Making The Most of a Small Bedroom

Many of us dream of having enough space in our bedroom to spread ourselves out, to have a dressing area or even an armchair to lounge around on. In reality, most of us have enough room for our bed and some storage and that is about the extent of it. Even if this is your problem, there is so much which can be done to create the illusion of space and to use the space you do have to its maximum potential.

The illusion of space

• A simple trick of painting all of your walls and the ceiling in white can be enough to turn a small and dingy room into something which appears to be light and airy and full of room.
• If you are a little more bold you could use vertical stripes on the walls to make it appear that the ceiling is higher than it actually is.
• Mirrors are great at reflecting the light and making walls appear to go on forever.
• Having a wooden floor with a bed which is high off the ground can make the room look larger. The space under the bed is incorporated into the room and it seems as though the bed is floating.

The right furniture

• Not all double beds are created equal. You should always choose a small double if your room is very small. It is certainly cosy for two, but will leave enough room on each side for you to have bedside tables which are essential in any double bedroom.
• In children's rooms use bunks or high sleepers to create more floor space. Children love to sleep up high and the space underneath can be used for a desk or even a wardrobe. Try building cupboards or shelves up high above the bed.
• Try to combine your wardrobe and drawers into one unit. If you have a built-in wardrobe the drawers could be placed inside. Any awkward shapes or unused parts of the room should be turned into shelving or cupboard space. Always use sliding doors on your built in wardrobe as you may not have enough space for doors which open outwards. Build into corners if possible.

The bed

• There a plenty of beds on the market these days which have built-in storage. From divans with drawers to beds which can be lifted open to reveal space for shoes or blankets.
• Try to find a bed which has fold out or slide out bedside tables. These can be open for the evening and then hidden away in the bed-head for the day when you need the room to look less cluttered.
• Under-bed storage is big business these days. You can find baskets or boxes on rollers which are perfect for stowing away unused clothes or shoes.

Soft furnishings

• As much as you might love the idea of oodles of cushions, they will make your bed look small and the room look cluttered. It is best to keep it smooth and sleek.
• Use a blind rather than curtains as this will leave the floor and wall space uncluttered.