Guest post from Kathy of The Budget Decorator
Decorating a small bedroom can be a challenge, especially when your budget is tight. Follow these five great ideas for visually expanding your bedroom space, without shrinking your pocketbook!
Matchy-Matchy
No one does matchy-match anymore. However, there is one place in a small bedroom where you might want to consider it.
Match the color and tone of the bedding to the wall to make your bedroom space seem larger. The bed and the wall are the largest areas of real estate in the room… match them in color and the eye will glide over them.
The fewer times the eye has to stop, the larger a room seems. Use a light and cool color selection, get even more space stretching bonus!
Roll Away
No, not a roll away bed. But adding rolling drawers for under bed storage allows you to have handy access to things you use on a regular basis, but keeps it all put away. Keeping things out of site and the clutter level down in your bedroom will make the whole room seem larger, not to mention neater!
Easy ways to create rolling storage on a dime? If your floor is carpeted, attach caster wheels from your hardware store to old dresser drawers, plastic bins, or even sturdy cardboard boxes. Be sure to measure the height of your container with the attached wheels so that it will fit underneath the bed.
Hardwood under your bed? Instead of risk scratching your floor with caster wheels, how about adding self stick felt to the bottom of your storage container? It will allow it to slide easily out from under the bed, and be gentle on the floor as well. Craft stores sell adhesive backed felt for a few cents.
Lighten Up
Is the furniture in your bedroom dark or in need of an update? Paint your dresser, nightstand and headboard a light, neutral color, and see the whole room open up!
Let the Sun Shine In
Make sure your windows allow the most possible light enter the room. A bright room seems airy and light, and is a must for a small bedroom. Hang curtains and blinds so that when open, they clear the window and don’t block any natural light.
Less is More
Make sure when decorating a small bedroom, you always remember “less is more”. Remove anything in the room that isn’t necessary. This might even include sliding the dresser into the closet, using floating shelves in place of nightstands, or making sure every shoe, every piece of clothing, every earring has its place!
Decorating a small bedroom on a budget doesn’t have to be an exercise in magical powers. You can’t make more square footage appear, but you can make the most of what you’ve got!
Want more small home decorating ideas? Visit Kathy at Decorating Your Small Space or The Budget Decorator.
A-M says
Great article, although you image for a ‘small bedroom’ made me chuckle. Here in the UK, that’s a pretty standard bedroom. We’ll call it a double as long as the bed can fit in there (even if it’s shoved up against a wall so you have to climb over each other to get out) and never mind any room for wardrobes or storage! When we visited the States we were astounded at how massive everything was – the beds, the fridges, the ovens – everything!
Pam says
I am recently an empty nester with two bedrooms to do over. My spaces are not all that small but we do have slanted celings. I just love the idea of a floating shelf in place of a night stand.
Christy says
My son’s room is 10 X 10. My husband thought I was nuts when I bought him a train table used for $35. It is pushed into the corner and I attached casters to the legs so he can pull it out when he wants to build a new track and wants access to all sides and then he can push it back. His twin bed also has a trundle, so his room doubles as the guest bedroom. He does not have a dresser–all clothes in closet–has plastic drawer organizer in there.
rebeccasdelightfulhome says
Great ideas! I especially like the idea of the felt on the bottom of the bins (for hardwood floors). Another way make the room look bigger, or shall I say the ceiling look higher, is to hang your curtains as high as you can over the window, creating the illusion of a bigger window, and higher ceiling. I like to use light, neutral colors in small spaces, too. I have seen people do sort of a 3d effect with paint on the ceiling, to create the illusion of a tray ceiling.
Elizabeth says
I love the room shown in the photo. It looks so serene and comfortable. Great ideas!
Kalyn Brooke says
I like all your points. Sunshine is definitely a big thing – I don’t even notice the small space in bright rooms.
Maria James says
Using the concept of “less is more” definitely helps save money and space. I use the last three ideas in each room of my apartment, but didn’t know about the “matchy-matchy” idea. Great post.
Chels says
LOVE! great ideas here!
Jamie Rohrbaugh says
I love the felt idea, and matching the tone of the bedding to the wall! Great suggestions! I have one tiny bedroom over the garage that really ought to be a bonus room, but I’m working on turning it into a guest room. You’re right about the clutter. I’ve got too many items in there and need to lighten it up. 🙂 Thanks!
Hannah J says
These are some really good ideas for small rooms. I live in a one bedroom apartment, at the moment, with my husband and five month old son. We need all the advise we can get for creating the illusion that the room is bigger. haha. Can’t wait til we get a house!
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Heather says
I agree with everything. I followed most of these when I created my daughter’s big girl room.
I would also add that the type of print you use can make a big difference. If you get an egg shell or semi-gloss they will help to reflect the light in the room helping make it look bigger.