Your bedroom is your haven, and while you might envision it as a gorgeous, sprawling space, sometimes it feels a lot more like a crowded closet. (#HarryPotterLife.) While we can’t step in to physically give you more room — we’ll leave that demo job for the pros! — we can offer up some helpful tips to make the most of your current setup.
In this week’s Design Dilemma, we’re exploring three ways to make the most of your tiny bedroom. With the help of Seattle-based interior designer Brianne MacLean, you’ll get all the expert advice you need to know below, no wand work needed.
If you’re someone who has a studio setup, MacLean recommends going with a daybed. “It provides a functioning sofa with a relaxed vibe that can quickly be used for napping or an overnight guest,” she says. Of course, choosing the right one is key to ensuring a comfortable, seamless fit with the rest of the room. The designer’s advice to ensure it doesn’t stick out like a sore thumb? “I prefer daybeds with side arms that help contain lots of bolsters and throw pillows for sinking into. Utilizing pull-up tables ensures the daybed is multi-purpose,” she says.
A Murphy bed is a great option for a small bedroom that you spend a lot of time in NOT sleeping. “A Murphy bed offers a much more comfortable and streamlined alternative to the hide-a-bed sofa,” says MacLean. When it comes to selecting a compact solution, be aware that some options are better suited for your space than others. The interior designer recommends retailers like Overstock, Joss & Main, and Wayfair to score a great, budget-friendly option that mirrors the vibe of a traditional bed when it’s down — but gives you the space you need when it’s up.
But sometimes you just need to lean in and make your bedroom *all* about catching those Zzz’s — even if that means your bed IS the furniture. But before you grab any big, comfy bed, know there’s a designer-approved way to proceed. “You should go strong with the bed frame design for the vibe you want,” says MacLean. From four-poster bed frames to a more modern platform, choose one that has accents and a finish you won’t mind making a statement with everyday.
When you make sense of all the ways you need your space to function, you’ll know which layout works best. Then all you need to do is finish it off with some flair you love and you’ll feel truly at rest, regardless of your space’s size. Sweet dreams!
Looking for more small space ideas? Follow us on Pinterest. And if you have a design prob you want solved, tweet us @BritandCo!
(Illustrations via Torii Burnett / Brit + Co)
