboard with built-in shelves or cabinets to store books, magazines, and other small items.
A headboard with built-in shelf space is a clever and stylish solution that can greatly enhance the functionality and comfort of your small bedroom while giving you extra storage space. Not only does it offer additional space to keep your belongings organized and within arm’s reach, but the design also promotes a clutter-free environment, making your room appear more spacious and neat.
For instance, you can use the shelves to display your favorite books or accessories, making your bed wall a personalized feature of your room. It can also serve as a convenient spot for your essentials such as a reading lamp, alarm clock, or a glass of water, eliminating the need for a nightstand and saving significant floor space.
Moreover, opting for a headboard with cabinet storage can provide a hidden space for items that you don’t need to access frequently, contributing to a cleaner, less cluttered look. Some headboards also come with a built-in charging station, ensuring your devices are powered up without adding extra cords and clutter on your bedside table.
This smart furniture piece not only enhances your room’s aesthetics but also increases its functionality, proving that even in a small bedroom, you can have it all – style, comfort, and practicality.
Buy a Nightstand with Multiple Drawers to Add Storage Space
A nightstand, side table, or small dressing table with multiple drawers offers several benefits, particularly in a small bedroom where maximizing space is a priority.
Firstly, it enables you to store more items within the same footprint as a standard nightstand. This increases the storage capacity without encroaching on your valuable floor space.
Secondly, having multiple drawers helps you categorize and organize your belongings, making it easy to locate and retrieve items as required. It’s an efficient way to stash away your bedtime essentials, reading materials, or personal items, keeping your room neat and clutter-free.
Lastly, a multi-drawer nightstand enhances the overall aesthetics of your bedroom. Whether you choose a modern design or a vintage piece, it adds a layer of sophistication and elegance to your room, creating a stylish yet functional bedside nook. I love this side table, but there are so many options out there!
Consider Buying Sconces to Mount on the Wall in Place of Lamps on Nightstands that Take Up Space
Floor lamps can take up precious floor space! Instead, mounted wall sconces can be a practical and stylish solution for lighting in a small bedroom, freeing up valuable space on bedside tables or nightstands.
Unlike traditional table lamps that require surface area, sconces can be affixed directly to the walls, occupying vertical space instead. This leaves your tabletops free for other essentials or decorative items. Apart from saving space, wall sconces also add a cozy, ambient light to your bedroom, creating a relaxing atmosphere perfect for unwinding at the end of the day.
Additionally, they come in a variety of styles and finishes, so you can select a design that complements your bedroom décor and enhances the aesthetics of your room. Remember to install them at an appropriate height, ideally at the same level or slightly lower than your eye level when seated, to provide optimum lighting and avoid glare.
How to Organize a Small Bedroom with Other Storage Solutions
Look around your bedroom and think outside the box when it comes to storage solutions. For example, you can install shelves on the back of your closet door to store shoes or accessories. You can also use over-the-door organizers, hanging storage bags, or storage ottomans to maximize space.
Here are some other ideas for storage space in small bedrooms.
Utilize the Space Above Your Door
The space above your bedroom door often goes unused. Consider installing a shelf here for storing items that you don’t need frequent access to, such as luggage or decorative items. This area can also be a perfect spot for books, creating a mini library.
Organize a Small bedroom by Installing a Pegboard
A pegboard is not just for your garage or workshop. Installed on a bedroom wall, it can act as an adaptable storage solution. With hooks and small baskets, you can store a variety of items like jewelry, scarves, or even stationery.
You can also find decorative hooks that fit into the pegboard that are the same color as other decorations in your bedroom to create a cohesive bedroom design.
Use the Back of Your Door
The back of your door provides a vertical space that can be utilized for storage. Install hooks or over-the-door organizers to hang a range of items, from coats and bags to shoes or hats.
Wall-Mounted Furniture and Shelves
Wall-mounted furniture, such as floating desks or bedside tables, frees up floor space and adds a modern touch to your room. Similarly, floating shelves can house a multitude of items, turning bare walls into useful storage.
Wall space can be great for decorations, but you can also use that surface space for storage! If you style your shelves or are careful when hanging clothes on the hooks, you can make your storage and closet look organized and intentional!
Use Multi-Tiered Hanging Baskets
For smaller items like socks, scarves, or even toys, hanging baskets can be an effective solution. These can be hung on the wall or from a hook on the ceiling, utilizing vertical space and adding a unique aesthetic element to your room.
Consider Storage Benches or Ottomans
Furniture that doubles as storage is ideal for small spaces. Benches or ottomans with storage compartments can be placed at the end of your bed, providing extra seating and a place to store blankets or out-of-season clothes.
Get Storage Bins with Doors
If you have a bit more room for storage and have a lot of stuff that won’t fit in your closet or under your bed, storage bins with doors might be the solution. These units offer a multitude of advantages.
They provide a significant amount of extra storage space, perfect for stowing away items such as toys, clothes, or books. The doors on these bins also help protect your belongings from dust, pests, and other potential damage.
Additionally, having doors allows you to keep your items out of sight, maintaining a clean, uncluttered look in your bedroom. You can even opt for storage bins that match your room’s decor, further enhancing the overall aesthetic. I love any of these options. They range in price, so you should be able to find one that makes the most sense for you in any budget.
Some storage bins even come with lockable doors, offering extra security for your valuable or sensitive items.
Organize a Small Bedroom using Tall Bookcases or Wardrobes
Tall, narrow furniture such as bookcases or wardrobes can make use of the space in your tall bedroom, offering storage without taking up much floor space.
By incorporating these ideas, you can maximize the storage potential of your small bedroom and keep your space tidy and well-organized.
How to Organize a Small Bedroom in No Time!
Now you know how to organize a small bedroom! Organizing a small bedroom may seem daunting, but with these small bedroom organization ideas, you can transform your space into a functional, comfortable, and organized retreat.
By decluttering, using the space under your bed, investing in multi-functional furniture, finding storage solutions in your room, and arranging bedroom furniture to make the room appear larger, you can create a beautiful and efficient bedroom.
As you organize your room, you might find you have enough room for the things you have, but it gets cluttered over time. That’s probably because you’re bringing more things into your house and now have less space. To maintain the organization, you may need to continually declutter and figure out a way to bring less stuff home. This will keep your small bedroom neat for years to come! But remember, it’s an ongoing process.
No matter your living situation or your personal style, these ideas will help you make the most of your small bedroom and feel right at home.
