How to make a small bedroom cozy?
The design of a 12 sq. m. bedroom in a panel house or in the country requires original solutions that will push the walls apart and make a small room visually more spacious. To do this, you can:
- use a maximum of 3 shades in the design;
- use reflective surfaces (mirrors, gloss);
- buy proportionate furniture;
- create a minimalist design;
- add bright artificial light;
- hang light curtains.
12 sq. m. layouts
12 sq. meters can look different: regular square, elongated rectangular, even with niches and ledges. Knowing all the advantages of your space will help zone the bedroom and arrange the furniture correctly.
- Rectangular bedroom. It is often found, its main advantage is the simplicity of zoning. By dividing the bedroom into two equal squares or a square and a rectangle, you will get a harmonious design of a 12 sq. m. bedroom. The window and door located opposite each other on the short walls dictate the placement of a desk or dressing table by the window, a bed in the center, and a wardrobe or chest of drawers at the entrance.
- Square bedroom. Having ideal initial parameters, you can follow them or break them. To emphasize the geometry, choose a symmetrical arrangement of furniture: two tall wardrobes or desks on both sides of the bed. You can add a little chaos and change the geometry by moving the bed to the side and adding functional areas for storage or work to one of the walls.
The photo shows a real bedroom interior with a table
- Irregularly shaped bedroom. If there is a niche in a 12 sq room, it can be used in several ways: you can arrange a storage system inside, put a bed or a desk. You can install a table or chair in the bay window in the attic. The most difficult to design is a 5-6 square meter room; most likely, you will have to make custom furniture.
If there is a balcony in your 12 sq bedroom, insulate it and add a couple of useful meters to the area of the room. A study or recreation area is placed on the loggia.
The photo shows a layout option with a niche made of cabinets
What colors are best to use in the interior?
The color scheme of the bedroom directly depends on the chosen style:
- white, gray, beige shades for Scandinavian or minimalism;
- milky, coffee and powdery for classics;
- clean pastels for Provence;
- dirty and muted for modern.
To make a 12 m2 bedroom with windows facing north more comfortable, use a warm natural range. A cool palette can muffle the bright sun from the southern windows.
The photo shows a bedroom in Scandinavian style
Color psychology is of great importance for the bedroom:
- Red. Excites, creates anxiety.
- Orange. In large quantities it can be oppressive, in accents it lifts the mood.
- Yellow. Charges, tones. Use with extreme caution – for example, to avoid seeing the color before going to bed, but to perk up in the morning – paint the wall behind the bed with it.
- Green. Relaxes, relieves stress.
- Blue. Fights irritability, guarantees rest.
- Purple. Makes you immerse yourself in yourself, in large quantities leads to discomfort.
The photo shows a bedroom interior with a podium
What to consider when renovating?
A win-win option in design is the simplest possible finish. No furniture or decor will argue with plain walls, besides, changing the interior by changing curtains or pillows is much easier than redoing everything from scratch.
- Floor. When choosing a floor covering, remember that you will often have to walk barefoot on it. Therefore, warm materials such as parquet, laminate, linoleum or cork are best suited. Choose a floor shade in a 12 sq. m bedroom that is a few tones darker than the walls, but not too light. For even more coziness, lay one large rug or a couple of small ones on each side.
- Walls. Depending on your preferences and budget, choose paper, vinyl, liquid wallpaper or paint. The main thing is that all materials are environmentally friendly and do not emit harmful substances. If a neutral setting seems boring to you, stick interesting photo wallpaper behind the headboard of the bed. In a long narrow bedroom, this could be a panorama with urban or natural motifs that expands the space.
- Ceiling. There is nothing better than a classic white ceiling – it makes a 12 sq. m bedroom visually higher, fresher and more spacious. Whitewash, paint or order a suspended structure. In the latter case, it is ideal if the film has a glossy or satin sheen.
In the photo using a floral print on the wall
How to furnish a bedroom?
Even the smallest bedroom cannot do with just one bed. A standard furniture set also includes bedside tables, a wardrobe or chest of drawers, a desk or dressing table.
When choosing any element, remember: furniture on legs seems less bulky. Light colors and transparent materials also provide lightweight construction.
The size of the bed depends on your personal preferences and additional items that need to be placed in a small area. That is, in a 12 sq. m. bedroom where you only plan to sleep, a 2*2 meter mattress will fit perfectly. But if the room will also have a table and a wardrobe, reduce the width to 140-160 cm. To add air, replace the standard massive cabinets with light tables or wall shelves.
A bedroom of 12 square meters is quite small, so if you need a TV, hang it on the wall opposite the sleeping area, avoiding the installation of additional consoles.
To save space, the bed can be replaced with a sofa, and additional zones will help expand the functionality of the space. How to organize them correctly – we will analyze below.
Bedroom interior 12 sq. m with a sofa
Of course, a bed with an orthopedic mattress is the most comfortable place to sleep. But in some cases, replacing it with a high-quality straight or corner sofa, you will only win.
- Saving space. And if during the day you need to work in the room, play with a child or receive guests – this is an excellent alternative to a regular bed!
- Storage problem solution. Modern models have large boxes for linen and other accessories.
- Functionality. The sofa is comfortable to sleep on, watch TV, read books and even eat.
The photo shows a sofa bed in the bedroom interior
The only nuance is in psychology. Any person is more comfortable sleeping with his head to the wall, so if your model assumes sleeping across – install it in the corner. This applies to any mechanism except the accordion – such sofas fold forward and you can sleep on them like on a bed – lengthwise.
Examples of 12-square-meter bedrooms with a work area
The most logical thing to do is to install a computer desk by the window. This way you will not only have light, but also be comfortable: after all, this is the area with the least amount of traffic.
However, there are some secrets here: in a 12 sq. m bedroom with southern windows, sitting opposite the window will be uncomfortable because of the sun’s rays. If you plan to arrange a table on or near the windowsill, curtain the window with blinds or roller blinds. Or move the work area to one of the side walls. In a bedroom with northern lighting, the table can be installed anywhere.
The lighter the structure, the less space it will “eat”. Consider a hanging tabletop on brackets or a table with graceful legs that match the style of the interior.
Organizing storage systems
Do you have an additional dressing room or are you planning to store all your clothes in the bedroom?
- In the first case, a chest of drawers will be enough – all your underwear and home clothes will go in it. Pay attention to modern models with a dressing table for women. Multifunctional furniture is another way to save space in a small bedroom.
- In the second situation, you will need a roomy wardrobe. To make the bulky structure almost invisible, designers advise placing it to the left or right of the front door or hiding it in a niche (if there is one).
A voluminous, but almost invisible storage area can be located under your sleeping area. Drawers or built-in boxes do not require additional space and can accommodate a lot of things.
How to arrange a room?
When the renovation is finished and the furniture is arranged, it’s time for dessert. The icing on the cake in the bedroom interior should be the decor.
- The most important component is curtains. Even in relatively dark rooms you can’t do without them if you don’t want to wake up with the sunrise. The choice of curtain design depends on the chosen style. Modern options look as simple as possible, without lambrequins, ties and fringe. The main thing in curtains is a dense heavy fabric that does not let in light.
- Another element of coziness is textiles. Decorative pillows and bedspreads help create the most comfortable atmosphere. Cover the bed with a blanket in the main color of the bedroom, and add accents with pillows and other small details.
- There should not be too many paintings, figurines, frames with pictures and similar decorations. Their dimensions are also important: small and medium will do.
The photo shows a stylish combination of pink and turquoise
Bedroom lighting is no less important than in other rooms of the apartment. One ceiling chandelier will not be enough, besides, it is too bright and does not promote sleep. Complement the central light source with bedside sconces or floor lamps, table lamps in the work area, directional spotlights near the wardrobe or decorative ceiling lighting.
The photo shows the implementation of a modern style in a small space
Options in different styles
Scandinavian style. The northern countries are not spoiled by the sun, so they have learned to create it in their homes. Maximum of light shades, natural materials, living plants and pleasant contrasts.
Modern style. Clear lines, muted shades, minimum details, maximum functionality. Your 12 sq. m. bedroom will become your neighbors’ dream!
The photo shows a white bedroom with a bed without a headboard
Loft. Combine vintage items with ultra-modern ones, add textures in the form of brick or concrete, do not bother yourself with disguising the wiring. The interior should be both cozy and rough.
Classic style. Carved wooden furniture, gilding, embroidered textiles. All items should declare their expensiveness by their appearance alone. Don’t overdo it with quantity, quality is much more important here.
The photo shows a classic interior in warm colors
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