Practical decorating tips to make a small bedroom feel larger using quick, budget-friendly projects and styling ideas to achieve a designer look without the cost.
This post is sponsored by Better Homes & Gardens at Walmart.
We’ve learned a lot about making small bedrooms function and feel roomy over the years. Our house doesn’t offer generously sized sleeping spaces, but with a few smart choices we’ve been able to create calm, stylish bedrooms that don’t feel cramped.
Our primary bedroom and an oddly shaped guest room were both challenges because of their small footprints. Recently, after Robert’s high school friend moved into a new house, we decided to give his and his wife’s small primary bedroom a fresh makeover as a housewarming gift.
The transformation is dramatic. With careful placement, paint, and a few key decor purchases, the room now feels cohesive, bright, and more spacious than before. The most satisfying part is that the entire update came together on a modest budget using paint and accessories from Better Homes & Gardens at Walmart.
Below are ten practical ideas we used to increase the sense of space in this small bedroom. These tips are easy to implement and rely on styling, paint, and a few smart furniture choices rather than a major remodel.
10 Small Bedroom Ideas to Make Your Space Feel Bigger
Bedroom Art
Make art work for height. Hanging artwork in a vertical gallery that reaches toward the ceiling draws the eye upward and creates the illusion of extra height. Alternatively, one large statement piece above the bed can visually enlarge the wall and anchor the room. For a collected look, mix metal and wood frames with vintage or neutral prints to add personality without overwhelming the space.
Bedroom Paint Colors
Choose extremes: very light or very dark tones tend to open a room more than mid-tones. Light shades reflect more light and make the room feel airy, while very dark colors can recede visually and create a cozy, expansive effect when used thoughtfully. We used a soft gray on the dresser to maintain contrast while keeping the tight walkway feeling open.
Black Furniture Paint for Contrast
Adding a touch of black or a deep hue on a focal piece, like a bed frame, introduces depth and contrast. Painting the bed in a rich, dark finish can make it feel intentional rather than bulky, and a smooth satin or semi-gloss finish helps reflect a bit of light so the piece doesn’t look heavy.
Bedroom Mattress Height
Lowering the mattress height makes a big visual difference. Swap a tall box spring for a low-profile option or use a platform with a lower profile so the bed feels proportional to the room. A lower bed reduces the visual mass and keeps sightlines open, helping the room feel less crowded.
Bedroom Rug
Use an area rug to define the sleeping zone and soften the floor. A rug that extends beyond the bed visually expands the footprint of the bed and ties the furniture together. Choose a subtle pattern or neutral tone to add interest without competing with other elements.
Bedroom Window Treatments
Hang curtains high and wide. Mount curtain rods just below the crown molding and extend them well past the window frame so curtains stack off the window when open. Long panels that just kiss the floor create taller-looking windows and allow maximum light when open, which instantly makes the room feel larger.
Simple Bedding
Keep bedding simple and bright. Crisp white bedding or a light textured duvet set keeps the look fresh and visually uncluttered. Layer in a couple of textured pillows and a neutral throw for warmth without overwhelming the space.
Bedroom Wall Mirror
Mirrors are a classic trick to increase perceived space. Place a mirror on a wall opposite a window to reflect natural light, or position a round mirror above a dresser to double the perceived depth of that wall. Mirrors can be decorative and practical, and they help the room feel brighter.
Bedroom Lighting
Layer light sources: overhead lighting plus bedside lamps and a few candles create a warm, inviting atmosphere. Lamps painted in warm metallic tones or with soft shades add life without adding clutter. Dimmer switches are a great investment to customize mood and reduce the visual dominance of a single strong light source.
Indoor Plants for Bedroom
A few well-placed plants bring life and scale to a small room. Choose low-maintenance varieties such as snake plants, pothos, philodendron, aloe vera, spider plant, or rubber plant. Place them on a dresser, a nightstand, or hang a trailing plant to add vertical interest.
Declutter the Bedroom
Clear surfaces and create simple drop zones for everyday items. Use trays on top of dressers, small bowls on nightstands, and nightstands with drawers to keep essentials out of sight. Minimizing visual clutter makes any room feel calmer and larger.
This bedroom came together quickly and economically, and the result feels thoughtful and spacious. Small rooms just need a few focused moves—paint, proportion, lighting, and clever styling—to feel much bigger than they are.
Bedroom Sources
- Bed Paint Color: Better Homes & Gardens Obsidian in satin
- Dresser Paint Color: Better Homes & Gardens Summer Fog in satin
- Wood dresser
- White wood nightstands
- Table lamps (spray painted brass)
- Curtains hung high and wide
- Duvet set in neutral white
- Sheets and a soft throw blanket
- Textured throw pillows
- Round mirror atop a dresser
- Candles for ambience
- Gold and wood picture frames for a collected gallery
- Planter and small trinket bowls for organization
More Bedroom Decor Ideas
- Bedroom decor ideas that feel like a spa retreat
- Modern vintage bedroom decor and styling
- Modern traditional bedroom design inspiration
- Essentials for a comfortable guest bedroom
- Furniture layouts and space planning for small bedrooms
