How to arrange a small bedroom to be multifunctional but still neat

Is your bedroom too small to fit much furniture? You don't know how to maximize the space and make your small bedroom multifunctional with the tips below.

Buy the right sized furniture

The first thing to consider is the size of the furniture. Unless you're completely stuck with what you already own, buying furniture that's the right size for the space is the first step to making it feel harmonious:

Bed: Start with the size of the room. A 2m x 3m bedroom is suitable for a double bed. If you have about 30 square meters to work with, you can upgrade to a king-size bed. Larger beds probably won't work in a small bedroom: If you want a king-size bed, you'll need a little more space.

Other Furniture: For other furniture, look for 'apartment-sized' or 'small-space' pieces that are designed to fit in tight spaces. A small dresser that allows you to store things but still be able to move around the room is better than a large dresser that makes it difficult to move around the bedroom.

Optimize layout

Once you've chosen the furniture for the room, the next step is to think about the layout. In a small bedroom, you'll want to take advantage of the room's existing features:

Bed placement: In general, king-sized beds should be placed in the middle of the room with the headboard against the wall, allowing access to both sides of the large mattress (unless you like the idea of ​​climbing over someone every time you have to go to the bathroom), while king-sized and twin beds should be tucked into a corner in a small space. However, choose your bed placement based on the specifics of the room and your lifestyle. If there is only one person sleeping in the bed, you can push the king-sized bed into the corner.

Create a path: In a small room, any layout that allows you to move freely around the space is a good one. Place the bed against a window, push the bed against a wall, float the bed in the middle of the room—anything that opens up a reasonable path from the door to everything you need (closet, bed, dresser, etc.) is a good one.

Take advantage of existing features: Consider what the room already has to offer. For example, if the window has a large sill, consider placing the bed on its side against the window and using the sill as a nightstand instead, eliminating the need for an additional piece of furniture. Or, if the small bedroom has a large closet, consider turning it into a nook, pushing the bed into the closet and opening up the rest of the floor space—in fact, you could also put the closet into the closet or create a regular 'office' by pushing a desk into it.

Multi-purpose furniture: Eliminate clutter by turning what you have into dual-purpose pieces. If you want a desk in your bedroom, place it next to the bed so it can also function as a nightstand. And if you're still using a small bed, make it smaller so it can serve as a seating area during the day.

Buy items with built-in storage

Storage is an issue in small spaces, even if it's a bedroom with a closet. If you can afford to buy furniture specifically for the space, choose pieces with storage compartments to save floor space and keep walkways clear:

1. Captain's Bed: A bed is a great option here—you can think of a Captain's Bed as a child's bed, but integrating drawers into the bed itself can help you skip the closet altogether. Add a bookshelf at the head of the bed and your bed can provide all the storage you need without taking up any extra floor space.
2. Folding bed: You can also consider storing the bed itself by installing a folding bed, leaving the floor free.

Make use of the wall

Keeping furniture off the floor will make it easier to move around the room and make the room feel larger. There are many ways to keep furniture off the floor, such as using:

1. Shelf
2. Desk and folding chair
3. Floating bedside cabinet
4. Wall lamp or pendant light

Hanging as much as possible on the wall allows you to have all the functionality without taking up space.

Add a loft

An effective way to make even the smallest bedroom usable is to install a loft bed. This allows you to keep the floor open for other uses, whether it be a home office, sitting area or storage space. You can find loft beds as small as a double bed, as long as the ceiling is high enough to comfortably work in them.

Jessica Tanner

Update 11 January 2025