10 Design Tricks to Make a Small Bedroom Look Bigger

Is your bedroom so small it’s more suited to a Smurf than a sapien? Don’t feel blue. There are plenty of quick and simple tips to trick the eye into thinking you’ve got more room to work with than you actually do. From mirrors to shelving, here’s how a little reorganization can go a long way.

Published March 18, 2018, Updated June 17, 2021

A minimalist bedroom with a low-to-the-ground bed with art hanging on the wall above

Heidi Lau

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Keep the Bed Low to the Ground

Forgo tall pieces of furniture in the bedroom and nix the headboard entirely. By keeping things low to the ground, including your bed, you effortlessly create more space above, which ultimately makes the ceilings seem higher.

Two narrow light fixtures hang down above a bed centred between two nightstands on each side

Lauren Miller

2 / 10

Mount the Lights

Free up your night tables by installing sconces or any other type of stylish light fixtures that don’t require cords that snake across the floor. In the end, it makes for a tidy presentation in a small bedroom. Check out these rejuvenating zen bedrooms that’ll help you de-stress.

Custom-made white storage unit built into the wall

Lauren Miller

3 / 10

Opt for Built-in Storage

When real estate’s tight, think beyond the walls. Punch them out if you have to. How fab is this custom-made storage unit that seamlessly fits into an awkward bedroom nook? It’s one of those simple bedroom organization tips that practically do the cleaning for you.

A minimalist white bedroom with very little furniture aside from a bench with potted plants

Lauren Kolyn

4 / 10

Cut Back on Furniture

In lieu of two individual night stands, stick with one or – even better – none! It’ll help you reduce the unnecessary clutter that gradually stacks up over time.

A floor-to-ceiling bedroom mirror with a table in front

Lauren Miller

5 / 10

Add Mirrors

A mirror visually expands a room and bounces around the light. It’s a good choice for a smaller space that could use all the widening it can get.

A sleek white bedroom with leggy furniture, from the bed to the chairs

Lauren Miller

6 / 10

Leggy Furniture

Avoid heavy furniture in a small room. Being able to see the floor will make the room appear larger, whether it’s the bed, chairs or nightstand.
Opt for these Japandi decor pieces for a more calm and minimalist bedroom.

An all-white bedroom with pops of colour in the bright blue chairs at the end of the bed

Home Network

7 / 10

Mellow Palette

A minimalist bedroom is a thing of beauty. The monochromatic palette helps the bedroom feel large, since your eye isn’t jumping around the room. The blue chairs add a simple pop of colour that doesn’t overpower the room.

A white and red guest bedroom with unique ceiling light fixture

Home Network

8 / 10

Ceiling Focal Point

Drawing the eye upwards is one way to deal with limited square footage. Think of it as a bait-and-switch manoeuvre. This simple ceiling light fixture is a subtle example that still encourages the eye to drift upward. See more of the coolest lighting trends that will transform any room.

A sparse bedroom with a perfectly centred bed

Lauren Kolyn

9 / 10

Consider Bed Placement

Beds are typically the largest piece of furniture in any bedroom. Therefore, its placement plays a crucial role in how cluttered the space will feel. Don’t be afraid to move it around the room for optimal placement, whether it’s next to the window or centred in the middle of the room.

A tall, narrow wall unit next to a bed in a tight nook

Janis Nicolay

10 / 10

Wall Shelves

Optimize your bedroom by using picture ledges, mounted storage boxes, pinup boards or narrow shelving to create more space to display your beloved knick knacks.