How to Make a Small Bedroom Look Bigger: 8 Proven Design Tricks

You can't knock down walls or add square footage to your bedroom, but you can trick your eyes into seeing more space. The smartest moves? Light colors everywhere, big mirrors, furniture that doesn't crowd the room, and storage that goes up instead of out.

Lets go over all the steps individually to show you what we mean.

Paint and color strategy

Here's the number one change that makes the biggest difference: paint everything the same light color. And we mean everything: walls, ceiling, trim, all of it. This is also called color-drenching and can be used to trick the eye.

When you use one soft color throughout, your eye doesn't stop at color changes. That makes the room feel like it keeps going. The best colors are soft white, light warm gray, or pale blue.

Most people paint their ceiling white and their walls another color. Don't do that. When the ceiling matches the walls, you erase the boundaries of where the room ends. Your brain sees one big space instead of a box.

Skip dark accent walls as well. They create a visual stop that cuts your room in half. Keep your bedding and curtains in similar light tones so the whole room flows together.

Strategic mirror placement

Mirrors are magic for small rooms, but you need to use them right. Here are some things to keep in mind.

• Put one large mirror across from your window. This reflects both light and the view outside, which makes your room feel like it extends beyond the walls.
• A big leaning floor mirror also works great because it adds depth without taking up floor space.
• If you can swing it, mirrored closet doors double your visual space instantly.

What doesn't work? Lots of small mirrors scattered around. That just creates clutter. And make sure your mirror reflects light or a nice view, not a pile of clothes or a messy corner.

Furniture selection and placement

The furniture you choose matters as much as how you arrange it no matter what size your bedroom is.

Choose the right size

Pick a low-profile platform bed instead of a tall one. It takes up less visual weight in the room. Get wall-mounted nightstands or small tables that don't eat up floor space. Choose a tall, narrow dresser over a wide, low one.

Look for furniture with visible legs. When you can see under a bed or chair, the room feels more open and airy. Bonus: find pieces that do double duty, like a storage bed or a nightstand with shelves.

Smart placement

Here's something that sounds wrong but works: if you have space, float your bed away from the wall a bit. You might think that this would make the room feel smaller, but it actually creates flow.

Keep your walking paths clear, with a minimum 2-foot-wide path. Skip the huge headboard. And if two nightstands make the room feel cramped, just use one.

Maximize vertical space

Stop thinking sideways and start thinking up. Every time you build up instead of out, you free up space where it counts.

• Hang your curtains all the way from the ceiling to the floor, even if your window is shorter. This draws your eye up and makes the ceiling feel higher.
• Mount shelves above your bed or desk.
• Pick tall, narrow storage pieces instead of short, wide ones.
• Hang vertical art or a tall mirror.
• Stack your storage upward instead of spreading it across the floor.

Lighting tactics

Good lighting makes a room feel bigger because it gets rid of shadows that shrink space.

Use several light sources instead of just one overhead light. Layers of light create depth. Wall sconces are perfect for bedrooms because they give you light without taking up nightstand space.

Stay away from bulky table lamps. Add a floor lamp that points up to bounce light off the ceiling. And let in as much natural light as you can by using sheer curtains instead of heavy drapes that block the windows.

Declutter and minimize

This is the free fix that makes the biggest impact.

Clear off your nightstands and dresser top. Use closed storage instead of open shelves where stuff piles up. Stash off-season clothes under the bed. Limit your decor to 3-5 pieces you really love.

Get rid of furniture you don't actually use. That chair where you pile clothes? Move it out. Less stuff equals more space, both real and visual.

What not to do

Skip these common mistakes:

• Dark paint or busy wallpaper that closes in the walls
• Pushing all your furniture against the walls (it makes the room feel stiff)
• Buying oversized furniture because you think it gives you more storage
• Heavy layered curtains that block light
• Lots of small items that are scattered everywhere
• Painting your trim a different color from your walls

Quick action checklist

Start here and work your way down:

• Paint your walls, ceiling and trim the same light color
• Add one large mirror across from a light source
• Replace bulky furniture with simple, low pieces
• Hang curtains from the ceiling to the floor
• Clear everything off surfaces
• Add at least 2-3 light sources
• Mount shelves up high instead of using floor space
• Get furniture that includes storage

Conclusion

These changes create the illusion of a bigger room without any construction. Pick the ones that fit your budget and start there. Even two or three of these tricks will make your small bedroom feel way more open.