Life hacks for visually increasing space
Developing the design of a small bedroom cannot do without the use of useful design tips that allow you to visually increase square meters:
- Color. A small light bedroom looks more like a dark one, so the lighter the better.
- Monochrome. If the furniture is made in the color of the walls, it literally dissolves in the space of a small bedroom.
- Reflective surfaces. Mirrors, glossy facades and ceilings, glass transform the bedroom.
- Minimalist design. Furniture should look as simple as possible so as not to clutter up an already small bedroom.
- Geometry. Vertical stripes raise the ceiling, horizontal ones push the walls apart.
- Perspective. Place a bright object (wardrobe, painting, carpet, curtains) on the surface farthest from the entrance to create the illusion of space.
- Light. Free access to sunlight and lighting in different parts of the bedroom in a small room will make it look bigger.
- Free center. It is difficult to achieve this with a bed, but try not to clutter the central part – maybe you should put it in the corner or replace it with a sofa.
- Proportion. The print on the wallpaper, the size of the furniture and decor – everything should be small.
- Curtain rod under the ceiling. Avoid horizontal lines that break the space – for example, it is better to place the cornice under the ceiling. Full-height curtains will stretch the room.
- 3D. If you decorate a small bedroom with photo wallpaper depicting perspective, its boundaries will blur.
- Storage. This is not a visual technique, but a completely physical one: the less clutter on open surfaces, the more spacious the room seems.
What color is best to decorate?
The interior of a small bedroom begins with the choice of color scheme. We have already mentioned that the materials should be as light as possible. There are several design options in a modern style:
- Monochrome light. White, beige, gray, blue, yellow – the main thing is to lighten them as much as possible. Such a covering resembles a blank canvas on which you will have to place a sleeping place, a storage area, decorative elements.
- Accent wall. Three surfaces remain one-color, and the fourth is decorated with wallpaper with a pattern, photo wallpaper, painted. There are many design options: city panorama, landscape, plant or animal motifs, geometry, abstraction. Large, contrasting, bright images are possible.
- Pastel with patterns. For the decor of a small bedroom, choose monochrome or low-contrast wallpaper with patterns. These can be flowers and leaves, monograms, narrow lines.
The photo shows an example of a narrow long bedroom
When decorating, take into account the geometry of the room:
- Square. All sides are decorated in the same style.
- Elongated rectangular. Either the far wall is made darker, bringing it closer. Or the narrow wall is made wider with the help of horizontal stripes.
- Irregular shape (5-6-angled). The side with a niche or ledge is made monochromatic, one of the other walls is highlighted, distracting attention from the features of the layout.
The temperature of the shade is selected taking into account the location of the window openings:
- Southern windows require a refreshing cold palette: gray, blue, light blue, green.
- Northern bedrooms need sunlight and a warm range: beige, gold, mustard, terracotta, orange, yellow.
What to consider when renovating?
The design of a small bedroom, like any other, involves the use of environmentally friendly, safe materials: they should not emit toxic substances or harm health. Therefore, it is advisable to opt for the most natural products.
First of all, improve the ceiling. If the height of the walls allows (more than 260 cm), stretch a glossy canvas – it reflects light, visually raises the level. Take a closer look at ceilings with contour lighting: ideal for the design of a small bedroom. Don’t want a stretch ceiling? Paint the surface with any white paint.
Walls. We talked about color in the previous section, all that remains is to choose the materials. As a rule, the walls in the bedroom are painted, wallpapered, and decorated with decorative plaster. The same wallpaper, paint, laminate, paneling, and brick are used as decor for the accent wall.
The photo shows the zoning of the sleeping area in the studio
Floor. The floor covering should be warm, so wood or its imitation is an advantage: parquet, laminate, linoleum. No concrete or tiles. The prefabricated floor is laid across the long bedroom to expand it. A carpet is laid on top, the size of which is selected not to the size of the bedroom, but to the dimensions of the bed. The more modest the bed, the smaller the rug and vice versa. The main rule is that the bed and bedside tables should fit on the carpet entirely, or move it away from the headboard, leaving it sticking out on three sides.
The design is chosen based on the location of the door. In a narrow trailer bedroom, where the door is on the short side, the opposite wall is made darker. If the door is on the long side, both short ones can be made larger with a horizontal pattern.
Choosing and arranging furniture correctly
The queen of any bedroom, including a small one, is the bed. First of all, choose it, determine the place and then plan the arrangement of the rest of the items. Depending on the residents, the bed can be:
- Single. 90-110 cm. Suitable for very tiny rooms where one guy or girl will spend the night.
- One and a half. 120-140 cm. For one person, or for two people to rest, but in a very cramped bedroom.
- Double. 140-180 cm. It is comfortable for two people to sleep on a classic width of 160 or more.
- Royal. 180 or more. If only a bed is planned in the interior of a small bedroom, then this is the most comfortable option.
The bed can be replaced with a fold-out sofa, or you can order a couch that hides in a closet. This is justified when it is planned to place a work area here, for example – then nothing will interfere with free movement during the day.
The photo shows dark furniture in a traditional style
Usually in a small bedroom you also need to find space for storage systems. This can be:
- Built-in wardrobe. Preferably with mirrored sliding doors. Roomy, but compact.
- Built-in set with a niche for a bed. The set looks integral, does not take up much space.
- Freestanding chest of drawers. If you need to store a little, a small chest of drawers should be enough. A great move is to replace bedside tables with low chests of drawers.
- Drawers under the bed. They will allow you to save space and easily place a huge number of necessary things.
What to do with curtains and decor?
Textiles and accessories will help make an ordinary bedroom cozy. Choose thick curtains to match the wallpaper or replace them with transparent tulle, avoid patterns on the fabric – it is better to decorate windows with solid colors. They should be hung from the ceiling to the floor.
It is better to take bed linen and a bedspread in light shades, also either solid colors or with a small pattern. Pillows, on the contrary, can be bright, with prints and accents.
The photo shows a bright modern interior with yellow accents
Pictures in frames, photographs, posters in a modern style should not be ordered in large format – instead of one A1 frame, let there be 4 A4. In small spaces, such placement allows you to harmoniously decorate the bedroom.
It is better to avoid various table accessories or use them to a minimum: empty tabletops and shelves tidy up the decor and make it look bigger.
Organizing proper lighting
The minimum you need to know about lighting is that a ceiling chandelier is not enough even for 6 square meters! It can be replaced with several functional spotlights or directional lamps, or supplemented with:
- table lamps on bedside tables or sconces located above the bed;
- backlighting the ceiling or textured accent wall to achieve an interesting effect;
- separate light in the work area;
- built-in lamps in the closet.
The photo shows a small bedroom with black walls
How can you make a small area larger?
To make the area of the bedroom not visually, but physically larger, take note of the ideas for a small bedroom:
Combination with an adjacent room. Often, the bedroom is located in an apartment near the living room – if the BTI requirements do not prevent the demolition of walls, take advantage of this. You will get a spacious studio, due to which you will be able to fence off a larger bedroom for yourself and arrange it the way you want.
The photo shows the use of mirrors to increase the area
Combination with a balcony. A loggia is a great option for increasing living space. Even if it is forbidden to remove the wall completely, remove the internal glass unit and insulate the balcony. There is enough space on the loggia for a work area (the tabletop can be arranged on the former windowsill), a makeup table for a woman, or a storage area. The combined room looks and feels much more spacious.
The photo shows clean white walls
Design options in different styles
When choosing a decorative style solution, start not only from your preferences, but also from the size of the bedroom. The following will suit you:
Minimalism. Laconic forms, lack of unnecessary details, functionality. A great way to save space.
The photo shows a modern bedroom design
Scandi. The combination of white “hospital walls” with cozy little things creates a feeling of comfort.
Modern. Muted, dusty shades, a minimum of decor, stylish elements – the choice of a person who keeps up with the times.
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