7 of the Smartest Ways to Lay Out a Small Bedroom (2024)

FAQs

Where should a bed be placed in a small room? ›

Start by putting your bed frame in the center of the most visible wall. (It's usually the wall facing the doorway.) Putting your bed frame in the center will give your small bedroom layout symmetry so you can make the most of your space. You'll have enough space to jump under the covers from both sides.

Often, the best place to put your bed is along the longest wall. It's a good idea to place your bed symmetrically to create a peaceful bedroom. Sometimes, it's easy to achieve symmetry by placing it between two windows, two columns, or two built-in shelves.

You might have limited space to work with or there might be doors in the way, and sometimes the most functional bedroom layout requires you to situate your bed in front of a window. From swapping your headboard to installing curtains, there are plenty of ways you can style this setup so that it looks more intentional.

If you do nothing else, try NOT to have the bed directly facing the bedroom door. Feng shui experts say you should be facing the door but not be directly in line with it. Placing your bed on the same wall as your door is thought to feel threatening, like someone may wake you in the night.

Feng shui — which considers spatial relationships in relation to the flow of life energy, or chi — usually would come out strongly in favor of pushing the bed up against the main wall of a bedroom. But it warns against doing so if there are bathroom drainage pipes or gas pipes running through the wall.

'From a Feng Shui perspective it is not recommended to position a bed under a window, when we work with Feng Shui positioning we want to follow its best practices,' explains Feng Shui expert, Patricia Lohan. Patricia also wants us to know that there are often easy solutions to many Feng Shui mistakes.

A neutral paint palette is perfect for a small bedroom in order to maximise every inch of space and light. If you have painted white panelling behind your bed, then opt for a slight contrast in paint colour for example Brushed Cotton which will add subtle warmth and depth against the brightness of the white.

Therefore, lighter-colored bedding, such as white or light neutrals, can make a bedroom look bigger,' says Julio Arco, interior designer of Bark and Chase. 'Studies and research found that this is because lighter colors reflect more light, which can create an impression of more space.

Balance—Or Lack Thereof

“The first thing I clock when I walk into a room is the amount and scale of the furnishings,” she says. “If a space is overcrowded, it feels uncomfortable to be in it. Oversized furnishings, overcrowded furniture or—worst of all—a combination of both makes a space feel smaller.”

What is the bedroom rule? ›

Minimum square footage: Although this can vary from state to state, 70 to 80 square feet is generally the acceptable minimum. Minimum horizontal footage: A bedroom must also measure at least 7 feet in any horizontal direction. That is why you can't call a hallway a bedroom!

The bed is supposed to be the focal point in a bedroom, so, if possible, position it on the wall opposite the entrance door so it's what you see first when you enter the room. Second best would be the wall perpendicular and farthest from the entrance door wall. It is O.K. to position beds under or in front of windows.

Your first step in creating good feng shui in your bedroom is to properly position your bed, where you spend upwards of a third of your life. Arrange your bed in a commanding position. This means that when you are in your bed, you're facing the door, but you should not be directly in line with the door.

I.e. against the wall, in the middle of the wall, facing the door, facing away from the door. It's considered good for the energy flow of a room to have your bed positioned, when possible, so that you can see anyone entering the room from the bed. (As that is where you are at your most vulnerable).

The principles of feng shui say that having your wardrobe or closet to the left of your bed will keep your family thriving and prosperous. Depending on your room's layout, your bed may inevitably face the closet. If this is the case, don't fret.

Should Your Bedroom Door Be Closed at Night? The Fire Safety Research Institute (FSRI) says closing your door at night could, in fact, save your life in the event of a fire. The institute has even come up with a fire safety program called Close Before You Doze.