How to Make a Small Bedroom Look Bigger

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When I moved into my house, I quickly noticed that my bedroom felt more like a shoebox than a sanctuary. If your bedroom feels the same, don’t panic!

You don’t need a renovation or a sledgehammer to make your small bedroom look and feel bigger. With a few clever design tricks, optical illusions, and smart furniture choices, you can create the illusion of a spacious, airy bedroom without adding a single square foot.

Are you ready to turn your tiny bedroom into a roomy retreat? Here’s how (and how not…) to do it.

Common Mistakes That Make a Small Bedroom Feel Smaller

Even the best design tricks won’t work if you’re making these space-shrinking mistakes!

Dark walls without enough lighting – Unless you’re a pro at styling, dark walls can make a space feel closed in.
Too much furniture – Less is more; stick to the essentials that enhance the room.
Ignoring vertical space – Tall bookshelves and wall-mounted storage help draw the eye upward and create the illusion of height.

💡 Fix these mistakes, and your space will instantly feel more open!

1. The Illusion of Space: Trick the Eye with Colour

A stylish, small bedroom painted in light neutral colors (white, beige, or soft pastels). Large windows with sheer curtains letting in natural light. The walls and ceiling blend seamlessly for a spacious effect. The bed has cozy linen textures, and the room has a minimalist, clutter-free design. Soft, natural lighting enhances the space. Photorealistic interior design shot.

I found that choosing the right colors was sooo important in changing the way a room looks and feels. Choosing light and neutral shades like white, beige and pastels usually helps to reflect the light and really open up a room.

I always prefer to keep relaxing spaces like a bedroom nice and bright to help create a larger (and frankly more luxurious) feel.

Dark colors tend to close up a room because they resemble shadows, and it just looks like the light can’t get in. I usually try to avoid large areas of a dark color (like a feature wall) to prevent the walls looking like they are closing in on me!

Pro Tips:

Paint the walls and ceiling a similar colour to eliminate visual “cutoffs.”
Use a monochromatic color scheme to keep things looking seamless and uncluttered.
Go for soft, sheer curtains instead of heavy drapes to let in natural light.

💡 Bonus: If you want a little contrast, add textures instead of bold colors—think linen bedding, soft rugs, and layered fabrics.

2. Mirror, Mirror on the Wall: The Quickest Way to Make a Small Bedroom Feel Bigger

A modern, small bedroom with a large decorative mirror placed opposite a window, reflecting natural light and making the space look bigger. The mirror has a stylish frame, and the room features a neutral color palette. Mirrored closet doors add to the sense of space. Elegant, cozy, and well-lit. Photorealistic interior design magazine style.

Getting in on some mirror action absolutely helps me to drag even more light into a room, and open it up. They’ve become an absolute staple in my design process!

They don’t only look super stylish, it’s like getting an extra window! If you don’t have space for a standing mirror, definitely take advantage of a hanging one or a mirrored closet door.

How to Use Mirrors Effectively:

Place a large mirror opposite a window, this really helped me to maximize the reflection of natural light (the ultimate home accessory).
Use mirrored closet doors created the illusion of even more space without having additional decor cluttering my already small space.
Try mirrored furniture or wall panels, they really contribute to the effect of light and airiness.

3. Choose the Right Furniture: Less Bulk, More Space

Choosing the right furniture impacts the way the room looks in a big way.

Functional items, ideally with clever storage to keep the clutter at bay (see my next point) is a really great way to maximize the space that you do have in your small room.

Furniture Swaps That Make a Difference:

Choose a low-profile bed to make the ceiling appear higher.
Opt for wall-mounted nightstands instead of bulky bedside tables.
Use multi-functional furniture like a storage ottoman or a bed with built-in drawers.

💡 Bonus: Glass or acrylic furniture pieces can make the space feel lighter and less cluttered.

4. Declutter Like a Pro: Less Stuff = More Space

A small, modern bedroom that looks spacious due to smart storage solutions. Floating shelves hold decorative pieces, under-bed storage bins are neatly tucked away, and the nightstand is clear of clutter. A stylish minimalist design with cozy touches like soft bedding and warm lighting. Photorealistic interior shot, cozy and organized.

In my house, clutter and I are constantly fighting a never ending battle. But it must be won if you want to make a little space big!

I’ve adopted some creative solutions to keep my stuff out of sight and out of mind, and of course keep the room looking sleek at the same time.

Decluttering Hacks:

Keep surfaces as clear as possible—nightstands, dressers, and floors should be clutter-free.
Use hidden storage like under-bed bins or furniture with built-in compartments.
Try floating shelves to get things off your floor without taking up any valuable floor space.

5. Lighting Magic: Brighten Up Small Spaces

A cozy, modern small bedroom with warm ambient lighting. LED strip lights run along the ceiling, fairy lights hang around a stylish mirror, and wall sconces replace traditional bedside lamps. The lighting enhances the sense of space, making the room feel larger. The color scheme is soft neutrals, creating a warm, inviting feel. Photorealistic, interior design magazine style.

I realized pretty quickly that a well-lit room just instantly feels way more spacious.

By introducing artificial lighting into my little space, I achieved a brighter and more inviting feel to the room – day and night!

Best Lighting Tricks for Small Bedrooms:

Swap out overhead lights for wall sconces or floor lamps, this not only brightens up the room but also fancy-fies it immensely.
Use LED strip lights or fairy lights to add depth and dimension as well as being mega-cute.
Place a lamp near a mirror to double the light effect, reflect it back!

💡 Bonus: Soft white or warm-toned lights make a space feel cozy and inviting, while bright white lights can make it feel larger.

6. Smart Layout & Arrangement: Make the Most of Your Small Bedroom

A perfectly arranged small bedroom that feels open and airy. The bed is slightly away from the wall, vertical storage shelves extend to the ceiling, and there’s a clear walking path. Thoughtfully placed furniture maximizes space. Cozy, stylish, and organized. Photorealistic, interior design shot

How you arrange your furniture matters just as much as what you put in your room. I found that a cramped layout can make even a decent sized room feel teeny tiny.

Using vertical space, through shelving for example – makes the room appear taller.

Small Space Layout Hacks:

Pull furniture slightly away from the walls to create depth.
Use vertical storage solutions like tall bookshelves or wall-mounted organizers to draw the eye upwards.
Keep a clear walking path—too much furniture makes a room feel cluttered and closed in, plus it’s a total pain to be squeezing through it every time you need to open or close the blinds!

⏳ Quick Wins: 3-Minute Fixes for Instant Space!

If you are short on time, try these fast space-boosting hacks:

Swap heavy curtains for sheer ones ☀️
Hang a mirror opposite a window 🪞
Declutter your nightstand & dresser ASAP! 🏠
Use soft, warm lighting instead of a single overhead light 💡
Move furniture to open up the walking path 🚪

💡 These quick tricks take minutes but make a huge impact!

Small Bedroom, Big Transformation

You don’t need to move walls or get rid of half your stuff to make your bedroom feel bigger and more open. By using light colours, strategic mirrors, smart furniture, and clever layout tricks, you can create a space that feels double the size—without spending a fortune.

Loved these tips? Check out my guide on budget-friendly bedroom upgrades for even more transformation ideas!

Pin this for later so you can give your small bedroom a BIG makeover!

Got a space-saving hack? Share it in the comments!